The Truth About Life

by InnocentGuilt

 

Chapter 1 Surfaces of the Past

As Adam approached the crime scene one of the security guards approach him.

"Behind the yellow line."

"Detective Adam West, Homicide division."  The curt exchange was routine for the two professionals.

The guard escorted Adam to the place where the body had been found.  The smell of blood still tainted the air putting a coppery taste in his mouth.  The room was dark and it was secluded from all of the other rooms in the house.

"I'm Sergeant Roger Walker.  When we found the body, it was chained up, in a position resembling the crucifixion.  The bastard even nailed the hands to the wall." Walker explained.

"Has the room been processed yet?" Adam asked.

"That was the first thing that we did.  However nothing was found.  Not a single trace of hair, DNA, or fingerprints. This guy knew what he was doing." Roger answered.

"If you ask me, it's a crying shame the way this man died; but he deserved it," the priest Abraham said.

"No man deserves to die. No matter what or who they were.  As for you, father, who let you into this crime scene?" retorted Adam in a pit of rage.

"Easy now.  We called the father in because of the nature of the crime.  We needed to know if there was any religious connection." Roger explained.

"Anyone could tell you that.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out when a guy is nailed to a cross, that there is some religious context in it." Adam said.

"Now hold on.  Yes; it is true that the nature of the case is laid out in detail, that there is a reason to believe that religious acts might be involved; but this man had a history.  He was a freaking fag for God sake."

"Fag?" Adam asked.

"You know homo, cross dresser, transvestite, one of those other forms of people who just aren't quite right in the head." Roger explained.

"I'm going to forget you ever said those words.  A man has died here.  It doesn't matter who or what they are.  It is our job to find out the truth, without judging them."

"I'm sorry.  It's just that my kid turned out to be one himself.  The wife and I tried to raise a good kid.  Hell!  I even took him to a strip club, when he turned 18.  I guess the whole time he was there, he wasn't making googly eyes at the breasts, like I thought, but instead, actually wished he had a pair of his own.  It wasn't till we found his little toys, that we knew what he was."

"Toys?" Adam asked.

"Yes toys.  My boy had some type of strap on.  Oh God, I can't even say it." Roger moaned.

"It sounds to me like you might be a little too close to this type of case.  I think you should talk to your captain about reassigning you to a different position." Adam commented.

"Don't do that!  The rent is due Monday; and this is the only case that I could take in such a short notice." Roger replied, feeling a little worried, that he might have overstepped his bounds a little.

"I'll let it slide this time." 

"Father, do you think you can help counsel this poor soul some, that he might find peace and the will to forgive his son for what he considers to be a wrong?" Adam asked.

"It's true, that even the church feels, people who are cross dressers are sinners; but, that doesn't mean they still can not live a productive life." Adam heard the priest telling Roger, as the two faded out of sight.

‘What a strange pair those two make,’ Adam thought.  Then, his focus shifted from the two men, back to the case at hand.

The body was now gone, but a chalk silhouette remained, marking an outline of the place in which the body had been.  Bloodstains ran down the wall where the victim had been staked through, and left grizzly reminders where the hands had been nailed, As shocking as the sight was, Adam found no reaction to it.  In a way, he wondered if he was any better than the monster that had done this.

He scanned other places in the room, seeing a small computer that had been turned over.  It was then that he noticed something.  He couldn't tell at first if it was merely dust; but, as he came closer to the object, the words became clearer.

"Open Me," it said.

It was as clear as the light of day. Was this a message from the killer?   Or, had the victim of this horrible act, been trying to write a final message of warning?

Placing latex gloves on his hands, Adam checked around the computer to see if there was any way of opening the case without disturbing the crime scene.   His efforts ended up in vain.  There was no way to open the computer.  That's when he decided to just throw it to the ground.

"That's evidence!" a guard screamed.

"I know what I'm doing." Adam called back.

Others soon rushed in from the loud sound. Fellow members of the force surrounded Adam. When he lifted the broken pieces, there lay a red book with the letters "DIARY" written on it.

He opened the book up near its end and started reading a page.

"Dear Dairy. I feel alone in this world. Everyone of my old high school friends have moved onto careers and jobs yet I cannot.  I feel like there is something calling me; something inside, although I can not explain what."

He flipped the page to the next day.

"Dear Dairy.  Today is a wonderful day. I meet a man who says he can help me with all of my problems.  He even told me that I would be set free.  When I asked him what he meant by being set free, he told me I would find out soon enough.  I think things are going to go better from now on."

When he flipped again, a page fell out. He picked the piece of paper up and started reading it.

"I'm scared.   If someone is reading this, then it is too late.  My life had actually turned around for the better part; until, I found out what was going to happen to me. Please!!  If anyone is reading this, avoid the man with no eye."

"We need those as evidences." Officer Walker said to Adam.

"Ok, but I want a photo copy of everything.  I think this diary and this "n peace!!" might somehow be the key to understanding who our murderer is." Adam declared, outraged at the thought of loosing prime evidence.

"We will do our best." Officer Walker condescended

Adam walked out of the room, and back down the hall, to where he had come from.  The truth was, he felt there was something different about this case.  The murderer had killed a person who was different from society norms.  This brought a shiver down Adam's spinal cord.  He felt, in some way, that the killer could take out anyone.  As if he considered himself "The Hand of God", and all he touched shall perish before his eyes.  Yet, even if this man was assuming the role of God, he could be stopped.

The long drive back to Adam's office was pains taking. 

He had a pile of reports that were due in tomorrow.  'Damn. How do they ever expect us to solve a case if they won't let us bypass the red tape?' he thought, as he looked over the stack of papers.

One report read, "Middle age woman found dead.  Along with her were two children.  Genders of the children were reported to be female.  Each of them was killed in a manner or way that suggested a copycat killer. The mother of the children, a Mrs. Rebecca Richards, was assumed to be taking her children to daycare.  A 4-year-old, Alexandria, and a 3-year-old, Kendra, were found with their mouths cut open.  All of their teeth had been pulled out and placed into a small bag marked, ‘Won't be needing these were you are going.’  Removed from the mother was her heart. We believe the heart was taken after she died so no pain was felt."

Adam was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Come in," he called.

"Jesus, don't you ever get any sleep?" Captain Jack asked.

"Oh, it's only you peg-leg." Adam said.

Jack had earned the nickname peg leg because he always threw costume parties and always dressed as a pirate.

"Yes it's me. I have some good news and bad news. Which do you want first?" Jack asked.

"Give me the good news," Adam replied.

"Well the good news is you’re not crazy.  The bad news, is what I have to tell you, might make you that way. Congratulations." Jack said.

"Congratulations on what Captain?" Adam asked.

"On the fact that you have a new partner," the Captain replied.

"Partner?  You know I work alone Captain." Adam spat back, livid at the thought of a partner.

"Not anymore. I believe you met the guy.  Officer Roger Walker from Metro P.D. Effective immediately you and he are now partners in crime." Jack said.

"I won't take that person.  The man's a fucking idiot.  Not to mention he has personal views, which might affect the case I'm currently working on." Adam replied angrily.

"There's nothing I can do about it.  This was an official command passed down from higher up.  My hands are as tied as yours are."

"Don't give me the bullshit about your hands being tied.  I know you could pull some strings if you really wanted to."  Adam replied, pissed off.

"Yes.  It’s true that I could pull some strings, but even I'm worried about you.   You consume yourself in your work, and you don't take time off to be with the people you care about," Jack stated.

"I'm fine.  So stop caring, and I don't want a partner. So there." Adam said, pouting like a small child.

"No your wrong.  You will have a partner; and you will treat him with respect.  Can't you see we are all worried about you?  Ever since Samantha died, you haven't been the same."

"Don't you dare bring Samantha into this." Adam said, swinging his arm up to Jack's face stopping it mere inches away from hitting.

"Look at you. Even you have to admit you have problems. Now accept the fact that you are going to have a partner and live with it." Jack said assuming the role of command.

"I may have to live with it, but that doesn't stop me from not liking it." Adam replied back.

"Look I know that. Just go home and get some sleep. Then report back to me in the morning when you have a clear head." Jack said.

"Damn it, captain, don't do this to me. Just let me do my work." Adam pleaded.

"Don't make me order you to do this. Instead of being a big ass about, it why don't you give in? Do it for the friend that you used to care for and not for the captain in front of you." Jack pleaded.

"Ok, ok. Before you start going all teary on me, I'll leave. Just say hi to Beth for me." Adam . requested.

"I will." Jack answered.

The captain walked out the room, leaving behind a puzzled Adam. Why did Jack have to go and bring up Samantha?  Samantha had been the core of Jack’s heart.  She was the sun that had shined brightly down on his hope.

‘Oh Samantha, my Samantha! Why did you have to follow me  into that dark alley.’ Adam thought.

It was on that dreadful night, in mid October, that Samantha was shot. The thoughts of that night started pouring out of him as if an old war wound had just been opened.

"Just who is she?  Who is the other woman that you are seeing behind my back?" Samantha had screamed.

"She’s just a case I’m working on, it’s nothing to be so worried about." Adam  responded.

"Worried?  Me worried?...about a scumbag like you, who claims to be in love with me, but  in reality is working some whore that you met in a bar? Why would I care about a two timing bastard like you?"

"Look, I can tell  that you’re upset about it, but there is nothing.  She’s a prime witness to a murder case that I’m working. Why do I have to tell you this every single time I work a case?" Adam . questioned.

"Because I know you’re lying. When we entered into this marriage, we agreed to be a couple , that means two members of a family, not three!" Samantha screamed in Adam’s face.

"How many times do I have to remind you that I’m a police officer?  Sure, I might have to kiss a woman or have sex with another woman.  I’m a man after all." Adam said.

"How dare you?" Samantha yelled back. She lifted her breast up high. "Is this all you men care about? Is it the reason why you married me?"

"You know very well, that I was only joking by that remark.  I love you like no man has ever in the past," he said, as he looked her in the eyes. "Honestly, do you think that I could lie to you, right in front of your face like this?"

"You are gone so long, that I just don’t know." Samantha replied.

"I’m gone because I care about you.  I want to provided for you and some day maybe another." Adam said passionately.

"Another?" Samantha asked.

"Another, as in a baby? God! Can’t you just go with the moment and let yourself relax?" Adam said with a deep sigh.

"I just don’t know if I can trust those words of yours anymore.  Can’t you see that I’m hurt?" Samantha asked.

She moved in a little closer to Adam, allowing him to place his arms around her.

"If you’re hurt, then let me be the doctor to cure the pain." Adam replied.

In his mind he thought how cheesy and lame  that line was. Parts of him yelled out, ‘Stupid! She will see that one coming a mile away.

"Then open up doctor; because the patient needs mouth to mouth resuscitation."

He was surprised   at her comment. Maybe she did understand, how much he cared about her after all. The next hour, they shared the best sex that they had  shared in a long time. The fireworks had flown higher then ever; and the birds were flying loops around the bees. So this is what love is, he thought.

"That was a nice attempt,; but, you’re still not off the hook." Samantha said, breaking his moment of thought.

"Off the hook?  Jesus woman. What do I have to do to make you understand how much I love you?" Adam asked.

"Well for starters, how about another round?" Samantha  whispered with a shy grin.

"Sometimes I wonder, if all you ever think about is sex. " Adam .proposed.

"Well maybe," she said, as the two embraced each other for the start of round two.

 Adam’s thoughts of  reminiscence were brought back to reality when Jack screamed, "I thought I told you to go home."

"I will, but did I ever tell you the story of how Samantha and I meet?" Adam requested,  as he grabbed his jacket and headed out the door with Jack.

 

Chapter 2 Past Lives

 

It’s amazing how a shower can make someone feel so good. The refreshing movements of the water, dripping off the head and onto the body, pushed away the tension of the day. It was a welcome change to the upcoming events that he had prepared for.  Today was the day that Roger would become a his partner. Suddenly, his relaxing place turned into a nightmare, as the door swung open, and there, standing in the doorway, was Roger.

 "Aren’t you glad that I don’t have a knife; otherwise, you would be dead right now in the shower." Roger said.

"Why the hell would you come in to a house with your gun cocked and ready to shoot?" Adam asked, pissed and outraged by the intrusion of his privacy.

"This badge gives me that ability." Roger said, pointing at the badge as if it were a holy embodiment of power.

"That badge only claims that you’re a cop!. There are rules, and regulations to follow, in order to be a cop." Adam said.

"You don’t say.  If you keep thinking like that, then you will never have any fun with your life." Roger proclaimed.

"If you keep that attitude about your job, then you won’t keep it long.  It’s cops like you who give the media a reason to give us a bad name," Adam responded knowing he set off a nerve."

Adam grabbed a towel; and then wrapped it around himself.  He walked over to the closet, where he pulled out his uniform.

"They said, that you objected to having me as a partner.  Why?" Roger asked.

Adam pulled out some boxers and put them on.

"The reason why I didn’t want you, is because I don’t want any partners," Adam responded.

"Just because you think your better then anyone else, doesn’t mean you don’t need someone to protect your back." Roger rejoined.

Adam just shrugged it off, grabbing the pants, and pulling them into place.

"I had a partner once,; but they took her away from me; and  you could never replace her," Adam said.

"I don’t want to replace anybody.  However, the past is the past, and partners come and go." Roger replied.

"Not this one. This one was meant to be forever. I  even married her!" Adam . came back with

Roger felt a little embarrassed, and a little guilty at  that thought.

"Look, I’m sorry for being so stupid.  I didn’t know."

"You wouldn’t have known.  The fact that you know now, is proof of the reason, why I didn’t want another person as my partner.  When I lost my wife, my whole world stopped.  Before that, I was on my rise to the top.  Everyone thought I would be this vision of perfection. Do you know what it is like to watch your whole world suddenly come crashing down; and a wallbuilt up in front of you, to keep you from ever reaching that place again?" Adam asked.

"Yes I do. When I found out about my son, and what he had done; everything came crashing down for me as well.  I was known as the man who had raised a perverted son.  My neighbors feared letting their kids come around, out of fear that their kids might become the same as my son. We  became  social outcasts, of a society who could not understand, what it meant to have a son that was different.  My wife even lost her position on the school board that she had held for 10 years.

 So don’t think I don’t understand where you are coming from. We all have our ghosts from the past that we  hide in order to protect from others." Roger explained.

"It’s no wonder that this world needs order more then ever. We seem to spawn our own monsters, out of fear, in order to keep quiet about the truths that everyone holds," Adam said.

"Sometimes, I wonder if we will ever have a world, where police aren’t needed. A place where a citizen can walk out into the middle of a street, and not have to worry about some speeding, drunk driver  careening down and smashing them out of reality.  Even our schools aren’t  safe anymore. A child could walk in  carrying a gun and just start shooting way.  Is this the type of world that we should be praising for the freedom we have? Sometimes, it makes me wonder," Roger stated.

"Just because it’s bad out there right now, doesn’t mean we should give up everything. I be damned if I’m going to give up my badge and gun just because some foreign country walks in and tells me to do so," Adam replied.  (Editors note: This line does mot seem to fit. Not in any sequence prior nor any sequence near after. It seems like a non-sequitor rant. Please reconsider, delete, or reword to clarify your meaning for the story)

.

"I’m just stating the facts of how it is." Roger said with a sigh.

"It might be "facts", but it isn’t what I signed up for. When I became an officer, I wanted to help people.  I wanted to be the type of officer that goes into a school telling children how great my job was; and that I was doing something to protect my country."

"You’re in the wrong line of work then.  I don’t think they are going to invite a homicide detective  into a school," Roger stated.

"Either way we have a job to do," Adam said, placing his badge on his pocket.

Then blowing a puff of air on it, to give it that little shine.

The act of bonding is a strange thing, Adam thought.  In a short period of time, they seemed to have come closer  than any time on the force could have forced upon them. In a way, he thought, maybe this was the reason and the way partnerships developed.  However; the friendly feeling changed after Adam reached his front door.

"Damn, did you really have to kick in my door?" he asked.

"Well, it’s not like there was any other way to get in." Roger said.

"It’s called knocking.  Look it up  sometime. Most normal people do it." Adam replied.

"I guess I’m just special then," Roger .rejoined.

What little progress Roger had made, on being accepted by Adam, had just gone down the drain. Even the best relationships have their problems. Adam picked the door up and then taped it back in place with crime scene tape.

"Are you really going to just leave your door like that?" Roger asked.

"If we leave one of the squad cars here, the tape should scare people off from entering the compound. Now,  let’s leave, before I decide to tape you up instead," Adam explained.

Roger had to admit that this  guy had balls.  He respected that in an officer; and, knew if it came down to a fight with a suspect, Adam would be able to back him up.

"Ok," Roger said. He didn’t want to give Adam a hint of his true feelings.

When Adam opened the door of the Police car a dispatch was being sent on all channels, "We have a 10-24 in the central distract of China Street. I repeat we have a 10-24 in process at the central distract of China Street."

‘Damn’  thought. Adam

"That isn’t far from here." he said to Roger.

"Well what should we do?" Roger asked.

"What, are you a rookie?  We call in our location and head over there."

"Dispatch this is car 7293 at Broad Street.  We are  2 blocks away and heading to the scene, right?" Adam said.

"The two newlyweds are on their way.  I repeat, the two newlyweds are on their way to the location," was the message received back from dispatch.

"Very funny. Just remember I’m putting this on your record," Adam sent back.

He then Then, he flipped on the siren and then the two were off.

"Damn this traffic." Adam said.

"Well, you should have  known it would be this bad during rush hour." Roger stated.

"I know. I just hate traffic. The moment I see those cars blocking my way, I get angry," Adam .commented

 

"It’s called road rage. You should really get some help for it," Roger said.

"You want to see road rage? I’ll show you road rage!" Adam replied speeding through traffic. Each car came within an inch of side swiping the other.

"Now that’s something they don’t teach in the force these days," Adam noted.

"That’s because they want to have police officers alive  nowadays, and not dead on the road  somewhere, because they cannot obey the rules," Roger stated.

"This from the man who claims he can enter a house just because  he has a police badge," Adam said.

Roger gave him an evil glance.

"That was all in good fun.  I wasn’t endangering anyone’s life," Roger retorted.

"You endangered my life by putting the gun in my face.  Don’t tell me you aren’t endangering anyone’s life," Adamretorted.

"Stop your bitching.  You’re starting to sound like a woman," Roger replied.

"I’m not bitching.  I’m speaking my mind. Which, I must say if you used more of yours, you might be smart enough to realize that," Adam defended.

"Ok, enough is enough, already. If I have to hear you explain yourself one more time; I’m going to loose my mind," Roger said.

On that note, the two ended their conversation.

When the two arrived at the scene, 3 squad cars were already  at the location. The two showed the guard at the front of the tape, their badges; and then he escorted the to the crime scene.

"It’s the same as the last one.  This means our killer isn’t just a one timer," Adam noted.

A man in a gray lab suit approached the two cops and shook their hands.

"You two are Rogers and Adams I presume?  My name is Simon."

The two showed their badges to him.

"We know that you two were on the samet site as the last one. The MO matches what we suspect as a serial killer. Right now we are moving the body to the SouthlakeHospital for a autopsy."

"Was there any sign of a computer?" Adam asked.

"There was one, but no notes were found like the last one," Simon replied.

"What about eye witnesses?  Surely someone saw the murder happen," Roger asked.

"There were none to be seen. They  all are too afraid to admit they saw it. This happens a lot in a neighborhood like this," Simon said.

"Still, it is no excuse to hide, what could be used to find a killer. These people should understand, that we are the good guys; and are here to help them," Adam.

"You try to tell that to them. These are hard times; and people just don’t want to help anymore. We get reports all the time, of gang violence here."

"What  happened to the morals and  the ethics that a good citizen should have?  Is our world really getting that bad?" Adam asked.

"It’s the way of the times.  Good morals went out like the dinosaurs,"  Simon said.

"What about parents, or a spouse?" Roger asked.

"Both parents are dead.  He’s a cross-dresser, so there is no spouse. The only thing we did seem to find was a  receipt for a club 69.  It’s a place on sixth and main.  My wife and I accidentally ended up there, after we received the wrong directions to a meeting place with friends of mine. We found out later, that it wasn’t a accident, but they had pulled a prank on us," Simon said.

"I think we better go and check out that club." Adam said.

"If you wanted a man, you could have just asked me; and I would have set you up with one," Roger said.

"You moron!. This killer is murdering people who are cross-dressers. Chances are, there is a connection between the club and the killer."

"Aren’t you at least going to stick around and look at the crime scene."

"Don’t need to. The killer is using the same method which means that this crime scene is no different from the last one." Adam said.

"That’s very sloppy deduction." Roger said.

"Look I got a degree  from Yale. I think I know what I’m doing. Now get your ass in the car. Otherwise, I’m going to leave you here." Adam replied.

"Ok. See you doc," Roger said to Simon.

"So honestly.  Why didn’t we look the crime scene over?" Roger asked.

"It was something about the place that got to me. I just didn’t want to be there any longer then I had to."

"Aren’t cops suppose to be used to that type of stuff by now?" Roger asked.

"I thought I was used to it. It might be trigger to what happen to Samantha." Adam said.

"Who is Samantha?" Roger asked.

"Remember when I told you I had a partner and I married her?" Roger asked

"Yes." Roger replied.

"Well that partner was Samantha," Adam explained.

"Tell me about Samantha. I would like to know more." Roger said.

Adam looked around.  He saw the  changing scenerystreets turning into more streetscars that didn’t have all their parts, and the way the people were walking their dogs.

"How can I start this off properly?  Samantha was an angel.  She had long blonde hair that spun around when she shook her head.  The hair always seemed to float back down into place. Her eyes were baby blue, and her lips were as red as a rose petal falling off its stem. Whenever Samantha would walk into a room, it always went silent. Everyone would have to turn their heads, just to get a look at the angel that had just floated down from heaven." Adam said with a sigh.

"She sounds  as if she was a lovely woman." Roger said.

"That she was. I just hate the way we lost her. Being a police officer had given her a strong stubborn  streak. We used to fight, a lot, about the stupid little things that all couples go through.  That night however was different."  Adam explained taking a pause. "She  thought I was seeing another woman."

"Were you?" Roger asked.

"Hell no.  The only woman I was seeing was Samantha.  When I married her, I was happier then I had ever been. Only, she insisted on being there that night, that God awful night that took her away from us, and back into the heaven where she  had come from." Adam paused again.

"What  happened on that night?" Roger .encouraged

"That night, a  spray of bullets hit her in the side." Adam said.

The memories of that event came flashing back to him, with no way of shutting it off.

"So this is the tramp that you are seeing behind my back.?" Samantha shouted.

"I’m not seeing her. This is a case I’m working on." Adam screamed back.

"Look I don’t know who you are or why you are here, but just go away. Adam and I  are on official business." Jennifer said.

Jennifer was the same height as Samantha, but had no idea how strong Samantha was.

"You actually think I’m going to leave you alone with my husband?" Samantha screamed.

She lifted her arm back and slapped Jennifer right in the face.

"Look missy. I don’t know what you believe or want to believe, but your interfering with official top secret business." Jennifer said, while taking out her nightstick and using it to force Samantha off of her.

"Will you two stop fighting? They will hear us." Adam said.

Little did he know, they were too late.  A stray bullet shot into the side of the near by brick wall.

"Oh great. Now they have found us. Run!" Adam screamed helping Jennifer and Samantha up.

 Jennifer ran one way and Samantha ran another. He didn’t know which way he should go. On one side was a FBI agent, who had asked Adam to help her with catching a terrorist group, who had been  threatening the USA. She needed a local man to help point her way; and on the other side was his wife he cared for. Another bullet went by them him. This time they were getting closer, so he chose his wife.  The two ran into the darkness of the alley. That was when the group surrounded them.

"Why are you helping a spy?" The leader of the group demanded.

He was at least six feet tall; half his hair had been shaved off. It looked like a bad copy of the military style only if someone had his mothers cutting it.

"I am not helping any spy.  I am an officer of this state assigned to help a field agent.  Let us go; or otherwise there will be trouble." Adam said.

"Look at that boys. He thinks he is a big bad police officer; and can hurt us by words. Shoot the girl first; and then shoot the man." The leader said.

He walked off, not even showing a care for what he had just .ordered.

"Don’t shoot her." Adam screamed trying to jump in front of the bullets, but it was too late.

"Please remember the time we had together. I loved you with all my heart and know that you never would have done anything to hurt me. Now RUN!" she screamed.

She flung herself into the path of incoming bullets blocking them from hitting him.

"Stupid girl. She should have known doing that would just make her die quicker." A man with long side burns said.

"That stupid girl you are referring to was my wife." Adam screamed. 

He grabbed his gun as from his holster as quick as possible just shooting bullets everywhere, not consciously picking a target. He didn’t stop shooting till he heard each body fall to the ground.

That was when Jennifer had walked up on him. "Jesus Adam. What happen here?" she asked.

"They shot her. The bastard’s killed Samantha." He said bending down to pick her up.

"You know you really shouldn’t be moving your wife she is part of the crime scene." Jennifer stated.

"Fuck the crime scene!. There is no way on earth that I’m going to let my wife be found dead here. I’m going to take her home. Let them write up whatever they want to about me," Adam.frantically shouted

The reality of it all had left Adam  scarred for life. Even telling Roger brought back the painful memories of how his wife had died.

"Listen, that story you just told me.  It wasn’t your fault. Your wife had a mind of her own; and no matter what you would have done, she would have still followed you there." Roger said.

"I know. It’s just that the pain she went through when those bullets hit her. It should have been me and not her. I should be the one laying out in the grave," Adam said pounding his fist into the dashboard of his car.

"Listen. If it had been you think of all of the lives you would have  missed  saving.  In saving you, she saved all of America." Roger said trying to cheer Adam up.

"What lives?  I don’t save lives.  I arrive at the scene of a crime after a life has been taken. I’m just a fucking clean up crew member," Adam said in a  fit of anger.

"You do save lives.  This case that we are on isn’t just cleaning up what others cannot figure out.  We are preventing more deaths from happening.  Those are the lives that you save."

"Listen all I know is Samantha was a gentle woman. She should have lived a longer life,  had kids, and grandkids." Adam said pulling into the parking lot of Club 69.

"I know that.  It is a shame when someone dies before their time. Lets just get this over with; and then call it a night." Roger said.

 

Chapter 3 Club 69

 

The entranceway of club 69 was an offset crimson gray with metallic black hedges flowing to the surface. At the front door was a tall, well muscled, black man.

"You guys had better be on the list." The bouncer said.

"Hello! We are two people in cop uniforms who just happen to have a car parked in the rear of the building.  I think we by pass any list requirements," Roger said, pointing to his badge.

"We see those costumes all the time in here. A lot of our male couples like to dress up," the bounce said with no intention of letting them pass.

"For Christ’s sake. We are cops. We aren’t some gay couple who likes to dress up.  We are part of the community that patrols the street, looking for bad guys, just like you see on TV," Roger stated getting very anger.

Adam, picking up on what was happening, quickly went into action.  He grabbed the bouncer and forced him into the doorpost.

" Look here.  This is a police gun.  You can tell by the registration numbers that we are the real guys.  These cuff’s that I’m handcuffing you with, are real too," Adam said, while handcuffing one cuff to himself and the other to the bouncer. "Now, if you want out of these, I suggest you let us through. Otherwise you will be coming down to the station for a little visit."

"Ok, I believe you. Just let me go. I don’t want any trouble," the bouncer replied.

"Oh you already have that," Adam said in a sly voice while undoing the cuffs.

When Adam had finished removing the cuffs from the beleaguered man, he let them through the door. Just then, when their backs were turned away from the bouncer, he body slammed them both to the ground.

"Register this officer," both Roger and Adam heard as they passed out on the spot.

When Adam came to he was in a small room. Ropes had been used to tie both him and Roger together.

"Sorry for the inconvenience officers. We had to tie you up till we found out if you were telling the truth or not. I’m the manager of this club Luther Banks."

"What you did is assault a officer. I could have you thrown in jail for that." Adam threatened the man.

"I’m sure you could. At the same time you’re lucky my lawyers aren’t filing a lawsuit against the way you assaulted my bouncer. That wasn’t a very smart move." Luther replied.

"If your bouncer had let me in, none of this trouble would have started in the first place," Adam stated, trying to take back control of it all. "What is the deal with the list?"

"I’m sure you are aware of the murders that have been happening lately. I host a select list of clientele, who make contact with me first; and then I approve their entry.  If they don’t meet my  standards, then they don’t get into the club. That is the system that we have come up with, to ensure us from having a murder at the club."

"How did you know about the murders?" Adam asked.

"The news is broadcasting reports about it right now." Luther said flipping on the TV to the local new station.

"We interrupt our normal scheduled programming to bring you this late breaking news of a murder spree that is happening right as we speak. A murderer is on the loose, and killing people in our city.  We go to Sandra Jones, our reporter on the street."

The anchorwoman said. "In earlier reports, nothing was said about the first case;, but when a second young male was killed, our top secret staff got on it. They contacted us about the nature of this crime, which on its own, rates as a tragedy. Derrick Smith, a young male who found a passion and love for woman’s clothing, was murdered in his own bedroom. That’s right. Derrick was a cross-dresser. What does it mean to be a cross-dresser? Well let’s just say it isn’t a good thing to be. When cops arrived they found Derrick in a cross like position. They believe the killer is using this method..." Luther clicked the TV off.

"You don’t think that after hearing THAT, I wouldn’t protect my men?  These people aren’t just my clients, but my family." Luther stated.

"Then you know that one of your family members was killed in the murder?" Adam said.

"Yes I know. It’s so sad what happened. He was such a good man; and an even better woman. We truly will miss him," Luther said throwing out a dramatic tear.

"For someone who seems to miss him so badly, you are still running the business." Roger said.

"Just because a person dies, doesn’t mean I have to stop my business. Mama has to buy dresses of course."

"Just what is it that you do here?" Adam asked.

"I make Princes into Princesses, Princesses into Queens. In other words we are a fetish hang out."

"Fetish?" Adam asked.

" You know where boys go to be spanked for being naughty. We serve different ranges of clientele some of our clients like to be boys; and others like to be girls so we make that happen. We even have a dominatrix on hand, for those little boys who just want to stand in the corner, and be whipped for hours upon hours.  Doesn’t that just sound like fun.  How would you like to be a naughty little boy, and allow me to spank you?" Luther asked.

"Look, I don’t care what perverted or sick place this is. All I care about is solving a crime." Adam said.

"You’re no fun." Luther said.

"Again, I’m not here for the reasons that someone else might be. I need all back records of guest or users of the club. If I keep getting pushed around I will have a warrant brought in here. "

"Alright already. Don’t push the badge around."

Luther went to the records and pulled out all information. "Does this make the big bad Police man happy?" Luther asked.

"I'll let it go this once, but show some respect for us. We are the ones out there keeping the streets safe." Adam said.

"Whatever." Luther.dismissed.

"Let's go." Adam said to Roger. Roger nodded and left out of Luther's office. On the way out, they had to go through the club, which was very disturbing for Adam. In one end there was a woman whipping a man who was chained up to the wall. Another corner had a man crying from a crib. There were people getting tattoo’s, eyebrows pierced, and tongues pierced. "How do people live like this?" Adam asked Roger.

"Apparently the same as we do, just at a much different level." Roger replied. "Do you think the information we got from Luther was worth the trouble?" Roger asked.

"I can not say, just yet. I'll have to look over all the information; and then see if any of our guest match my hunch." Adam responded, reaching for the door. Swiftly drawing it open, he invited," Lady's first?"

"That's very funny." Roger responded back .XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

'What is the connection?" Adam thought.'

Once Adam and Roger had got back to the station the two got down to work right away. "Thanks." Adam said to Roger as he handed him a glass of coffee.

"So what do you think the connection is?" Roger asked.

"Don't know yet. The only facts we do know is that the killer is selecting people who are cross dressers. Hand me the forensics report over there." Adam said pointing to the folder hanging half way off of the desk.

"You mean this one?" Roger asked picking up the folder.

"That is it." Adam replied. As he looked over the papers it seemed the usual forensics report.

"Well?" Roger asked.

"Well what?" Adam replied.

"Is there any clues from the report?" Roger asked.

"Not a one." Adam said.

"Well then why the hell did you have me grab it in the first place?" Roger asked.

"Because I thought they might have found or figured some clues out. The only thing they found about the body, was a broken neck, flakes of iron from the nails that were in his hands, and fibers from the rope." Adam explained.

"Well it’s not everyday that someone gets tied up with a rope." Roger replied.

"I know, but there just has to be a connection. Here we have two men killed by the same guy. What on earth would posses a person to go off on a killing spree?" Adam asked.

"I don’t know, but I’m going to head on home," Roger stated.

"It’s not even dark outside. Plus if we don’t stop the killer now then who knows what will happen." Adam said anger at the thought of Roger giving up so easy.

"Look, I’m not out to stop the man. If it comes to putting him in jail, I’ll do that. This job just has its limits." Roger said while holding his ground.

"So that’s it. We just leave a killer on he loose; and say oh I’m sorry. We could have stopped him, but no, we had to go home so our wife doesn’t get mad at us." Adam said sounding more like a whiney kid then a grown man.

"Look. I know I’m not a damned saint. When it comes to my wife, that’s a whole different story." Roger said, feeling a little ticked off and annoyed.

"Go on then." Adam said waving towards the door.

"You know, at times I could mistake you as a woman; your so God damn emotional, that it makes me sick." Roger said while grabbing his jacket.

"Just what is that suppose to mean?" Adam screamed.

"It means, at times, you’re more like a emotional scared woman than a guy. " Roger  threw back.         

"Just because I have certain feelings, does not make me a fucking woman." Adam snapped..   

"Look, I’m sure you have something better to do, but my wife does make more then enough at dinner times; and if you would like to come over, we could maybe talk, do a little bonding; and get to know each other better."

"Fine." said Adam grabbing his stuff.

 As the two left, Adam thought back on the way he was acting. He realized that some parts of  me might have been scared, but who wouldn’t be, when you have to watch your wife die, right in front of you.  Parts of him almost regretted, what he had done back there. ‘Well Sam, it looks like the only monster here, is the one I’ve become’. Adam thought, as he flipped off the lights of his office.

 

Chapter 4 Dinner at Roger’s House

 

When we pulled up to Roger’s house, he pointed at a car in the driveway and said," That’s my daughter’s car. I bought it for her when she turned 16." Roger said.

"I didn’t know you had a daughter?" Adam asked.

"Sadly I do. Remember when I told you about my son, and him having feminine feelings?" Roger asked.

"Yes." Replied Adam.

"Well, it wasn’t just feeling like a woman, that kept him going. The boy had to become one, too." Roger said, pounding his fist into the dashboard of his car.

"So what does that mean? He became a woman?" Adam asked with a streak of curiosity.

"Basically, it means that he had a operation; and they took away the family jewels." Roger said, feeling a little flushed at the thought.

"And you paid for this?" Adam.persisted.

 

"Hell no. The little Bastard went out and bought them his self. I had thought, that if I disowned him, he would loose the courage and balls to do it,; but, in the end, all he lost was the balls." Roger muttered, starting to open the door. "Well, I guess if we are going to go in, now is as good of a time as any for you to meet him."

 The two stepped out of the car and proceeded onto the sidewalk. The sidewalk curved in a path to the front porch of the house. Two trees stood in the front yard; one was a pecan and the other a cedar. The front door had stained glass that showed into the house. Adam could see a long dining table. Above the dining table was a chandelier. It held 5 candleholders, whose source of light had not been a burning candle, but a light bulb that was made to resemble a.candleflame. A wire lead ran from the center of the chandelier and disappeared into the ceiling.

A dark haired woman, wearing a business suit that showed a  image of power, entered the dining room as Roger put his keys into the door. She  glided down the length of the dining room almost as if it were a runway and she were the model of a high-class fashion designer.  When Roger opened the door, she was there to greet him. "Why hello daddy.  So what do you think of the new dress?" She asked.

"It’s nice." said Roger, sliding his foot, and then his body, inside the door. "I hope, you and your mother weren’t out spending my hard earned money on clothes." Roger lectured.

"Daddy, you know that I have my own job now.  I haven’t needed to borrow money from you in a long time. " That was when she noticed the strange hand guiding it’s way atop.her breasts.  The hand squeezed them and she jumped.  " Just who the hell are you?" She asked, slapping Adam smartly in the face.

"I just wanted to know if they were real." Adam said, while rubbing the spot on his face where she had slapped.him.  "You didn’t have to go and slap my face."

"Men, you might think they would at least have the decency to ask first.  God, sometimes it makes me sick, to think that I was ever part of the male gender." she  ranted.

"Adam. I think you went a little  too far on that part.  Anyway this is my daughter Jackie." interposed Roger.

"Don’t worry Roger. It’s amazing though, the way they jiggle and feel. I couldn’t  tell that they were silicon."

Jackie produced an angry face; and then lifted her breasts up to display them. "You see these. They are not silicon. They are all natural and real, you idiot."

"She’s right. They make it easy for guys to grow breasts now a days. All they have to do is take a few hormones and then they have breasts.  I mean just look at her. She’s living proof." Roger said.

"For the love of God, daddy.   I can not believe that your supporting this pervert. He just grabbed at my breast." Jackie said, looking at her father through hurting and tearful eyes.

"I must say, I would have never believed it.  She really does make a pretty girl; and she even has that time of month thing down to a science." Adam said, winking at Roger.

"Men." Jackie said, while sticking her tongue out, and swiftly leaving the room.

"Now you’ve done it." An older lady, around the same age as Roger, said.

"Just when did you get there.?" Roger inquired, in a stutter, and a little afraid of his wife’s expression.

"Just long enough to see you, and your guest, making a ass out of yourself in front of our daughter." Roger’s wife supplied.

"Relax, I’ll buy her something later on, to make up for it.  You know that she will be back to her normal self tomorrow." Roger  persevered.

"Do you really think it is that easy to change a young girls heart?" Roger’s wife insisted.

"It worked with you!" Roger said with an evil grin on his face as he moved closer and gave his wife a deep kiss.

"Why you  flatterer.  Dinner is still in the oven.  I think I better go find Jackie and make sure she is ok. It’s nice to meet you? I don’t think I ever got your name." Roger’s wife asked.

"The name is Adam." Adam said, then expanded, "Your husband has been partnered with me,…er… um… today.

"Nice to meet you Adam. My name is Serena. Now, if you gentleman will excuse me, I have a daughter to look after." Serena chided.

Adam noted the similarities in the features of Serena and Jackie and he found it odd, how even though Jackie had been a boy at birth, she had retained so many of his mother’s features.  In some dark and deep recess, Adam wondered if the same thing was true for him and his mother..

"What with that weird face?" Roger asked of Adam.

"Oh nothing just thinking how I could steal your family away from you." Adam said, just teasing him.

"Oh you, just what am I going to do with you?" Roger asked in return.

"For starters, you could let me have them without a fight." Adam responded. Then, they both laughed together.

Back in Jackie’s room, Serena had just arrived to find an unhappy girl. Jackie was a 24 year old, but she still came back to home every now and then, to have dinner with her mother and father. She missed the good old days when life was so simple and she could always go up to her father and he would be there for her. "Just look at your make up, it’s ruined." Jackie turned around to hear her mother’s voice.

"Mother, why do boys have to be so cruel?" Jackie asked, as she clutched a . Jackie’s toys were a mixture of  boy’s things and girl’s things. The stuffed animal had been with her since she found it in the closet. Originally her mom had bought baby stuff that was for a girl. When Jackie had turned out to be a boy they had to take everything back, but this one little stuffed animal seemed to make it through the whole process. It was a little pink bear that had a white t-shirt saying, 'It’s a girl!' on its front. On it’s head was a little bow that had a blue sapphire in the middle.

"Boys are just that way. You should know better from your experience of being .one" Serena said.

"I’m ashamed that I was ever a boy.  I should have been born a girl, like you and daddy wanted back then." Jackie said.

Serena gave her daughter a hug, and squeezed her tight. "Your father and I had no preference on what came out. All we wanted, was a baby to share our love with."

"I know, but ever since I became a transvestite, he seems different.  It’s so much harder to tell him stuff; and I almost feel like some parts of him hate me." Jackie said.

"Honey, no matter how bad your father may seem, deep down, he still loves you.  Do you remember the day that you found that bear?" Serena solicited, letting go of her daughter.

Jackie tried to remember, but most of those thoughts were vague. She remembered moments of her father yelling at her, and moments of her mom crying, but that was about it." I all remember, is the pain I caused you." Jackie said.

"That pain was fear. Your father was mad at you, because you had been sneaking around in our room. Then you produced that bear, and his fear turned to shock.  He blamed himself, when I was the one to be blamed." Serena said.

"But mom you never did anything wrong.  I was the one who found the bear, and then knew the secret that you had kept from me." Jackie replied.

"Neither you, nor your father, were in the wrong.  I kept the bear up there, because I always thought that I might have another child. I should have gotten rid of it in the first place." Serena blubbered, now in tears herself.

"Don’t cry mom. Look at us, two grown woman crying over the past.  Do you think it will ever get easier for us?" Jackie asked.

"I don’t know if it ever goes away or not; but, because of it, I now have a daughter to share all my secrets with." Serena commented flipping her frown into a smile.

"Oh mom, what would I do without you?" Jackiequeried.

"Oh, you’ll move on someday, forgetting about your father and I.  I have a great feeling about you, child." Serena said.

When Roger and Adam entered the room, Jackie’s face went sour.  She stuck out her tongue; and, then curled even closer with the bear. "The stove timer went off while you two were chatting.  I took the food out, and set up everything.  Dinner’s ready, if you two ladies are through with your little chit chat." Roger .invited.

"I think we are done here.", Serena said, giving Jackie a pat on the back for encouragement.  Everyone left Jackie’s room, with Roger in the lead, followed by Serena, then Adam, andJackie at the end. The natural scene could have been described as a conga line moving closer to its final destination, the kitchen. The dinner consisted of a monster lasagna, that had been stacked 17 layers high. Each layer consisting of a different blend of cheese that melted in the mouth as your fork brought that single bite in.

‘So this is what married life is all about.’ Adam thought. He could picture what it would have been like raising a family. Maybe a son, that he could take down to the baseball field, and play catch with.  Parts of him wondered, if fathers still took their sons to the ballpark like that. Then he sighed.

"So, what seems to be so deep on your mind, that the spoon only touched your mouth once.  I hope the cooking isn’t bad." Serena stated.

"Mother, why should you worry what a pervert like him has to say anyway." Jackie threw in.

"Now mind your manners.  Here I thought, I raised you right." Serena replied back.

"Sorry mother." Jackie said. She had no idea what was causing her to throw so much anger at this man.  Could it be, that the moment he grabbed her chest, she had felt something other than shock. ?  "Stupid hormones", she thought.

"I was just thinking, how lovely and lucky a man, Roger is to have a family like this." John remarked.

"You could have a family of your own.  All you have to do is get a girlfriend first. Did you know that Jackie is still single?" Serena said.

"Mother. How could you?" Jackie screamed.

"Well, you are a girl, and a mother has to make sure her daughter isn’t single for too long." Serena replied.

"Mother... please... Remember, I once was a guy; and a lot of them still feel very  tentative about the subject." Jackie replied, turning red in the cheeks.

"It’s all in the plumbing honey; and, I don’t think you have the parts underneath to work the same as a boy’s do." Serena said, causing her to blush even more.  She got up, and walked out of the room leaving stunned faces. "You think I went a little over board on that last comment?" Serena asked.

"Nah, she’s just at that age where everything is against her." Rogers said.

"That age was 6 years ago.  She’s a grown woman.  I jad better go to make sure she is ok." Serena said.

"Allow me." Roger said. The doorway that Jackie had left through, was from the back of the house, going to the outside. Something deep inside, kept telling him to stay away from this one, it could prove to be nothing but trouble. However, his need to understand what the girl was going through, kept driving him to proceed, at least till he knew she was ok.

When he reached her, she was swinging in an old swing.  The poles rattled from the weight of her, and made you think any minute it was going to snap, and she would come tumbling down, along with all the pain and sorrow of the past.  For some reason it didn’t.  The posts just kept on rocking; and Jackie kept on swinging as the moonlight flashed on her passing face creating a ghostly image.

"Please don’t be mad at me." Adam coaxed.  The sound of his voice startled her; as the swing came to a stop.

"What do you want?" She icily inquired..

"I just want to know the answer to, why?  Why is it, that you decry all of us, to the point that you hate a whole gender?" Adam asked.

"It’s because of all the pain they have caused me, that I hate them.  Do you know what it is like, to have a secret so bad, that you can not share it with anyone?" Jackie asked.

"But you can trust me. I already know that you used to be a boy; and I haven’t hurt you, so far." Adam said.

"You grabbed my breast!  How the hell do you get off with that macho bullshit in saying, I never hurt you."? Jackie raged back.

"I only wanted to know if they were real. To be honest, I’m scared myself.  Right now, I’m scared to death." Adam said.

" Just what do you have to be scared about?" Jackie asked.

"Everything. My life is a constant fear of abandonment, death, and pain.  Then, there are the feelings I have right now.  As I look at you, I see the fear you have about me, and, it scares me.There’s just something about you, that makes me want to be with you.  I don’t know, if it is the way that the moon is shining down on your hair; or the way that when you walk, it makes me freeze up like a school boy again." Adam said, staring into Jackie’s eyes.

Jackie asked. "Why are you telling these lies?  I’m a guy in a dress, who has been made up to look like a girl.  How could you feel that way for me?You don’t even know  me."

 He moved in closer lifting her chin up by the tips of his fingers. "Listen to me, right now, all I see is a woman.  I don’t see a male in a dress, or a person that used to be a male." He moved his lips in closer, almost to the point that their breathes canceled each other out.

"I knew it." Jackie said, as Adam started to pull back.

"It isn’t that I don’t want to.  The moment that I first laid eyes on you, I knew that I was in love with you.  It is just that I’m still not ready to move on." Adam said letting out a deep sigh.

"You come out here; and start sweet talking me; and then pull away at the last minute, claiming you aren’t ready.  Just what the hell are you trying to do to me." Jackie shouted, slapping Adam in the face, and then running back inside.

Adam just stood there, feeling the burning spots that Jackie’s hand had imprinted on his face. ‘If only you knew how much she meant to me kitten.  Then you would understand.’ He knew he could tell her tell her that he had had a wife; but, some parts, deep inside, kept telling him this one wouldn’t understand; and, that it was best to simply let her go. The sad truth is, that he didn’t know, if he could ever let another woman get as close as Samantha had.  She had been the best thing that ever happened to him; and now she was gone.

"I see that your help only provoked her." Roger observed.  He had been concerned by the fact that his new partner had not come back in; and his only child was now running back to her room in tears.  Adam was just so deep in thought, that he hadn’t even registered Roger as being there. "Earth to Adam." Roger said tapping him on the back of his head.

"She really must hate me now.  Look, I think I better go, before I cause your family even more trouble." Adam demurred.

"You don’t have to go.  Jackie is still new at the whole woman stuff; and she doesn’t understand yet the feeling of being lost." Roger.explained

"I know.  It’s just that Samantha is still part of me, even though she isn’t here anymore.  I need that element of her to stay in my memory."

"Are you going to be safe to drive?" Roger asked.

"I think I will call a cab.  You bring the car by in the morning, and it should be ok. Your daughter’s going to break a lot of hearts on her way to understanding who she is. She’s already captured mine." Adam grumbled, walking off into the moonlit night and out of Roger’s sight.

 

Chapter 5 The Gift

That night, Adam tossed and turned in his sleep. Then, the windows blew open, causing everything in the room that wasn’t tied down, or attached to the floor, to go floating up in the air.  When the room finally settled down, a ghostly image of a half visible woman was now standing in front of him.

"Samantha is that you?" Adam asked. The room was silent; and the image of her became clearer, as her full body slowly appeared.  It was her; and some how, she was back with him.  In a fast move to escape the pressures of what he was seeing, he threw the sheets off and ran toward her. When he reached the position she had been, he tried to wrap her up in a hug; and fell right through her specter of a body, hitting the floor hard on his rear end."  Why do you haunt me in such a fashion?  I just want to love you." he said, as the tears hit the sleeves of his nightshirt.

"You must give up that image of me that used to be. Seeing you in this state tears apart what is left of my soul." the vision of Samantha uttered

"How can I give up what we had?  You were the only one that I ever loved.  I want to be with you in the after life." Adam said, grabbing his gun and aiming it at his head.

"Do you really think killing yourself, will bring me to you?  If you do that, then there isn’t a chance in hell of you ever seeing me again." Samantha elucidated.

"But why?  I’m already dead in this world.  When you died it left me empty hearted.  I’ve been alone ever since regretting the moment it happened." Adam said, bringing his fingers closer to the trigger. Then he pulled the trigger.

"Damn it all to hell!" he screamed, as nothing came out.

"It isn’t your time to die. You still have people depending on you; and a life that needs you.  I’ll still be here." she stated, placing her hand on his heart.

"It just isn’t enough. I want you alive with me. What about our dreams and goals that will never happen now?" He posed.

"They will still happen. They will just happen with another woman." Samantha said.

"I don’t want another woman.  I want you back in my arms." Adam said, feeling a tear run down his cheek.

"That is the one thing, I can not give you.  I’m already gone from this life; and you aren’t.  Now, please forget about me.", she said, while causing the wind to roar, and the image of her slowly disappeared leaving the nothingness from which it came. She was gone.

Adam awoke from under the covers in a deep sweat. He looked around for signs of his ghostly visitor, but could find none. ’Had she been some dream or an illusion produced from the beer?’, he wondered.  He reached over and looked at the clock on his desk. It read 5 A.M; and he didn’t have to be in the station till 10am.

Adam went to his closest, picking out a black suit along with a red and gray striped tie. After he was fully dressed, he then walked past the broken beer bottles, and out of to the front door. He had repaired it last night, while in his drunken state to forget his confusion and pain over Samantha and Jackie.

The air outside, was a welcome relief; and cleared up some of the pain in his head.  He pulled open the driver’s door and got into the car.  The traffic was mild, as he turned onto the interstate. The cars passed by Adam without a care in the world, as to whom, or what, the man inside might be feeling.

The only care on Adam’s mind, at the moment, was that of the grave in which Samantha had been laid to rest.  When she died, he had made attempts to see the grave; but, the image of her, stuck down in the hallow grounds of the earth, brought tears of pain to his eye. He didn’t want to see the image of a dead body, but rather the last moments of his wife in the living world.  To be there, would destroy all his hopes, of her ever coming back to him.  ‘Damn’ He thought, as he hit his fist against the dashboard. ‘Why did you have to come to me in that way?  Couldn’t you have at least waited till I was with you again?’

As he pulled into the cemetery, a chill hit him.  All these headstones had names of people, that at one time, were loved by a family member.  It’s a terrible world where innocent people can loose their life, not knowing that death is.already upon them.  He wondered, how many of these people had prepared for their last moments.

Once he was at the parking, lot he got out of the car; and, walked up and down looking for the headstone that contained Samantha’s name.  When he couldn’t find it, he started panicking.  ‘They wouldn’t have got rid of her body without my permission, would they?’, Adam thought.  He ran to a phone; and called his office. "I need someone to get me the phone number for the grounds keeper of Pleasant Hope’s cemetery.", he  said the person on the other side.

"Look, this isn’t the operator service.  If you want the operator, then you need to contact them."

"I’m Adam West, a Detective there; and I need the number for a case." Adam said.

"Ok, the number is 723-231-9831. Next time tell us that first hand." The voice at the other line specified.  Adam hung the phone up; and then picked it up, to dial the number.

"Hello, this is Pleasant Hope cemetery. How may we help you?", the  voice on the other end of the line announced.

"What the hell did you do with my wife’s body, you bastards?" Adam screamed. Sweat was starting to build up, as fear started to over take Adam.

"Please sir. If you would take a second, to remember the last place you saw your wife, maybe we can help." The voice over the phone said.

"You fucking idiots. The last place I saw my wife was in the ground, the day that we put her there. Now, what the hell did you do with her." He screamed so loud that it echoed across the cemetery.

"We haven’t done anything with your wife’s body.  If you could give us a name of the deceased?  We can tell you which lot she is in." This voice offered.

"Her name was Samantha. Samantha West." Adam said into the phone.  His blood was rushing straight up to the top of his head.  His ears had turned bright red.

"An Adam West recently had her moved to plot c.  There should be a large oak tree and a statue next to where she was moved."

"I never approved of such a move.  I am the person of mention; and I would know damn well if I had moved my own fucking wife.  Who is the person that had my wife dug up and moved?"

"We are not allowed to give out that information over the phone," the voice declared.

"I am a police officer of this city. If you do not tell me the information I seek I’ll file a case act action suit against you and sue your whole damn business for every fucking cent it has.", Adam raged at the stupidity a person could show.

"Pleasant Hope cemetery, this is Janet speaking. How may I help you? " Janet asked.

"Who the hell is the person in charge at the place?  I want to speak to the manager.", Adam.demanded

"I am currently the head manager on duty.  What seems to be the problem?" Janet solicited.

"One of you moron’s approved a person trying to pass as me.  I want to know, just who in the hellapproved it." Adam said making clear what his demands were.

"Just one moment sir.", Janet said on the phone, as the music came on the line. "I’m sorry, but we don’t seem to have those records", replied Janet.

"First, you say that a person signed my name to move my wife; and, now your telling me you don’t have the records? " Adam screamed.

"If you would like to file a complaint of wrong doing, then you will need to mail us your name, zip code, phone number, city, state, plus a $10 deposit fee for the time spent on finding them." Janet parroted the inane policy.

Adam was pissed.  One lady had already given him the run around; and now the manager of the place was doing just the same.  He threw the phone down, slamming it against the ground. ‘Shit’, he thought, as he raced around the cemetery, trying to find the spot that was described.  When he finally reached the spot, which was described, a cold shiver ran down through his body.  There was a gray envelope attached to the head stone with the signature Rapture.

 

Chapter 6 The past that wont' die

Adam's life had just taken a twist for the worst,after finding the note indicating they took his wife's body as evidence of what had happened. "Damn." He screamed as  he punched his fist into the wall. Splinters, and little pieces of wood, embedded into the cuts and bruises of his blood stained hand. 'It is just not fair.' Adam thought.

"Look, I know that you are upset about the whole thing,; but we had to use it as evidence." Jack said.

"Evidence? You call the decaying body of my wife evidence?" Adam contended, grabbing at Jack's shirt and nearly ripping it.

"The fact remains a note was found; and, your wife was part of the problem. There could be fingerprints, DNA samples, or even hair fibers on the body. Don't you even care about the fact that a murderer is out on the loose?" Jack asked Adam, throwing his weapons away.

"The only thing I care about, is my dead wife.  Damn it, she even came and visited me last night. " Adam screamed back at Jack.

"Look, she's dead.It isn't like she could have opened her coffin; and walked home to tell you, that she was home." Jack said sarcastically.

"I know that. The fact is, she still came by and saw me.  At first, I  blamed it as a result of Jackie and I having contacts with each other, ; but now, I see it deeper.  Some how, the whole time, her spirit wasn't able to rest, because of that bastard digging her up.", Adam, rejoined, laying his head across his arms on his desk in a bent over fashion. "Why am I telling you this?  Hell! Chances are, you don't even believe there is a God."

"Look, I don't know if there is a God, or not.  The fact remains, that your wife's body was dug up; and you’re upset.  I'm worried about you." Jack said, showing his concerned feelings by laying  a note on the paper." This is the number to a friend of mine. He helps people deal with their problems; and, I suggest, you take a look at it. Please, for the love of God, get help."

Adam threw his arms out, knocking the paper off the desk and into the trash." I don't need that type of help. Do I look like some senile fool to you?"

"Look, it was just a suggestion. You’re stressed out and taking on too much.  You need help.  If I really wanted to, I could order you to take leave; and remove you from this case." Jack said.

"Don't you dare do that!  If you do, I'll..." Adam warned.

"You will what?  Assault your Captain?  With that thought alone, I could suspend you. Don't make me do something that I would regret." Jack said, interrupting Adam before he could do anything."

"Just leave already." Adam screamed.

"Only if you go and get help.  I didn't want to do this; but, I order you to.", Captain Jack said, leaving the office.

Adam just stood there in tears. "I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. Damn them all to hell!" He screamed as the tears rolled down the cheeks.

"Is this were I can find detective Adam West?" A voice asked.  Adam recognized the voice, but could not place where he remembered it from.

"Yes. Just what the hell is it now?.", Adam asked.

"Special Agent Jennifer Bailey. I believe we have meet before."

"Your the last person I wanted to see today.  Why the hell did you come back?" Adam asked.

"I've been assigned to take you back into service.  The director has seen how close you are; and he wants to make sure you don't cause anymore trouble, like the last time." Jennifer explained.

"I told them, and you, that I would never work with the FBI again. You’re the reason that she's dead, and that all of this has started to happen." Adam screamed.

"The woman was in a place that she shouldn't have been.  Look, you know we placed you here, undercover as a normal cop, to keep track on suspicion of foul play." Jennifer said.

"I know, but now, I am part of the force.  Hell, only a select few ever knew that I was in the service.  Why should I allow that false life to resurface?" Adam demanded.

"Because, it is your duty as a agent of this country to do so. You swore an oath just as I  and everyone else in the service did. The team is waiting for your return." Jennifer begged.

"What team? We were just a group assigned as a unit.  We had no codename or mission.  It was just  a job, like all other jobs." Adam said.

"You call all those memories of the past, a lie? What about the past we shared?" Jennifer said, slapping Adam in the face.

"I don't know what we might have shared, that has so much meaning to you,; but I loved my wife.  You were nothing more then a case that I was working on.  Why is it that you  seem to think otherwise?" Adam said rubbing at the mark that Jennifer's hand had left.

"You  men are all pigs. You put on a front, and then act all big and macho, tough in front of everyone.  If it wasn't for the need to reproduce, there would be no need for you.", Jennifer screamed while storming out the door.

'Maybe I do need help after all.' Adam thought, coming to the realization, that every woman he had encountered, seemed to want to murder him  rather than like him. He picked  the piece of paper from out of the trash; and called the number.  A man with an Italian accent picked up the other end.  "Hello this is doctor Bob Garnier Can I help you?"

"A friend of mine just gave me this number.  I don't see any real need for help; but he ordered me to call you.  My name is Adam West.", Adam explained trying to maintain some control of the matter.

"Oh yes. You’re a good friend of Jack's.  He told me a lot about you; and he asked for suggestions on how to approach you with this.  If you can come by my office tomorrow morning, say around six?  I might be able to fit you in."

"Look, I don't need any help.  I'm just following up on my Captain's order.", Adam answered back.

"That is Okay.  Just be here tomorrow; and, we can determine if we can help you, or not. Bye for now."

A knock came at his door.  "Damn it who is it this time?" Adam grumbled.  as Roger entered the room. "You know that you don't have to knock to enter my office. It is part your office now,while we are working on this case." Adam said.

"I know, but she insisted on coming up here with me.", Roger said.  He stepped out of the way, and Jackie came running into his arms.

She gave his a passionate kiss and a hug, and then wrapped her arms around him tightly.  "I'm sorry. I was such an idiot.  Then I saw in the paper about your wife."

"Look, you don't have to be sorry about anything.  I loved my wife deeply.  That is all there is to say." Adam explained to Jackie.

After the two let go of each other, Jackie noticed Adam's hands.  She had a puzzled look on her face when she asked, " Just how the heck did this happen."

Adam pulled them away; and hid the hands in his pocket. "Let’s just say, it's a guy thing." Adam explained.

"In case you have forgotten, I was once a guy; and never did anything like that.  Dad, have you ever done anything like that?", Jackie asked her father.

"Only when I was young; and in love with your mother.  Lets just say the guy on the other end had it worse.", Roger said with a laugh.

"How could you ever hit a man over mother?  Violence is so stupid; it always sickens me." Jackie said with a queasy expression flooding her face.

"Like I said, I was young.  When young men fall in love with a girl, they do stupid things to make sure that girl still likes them." Roger explained.  "What about you Adam? What stupid things did you do when you were young and dating Samantha?" Roger asked.

"A whole list of them.  Like you said, we all do stupid things.  It's part of the spell of love." Adam responded

. Deep down inside, a part of her felt pain when she heard the name Samantha.  She was envious of the past that Adam had shared with her.  She wanted him for herself.  "Jackie are you free at the moment?" Adam asked.

"Well, I did plan to go and get my hair done. Then, there are the nails that need painting, shopping for groceries, and all the other things that I keep putting off, because I can not find the time to do them." Jackie said.

"Look!  I don't care about those other things. I just want to know if your free, or not." Adam asked again with a sigh.

"Give her a $100, and you can own her for the rest of the night." Roger said.

"Father, I'm not a whore that you can sell on the back street to your cop buddies." Jackie complained, stomping her heel into Roger’s toes.

"Jesus, did you have to press so hard?  I think what he is trying to say is, will you go out with him." Roger said, flopping down in a chair to try and take the pain away from his foot.

"Thanks for ruining the mood Roger." Adam said, giving Roger a foul look.

"No problem. That is what Father's do best." Roger laughed.

"Well do you want to go or not?" Adam asked.

"That depends." Jackie said.

"Depends on what?" Adam asked.  Jackie had grabbed her purse and moved in close to Adam.

"I have to be the one who buys the meal." Jackie explained touching her finger on the tip of Adam's noise.

"Here, I thought the guy was supposed to buy the meal." Roger said.

"It is 2002. a A woman can buy a meal, if she wants to.  It is the empowerment of the female self, that gives us the ability to spend our own cash; and not let the men take the fun away from it." Jackie said.

"Oh Jesus, save us.  I didn't know there was a feminist rally in your office." Roger said.

"I'm not a feminist.  If I was I wouldn't like Roger at all.  Besides, I just believe it is equal opportunity!  Now, are we going or not?" Jackie insisted.

"Ok already.!   Lady, I don't know what it is about you that I love, but you sure do know how to take the bull by the horns." Adam replied.

"I'll take that as a yes then." Jackie said, practically pushing Adam out the door." Daddy, now don't you worry if I'm out past two AM with him." Jackie said with an evil smile.

 

Chapter 7 The Date

Adam had no idea what Jackie liked, or where she preferred to go.  He knew that he could ask her, but he refused to ask the proverbial awkward question of where to go and eat.  So instead, he just picked the nearest family pizza place near the street.  When he parked, Jackie said, "Look, I know cops don't make that much money, but this isn't the type of place that I had in mind for my first time."

"Why do dates have to be prepared events where a person spends a lot of money to court another?" Adam asked.

"Because it is what a girl wants. A girl pictures the place where the first kiss will happen, how it will be, and how it will feel.  It's the basic starting point to determine if the relationship will actually go somewhere." Jackie explained.

"If it is predetermined, then how can it be something magical?  That image you have in your mind is a preconception of something that will never happen.  A date should be about living in the moment." Adam said, as Jackie moved closer to him.  She twisted her finger around the bangs of her hair. 

"If it is the ‘moment’ that makes the date special, then tell me, why go have food at all?  We can stay right here." Jackie said and moved across the seat towards Adam. 

"Because I'm starving." Adam explained, and quickly jerked open the driver’s door, allowing the cold air to sip into the car and awake her from the moment of truth.

The two got out of the car and entered the restaurant.  A man in his 50's, who had a mustache that looked fake came to greet them. "Welcome to Alfredo's pizza Parlor. My name is Benvenuto. How many are in your party?" The man inquired.

"Just the two of us." Adam reacted.

"If you will follow me this way, I'll help you to your seats." Benvenuto said.

Benvenuto led them to the table. Water was placed on the table along with napkins and silverware.  He then placed a menu in front of Jackie and Adam.  "I don't think we will be needing it.  Just bring us a large cheese pizza and two bowls of pasta." Adam said.

"Very good.  It will be out as soon as we can make it." Benvenuto said and then left.

"Why didn't you allow me to look at the menu?" Jackie asked.  It was obvious he was aggravated and didn’t appreciate men ordering for her.

Adam took a sip of the water and then said, "Because it is customary for the man to order the meal.  Can you trust me with that?"

"Trust is something earned… not just given out.  I've only known you for a short amount of time."

"Then answer me this. What do you see over there?" Adam asked, pointing out a near by family. They had a son and daughter, and both were misbehaving, throwing food at each other. The mother had an angry look on her face, and dark spots around the eyes as if she had been up a very long time, trying to take care of both kids and husband. The father had an embarrassed look about him, plainly displayed his shame, of how his kids were acting.

"Really tacky decorations." Jackie said.

"I don't mean around the place, in the booth itself." Adam said.

Jackie, looking closely, then saw the father was approached with a bill for the meal. After paying the tab, the man then picked up his son, moved off in the direction of the bathroom. The mother picked up her daughter up and did the same. Jackie's mind didn't understand the point of what Adam was showing her.  "I don't know what you want me to see. It's just a family with kids."

"That family is proof of life. Those kids don't even know how cruel this world can be. To them, when they get yelled at, or spanked at home, by their mother or father, that is the worst thing that can ever happen to them.  It is the development of a life, that’s what many people don't understand. That is what I want to share with you.  Not the feeling of casual sex, but just being there with each other.  I don't want you to be second guessing yourself on what I might be up to." Adam said.

"I don't know what I want when it comes to children, Adam.  You know I'll never be able to experience them. That mother, the one that just walked away with her child, doesn't know how lucky she has it. I'd trade places with her, just to experience the pain of morning sickness." Jackie said with tears suddenly running down her cheeks. A baby’s first kick…"

"Just because you can not give birth to a child, doesn't mean it is the end of the world." Adam said whipping a tear away from Jackie's cheek.

"It is! It is, because I'll never experience a new life growing inside me. The whole meaning of being a child’s mother is preparation for their future. We give our girl's dolls, and our boy's guns.  It's a part of life that I missed; and will never get to experience." Jackie said.

"Look, we can always adopt a baby.  I just want to have that family that I never had." Adam said.

"Never had? You aren't just using me because of what happen with you and Samantha are you?" Jackie asked.

"Even if I were, would you deny that feeling in your heart that tells you to keep seeing me?" Adam said.

"Well, I just don’t know. A girl can love a man, but when it comes to being used by that man, the feelings are different. I’m not a toy that you can just throw away."

Adam did the only thing that he could do and threw his arms around Jackie. "Look, even if God said it was wrong for me to love you, that wouldn’t stop me from seeing you. In this short time, I’ve grown to know you as a woman. That’s right Jackie, in my eyes I see you as a woman, not a man. You are the one woman that I wish to be with and want to stay with. Now, just shut up and let me steal a kiss from those succulent lips of yours." The detective embraced the woman, and over whelmed her in a passionate kiss, causing Jackie to forget all her worries.

"Pardon the instruction, but your food is ready." Benvenuto said. Jackie and Adam had not even noticed the waiter till he placed the food before them the table.  Adam and Jackie turned bright red like a couple of school children caught making out for the first time by their parents." Don’t be embarrassed. A couple in love just means the food being served them is even better." said the rotund man, placing his hands on his belly and shaking it. "Since you’ve showed us all something as lovely we are going to bake you a big cake. Now, how does that sound, eh?"

"You really don’t have to do that and we are not a real couple. We only met just recently." Jackie said, struggling in vain to regain her composer.

"You two could have fooled me." Benvenuto said, walking away towards another table.

"Why does everyone jump to conclusions which are NOT what reality presents them to be?" Jackie asked Adam, and then began digging into her food.

"It’s a matter of illusion, my dear. Even in my line of work we sometimes bend the rules a little to get the job done." Adam replied as he watched her eat, fascinated by the sensual action.

"Stop looking at me like that." Jackie said.

"I can not help it. Seeing the sight of you eating makes my blood rush. Why is it that you leave my heart beating?" Adam asked.

"I don’t know, but it certainly can not be because of me. I’m awful the way I treat you. The first time I meet you, I ended up slapping you, and now this. We really are a odd pair." Jackie said, her breasts bobbing in a most enticing manner when she chuckled lightly.

"The odder the better." A loud breaking sound came from the front glass of the store as everyone was trying to run away. Adam replied feeling a sharp pain in his chest. Then he felt it. The blood spilled out of his chest and into the sauce of the pasta. "I love you!" He said as his face hit the bowl in front of him.

"No." Jackie screamed loud enough to cause everyone in the room to stop panicking and focus attention on her.

 The lights above her flickered as  the echo’s of moving feet went around her. The moment that the bullet had gone through Adam’s body, Jackie’s understanding of time had stopped.  She watched, sobbing when the ambulance drove away with Adam’s body. She had wanted to go with him, a man by the name of Dan Reaver’s. He was tall, dark and handsome. His hair came down to his neck and cut off in a old fashion  style. "I’m sorry, but we need to know what happen here."

"Do you honestly want to know what happen? They shot him. I was having a pleasent dinner with my boyfriend and they shoot him. That’s what happen!"Jackie screamed kicking the ground.

"I know but we need to know the details. Did you see anyone aim for him? Was he worried or fearful that something might happen?" Dan asked.

"We didn’t see anything or hear who did it. We were eating and the it happen. Why the hell would he want to be shot?" Jackie stated.

"I don’t know, but that is what I need to find out. We believe that it could be related to the case that he was working on." Dan responded.

"Look I told you what happen, please just let me go." Jackie said.

"Ok, but if anything comes up or you remember something that seemed out of place please give me a ring." Dan said giving Jackie his card.

Every part of her had wanted to jump up in there with him, but when she had been told that she was a witness on this case and needed to be interviewed for the report on the shooting. She then made her way out of the restruant and to a pay phone where she called her father." Daddy, I need you.  Adam’s been shot and the cops took him away. I don’t know how I’m going to Saint James hospital. oh daddy, where are you?" Jackie said.

Just then a reporter came up to Jackie."Can you tell us what has happen here? Our viewers need to know." The reporter asked.

"Honey you still there?" Roger asked.

"I don’t want to talk to you or anyone. Just get your damn information from the police." Jackie screamed.

"Look sweetheart don’t do anything. Just tell them to back off." Roger screamed into the phone.

"I know but they won’t leave me alone." Jackie said to Roger.

"Just stay there. I’ll call the station and get the details. Don’t worry, little darling papa’s going to be there to make everything better."  Roger promised her before hanging up the phone. Jackie sighed with a relief. Part of her problem had just been solved, but there were other questions needing to be answered.

Jackie went back inside the restaurant where she could escape the press and preying eye’s once in there she waited for her father. It seemed like days to her since she had called her father and she wondered if this ways time’s dirty way of playing tricks on the mind. She knew from a psychology class that time wasn't really going as slow as she thought it was. The mind tended to play tricks on a person allowing them to think that reality is moving faster or slower then it really is.

Chapter 8

Just then her father pulled up in the parking lot. standing with a smug smile on his face." Daddy how can you be happy at a moment like this? Adam your partner was just shot and I have no idea if he is alive or dead." Jackie screamed.

"Relax the hospital is the safest place a person can be. Besides you might even say that he deserved to be there." Roger said.

"Deserved? Daddy, have you gone mad? He's your partner. Why on earth are you happy about this?" Jackie asked.

"Oh don't get me wrong. I'm not happy that he got shot. It just means that I might get to work with a attractive looking girl."

"If mother heard you say that she would... she would.." Jackie stuttered.

"Don't worry honey. I love your mother. I just look every now and then at other girls breast. A man has to have a passion after all." Roger said. Jackie just gave him a look and walked to the car. The two drove off and headed to the hospital.

As they entered the hospital Roger went to the waiting room. A lot of people were gathered in the waiting room. Some family members gathered up just sitting next to one another. When Jackie went over to sit down, one of the little girls came up to her.  "Mommy made this for me. Today's my birthday," the child said, pointing to her dress. She was a little girl of three. Jackie felt a tear falling down her cheek. Here she was worrying  about herself, when others  were going through similar cases and problems. A feeling of guilt spread through her.

"That's very pretty," said Jackie.

The mother gave a look over to Jackie and the girl and then stated, "We were planning to have her birthday outing, but ended up here."

"My I ask who the family member?" Jackie asked.

"It's her grandfather, my father. We came in thinking that everything would be ok, but now we don't know what will happen." The mother of the girl explained.

"Doctor's say granddaddy has a bad cold. That machine's helping him get better." The little girl explained.

Jackie felt bad for the little girl. She knew that being hooked up to a machine meant the chances were high the grandfather of the child was going to be coming out in a body bag, but she didn't give any hint of it.  Instead, she bent down to the child and hugged her tightly. "Don’t worry your grandfather will be ok. I bet he’ll be there to help you blow out the candles on your birthday cake and open up your presents."       "Do you really think so?" The little girl asked lowering her arms with a cheerful but doubtful look on her face.

"I know so." Jackie said touching her on the nose. The child looked dubious, but happier, and the mother gave Jackie a look that said Jackie had just made a promise she couldn't keep.

"I have the room number… so are you ready?" Roger asked.

"Did they tell you if he is ok or not?"

"He's in room 412. It doesn't look good." Roger replied.

Jackie's face almost showed a look of fright and fear. She stood up and went with Roger without noticing anything else around her, registering only the pain and shock. When they arrived to the room, she was dismayed to see Adam was hooked up to an array of pulsating machines. One was monitoring his breathing, while another cheated his heartbeat and showed his blood level's. This was enough to send Jackie into even deeper shock.

She ran up to the bed and held Adam's hand. "How can the short time we have spent together replace the feelings in my heart? Damn it Adam you've made me fall in love with you and now you get shot like this. Come back to me I need you and want you like no other girl has ever wanted you." Jackie said pounding a fist from her free hand into the bed. Turning away, sobbing against her father’s broad chest, she sobbed, "It just isn't fair, daddy."

"I know baby, but that is part and parcel of the life of a cop. One minute we are moving along tending to out business, the next we are being put into a grave. Adam knew and accepted the risk involved when he became  a police office officer, Jackie." Roger offered.

"He warned me, but I just wouldn't listen. I wanted to be with him. We even talked about adopting kids." Jackie said.

"I didn't know you two had gone that far.  And in that short period of  time." Roger said with a shocked look on his face.

"We had, and I was happy with it. I wanted to be with him and he wanted to be with me. I just wish he would wake up and look at me. I don't care if he touches my breast. We never even had the chance to have sex." Jackie said placing Adam's hand on her breast."

"Well, if this isn't the most perverted thing I have ever seen"" snarled a rude female voice suddenly behind her. "A chick with a dick fondling a dead man." Jennifer said. She had entered the room while Jackie was giving her big speech about how much she loved Adam.

"Look, just because I was a guy before doesn't mean I can’t express my feelings of love like a woman."

"You could never express what we had together."  The woman looked upon Jackie hatefully.

"A man is not supposed to express things," retorted Jackie sharply. "Our society doesn’t allow men to show their feelings. But, you sure as blazes expressed your feelings!"

"That's right, because I'm all girl naturally." Jennifer said pointing down to Jackie's private area. "Not some damned Godless abomination.

Jackie blushed but kept a cool head. Before she could speak however, Roger broke into the cat fight," Girls! Cool it now! I believe there is another reason for this uncanny visit."

"The reason why I am here is because of her." Jennifer snarled. "Roger, could you please leave? This is a matter between us girls." The woman was pointing with a finger towards the door.

"Okay… I get the picture and hint." Roger walked to the door.  "I'll be in the waiting room." The older police office glared at the fed as he left the toom.

" Why did my father have to leave?" Jackie asked.

"Because what we have to tell you is a matter of national security." Adam said rising up from the bed.

 Jackie didn't know if she should scream, be angry, or be happy that her boyfriend was alive.

"Why? How?" Jackie asked in total and utter confusion.

"Because, we have a killer that is on the loose and we know who he. Your father has gone mad. We have reason to believe that you might be the cause for his madness." Adam explained.

Jackie stood there stunned. She had come to care for and love Adam with all her heart!But now he was telling her that her father was a killer! How could it be and why her? Life was just too cruel. "How could I be responsible for my father going mad?" Jackie asked.

"When you discovered your trans gender condition, your father couldn't handle it. He felt a silent rage of pain and denial inside him that brought out the worst in him. You father has killed and he will kill again. The question is will you believe us?" Adam asked.

"I just don't know what to believe." Jackie responded to Adam.

Adam got up.   Went over to Jackie and hugged her tight. "Then don't believe. Let your heart find the right answer's."

To Be Continued ...

since 01/03/03