Frank actually liked New Mexico.<br/><br/>He once knew a girl from there. He met her shortly after the war. She was in the USO and Frank met her when he was out with a bunch of Marine pals on the second anniversary of D-Day.<br/><br/>Well, OK. He had never BEEN in the state until this venture, but since Maddie was such a knockout and SHE was from New Mexico, then Frank liked New Mexico ever since.<br/><br/>So here he was, in the Land of Maddie---whatever became of her, anyway---around midnight, with one of Chicago's sexiest lounge singers tied up in the backseat of his car.<br/><br/>Oh, if Maddie could see him now!<br/><br/>On a serious note, Frank wasn't feeling too good about the job now. He wondered if he would ever see the other $2,500. He was promised expenses too, which he kept detailed track of but suddenly it looked like the DA was into darker things than wanting to question a singer.<br/><br/>MUCH darker things. There was more to this and Frank didn't think it was on Lauren's end. He believed that the redhead was coming clean. She seemed sincere enough.<br/><br/>The safe house was a two bedroom abode built to look like a log cabin, though it was tantamount to really good aluminum siding. The structure itself was brick and mortar.<br/><br/>Frank was told the safe house would be fully stocked with food, fresh sheets and emergency phone numbers. Apparently there was a local fixer whose name and number would be on the kitchen table, should Frank run into trouble.<br/><br/>He parked the Packard and turned to look at the songbird, who hardly peeped. Frank thought he might get an earful from her, but she proved to be quiet as a mouse. It was a little unnerving.<br/><br/>"OK Lauren. This is it. I think you'll like it. They showed me snapshots."<br/><br/>Frank opened the car door, got out and helped pull Lauren out. He knelt and freed her bare feet. Then he took her by the upper arm and led her to the two step stoop that took them to the porch.<br/><br/>The key was under a welcome mat. Not original but there you go.<br/><br/>It smelled a little musty but was otherwise clean. Frank flipped the lights on.<br/><br/>"Sit," he said, nodding to the rustic style sofa.<br/><br/>Frank then unloaded the car and put everything in the larger of the two bedrooms.<br/><br/>"Make yourself at home, Lauren. Because that's what this is now."