“I know I’ll have to sit down later and figure out what's left that we can get there. I would think that most of what’s left should be locally obtainable.”
“You know when this is all over how are we going to get all this stuff back?”
“That’s a bridge we will cross when we get there. For now I’m just concerned with getting there. Leaving is over two years away at least and then only if the coast is clear. If there’s a warrant out for me then there is no coming back.”
She slips off her moccasins and loosens her dress, slipping it off over her head. She walks naked to the closet deciding what to wear as Norman quietly comes up behind her. She spins around on the spot startling him as she throws herself around him.
“Why Norman, I’m glad you think you can sneak up on me. I assume you have some use for me? Maybe we could spare a little time in bed? I thought you’d never ask!”
“I didn’t, but that is what is on my mind.”
A little over an hour later they emerge from their room to find Margaret sitting in the living room waiting for them. They both blush realizing that their impetuous frolic is now known to Margaret.
“I was wondering if you two had changed plans without telling me. I take it you are ready to go now.”
“Yes Mom, sorry about the wait.”
“Do not worry about it. I am glad you two are so deeply in love that everything else has to wait. Now we need to go so we are not late.”
The rain is still coming down as they enter the parking garage and climb into the Buick once again. They drive the short distance to the Cathedral and park in the back. Walking around the massive granite building and entering through the large oak front doors. Once inside the entrance hall they close their umbrellas and enter the main church. The ceiling leaping up a hundred feet into each of the three domes as the saints and martyrs of old look down from their mosaic forms. They walk along the gray granite floor and choose a pew near the middle and take a seat. Lowering the kneeler Wren immediately lowers herself and making the sign of the cross folds her hands and starts to cry. The three of them stay in their pew throughout the mass all knowing the sins they carry with them forbid them from taking communion. After mass the sun is showing some signs of poking through the clouds and they all decide to sit down with Wren’s list and work out what they need versus what they can get in Peru. The rest of the day is spent going over the list and covering more family history, some Wren didn’t know and some is new to Margaret. The three of them stay up late eating pizza and cake talking and really getting to know each other better than they already do.
The next morning finds Wren awake early as usual pulling on running clothes and leaving a note on the table as she heads out for her run. The rains of yesterday have cleared but not her emotions. Every hit takes a toll on her psyche and though her physical stamina is holding out she is glad this will all soon be over. She heads across Kingshighway and hits the trails in Forest park. The sun is still casting long shadows across the trails as it seems to rise rather sleepily itself but after all it is still not long after sunrise. She takes a clockwise route around the park and plans to use her best judgment as to when she has achieved her normal ten miles. She tries not to think about her work tonight and to let the Predator leave her body for awhile but it seems lately the only way that happens is when her and Norman are alone and behaving the way she feels a husband and wife should act. But even that simple act seems to be too far between for her liking and she is sure it is to Norman as well. Her mind strays to Norman and what she could be doing with him in just over a month when they have more free time up on the mountain with only the ancient city to get in the way. Her pace slows a little as her mind seems to find other places to be than on the path with her. She finishes her circuit and lets her mind and her lust take her back to Norman. Soon she is walking in the front door and heading to the kitchen for a glass of water before finding Norman. Her Mom is already up and dressed in shorts and a tee shirt and a small bag at her side.
“Wren, I found your note and you are just saving me from writing one of my own. I forgot to tell you that I have plans for today, I told Walter that I would spend the day with him. He is going to pick me up for breakfast and we will come back here about eight to watch the fireworks from the balcony.”
“Walter, now I know your boyfriend's name!”
“I did not tell you before?”
“You have only told me he’s your boss and likes to have sex but that’s about it.”
“Seems I have told you the important things about our relationship though.”
There is a knock at the door and Margaret leaves to answer it. Soon returning with a tall graying man who to Wren looks slightly older than her Mom.
“Wren, this is Walter.”
“So I finally get to meet you. I hope you don’t mind me stealing your Mom for the day.”
“No not at all to be honest I had been contemplating how to do just what you two are planning to be doing.”
“Wren!”
“Hey it’s the truth.”
“Well I will see you about eight if you can make sure to be decent when we return.”
Wren sees her mother out and locks the door behind her. She leans against the door in silent relief for a few moments then heads to the bathroom to clean up. Out of the shower she slips into her emerald thong, apron and heels, being as quiet as possible so as not to wake Norman too soon. Once dressed she heads to the kitchen turning on the small television set on the counter to catch the news while she makes Norman his favorite breakfast, biscuits and sausage gravy.
“In a follow up, police still do not have a lead into the shooting Saturday night of Peter Applegate of the seventy-eight hundred block of Watson. For more details we go to Chris already in the field.”
“Thanks Tom I’m here in front of the victim’s apartment that he shared with his Mother up until Saturday when he was shot during the recent thunderstorm.”
“I was in the other room while he was lighting some candles to brighten the place up when I heard the window shatter. I ran in to find out what happened and that’s when I saw him fall off the sofa where he had apparently sat down to read in the candle light. When I…I…I reached for him m, m, most of his head was gone. I looked through the broken window but there was no one there.”
“According to police the tenants of the apartment across from the Applegate’s apartment are currently on vacation in Florida and there is no sign of forced entry into their home. No evidence has been found in the area. However, the victim did have the now all too familiar tattoo around his ring finger hidden under his graduating class ring. Sources tell me that they are certain it is the work of the Predator but as usual whoever they are they have vanished like a ghost into the night.
Back to you Tom.”
“In other news…”
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