Leopard's Baby

Kent Malone’s phone rang. Jennifer Roberts looked up with her nose wrinkled in distaste. She’d been trying to decide if there was anything on her luncheon plate that was, by her standards, edible. Malone cupped his hand over his mouth and the mouthpiece and spoke softly. Other than isolated words, she was unable to understand what he was saying, and it irritated her even further. Waiting around in this godforsaken small city didn’t sit well with her. At last Malone ended the call.

“Well?” she said, a bit louder than necessary.

Malone leaned across the table and, in a low voice, said, “Keep your voice down, Jennifer. We don’t want to attract attention.”

“Okay, okay. The waiting around in this… place is getting to me. What’s the story?”

“Charles has located our quarry.”

“Where?” Jennifer asked. Her excitement again causing her to raise her voice. “Sorry,” she apologized after Malone scowled at her. “When will he do his thing?”

Malone described the town and Haley’s Place. “The locals all know her. Evidently it’s the town hot spot. She appears to be working there as a common waitress. It’s closed today. If she steps out he’ll make his move. Otherwise he’ll see if it’s easy to… enter when everybody is asleep.”

Jennifer frowned, moved the food around on her plate, and said, “I want to get to the county seat to meet with the sheriff. Now. I have to make sure there won’t be legal ramifications to grabbing Brendan once he’s an orphan. I don’t want the local authorities to take him into custody.”

“You’ve already been awarded sole custody,” Malone pointed out. “Just present the order from the Virginia court.”

“That was based mostly on the prenup,” Jennifer said. She pushed her plate aside. “There might be new evidence which would allow her family to challenge it. I want to be gone before they have the opportunity. As soon as you finish your lunch we’ll leave.”

“Are you going to eat that?” Malone asked. He pointed at the remainder of her lunch.

“Have at it,” Jennifer said as she shoved her plate toward him. She’d taken only a couple of bites of her turkey sandwich. The other half and the mound of fries they’d given her, which she hadn’t ordered, were untouched. I can’t believe how much he eats and still stays in shape, she thought as she watched Malone scarf down her food. At least his sexual appetite is just as hardy.

***

Haley opened the front door. Tiffany blew past her and practically flew into Tammy’s arms. Tyler and Jenny Fong entered a bit more sedately. Brendan clutched his mother’s leg and peeked around it.

Tammy returned her sister’s hug. After it went on for a full minute, she gently disengaged herself, and picked up her son. “Say hello to your aunt and uncle, Bren,” she said.

“Hello,” Brendan said and buried his face in his mother’s neck.

Tammy introduced Tiffany, Tyler, and Fong to Haley. Tyler explained that travel arrangements turned out to be more difficult than expected, which is why they hadn’t arrived until late in the afternoon.

“I’m just glad you’re here,” Tammy said. She turned Brendan around so he was facing the others. “He’s used to seeing strangers. I don’t know why he’s suddenly turned so shy. Tiff, I’m amazed how much you’ve grown. You’re taller than Mom now. I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s been close to two years since I last saw you.”

“Yeah, but I’ll never get to be as tall and you or Ty,” Tiffany said as she played peek-a-boo with Brendan, who laughed. “I’m thirteen, nearly fourteen, so I won’t grow much more. It’s not fair. Girls stop growing much sooner than boys.”

“I can’t believe the family resemblance,” Haley said. “I would’ve known they were your siblings even if you hadn’t told me.”

“I guess I should call Ethan and cancel,” Tammy said.

“Don’t do that!” Haley said sharply.

“Who’s Ethan?” Tyler asked.

“Nobody special,” Tammy replied. “A guy I was supposed to see today.”

“When’s the last time you had a date with anybody?” Haley asked. She put an arm around Tammy and turned to the others. “In the nearly three months since she’s been here this girl has been all work and no play. I know you people are planning something dangerous regarding the… were-cougar or whatever the hell it is. She should get in some fun before you do your thing.”

“I’m not sure going out is a good idea,” Tyler said. “Jennifer’s hit-man might be around.”

“She has to go out sometime,” Haley countered. “I have a compromise. I’ll go to the market, rent a movie, and buy a couple of steaks. Tammy, you cook dinner for him and watch the movie at his place. You won’t be out for more than a minute. If you want you can run in each direction. He’ll love it. All men like women to cook for them.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me, Tam,” Tiffany said. She grinned and added, “You need to get laid anyway.”

Tammy rolled her eyes and playfully swatted at her sister, who jumped back and cackled. “Okay, you’ve convinced me. I’ll call him and tell him about the change in plans.”

“I’ll walk you over just in case,” Tyler said.

***

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us, Sheriff,” Jennifer Roberts said as she placed some papers on the sheriff’s desk.

“I’m always happy to help out the family of one of our most distinguished senators,” the sheriff said. He stood and shook hands with Jennifer and Malone. “Please have a seat. What can I do for you?”

The sheriff was in his early fifties. His hair, combed over a growing bald spot, was black, but his bushy mustache was pure white. He was considerably overweight. The tobacco odor was nearly overwhelming. He was huffing and puffing just from the act of standing. Sweat stains were visible under the armpits of his uniform shirt. Jennifer managed to avoid reacting to his body odor, and she had to fight the urge to wipe off the hand she’d used to shake with him.

“Let me get right to the point,” Jennifer said. She leaned forward and tapped his desk with the forefinger of her right hand. “My daughter-in-law is a dangerous psychopath. Actually she’s my former daughter-in-law since, because of her, my son is dead. As you will see once you examine these documents, there’s a Virginia warrant out for her because she escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane. At the custody hearing she admitted to killing more than ten people. She probably should be put away for murder, but in each case she claimed self-defense, and there was no evidence to refute her. The court awarded me sole custody of my grandson. After she escaped from the hospital, she kidnapped him. Now there’s a federal warrant out for her. The FBI is looking for her. My agents have discovered she’s living in your county working in a bar called Haley’s Place, using the name Missy Garton.”

“I’ve heard of her and the bar,” the sheriff said. “It used to attract a rough crowd. My deputies tell me she’s cleaned up the place. The rumor is she’s former special forces. Nobody messes with her. You want me to go down and arrest her? Should I call the FBI?”

“You know what the FBI is like,” Jennifer said. She made a dismissive motion with her left hand. “They’ll grab all the glory and shut you out. They’ll bring in fifty people and she’ll be alerted. As I said, she’s dangerous. I’m afraid of what she might do to Brendan, my grandson, should she feel trapped. Mr. Malone, my chief of security, has assembled a team of former military men. No disrespect to you, Sheriff, but they’re probably more used to taking on hazardous assignments than your men would be. We want to recapture Brendan before she’s alerted by you or the feds trying to arrest her. Once we have him, you’re welcome to her.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you want from me,” the sheriff said as he scratched his head.

“I’m fully confident Mr. Malone and his men can get Brendan back,” Jennifer said. She reached into her purse and took out a checkbook. “What I request from you is to send one of your deputies along so it doesn’t appear that we’re kidnapping someone. I know you’re up for reelection this coming fall. To show our appreciation and our support of local law enforcement, my husband and I like to contribute to those whom we deem worthy. We’ve offered a fifty thousand dollar reward for the return of my grandson. I know that as a public servant you can’t accept reward money, but I’d like to make a contribution to your campaign in the same amount. Who should I make the check out to?”

“I think I can accommodate you, Mrs. Roberts,” the sheriff said. He licked his lips and stared greedily at Jennifer while she wrote a check. “Why don’t you make it out to me. I’ll see to it that it gets to my campaign team.”

***

“That was delicious,” Ethan Butler said. He leaned back and patted his belly. “Just the way I like it. Medium rare. I’m glad you suggested eating in and watching a video. Those steaks were huge. I’ve never seen a girl eat so much meat. I’m too full for dessert.”

“I’m happy you liked it,” Tammy said. She got to her feet and carried her plate to the sink. “I’ve never been much of a cook. Why don’t you relax in the living room while I clean up. When I’m finished I’ll join you.”

“No, you don’t have to do that,” Butler said. He placed his own plate in the sink and wrapped his arms around Tammy. “I’ll clean up later. You’ve done enough. Let’s go watch the movie.”

Tammy grinned inwardly. When she’d started cooking she’d taken off her outer shirt and hadn’t put it back on. Now all she had on was a thin tee and jeans. No bra. While they ate Butler had a hard time keeping his eyes off her chest.

Butler had set up the video while she was preparing their meal, so all he had to do was punch a button on the remote. The movie was a romantic comedy that Tammy thought was pretty insipid. She and Butler were sitting on his couch with their thighs touching and his arm around her.

He began to nuzzle her neck. She turned her head and kissed him on the lips. Their tongues met. After a few minutes of making out, he placed is hand gently on her breast. When she made no move to stop him, he began massaging her nipples through her shirt. Sensation ran through her body. She pushed him down so he was lying on his back with her on top of him. He put his hands under her shirt and ran his thumbs over her hardened nipples. She raised herself up and began to unbutton his shirt. He pulled her shirt over her head. She slid her arms out of the sleeves and tossed the shirt aside. He began to kiss and lick her breasts.

She allowed him to roll her over so she was on her back. He unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans. She raised her butt and helped him strip off the jeans and panties. He got off the couch and in a frenzy shucked his trousers and shorts. He had a full erection. He gave himself a moment to admire her body and started to mount her.

She stopped him and said, “Condom.”

“Shit!” he exclaimed. “I don’t have one. Aren’t you on the pill or something? Do you have a condom?”

“No and no.”

“Up until now this was my dream date. I was about to have sex with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Now it’s come to a screeching halt. It seems I’m not getting laid tonight.”

“You got that right.”

“Are you sure you’re not willing to take a chance? If you did get pregnant, I swear I’ll stand by you. I’ll do whatever you want.”

“All I know is I don’t want to take a chance of getting knocked up right now.”

“How about if I promise to take it out before I come?”

“How many men have made that promise without honoring it? However I’m as horny as you. We can still achieve orgasm without screwing.”

“You mean oral sex?”

“I don’t like having a man’s dick in my mouth. You use your hand to make me come, and I’ll do the same for you. Before our next date make a trip to the pharmacy.”

***

Charles Kalar was situated in a park-like area about two hundred yards from Haley’s Place. He watched it using binoculars. Fucking small towns, he thought. Until I see her I have to stay away. A stranger is too noticeable. Then as dusk fell two people came out. The woman was carrying something. That’s her! Who’s the dude with her? I’d take them both out, but there’s still others around.

Kalar scrambled from amongst the trees, trying to keep them in sight without being spotted himself. They walked a couple of blocks. The women gave the guy a kiss on the cheek and entered an apartment building. The guy returned to the bar. Kalar hurried back to the woods, got his car, parked it close to the apartment building, and walked around the building. The only other exit was on the side. He moved his car so he could watch both the front and side exits. Now that it was fully dark he didn’t have to worry so much about being seen. Especially since the car had tinted windows.

Three hours later Kalar debated with himself about whether or not he could leave for a short time. He was stiff with the cold, and he really had to urinate. Then she came out the door with a grin on her face and started walking toward the tavern.

***

Tammy kissed Butler lingeringly on the lips. They’d achieved mutual orgasm, got under the shower together, and did it again while showering. It was the most satisfying evening she’d had in quite a while. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Butler. If she had to go on the run again, distinctly possible now that Jennifer had found her, how would she feel about leaving him? Not good, but she felt worse about leaving Haley. Where would she go anyway? Israel? She didn’t speak the language. Their leaders knew she was a were-leopard, so they’d accept her, but they’d want her to join the Mossad. Since she had Brendan to take care of, she wasn’t anxious to take on dangerous assignments.

A light snow had started to fall while she was with Butler. Tammy noticed footprints in the snow circling the building. She stopped and sniffed the air. She didn’t smell anything, but her leopard-like hearing picked up the sound of feet shuffling. She dove to the side. A high-powered rifle bullet passed by just where she’d been. The gun must’ve had a suppressor because she hadn’t heard the shot. Keeping low, she scurried, weaving from side to side, toward a building. A second bullet passed by and struck the building. That gave her the general location of the shooter. She ducked around the building, quickly stripped, and changed.

***

Damn it to hell! Kalar thought. How did she know I was here? How the fuck could I miss? The bitch is fast! Malone warned me but I didn’t give her enough credit. Well the time for subtlety is over. If she gets away I might not be able to find her again.

Kalar put his gun on full automatic and raced toward the spot he’d seen the target go. When he reached it there was no sign of her except for a pile of clothes. He tried to find tracks, but the snow was too churned up. Son of a fucking bitch! he thought. She got away. Is she running around naked? What’s up with that? Not knowing what else to do, he ran toward the back of the building. He hoped he could pick up her tracks. He found footprints, but they didn’t look human. Probably running on just her toes.

He started following them. He heard a noise and turned. A black specter was leaping at him. What the fuck? he thought and managed to get off one shot before the creature was on him. It grasped him by the throat and ripped.

***

Tammy burst into Haley’s Place. Tyler shot to his feet. “I need you,” she said and headed out. He grabbed his jacket and followed. She led him to a body lying against a building.

“Jennifer’s assassin,” she said. “He nearly got me. He would have except the schmuck left footprints in the snow. My leopard took care of him. We’ve got to get rid of the body. That’s his car. We should get rid of it too. You get your car.”

Tammy searched the assassin’s body until she found his car keys. She loaded the body into the trunk of his car. Even though it was February and snowing, the ground wasn’t frozen, so she was able to cover the blood with dirt. With luck the snow would cover everything up before morning.

With Tyler following in his own vehicle, she drove the hitter’s car about fifteen miles into a forest, found a dirt road, and drove nearly two more miles before the road became impassable. She carried the body about a half mile farther and threw it into a shallow ditch. Hopefully scavengers would chew it up enough to make identification difficult. If the body was discovered early enough to ascertain that he was killed by a large cat, it was likely the authorities would be believe he was the victim of a cougar.

Next Tammy drove to a good-sized shopping mall and left the car in the parking lot with the keys in it. She got into Tyler’s car and they headed back.

“How’d your date go?” he asked.

“Not bad,” she replied without elaboration. “Do you think Jennifer has more than one hit-man?”

“Doubtful,” Tyler said. “We still have to worry about Kent Malone.”

“Who’s he?”

“Jennifer’s chief of security. He’d take a shot at you if he thought he could get away with it, but his primary concern will be getting Brendan. Now that Jennifer’s immediate threat against you is neutralized, we can concentrate on the were-cougar. It blows my mind that a were-creature is evil. I think of us as the good guys.”

“We are. But he’s not one of us.”