The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Captain Maltese on 07-02-2008, 15:05:03</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>07-02-2008, 15:05:03</strong>
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				Silence. If only there had been silence. But no, the rush traffic outside could not be denied entrance. Neither was it worth the even more stifling heat to stop the vent and it's endless clicking. Peter Crowley, gumshue and the current owner of a violent headache, lighted up the fourth Chesterfield and waited for his daily office hour to end. The smoke curled upward in thin grey streams, passing the window in the door on which the text "Crowley Private Investigations" could be read in reverse. Twelve minutes to go. He leafed despondently through the last couple of case folders on his desk; yet another unfaithfulness case; it was the husband who was the customer in this one. Peter had tracked the wife for a couple of days, and whammo - the knitting evening had indeed involved clothes but assembly was not involved. <br><br>The pictures had been taken, and the film sent in for developing. It would arrive in a few days. Hurray for the romance of the world of the detective. And that was the most interesting case he'd had this summer; the warmest days in Chicago were always the slowest - people couldn't be bothered to do crimes that would fit into his alley of the business. Once autumn kicked in tempers would rise, the body fluids would become fluid again and lots of people would be broke, and then he would have cases all over the city. Six minutes to go. What had he done Jack Daniels anyway, to get kicked this badly?<br><br>Tonight would be as other nights; some cheap takeaway dinner, a brief walk to the bar, some pool, maybe some small talk, a hair from the hound that bit him the night before, and on and on. Like the case in the other folder; some girl had met a man in a bar two months ago, they had talked all evening and then gone a round in the bathround before splitting. Now he had a a job to find a father-to-be with only a drawing to work on...God damnit! Good thing he was working per hour and not pay-on-success.&nbsp; Three minutes to go. Peter put the folders into the cabinet, emptied the ashtray out the window and put on his summer fedora. It was closing time. And then the damn doorbell rang.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>10-02-2008, 19:54:23</strong>
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				It would be no consolation to the annoyed detective, but the woman at the door was no happier with her visit than he was.&nbsp; Worry lined her otherwise youthful face; she was perhaps no more than twenty-five, but life had not treated her well, at least recently.&nbsp; Her dark blonde hair was swept back into a little cluster of fashionable curls at the back of her neck, a small blue hat tilted equally fashionably to one side, decorated with a small, discreet bow, unlike some of the flashier decorations now appearing more and more often.<br><br>Her dress was up-to-date as well, a matching dark blue number made from some smooth fabric that clung enough to reveal her slim curves -- fashions of the day were unforgiving to those with a few extra pounds, but she had no need to worry about that.&nbsp; The skirt hung in soft folds, modestly below the knee, expertly cut to give the cloth an appealing swish when she walked.&nbsp; A tailored jacket, trimmed in cream, and a small, sleek black purse completed the look.<br><br>But the look was spoiled by the folder she carried, awkwardly, as though equally afraid to hold it closely or risk dropping it as she kept it away from herself.&nbsp; She flinched as she was invited inside, stepping closer to the desk slowly, as though sleepwalking, and now the folder was held almost as a shield.&nbsp; "Mr. Crowley?" she asked, her voice tentative but as smooth as the silkiness of her dress.&nbsp; "I'm Mrs. McCormick... Mrs. David McCormick.&nbsp; My husband is missing."<br><br>She said this with steady, grim determination, then seemed to relax almost too much, swaying very faintly on her feet.&nbsp; Crowley took his cue, going through the usual opening pleasantries -- reluctantly, even she could see that, but long habit drove him to satisfy the basics, at least, and she sat down gratefully.&nbsp; She refused the offer of a drink, her hands still tight on the folder, now resting in her lap as she perched stiffly on the edge of the chair.<br><br>Now she didn't quite look him in the eye, though her voice stayed remarkably steady as she explained, launching into her story before he could make any serious effort to stop her, if he was so minded.&nbsp; "He disappeared two weeks ago now... just drove off one night in my new car, and no one's seen him or the sedan since.&nbsp; A blue Nash Lafayette," she added, clearly making the effort to be as organized and detailed as she could.<br><br>"The police don't say as much, but I think they've given up.&nbsp; They just tell me the same soothing things over and over, but they never seem to find out anything new.&nbsp; Some men who say they're friends of his have visited a couple of times -- they're polite enough, but I've never seen them before, and they won't even say how they know him or why they need to talk to him.&nbsp; Just that someone named Olsen wants to discuss a case with him.&nbsp; But I don't know any Olsen, and my husband is a bank manager.&nbsp; I don't see what kind of cases he might need to discuss with anyone."<br><br>She held out the folder now, abruptly, as though surprised at how light it really was.&nbsp; "These are the reports the police have given me... and there are some pictures there, too, the car's registration number, all the details.&nbsp; I have a little money of my own... I just need to find out what's happened.&nbsp; I can't take the waiting any more."&nbsp; Green eyes finally met his, pleading but wary.&nbsp; She seemed quite prepared to be asked to leave in no uncertain terms, her gloved hands still gripping the folder tightly.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>11-02-2008, 11:47:20</strong>
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				Peter hung the fedora back on the hook and sat down properly. He got out pen and writing pad, and wrote a couple of lines on it.<br>- husband gone 14 days ago without explanation, still missing, wife distressed<br>- unknown men looking for him on behalf of 'Olsen'<br>- husband bank manager, last seen seen in blue Nash Lafayette<br><br>He then opened the folder with an eye on the lady. By all apperances she was the very picture of unease. The cop officer had gone through the motions with at least some interest, probably because the man had been of some importance; all the basic facts had been collected as far as he could see. The man's boss at the bank had been questioned, as well as the wife and a neighbour who had witnessed the man driving away in the car at 3am. The report concluded baldly with 'Gone intentionally missing or met with accident; coroner services have been notified in regards to accident victims and suicide cases. Further inquiries to be made if and when new information arises.'<br><br>Petr scratched the beard he should have shaved this morning but was too ruffled to get started on. "Well miss, the police have certainly made their mind up. As far as they are concerned he's decided to take a hike and is unlikely to return. I see from the bank interview that he has been industrious and reliable to a fault, and that they as yet see no reason why he should go missing."<br><br>The picture of the man showed a tall heavyset man with hard eyes and the kind of jaw you could break rocks with. He was standing with one hand on the shoulder of his wife, who appeard to look a little downward. She was a pretty thing even so. "And according to your information he had not taken anything with him that wouldn't normally been in his pocket. Now what I really wonder about is why he'd take your car rather than his own Cadillac 85 Fleetwood? It's a much better car after all." He tossed the picture down with the rests of the contents of the folder. "I think you better tell me more about your husband. "<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>11-02-2008, 22:07:36</strong>
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				If the detective had hoped that the presumably fairly familiar task of talking about her husband might help calm the woman, he was disappointed.&nbsp; Mrs. McCormick sat even more stiffly now, and her hands, twsted together in her lap, now got the bulk of her attention as she began to speak, slowly, seeming to weigh her words carefully.<br><br>"We've only been married a year -- a year last month," she began, tugging nervously at her gloves.&nbsp; "So the police didn't seem to think that he'd run off with another woman or anything like that, and it doesn't seem likely to me, either.&nbsp; We're a very happy couple.&nbsp; Ask anybody."&nbsp; For a split-second, something like bitterness seemed to tinge her voice, and she continued hastily.<br><br>"Besides, like you said, he didn't seem to be planning to be gone long.&nbsp; If he was only going on an errand, he might have taken my car, if it was more convenient somehow.&nbsp; He did drive my car now and then..."&nbsp; She paused, again seeming to sort carefully through her thoughts before speaking.&nbsp; "We've had no money troubles -- he just got a raise.&nbsp; All his accounts are in order at the bank, so there's nothing wrong there.&nbsp; He's always been reliable, organized, and responsible, just like the people he works with said.&nbsp; He likes to have things just so.&nbsp; We don't go to wild bars or loud parties -- we've always been pretty quiet."<br><br>Now, at last, she looked up at him, doubtfully.&nbsp; "I'm... not quite sure what you would need to know.&nbsp; He's always been so careful of his career and his reputation, I can't imagine him risking anything illegal, which is what the police seem to think.&nbsp; That's probably why they won't tell me anything.&nbsp; But he-- he always handled the money, and I-- I'm going to find myself in an embarrassing position soon.&nbsp; The bank has been terribly kind and helpful, but there's only so much they can do, and -- well, something has to be settled soon, or I'm not sure what might happen.&nbsp; Do you think you can help me, Mr. Crowley?" she asked, and again that desperation was back in her eyes, that sense of being bereft and lost.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>12-02-2008, 00:34:27</strong>
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				Peter closed his eyes, rubbed the eyelids and wished for a drink. It would help on the headache for one thing, and maybe it would make this case less ugly too. He opened his eyes and looked at her, and the moment he saw her eyes he knew it was a mistake. It was like looking into the eyes of a puppy - a puppy with her tail caught in something. In a moment she would begin to cry and he had nothing but a wrinkly handkerchief to offer her.<br><br>The detectived sighed and picked up yet another Chesterfield, lighting it with a match. "I am sorry Mrs McCormick but I am all&nbsp; out of magic staffs. These aren't a whole lot of leads to work on. There are a few obvious places to start at though and I can take another chat with the cops and these other people. I would like to look through your home, and his car. I can't promise you anything though, so you might as well begin to look for a customer for your house, the Cadillac and what other valuables you might have. Even if your husband do have life insurance it won't do you any good unless he is found." <br><br>He took a long puff, then looked at the cigarette with irritation and stumped it. "My services will cost you 20 dollars per active day plus expenses. I'll go on for as long as I have something to work on, or until you end the job, or until your husband turns up one way or another. I take one week's pay in advance. There's just one more condition you'll have to meet before I do anything at all." Peter leaned back, crossed his arms and looked hard at Mrs McCormick. "Tell me about your husband again. But this time, the real version of him."
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>12-02-2008, 18:30:40</strong>
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				She stayed tense, leaning forward, listening with bleak intensity as he spoke.&nbsp; The mention of money set her calculating how long her funds might last, the exercise, worrying as it was, almost soothing her.<br><br>As he made his last pronoucement, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink from some combination of shame and anger, and for an instant, her eyes flashed, totally at odds with her worn face.&nbsp; If she'd been attractive before, now she was beautiful; determined and stubborn and amazingly alive.<br><br>"There's little I'm allowed to sell until he turns up, Mr. Crowley," she began, her voice louder and steadier now.&nbsp; "Most things are entirely in his name.&nbsp; But as I said, I have some money of my own, and some jewelry I can sell if necessary.&nbsp; My husband was always quite generous with presents -- nothing too extravagant, but some very nice pieces."<br><br>Now she turned slightly in her chair, continuing to speak in that same even voice.&nbsp; "The day after we came back from our honeymoon, I snuck downstairs to make breakfast.&nbsp; I wanted to surprise him with breakfast in bed."&nbsp; One hand pulled back the high collar of her jacket, while the other lifted her hair, revealing a jagged, ugly scar, perhaps two inches long, paler against the pale skin of her neck.<br><br>"He came up behind me while I was at the stove, saw what I was doing, and grabbed my neck.&nbsp; I wasn't cooking the bacon right, you see.&nbsp; He likes to have things just so.&nbsp; So he pulled the fork out of my hand and hit me with it, on the back of my head.&nbsp; I was stunned, I almost fell, and while I tried to keep my feet, the fork went into my neck, just there.&nbsp; He said it was an accident.&nbsp; He wouldn't let me get stitches."<br><br>She tidied both hair and collar neatly, turning again to face him squarely.&nbsp; "That's the kind of man you're looking for, Mr. Crowley, though I'm probably the only person in the world who knows that.&nbsp; If you find him dead-- at least-- at least I can get on with my life."<br><br>Except for that brief faltering, when her eyes lost the last of their brief luster and her shoulders again showed her misery, she told the entire story as if it had happened to someone else.&nbsp; Now she met his gaze squarely, expectant but not hopeful, as she waited for his reply.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>13-02-2008, 09:53:37</strong>
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				The detective narrowed his eyes, but let the arms fall back on his table. Ah yes, as he had suspected. The pinched look, the nervousness... how many times had he met women like this back when he wore the badge? Some attempting to cover their man's crimes by impossible lies, others draped on the floor like ragdolls with the marks of one beating too many. In one case she had been standing over the lifeless body of her husband, with empty eyes and a dripping breadknife. These cases had become easier to stay emotionally distances from over the years, as with so many other.<br><br>Peter asked in a cold voice. "So your preferred choice is to have him found dead, then? Interesting. But I presume that you would make sure he was found then, rather than have the inconvenience of the problems you must deal with now. Very well, I'll take the case. You can transfer the amounts to my account" - he gave her a card - "and I will begin to make inquiries tomorrow. You will be billed once per week." <br><br>Absently his hands gripped the pen again and wrote on the pad:<br>- husband abusive asshole<br>- wife displays one physical evidence of mistreatment; high probability of others<br><br>He ripped off the sheet and put it in the folder, which was placed into the cabinet before he locked it. Looking at the watch on the wall, he gripped his Fedora once more and opened the door for her. As she swept through he asked as an afterthought; "I was thinking of dinner but seem to have lost my apetite. I'm heading over to Joey's for a drink; care to join me? You sure look as if you could use one."<br><br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>13-02-2008, 15:29:53</strong>
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				She shook her head, once, jerkily.&nbsp; "Just-- just found.&nbsp; For once, I'd just like to know where I stand."&nbsp; She took the offered card, looked at it blankly, then tucked it carefully away in her purse.&nbsp; "After all this time, I suppose he must be dead," she said quietly, wonderingly, more to herself than to him.&nbsp; "I don't know what else could keep him away this long."&nbsp; And if there was no real grief in her voice, there was certainly no joy, only a stunned bewilderment.<br><br>She stood automatically when she saw him preparing to leave, clinging to her purse like a child with a teddy bear.&nbsp; Only at his mention of dinner did she realize just how late it was, and blushed faintly.&nbsp; "A drink... Yes, please," she said, again almost automatic.&nbsp; "I... don't have any need to rush home," she added, the hint of a bitter, wry smile on her face.&nbsp; And she knew she couldn't face the emptiness waiting for her there, not just yet...
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>15-02-2008, 09:50:54</strong>
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				They arrived at Joeys after a few minutes. The bar offered the usual quiet atmosphere of worn oak, floating cigarette smoke and loneliness. The sunlight flowed through the windows like a yellow carpet. At the far end a couple of guys in sixpences and rolled-up sleeves were doing a round of pool; the clinks of the balls were subdued as much by the lethargy of the players as by the felt. There were few others there this early.<br><br>Joey himself was bartending tonight, being his own surly self. Peter nodded to him as he placed his elbows on the bar. "The usual. Leave the bottle. Let the lady have whatever she wants." As soon as Joey had filled his glass the detective took a long sip, closed his eyes and felt how the heavy fog in his head began to lift. After emptying and refilling the glass in a couple of fluid movements, he felt restored and in an improved mood. Turning around toward his client he looked closer at her, noticing things that had passed him by earlier on. The reddish tinge to her eyes, and the shadows beneath them. The hands that kept fidgeting. Yep, the lady definitely was a drink or two short.<br><br>"So, what have you been busying yourself with these two weeks you've been alone? There's only so much housework to be done and you can't have spent that much time talking to the bank and the cops. Have you met any friends and talked with them, and have they offered any help?" He put a gentle hand briefly on her shoulder. "Friends in need, and so on." As an afterthough he added "By the way, did your husband leave behind the keys to his own car when he left so you could use that one?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>16-02-2008, 15:27:10</strong>
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				The bar wasn't quite a dive, but it wasn't quite what she was used to, either.&nbsp; She felt just enough out of her depth to be nervous, in that half-pleasurable sort of way, like when she was a girl, craving romance and adventure, impatient when they didn't find her quickly enough.<br><br>But it was only a bar, and she wasn't a girl anymore.&nbsp; She asked for a scotch and soda, something she would never have been allowed to drink before, and watched in something like fascination as Crowley downed his first drink in seconds.&nbsp; She was an amateur, a piker, having to sip at her own glass and still worry about getting too drunk too quickly.<br><br>It was a shock, though not entirely an unpleasant one, to hear his voice turn compassionate, at least in his way.&nbsp; She tensed at his hand on her shoulder -- gentle as it was, it was still more than she could take right now.&nbsp; "I don't really have any friends," she said, staring at the amber liquid in her glass.&nbsp; "I... wasn't encouraged to meet anyone.&nbsp; My job was to be the perfect wife, the perfect little housekeeper.&nbsp; There wasn't time for much else."<br><br>She sipped her drink cautiously again and smiled wryly.&nbsp; "The house is spotless, of course, and the police would be much happier if they never saw or heard from me again, but otherwise... I haven't had much to do.&nbsp; Looking for clues, in my own hopelessly amateurish way, and not finding any."<br><br>She gave him an odd look at his question, though she knew it wasn't his fault.&nbsp; He didn't quite understand what her life had been like -- no one could.&nbsp; "Not exactly.&nbsp; I also wasn't encouraged to drive his car, or sit in his chair, or ask questions... you get the idea.&nbsp; But I did find the keys in my searching, in his desk, so I've been using his car.&nbsp; I feel just like a car thief, wondering when I'm going to be caught and made to pay for my sins."&nbsp; She took a slightly larger sip this time, feeling the burn of the alcohol making her brave.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>16-02-2008, 17:45:45</strong>
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				The detective looked at the woman for a few seconds with pity, before retracing his thoughts. at "Well, unless it was a backup set you found that's very interesting. He didn't just take your keys on the spur of a moment, because then he probably would have kept his own in his pockets." He was already halfway down into his second drink. "So leaving with your car and not his own was a conscious decison, and not just something that was convenient at the moment. I wonder what else he decided to bring and not bring with him." <br><br>"Mrs McCormick, from what you tell me your life for this last year has not been one anyone would envy you. I don't blame you for staying with him; breaking out of the life you know isn't easy to do even if you are living in pain." He paused, swirling the golden liquid and the icecube inside his glass. "I had to do it too, if in a slightly less personal way. I spent two years as an officer of the Chicago Metropolitan Police Force, and the last year under the new boss was absolute hell. To my knowledge you can still get away from most crimes in this city if you pay Commissioner Bradley enough. Quitting the force would have been easier if I hadn't ended it with a flaming row with him, certainly, and it does not make my new line of work easier at all, but damnit I would not have missed that faceoff if it had cost me my life. At least now I can earn my wage without being ashamed."<br><br>He turned back to his client."Drink up, there's more and I think you haven't loosened up for a year or more. Anyway... you haven't told me your first name yet. What is it?
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>17-02-2008, 00:53:44</strong>
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				"I'm not sure he would ever have a backup set of keys," she said, shaking her head ruefully.&nbsp; "He never leaves anything behind, never forgets a single thing.&nbsp; Having a spare set of keys would be admitting defeat to him, I think."<br><br>She watched him swirl his drink, quietly amazed, though unfortunately not surprised, as he spoke.&nbsp; Police corruption wasn't something she'd ever really thought about before, but the last two weeks had made her think about that in new ways, along with so many other things.&nbsp; "There... there is something to be said for a good, wild final showdown," she said quietly, unsure if she was relieved or upset that she'd never had that with David.&nbsp; Then she felt a shiver of something like fear, realizing that for the first time, she'd thought about her marriage as very much in the past tense.<br><br>She looked at her drink, then at him, faintly confused.&nbsp; "I wasn't encouraged to loosen up," she said, then smiled faintly at herself.&nbsp; "And yes, please, don't call me Mrs. McCormick.&nbsp; Never again.&nbsp; It's Helen.&nbsp; I don't think I want to be Mrs. anyone for a while."&nbsp; Again she took a slightly larger swallow of her drink, though she was sure she shouldn't, sure she would start losing her head somehow after all the strain of the last weeks.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>19-02-2008, 20:38:23</strong>
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				Peter looked at the young wife with concern as he fished up the first&nbsp; Chesterfield and lit it with a lighter, a cheap Ronson copy. "I guess you were someone before you became Mrs Mc, um, before you became a Mrs? Did you get an education, where are your parent or your friends from school? We all come from somewhere. Granted, a few of us try to shut up about the details." <br><br>He smiled broadly for a moment, then gripped the cigarette with his lips as he picked up his wallet and showed her a faded picture of a rickety old building that could be a shed or a home or both. "My parents' home down in the Carolinas. The whole heap fell down into a smaller heap the year after I left. They put it up again of course, plank by plank as it had been. The year after that...yeah,. you get it." He laughed with the side of his mouth not occupied with cigarette as he put the wallet back again, enjoying the look on her face. <br><br>Then the detective looked down and hunched his shoulders almost in defense, took another big taste of the drink and looked sideways at his client. "Mrs... I mean, Helen - I don't want to put a damper on that smile of yours, you wear it so well. But...what do you do if your husband turns up and comes home again?"<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>19-02-2008, 22:12:55</strong>
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				As he showed her the picture, Helen studied this ramshackle example of a building doubtfully, suddenly wondering why he was taking such time and care with her.&nbsp; He didn't seem the type to treat clients like this... though perhaps he made exceptions for the younger, more attractive clients.&nbsp; Still, at least he seemed to mean well.&nbsp; If all he wanted was to try to take advantage, he could do that without bothering with so many apparently genuinely interested questions, for one thing.<br><br>"Milwaukee, Wisconsin," she said gravely.&nbsp; "That's where the parents, school, and friends all are, for the most part.&nbsp; My father brags to all his friends that I've married a big, important banker; my mother calls once a week to ask when she's going to get her first grandchild; and once a week I tell my little sister to be very careful who she trusts.&nbsp; But she's seventeen and therefore a hopeless romantic, so it isn't much use to talk to her, really."<br><br>The smile began to fade even before he asked his question, sensing the turn in the air as soon as he opened his mouth.&nbsp; "I'm not sure," she said, very slowly, in a way that hinted at many long hours spent fruitlessly contemplating that very possibility.&nbsp; "That depends on a few things... how long it takes him, what shape he might be in.&nbsp; Maybe things will be different by then... I'll be different."<br><br>She shook her head, as though instantly dismissing the idea of change, and smiled again, humorlessly.&nbsp; "I'll at least consult a good lawyer," she added, trying to sound hopeful.&nbsp; She stared at her drink, sipped at it almost nervously, and shrugged.&nbsp; "There must be... some options, I suppose.&nbsp; Can you recommend a good ambulance chaser, if there is such a thing?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>20-02-2008, 12:52:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter reached for the bottle to fill the glass again, but paused and put it down. Looking into the empty glass he was silent for a while. "I think that if he do return, you are screwed. This type of guys, they just step right back into the seat they left and shove anything that have come loose back where they like it to be. If you piped up you wouldn't need an ambulance chaser, you'd need an ambulance." The detective turned to her. "I think I dislike your husband a lot... Helen. Even if he was cut down to size one way or another, he'd just take it out on you. What you'll need most and first if he returns isn't a lawyer but a hideout."<br><br>He rose up. "Joey, put these on my tab will you? I think I'm done for tonight." The Chesterfield was back on his lip, the little red glow turning brighter. Putting on his fedora he offered Helen a hand down from the bar stool. They left outside, where the evening sun was still baking but the temperature relenting a little.<br><br>"I'm getting you a cab. Go home. Get some sleep. Actually... you might consider getting a hotel room somwhere for a few days. Could make wonders for your peace of mind for now at least." Peter chewed on a thought for a bit. "I've got a room at Fortnoy next street. They aren't exactly classy but the prices are okay and the place is clean enough. I'm sure there'll be vacant rooms this time of the year." He looked at Helen. "What do you think?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>20-02-2008, 15:39:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen bit her lip, staring down at the scarred and worn table.&nbsp; He was right, of course; however often she'd tried to imagine David's return, however she'd tried for something like optimism, it always ended up with him furious and her paying the price, just as usual.&nbsp; Her mother liked to talk about how different things were for women these days, compared to when she was young, and Helen had believed her.&nbsp; Now she was learning the hard way that some things would never change...<br><br>She couldn't speak, merely accepting the offered hand and walking out with him.&nbsp; A faint haze of heat still seemed to hang low over the streets, but it seemed a little easier to breathe now, and she needed that.&nbsp; His suggestion of a hotel room was met only with a confused glance at first.&nbsp; Then her eyes drifted down to the pavement beneath her feet and she nodded slowly.<br><br>"Maybe-- maybe that would be best."&nbsp; She thought of David returning in the middle of the night, finding her asleep and helpless, and shuddered abruptly.&nbsp; His rages and demands had already cost her far too much sleep.&nbsp; "Yes, all right," she said, breathless in her fear, standing as tensely as ever and again unwilling to meet his eyes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>28-02-2008, 12:48:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter led her into the Fortletts hostel foyer. The portier could confirm that there were rooms available; one of them in Peter's corridor. Mumbling something about not having to see marriage license then, he handed her the keys after getting her signature.<br><br>Upstairs, outside her door, the gumshoe looked at her. "We can start tomorrow by heading over to your house. Then I can have a good look around and you can pick up what you need for staying here for a while. Good night, Helen." He touched her cheek with his finger for a moment, then turned and moved on to his own room.<br><br>Peter's room was little more than a bed, a chair and a wardrobe, and a window toward a dismal backyard. He sat down wearily into his chair and found a bottle of Jack Daniels from the wardrobe. Well, he had a case that looked promising; it was a while since he had had one of those. And the woman looked promising too; it was a while since... He lifted the bottle to his lips to avoid completing that thought.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>28-02-2008, 14:56:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Once in her room -- basically only a mirror image of Peter's -- Helen stood very still for a moment, trying to decide exactly how her life had managed to turn out this way.&nbsp; Her reflections were about as useful as such reflections usually are, and finally she simply closed her eyes and leaned back against the door, trying not to think of anything at all.<br><br>The spot on her cheek where his finger had rested, so briefly and gently, seemed to tingle, reminding her of those long-ago days when she had never known a touch, from anyone, that hadn't been gentle.&nbsp; She'd been a child then, forced to grow up in the quickest and worst way.&nbsp; And now here she was, in a hotel that was only a couple of steps up from a fleabag, her only hope for any kind of life resting with a detective who apparently couldn't afford any better than this.<br><br>Not that she could afford any better herself... and if she stopped hoping now, she'd go mad.&nbsp; Besides, she consoled herself, the detectives in the movies always lived in places like this.&nbsp; She almost laughed at the thought, slowly moving to sit on the edge of the bed.&nbsp; He was perhaps doing the same, she thought, perhaps wondering, just as she was, what tomorrow might bring...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>28-02-2008, 15:05:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Next morning Peter knocked at Helen's door at about eight. "Mrs...-Helen? This place comes with breakfast; they serve until nine. Care to come and have a bite before we get going?" He already had the first Chesterfield on his lips, but had taken care to in the morning today and had actually bothered to shine his shoes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>28-02-2008, 15:30:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen had already woken some time before -- she'd slept a little better than she had in recent nights, but still not for quite long enough.&nbsp; Camping out as she was, she felt quite rumpled, even though the mirror told her she was at least presentable.&nbsp; But still she kept trying to look better, taking some time to fix her hair and touch up her face with the little makeup she had in her purse.&nbsp; At least she was still young, for all that she felt ancient -- she didn't need much makeup yet, thank goodness.<br><br>She flinched at the knock, scolding herself for her nerves -- though perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing, being cautious.&nbsp; "Just a minute," she called, tidying away her mascara and compact into her purse.&nbsp; She still felt nervous, in a fluttery sort of way, as she opened the door, but told herself that was only worry over her imminent return home, or perhaps simply hunger.&nbsp; "I suppose I'd better eat something, yes," she said, with a quick smile.&nbsp; He looked better pulled-together today, making her feel still more rumpled, but it seemed foolish to worry about that, in the circumstances...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>01-03-2008, 17:30:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Naturally the breakfast was simple, but it was sufficient. Walking out on the street afterwards, Peter flagged down a taxi and opened the backdoor for Helen. Citing the address given in her folder he sat in beside her perhaps not as far away as possible, and the taxi speeded out to suburbia. Eventually they arrived and the detective paid, climbed out and held out a hand for Helen. "I guess this is the place?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>01-03-2008, 17:42:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen only nodded, though she looked at the house as though she'd never seen it before.&nbsp; It already seemed ages since she'd been here.&nbsp; It was not the grandest house on the block, but not far from it -- large and solidly built from rust-red brick, new, the lawn and hedges still perfectly manicured, thanks to the company David had hired, still diligently stopping by once a week.&nbsp; The driveway curved gracefully up to the door, flowerpots waiting on either side, for all the world looking ready to be photographed for a magazine.<br><br>She was slow to move to the door, fishing out her keys and staring at the keyhole for a moment before actually opening it.&nbsp; The door swung open soundlessly -- and revealed a sight that could not have been more different from its flawless exterior.<br><br>In the hall, a table holding a vase and a couple of knicknacks had been knocked to the floor.&nbsp; Open doors to the side and straight ahead revealed further chaos; papers scattered, sofa cushions torn open, kitchen drawers pulled out and dumped upside down unceremoniously.<br><br>Helen stood, dumbfounded, in the doorway, staring at the chaos, one hand at her throat.&nbsp; She turned to Peter, eyes wide and dark with fear, unable to speak as she leaned closer to him, seeking support.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>01-03-2008, 21:45:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter caught his client in his arms, embracing her so she shouldn't fall over. "Careful now, doll. Well, look at that." He had a lit Chesterfield on his lip again, apparently without even letting go of her. "Surprise visitors." He took in the chaos with practiced eyes. "Someone were looking for something, they were in a hurry, and they were thorough." <br><br>He looked at her. "But this is interesting. It happened at what is probably the first night you didn't spend in the house. On one hand it means that someone have been watching you or the house for a while, and on the other hand they were willing to wait until now so they could get in without disturbing or being disturbed by you. You'd think that someone this eager to find whatever it was they were looking for, wouldn't be quite that nice."<br><br>Peter steered her to the chair in the hall by the telephone and sat her down in it. The detective kept a hand on her shoulder as he found a hankerchief from his pocket and picked up the phone. "Now I am going to call the police, and they'll come here and walk through the house with you and pretend they are interested, and probably they'll look nastily at me and I'll ignore them. And when we have gotten that over with the two of us are going to take another look. He dialed the number.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>01-03-2008, 22:31:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen let him guide her to the chair, sitting and listening numbly as he made the call.&nbsp; A moment after he hung up, she'd forgotten every word.&nbsp; What if she had been here last night?&nbsp; Would they have obligingly stayed away, as they apparently had other nights?&nbsp; Or would they have barged in and--<br><br>She had to break off the thought, her mind rebelling against that terrible what if.&nbsp; Her hand reached out abruptly, taking his and gripping it tightly.&nbsp; "What-- what do you think they were looking for?" she asked tensely.&nbsp; "I really don't see how he could be mixed up in anything illegal -- and even if he was, he... he wouldn't have kept anything here, would he?&nbsp; Not in the house."&nbsp; She stopped, biting her lip, and looked at the destruction with a shiver.&nbsp; "I can't believe this is happening," she murmured, more to herself than him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 18:30:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The police arrived, did their thing, took a statement and a couple of pictures along with the obligatory fingerprint check at the door handle, and that was pretty much it. Just another breakin as far as they saw it. Peter shaked his head as the policecar left the curb and took off. It was already way past lunch; the police had taken their own sweet time arriving. "Well, that takes care of the official investigation. I guess we can start the real one now that we can't be accused of 'disturbing the crimescene' any more."<br><br>He opened the door but paused on the doorstep to look around. Here and there were people looking toward the house, some from their windows, some standing on their own doorsteps. "Nice neighbourhood you have here, Helen." He sat down beside her. "Tell you what. Now we'll go from room to room, and I'll help you fix up the mess and clear away the stuff that's broken. And while we are at it you'll make sure to tell me if anything's missing or where it shouldn't be." Peter picked up the phone again. "Care for some chinese takeaway?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 19:18:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen felt quite numb after all that was over.&nbsp; The rest of the block was watching, she knew, and speculating -- quite discreetly, of course, but by the end of the day, there'd be dozens of wild stories making the rounds, none of them flattering to her.<br><br>She sighed quietly and turned away.&nbsp; There was nothing to be done now, and she was starting to think that she really didn't care what anyone else thought of her anyway.&nbsp; She nodded at his plan, still subdued, but glad to at last have something useful to do, something to occupy her mind.&nbsp; But she shook her head at his question, then shurgged.&nbsp; "I'm not really sure I could eat anything," she said quietly.&nbsp; "But you go ahead, get whatever you like."<br><br>She stood, irresolute, in the hallway for a moment, then turned towards the living room.&nbsp; They had to start somewhere, and the sooner the better, before she lost whatever nerve she had left.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 19:50:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jackets, hats and shoes were off, and Peter had rolled up his shirt arms. The chop suey paper boxes were left in the hall, one full and one empty, as they worked their way around. It wasn't quite as bad as it looked; in fact the damage looked more random that anything and the mess more like it had been made to look like a mess. Strange, Peter thought.<br><br>Eventually they had covered every room but one. The bedroom. Peter felt dry and in need of a beer, but might just as well make it over with. "Okay doll, let's get on with it." He sat down on the bed, then laid back and stretched.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 20:06:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As they'd worked -- and Helen had surprised herself by eating a little -- numbness had slowly faded, replaced with confusion, and anger.&nbsp; She wasn't as quick to realize the innate strangeness of how the place had been ransacked, but she slowly caught on, frowning each time some fresh evidence of that fact appeared.&nbsp; The sofa cushions had been sliced open, but apparently only for the sake of slicing them open; no attempt seemed to have been made to search inside for something, for instance.&nbsp; She'd never felt really at home here, but this was still her house, and this was enough to make her determined to get to the bottom of things.<br><br>She stared at him as he stretched out on the bed, wondering dryly if he realized how he sounded.&nbsp; "You're being awfully forward, aren't you?" she asked, shaking her head at him before returning to the search.&nbsp; She'd dreaded this room, too much a reminder of the terrible sham of her married life, but now she felt more able to face it somehow.<br><br>The closet door was open, its contents strewn on the floor.&nbsp; The dresser drawers had been pulled out and dumped randomly.&nbsp; Her jewelry box had been thrown across the room, and she knelt to look through the pieces, sorting out necklaces and earrings carefully.&nbsp; Her nest egg, she thought, and bit back a sigh.&nbsp; At least she had something...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 20:31:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That's nice. Very nice. And unexpected." Peter had sat up in bed, leaning forward on his knees. "Whoever was here sure didn't look for easy money. It must have been something very important or expensive they were looking for, to let that one go." <br><br>He saw something else, something familiar, lying on the floor and picked it up. It was a packet of .38 s&amp;w ammo. He opened it and it was about half full. "Helen? Did your husband have a gun?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 20:43:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, some of this is only costume jewelry," she said.&nbsp; "But there are some nice things here -- and they seem to be all still here."&nbsp; She shook her head, now exasperated.&nbsp; "What could it all mean?"<br><br>At his question, she turned to look and replied instantly, "No, of course not."&nbsp; Then she frowned, forced to amend the statement.&nbsp; "At least, not that I ever saw.&nbsp; What is that?&nbsp; Bullets?"&nbsp; Alarmed, she stood with the now-full jewelry box in her hand and went over to him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 22:10:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Definitely a package of bullets. They are for a revolver; pretty standard calibre." He left the bed and looked through the cabinet with Helen. A fairly thorough search revealed nothing more. Peter sat back on the bed. "Unless someone decided to break in here just to drop some ammo on the floor, which is really pointless, there has most likely been a gun here and now there isn't. What is really fun is that now we don't know if the gun was here until the breakin or not, or if it was the whole reason for the breakin."<br><br>Peter rubbed his temples. "It's been a long enough day for my taste, Miss, and I think I have some stuff to think about so enough sniffing about for now. Any plans for the day Miss, or should- Damn. I knew I had forgotten something." He rose up and stretched his back. "Your husband's car. I bet it's in the garage, right?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 22:17:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh, yes, it should be," Helen said, doubtfully.&nbsp; It wasn't easy to be sure of anything anymore.&nbsp; "I haven't used it for a while -- I don't know, I just haven't liked to drive it somehow."&nbsp; The truth was that David had hated her to drive it, and even though his opinions didn't matter right now, the habit -- the fear -- was still there.<br><br>She led the way to the garage, opening the door from the house and flicking on the light switch.&nbsp; Instantly, she realized that one of the car's doors wasn't quite shut tightly, and she tensed.&nbsp; "Someone's been here, too," she said, looking up at him in a sort of tired confusion.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 22:47:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yes, no surprises there. The police didn't think of it but I can't blame them since I didn't either." He peered into the Cadillac. The 85 Fleetwood was a pretty job; chrome, leather, wooden inlets, the works. "You know Helen, this is an expensive car. Roomy, huge engine, high quality. Worth more than two thousand bucks when it was new, and it doesn't look like it has been used much to me. Consider it another valuable thing in your box."<br><br>He opened the door gently. The glove compartment had been opened and papers were thrown about. He looked under the folded up sunscreen; there was nothing there. The car was otherwise in spotless condition, and no form of violence had been used. Walking to the back he opened the luggage room, and found it huge but empty. And shiny clean. Peter dropped the lid, looked about in the small but extremely organized garage and went out to Helen. <br><br>Peter could not help his fingers from fishing out another Chesterfield. "Tell me. Your husband. He rather liked his car, didn't he?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 23:10:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen smiled, briefly and humorlessly.&nbsp; "More than he liked me."&nbsp; The thought of actually selling the car was nerve-wracking, but he was quite right -- it would keep her bank account alive for some time.&nbsp; "Another reason why it's a little strange that he took mine instead," she added thoughtfully.<br><br>"There couldn't have been anything in the car, though, or he definitely would have taken it with him.&nbsp; Whatever they're after, it must be pretty valuable, like you said... he wouldn't have left it behind unless he absolutely had to."&nbsp; She tried to sound certain, but the truth was, she was finding her way blindly, inch by inch, in this unfamiliar territory.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>03-03-2008, 12:48:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter nodded. "I think I want to get back to my office; there are some things I need to get and then I have to think for a while. Why don't you fill a suitcase or two, and then we take the Cadillac back to town? You can drop me off at the office and then we can meet up at Joey's again at about eight." He left the garage. "Or perhaps you would like to spend the evening here. it's your home after all."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>03-03-2008, 15:20:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Alone?&nbsp; No, thank you," Helen said firmly, shaking her head.&nbsp; Then she added, in a softer tone, "And this was never really home, anyway.&nbsp; Just where I lived for a while."&nbsp; The place was too full of demons for her now.<br><br>She packed quickly and efficiently, a medium-size suitcase and a small overnight bag.&nbsp; Now she could stay away from this place for a while, which was a distinct relief.&nbsp; Again the thought of driving the Cadillac made her uneasy, but it was the practical thing to do.&nbsp; "That hotel's fine with me for now.&nbsp; I'll work out something else in a few days, if nothing else changes."&nbsp; She wasn't sure which alarmed her more -- the thought of things changing, or of them not changing.&nbsp; "Do-- do you have any theories?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>03-03-2008, 19:39:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter nodded. "I am nowhere near a theory, but I have a hunch. I'd rather not put words to it yet though id you don't mind." <br><br>He nodded towards the still open garage. "Do you mind if I try the engine out? Looks like it could be fun to wheel; I haven't actually driven a V12 before. I'll drive you over to the hotel and then get back to my office, and then we can have a dinner perhaps." He smiled. "Evidently I'm adding bodyguard to my service, but I promise not to put the evening hours on your bill. Carkeys?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>03-03-2008, 20:02:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen handed him the car keys, blushing faintly.&nbsp; "I'm sorry to take up so much of your time," she said.&nbsp; "You don't have to babysit me, honestly.&nbsp; I'm sure I'll be fine at the hotel -- no one would think to look for me there."<br><br>She put her suitcases in the car, still uneasy, but at least this time he was driving.&nbsp; All she had to do was to relax into the plush seats and try to forget the fact that on top of everything else, some stranger had pawed through her underwear.&nbsp; "I'll pay you back the overtime someday, I promise," she added, and meant it.&nbsp; He was, perhaps literally, saving her life.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>03-03-2008, 21:53:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ah ah. It's not overtime when I am enjoying myself, doll." He swung out of the curb and drove out of the suburb area, getting to know the long car's reaction to his pedal feet. Shortly they came onto the highway and Peter joyously floored it. The Fleetwood shot forward with a menacing growl."Pretty neat vehicle!" he laughed to Helen. The rest of the trip went by in something of a blur, and soon they were back at the hotel. He helped her out and then her baggage, and set off for the office.<br><br>Once there, he found a parkingplace, locked the Fleet for the night and walked into his office. He sat down, put his feet up on desk, and lit up a Chesterfield. He had gone over half a day without a drink now... One hand went down into the drawer to pick up the bottle, and studied the label. Perhaps he could cut it down a bit. Peter put it back, swung his feet down and unlocked the cabinet. He found the folder in the upper drawer, then after a moment's hesitation opened the lower too. From there he picked up a leather shoulder holster, a .38 revolver and a box of cartridges. He put on the holster and looked at the Colt. Hello, my old friend. Loaded, it was placed and secured in the holster.<br><br>Looking through the folder again, he found the pencil and added on to the notes.<br>- house ransacked, but only apparently so, damage pointless<br>- - pistol gone, before or after the breakin<br>- - car glove compartment ransacked. no damage to car<br>- Mr McCormick loved his car, didn't take it<br><br><br>Peter looked at the paper, then circled 'Mr McCormick'. "What have you been up to, David?" he mused.<br><br><br>Closing off the office he walked back to the hotel.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>03-03-2008, 22:07:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen tried to settle in to her room, unpacking her things and arranging them, then rearranging them.&nbsp; But it was no use, and she knew it -- this was no more home than the house had been, and she wasn't sure she'd ever quite be comfortable here.&nbsp; It would do for now, of course, and she was glad of a solid, cheap roof over her head, but this would feel temporary no matter how many things she filled the room with.<br><br>Again she jumped at Peter's knock, again scolding herself for being so jumpy.&nbsp; Perhaps the wild ride over here had had more effect on her than she realized.&nbsp; She opened the door cautiously, then smiled, opening it wider and half inviting him in, if he chose to.&nbsp; "Nothing new yet, I suppose," she said, not quite a question.&nbsp; She was being impatient, she knew, but she was too uneasy not to be.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>04-03-2008, 13:12:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He stepped into her room and looked around. "Hard to make much of a home out of this place, isn't it. Not meant for it either; just a shelf for people staying between other places for a while." He didn't sit down. "It's a while since we had a bite now; care for a trip to Franks Diner?" He offered her his arm and they left.<br><br>As they went out the front door Peter had to step back for a moment to get a packet of Chesterfields from the cig automat, and when he got back out two men were talking to Helen. "Hello again Mrs McCormack, have you heard anything from your husband yet? Our friend Mr Olsen is worried and would really like to know if he is safe and sound."<br><br>Peter stepped up. "Danny. Little Ben. Been a while, guys." They turned like clockwork and looked him up and down. Danny opened his mouth. "Hello Pete, we thought you'd gone out of circulation on a brown wave since you dropped the badge." He nodded toward Helen. "Dancing on the table while the cat's away?" Little Ben, a man about seven feet tall, chuckled. Peter laughed with him. "Still the same comedy act, eh? I thought you were with Donatelli, but the lady says you are doing the legwork for some guy called Olsen?" That shut them up. Danny looked at Peter with narrow eyes. "None of your damn business, gumshoe." <br><br>Then he looked upwards for a moment. "What IS your business anyway? Beyond making the doll happy, that is?" Peter popped his cig pack and put one between his lips. "We might actually be on the same job. The lady wants me to find her husband, too. Not that it is any of your damn business, either." Danny balanced bak and forward on his shoes, then picked a card from his pocket. "Oh, I dunno. If you find him, you could give us a call so we could stop worrying. There could be a little reward in it for you too." The man put the card in Peter's chest pocket and patted his shoulder. "Have a nice evening now, lovebirds." Little Ben chucked once more, and they turned like clockwork again and went off toward a green Duisenberg.<br><br>Peter smiled grimly to Helen. "And that officially turned this case from mysterious to very interesting." He picked up the card from his pocket and showed her. 'Giorgio Donatelli Inc, Financial Services.' "Your husband has been a bad boy, Helen. Now let's find that glorified railroad car."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>04-03-2008, 15:31:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen had stood, silent but resolute, during this whole exchange, refusing to show a moment's weakness in front of those men.&nbsp; But as soon as they were out of sight, her relief was almost palpable, and her shoulders sagged, her hand tightening on his arm.<br><br>She looked at the card with a sinking heart.&nbsp; "Who is this Donatelli?&nbsp; Is he some kind of mobster?"&nbsp; She didn't want to know, but she had to just the same.&nbsp; "Honestly, I still can't believe he would have gotten mixed up with anything like organized crime.&nbsp; He was always... well, a bully.&nbsp; And bullies are cowards."<br><br>She sighed, shaking her head in disbelief.&nbsp; "But this is at least a clue, right?&nbsp; A lead?" she asked hopefully.&nbsp; "If we're going to get dragged into this, we'd better at least know more about it, I suppose."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>05-03-2008, 17:26:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter put his arm around her waist as they walked. "It's a lead all right. Donatelli is a loan shark. Not a mobster as such, he's an independent mover that no honest man would lend money from as his rates are incredible. 50% per month? If you have a legal need for money that badly, a normal bank could offer a rate of a fragment of what he takes. And your husband should be more aware of that, what with him being a bank manager and everything..."<br><br>The found the diver and went in the door of the railroad car. The gumshoe put down his fedora, ordered a steak and a beer for himself, and went on. "So we know he probably needed money quick, and we also know he got trouble paying it back or Danny and Little Ben wouldn't have been nosing around." He waved with his fork. "Helen, where did David's money go? What did he spend money on beside the usual?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>05-03-2008, 17:48:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen hesitated, then ordered a sandwich, still mainly forcing herself to eat for the most part.&nbsp; If he didn't bring her into restaurants and order takeaway once in a while, she'd probably forget food until she fainted.<br><br>She paused before answering, organizing her memories.&nbsp; "I wasn't allowed to handle the money, of course," she began dryly, staring at the table for a moment.&nbsp; "He gave me a housekeeping allowance -- not very generous, but enough, and I was expected to account for every penny."<br><br>Sighing, she looked up again, trying to face things squarely for once in her life.&nbsp; "The only odd thing I ever knew of was that he gambled once in a while.&nbsp; He'd go to the track... but never any big amounts, I'm sure.&nbsp; He used to come home ranting about the idiots there who'd bet more than they could afford, and get into trouble.<br><br>"Everything was paid regularly, as far as I know... no overdue notices or phone calls that I noticed, and that I probably would have seen.&nbsp; We can't have been too hard up."&nbsp; She frowned, shaking her head in resignation.&nbsp; "If he did get money from a loan shark, he didn't spend it anywhere around me, that's for sure."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>05-03-2008, 23:20:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter nodded. "It's a lead and I will definitely check out the horsetrack. However, that Donatelli is looking for your husband doesn't tell us anything about where he has gone, although it make me rule out an accident. The man most likely fled. But I have a hunch. A hunch, that already by tomorrow there will be a new development in the case." He finished with his meal and waited while finished too. Picking up his fedora, he walked to the door and opened it for her.<br><br>They went out; it was getting late in the evening and then some. He looked up into the air. "We can go back to the hotel if you need to catch some extra sleep and get to bed early. Or we can drop by Joeys for a drink." He paused. "Or we can take the Fleetwood and drive to the Lincoln park. It's not so hot this late, and the view is okay. What do you think?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>06-03-2008, 00:18:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen stayed fairly quiet and thoughtful through the meal, her mind still whirling around and around.&nbsp; The more she thought about the whole mess, the less she felt able to get anywhere on solving it.&nbsp; She'd have to hope that fresh development he seemed so sure of would happen, and would actually lead them somewhere.<br><br>The air seemed fresher outside now that it was a little cooler, and though she was tired, that was mainly mental exhaustion, and she doubted she could sleep yet.&nbsp; "I don't know how long it's been since I've been to a park," she said, a little wistfully.&nbsp; "Could we go there?&nbsp; Would you mind?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>06-03-2008, 14:32:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter did not mind. They took the Fleetwood and were parked by the park ten minutes later. He handed her his arm and they walked into the park as the sun began to set. Heading for one of the landscaped gardens by the water egde, they could hear the chirping of the crickets and the lusty tweets of the bird who were hunting for them again. <br><br>Peter found a bench and sat down. He looked out over the water, then sideways at the woman to his right. "I think I see that you will be on your own soon, David coming back or not. What are your plans from now on?" His arm was behind her now, but not touching her.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>06-03-2008, 14:51:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen could only shake her head at his question, a faint, bemused smile on her face.&nbsp; "It still doesn't seem quite real, any of this," she said quietly.&nbsp; Her gaze moved slowly from the sunset to his face -- she felt balanced on the edge of some precipice, afraid to move too quickly.&nbsp; "I've daydreamed of what it would be like on my own... but I've never really been on my own.&nbsp; First my family, then David... there's always been someone else taking care of me, making decisions.&nbsp; I suppose that's usual, but maybe it isn't the best thing..."<br><br>She paused a moment, trying to be practical.&nbsp; "I'll need a job, first of all.&nbsp; Any suggestions?"&nbsp; She looked at him again, that half-smile lingering on her face, and again there was that subtle but distinct danger of falling somehow.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>06-03-2008, 17:46:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter laughed. "Job? I happen to need a secretary..." He face fell. "Of course, the business would have to get a fair more number of customers before I could consider employing anyone. Frankly I have been content with getting just enough jobs to cover my monthly costs. I haven't seen the point I presume." <br><br>He looked at her again, moving his hand on to her shoulder instinctively. "Helen, the question then is what you really want - to be on your own, to be taken care of or share the load with someone?" His hand moved up from her shoulder to her cheek, cupping it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>06-03-2008, 18:13:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His offer, offhand as it as, surprised her.&nbsp; She was no longer used -- or able -- to think of herself as worth much of anything, and it gave her a pleasant shiver to find that someone was so concerned about her fate, and thought her worth saving.<br><br>She shivered again at the touch of his hand on her shoulder, in a different way.&nbsp; It was perfectly safe, mild and friendly, but made her think too much of her husband's touch just the same.&nbsp; Sometimes he had started out mildly, too... She bit her lip as he cupped her cheek, and to her surprise, tears sprang to her eyes.&nbsp; Would she always be so tense, so fearful, whenever a man touched her?<br><br>"Is that possible?" she asked wistfully, trying not to let her lingering discomfort show.&nbsp; It was foolish, she knew, and would only hurt the one person who was being kind to her.&nbsp; "To share the load, and not just be coddled and looked after?&nbsp; That sounds too good to be true...." Slowly, she turned her face, lightly pressing her cheek to his palm.&nbsp; She was half-forcing herself, but she felt somehow better.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>08-03-2008, 15:44:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, it's what most people do. They pretty much have to." He grimaced. "I should know. I was newly married, some years ago when I started in the police. Didn't take long before I was pulling double shifts to pay for an apartment and car and new appliances and spend all my time at home sleeping. She wanted the best for our home, I delivered but got more and more weary. Honeymoon became a distant memory real quick." <br><br>He let go of her and drummed his fingertips together. "I was hitting the bottle even before it was over, and didn't care when it eventually did come to that. She took everything with her, and I was just happy to see it go as long as she did too. Wonderful woman really, but it started off wrong and never got back to right." <br><br>Peter sighed. *If you wonder about my 'simple living' it's not the bottle that drains my pocket. I keep the habit sufficiently in check to function, let go now and then and wake up in a gutter, then stays clean for a while until I give in again. Staying at Fortnoys is simply a way of avoiding, well, owning things again. I guess I never really owned much in the first place. The apartment and everything inside was just there."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>08-03-2008, 16:16:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen wasn't sure why he was confiding so much -- she'd sensed he was normally a very private person -- but it felt right somehow.&nbsp; Perhaps he'd only caught her uneasiness and was trying to reassure her.&nbsp; He already knew more of her than anyone else did, so he may have though iit only fair to even the score.<br><br>"Well, then we're even," she said with a rueful smile.&nbsp; "I never owned much, either.&nbsp; My mother spoiled us rotten, especially after my little brother died."&nbsp; A shadow passed over her face, and a sigh escaped her.&nbsp; "But that was just kid stuff, mostly.&nbsp; I grew out of the fancy clothes and used up all the perfume.&nbsp; I suppose... I suppose I wanted to be taken care of.&nbsp; That's what I was used to.&nbsp; That's what I thought I was getting out of being married.&nbsp; I'd be a loyal and supportive wife, and he'd take care of me."&nbsp; She almost laughed, but couldn't quite summon the energy just then.&nbsp; "Well, he took care of me, all right."<br><br>She looked over at him, thoughtful now, and forgetting her fears for the moment.&nbsp; "Aren't we a pair."&nbsp; A wry smile played at the corner of her mouth.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>09-03-2008, 16:06:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter didn't have an immediate answer to that. The sun had almost vanished below the horizon, and the temperature was dropping further. He looked at her smile, asnd could only with difficulty remember having seen it before. With it, she was suddenly achingly beautiful. "Yes. Aren't we." His hand found hers on its own, and his head came closer to hers. "I..." <br><br>The sun went down and took his strange mood with it. He let go of her and rose up. "...I guess we should go back to the hotel now. I have a feeling tomorrow will be a busy day. Coming?" There was a Chesterfield on his lips again. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>09-03-2008, 16:59:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His pulling away was like waking from a lovely dream, Helen thought, then blushed at her own fanciful ideas.&nbsp; It was just as well he'd taken pity on her.&nbsp; She hadn't the strength left to resist anything kind and attractive, however wrong the gesture, and whatever she thought of her husband, he still existed -- at least, most likely -- and even in her worst moments, an affair was not something she'd seriously considered.<br><br>Still, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment at that cigarette as he hid behind it once more.&nbsp; Just one little kiss wouldn't have hurt... but she fought back the thought, instinctively realizing its dangers.&nbsp; "Yes, I suppose we'd better.&nbsp; We'll need our rest, if we get that break you're expecting tomorrow."&nbsp; But she stood reluctantly, still wrestling with thoughts that shouldn't be entering her mind as they turned to walk back to the car.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>09-03-2008, 21:13:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				They drove back to the hotel in somewhat silence; Peter had thoughts on his mind that refused to be pushed back. And he was thirsty, too - had he really gone a whole day without a drink? And would what he suspected happen tomorrow, and what were the logical consequences of that? Would he be able to believe it, or would she, and would he be satisified with her happiness and not choose not to interfere? It was enough to make a man crazy.<br><br>They eventually arrived by the hotel, parked and checked in. Entering the corridor for their room, he paused as he was about to say good night. "I don't know if you'd like to, but... can I offer you a nightcap?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>09-03-2008, 21:26:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"All right."&nbsp; The words slipped out without thought, and instantly Helen's knees shook.&nbsp; It would be too awkward to take them back, nor was she even sure that she would want to if she could -- but she <em>should</em> take them back, she knew, and felt either very brave or very foolish for going ahead.&nbsp; "I think I could use something to help relax me," she added, a bit uncertainly.&nbsp; But she smiled, and turned with him towards his room.&nbsp; Only her suddenly very tight grip on her purse betrayed any real emotion, though a close observer might just have noticed her shaking...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>09-03-2008, 23:16:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter opened the door and let her in, offering her the lone chair. Sitting on his bed was all it took to make the room look crowded. He opened his wardrobe which wasn't even full, but which had a few clean glasses and a couple of bottles there; a half full Jack Daniels and a full bottle of Advocaat. He nodded toward the bottle of egg liquour. "Got that one from a happy client." <br><br>The detective rose up and looked at his current client with worried eyes. She had been nervous for as long as he had seen her. Now she appeared to become even worse off. Peter slowly realised that he liked her too much to want to see her like this. "I'm off to the foyer for some ice. I'll be right back."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>10-03-2008, 00:19:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As soon as he left the room, Helen very nearly bolted.&nbsp; But that would have been unforgiveably rude, and terrified as she was of what she might find herself doing, she was more terrified of hurting his feelings.&nbsp; She'd forgotten what it was like, to be able to relax and talk and connect with another human being, and now that she was starting to remember, she couldn't bear the thought of losing that again.<br><br>So she stood and paced, looking around the room, though there was really nothing to look at.&nbsp; How long had he lived here? she wondered.&nbsp; It seemed impossible to live like this for long, but it seemed that he didn't mind it, somehow.&nbsp; Her hands still gripped her purse, and she forced herself to set it down.&nbsp; She couldn't keep hiding behind it forever...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>10-03-2008, 19:21:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter returned with a couple of glasses half full with ice in them. He poured whisky into his own, and looked at her with a smile. "Make your choice." He sat back into the bed and took a small, slow sip of it. Damn! That felt good.<br><br>He saw her hands almost white on her purse, and it made him ache. The chair had its back against the same wall the head end of the bed was against, and usually doubled as a night stand. Now they were sitting quite close together.<br>"Helen. What are you afraid of?" He stretched out and put his hand on her arm. "There is only you and me here."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>10-03-2008, 20:32:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen took the glass, looked doubtfully at the Advocaat -- she'd heard of it, but never tasted it -- and decided to play it safe with the whiskey, though she took noticeably less than he did.&nbsp; She tried to relax, but he'd already seen her nervousness, as of course he would.&nbsp; It didn't take a detective to notice that.<br><br>She smiled, ruefully, sadly, at his question.&nbsp; "Maybe that's what I'm afraid of.&nbsp; We're unchaperoned."&nbsp; Then there were tears in her eyes, and she bit her lip.&nbsp; "I'm sorry.&nbsp; It's just... when someone tells you , loud enough and often enough, how rotten you are... how no one wants anything to do with you... you not only start to believe it, you kind of start to expect everyone else to agree with them."<br><br>She spoke slowly, each word painful, and couldn't manage the strength even to raise her head to look at him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>10-03-2008, 20:50:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter looked into the air with hard narrow eyes for a moment, then at her with mild eyes. "I don't agree. Neither will anyone else who don't specifically want to hurt you. And it is apparently about time someone tells you that you are a wonderful woman. And a pretty one. too." 'he lifted his glass. "Your toast." He moved his other hand from her arm to over her hand.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>10-03-2008, 21:43:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She still didn't quite believe him, still couldn't feel any better, really.&nbsp; The scar was too fresh, too deep.&nbsp; But for now, just for a moment, she felt almost like her old self again, her real self, and she had never in her life felt so grateful to anyone, for anything. <br><br>A tear fell, but she could not bring herself to move her hand to brush it away.&nbsp; After a beat, she realized he was waiting for her toast, and she blushed, flustered and confused in the best possible ways.&nbsp; "To starting over," she finally murmured.&nbsp; "And to getting it right this time."&nbsp; She lifted her glass and clinked it lightly against his, her eyes finally meeting his steadily again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>11-03-2008, 01:10:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter pondered her last sentence in silence. Getting what right? He saw the tears on her face, and felt helpless, then the blush that made the tears small glittering pools in a face of sheer beauty. The detective was torn between experiences, professionality, voiceless feelings and properness. Then something took firmly charge, and his last thought before he leaned over and kissed her gently was that he's probably regret this.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>11-03-2008, 01:39:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen didn't move, didn't breathe; she was afraid to do either as his lips suddenly, finally met hers.&nbsp; It occurred to her now that she'd wanted him to kiss her, but now that it was happening, she was frozen, almost literally unable to react.&nbsp; After a beat, she kissed back, even more gently, but the rest of her stayed just as helpless.<br><br>Then she pulled back very slightly, or perhaps he did -- she honestly wasn't quite sure -- and her eyes met his.&nbsp; She felt like she should speak, but couldn't find any words at all.&nbsp; Finally she turned her hand beneath his, gripping it lightly, her eyes never leaving his.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>12-03-2008, 22:37:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He rose up, as wordless as she, and pulled her up slowly by her hand. Embracing her, Peter kissed Helen again with a passion he could remember when last he had felt. He let go of her mouth again then, whispered "I am not going to hit you, Helen. And I am not going to let anyone else hit you either." Deep inside he felt a fear that he might risk hurting her in other ways than physical, but it was too late to avoid that danger now. "I know they are only promises. But they are my promises."<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>12-03-2008, 23:00:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen shivered in his embrace -- not from fear, not quite, perhaps only from the sense she had of being balanced on that edge again, of facing choices now that would change her life, and perhaps his as well.&nbsp; Some wordless, primal instinct told her to pull away, to beware of letting him get too close, in any way, but she ignored it, forcing herself to stay just as she was in his arms.<br><br>"It's more than anyone else ever promised me," she whispered, shakily.&nbsp; A dozen arguments, for and against staying, raced through her mind, but she couldn't speak any of them.&nbsp; "Peter--" she whispered, then another tear fell, and she gave up on speech.&nbsp; She kissed him, lightly, lingeringly, with a quiet passion that almost frightened her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>12-03-2008, 23:28:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yes...Helen." Peter sat down into his narrow bed, pulling her down on his lap. There simply weren't any more right words now, so he was silent as he found his hankerchief and dried her eyes until there were no more tears. Then he closed his own as he sat better against the wall with her in his arm, and lightly kissed her again. One hand was rested behind her neck, the other found her hands as he kissed her deeper, slowly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>12-03-2008, 23:56:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was all so quiet, so gentle, so <em>right</em>, that for some time, Helen's worries and uncertainties vanished.&nbsp; She simply relaxed into his arms, not really thinking of anything for once, able to just let herself feel without fear.&nbsp; It was a strange feeling, but apparently one she needed, for she felt immediately better, at peace with herself.<br><br>These slow and gentle kisses were too perfect to be anything but harmless, she felt, and there was nothing wrong with letting them go on for another moment, then another, until at last she had no idea how long they'd been like this, tangled together.&nbsp; Time should matter, she should be sensible, but for now she lacked the energy for anything except returning his kisses, slowly pulling him closer.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>13-03-2008, 14:51:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter felt lightheaded; with her for the first time not seeming miserable and him not feeling the same on a deeper and more hidden level, there was nothing that stood between him and actual happiness. He hoped she felt the same.<br><br>His body beginning to tune in with his mind, his mouth let go of her lips and searched out her neck. He placed several kisses down along her collar, each slower and more lingering as he came close to the end of the high V. He wondered how much further down he would have dared to go if her dress had ben less conservative, as his lips found hers again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>13-03-2008, 15:49:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				David's idea of what to do in bed had been, at best, absentmindedly rough, as he pleased himself while largely ignoring her; and at worst, cruelly painful.&nbsp; So Helen had very little personal experience of anything more pleasant that could happen between a man and a woman, and right now, even this seemed to wildly exceed the stories she'd heard.&nbsp; His kisses were light and gentle, seeking her pleasure as much as his, and that realization sent a flood of warmth through her that promptly gathered between her legs, to her mingled shame and delight.<br><br>If they stopped right now, she could still convince herself this was harmless, only a nervous, soon-to-be-divorced woman (if she wasn't already a widow) seeking comfort.&nbsp; But they didn't stop, her hand tangling through his hair while he kissed her, her body slowly shifting closer and beginning to demand the sensations it had already given up on so long ago.&nbsp; Perhaps there was still hope for her, for them.<br><br>Her dress, light and summery as it was, now seemed impossibly constricting, but she couldn't yet bring herself even to think of the obvious solution to that.&nbsp; It was well-tailored, but simple, with a zipper down the back and cinched at the waist with a wide belt.&nbsp; And it was conservative -- she'd never been allowed to wear anything that wasn't -- and now she rebelled against that, feeling the very dangerous conviction that it was time for her to feel young and alive...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>13-03-2008, 23:51:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter felt like he was stepping through a solid wall rather than a door, as his hand left hers, to trail up along her arm to her sholder. He looked into her eyes as his hand moved down to her nearest breast and stayed there, cupping it through the fabric in his warm hand. "Helen..." The single word was heard as a fragment of a question.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>14-03-2008, 00:41:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen shivered, the warmth of his hand somehow making her shudder as though with cold.&nbsp; But there was only heat in her body, almost flame, and she felt frightened of it even as she craved more.&nbsp; She knew what he was asking, or rather not quite asking, but she was still powerless to answer, helpless to sort through any of the things she was thinking.<br><br>But she was equally helpless to push him away, still clinging to him as though she'd found a lifeline -- and perhaps she had.&nbsp; "Peter," she whispered, and though she hadn't quite meant the word as an answer, she found that it was, and pressed closer, kissing him again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>14-03-2008, 00:52:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter lifted her from the bed as he rose up himself. Looking into her eyes, he held around her as he opened the zipper in her neck down as far as it would go. Then he slowly took off his jacket and threw it on the chair, awkwardly aware of the revolver in the shoulderholster that his jacket had hid.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>14-03-2008, 01:06:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Distracted as she was, Helen's eyes were still drawn towards the revolver, and a different sort of shiver went through her.&nbsp; It was a startling reminder of the dangers of the real world, the world that she was trying so hard to forget right now.&nbsp; But it also brought a sudden stab of fear for him, and that fear made her want to hold him ever closer.<br><br>She sat frozen for an instant, then reached out, awkwardly trying to remove the shoulder holster.&nbsp; Once that was out of sight, perhaps, at last, she could find some measure of peace in the warm safety of his embrace.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>14-03-2008, 11:32:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter caressed her face with the back of his hand. "A necessary tool of the trade, I am afraid." He freed the holding strap from his belt, then the one that held the shoulder rig in place by snaking around his other shoulder, and could then take it off. He put it all with his jacket. The tie went the same way. He closed again to kiss her as he embraced her, and whispered. "Unbutton my shirt, Helen..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>14-03-2008, 15:52:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her fingers shook, but she obeyed, slipping her hands between their bodies and slowly unbuttoning her way down his shirt.&nbsp; Again the awareness of wrong intruded into her mind, her conscience unwilling to let this go.&nbsp; But neither did the role of worried wife sit well with her -- that was only hypocrisy.&nbsp; Peter promised what she'd always wanted -- the feeling of being protected, the knowledge that the man who held her wanted her to feel safe and secure.&nbsp; And, yes, perhaps he even loved her...<br><br>She bit her lip, again forgetting caution, and kissed him more firmly now, slowly sliding her hands underneath the fabric to caress his bare chest.&nbsp; A gasp escaped her at the sensation, her arms slipping around him now to pull him close once more.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>15-03-2008, 21:54:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The detective's hands might have been unsteady too, had his nature been more likely to let his emotions influence on his actions. He felt Helen's hands on his back, as light as leaves falling on the ground but warm. His own were heavier, he knew, as he took hold of her dress above the back zipper with both hands and slowly pulled forward and down until it was at her elbows and her white bra was above it.<br><br>Peter kissed her neck, laid his hands on her bra and whispered in Helen's ear. "...the dress?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>15-03-2008, 22:18:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen was perhaps shaking enough for both of them in any case.&nbsp; His weight was holding her down, but she welcomed it, afraid that if she was allowed to move too much, she might find herself leaving the room.&nbsp; Part of her mind still said she should, had to do just that, but the rest of her was terrified at the prospect.<br><br>So she was hardly willing to move to help him with the dress, but she did, tugging it down as quickly as she could, her hands always returning instantly to touch him.&nbsp; She had to keep touching him, so her courage wouldn't fail her.&nbsp; Her arms freed, she pushed the fabric down to her waist, then had to return to kissing him with all her attention.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>16-03-2008, 00:01:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter slid his hands along her naked waist, embraced Helen, lifted his hands and unclasped her bra without letting go of her lips once. He slid the straps off her arms, let go of her mouth and looked at her upper body. He ached to touch those perfect globes but put it off, and instead moved her close until her naked skin was touching his hairy chest from waist to shoulder. He looked at her and wondered if she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Then Peter kissed Helen again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>16-03-2008, 16:54:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen was hardly aware of what Peter was doing, too lost in his kisses, but when she finally felt her bare skin against his, she sighed, exhilarated and frightened and amazed.&nbsp; This was what she'd dreamt of so long ago, in her adolescent dreams, and had since decided she would never find.&nbsp; But here it was at last, a passionate but gentle embrace, a man who would remember that she wasn't just an object for his pleasure.&nbsp; If it was wrong, if she would pay for it somehow later, then she would, and be glad that she'd had the chance to feel this.<br><br>Their eyes met, and for that moment, the world was perfect.&nbsp; She returned his kiss eagerly, though she was shaking more than ever now, overwhelmed with the wonder of it all.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>17-03-2008, 03:15:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter took a step backward, and kept his eyes on hers as he let the shirt fall, followed by the socks and then the pants which revealed typical male, white boxy underpants beneath. He stepped forward again to lean against Helen, and kissed her neck as he loosened her belt and let her dress fall down on the floor. He embraced her again, then could not believe his own voice when he murmured in her ear "Helen...I think I care about you...much."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>17-03-2008, 03:55:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Again Helen expected her nerve to fail her as he moved away, even for those brief moments, but she only ached for his touch, already feeling dependent on it even after such a short time.&nbsp; Now there was almost nothing left to hinder them, almost nothing to separate them, and she leaned into his kisses, shivering at the feeling of his breath against her skin.<br><br>And what he said did nothing to steady her shaking.&nbsp; "Peter... I'm so lucky to have found you."&nbsp; She didn't dare say more, just clinging to him for a moment.&nbsp; "Show me how you feel," she finally whispered, barely making a sound, then burying her face against his shoulder.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>17-03-2008, 23:41:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter nodded. "I will." He lifted her up, placed her in bed and removed her panties but let the garters and stockings be. He looked down at her and found her to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, then let his underpants drop. The detective laid down on top of her, his legs between hers and with his arms around her, as he kissed her once more. "I will. Sweet Helen."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>18-03-2008, 00:08:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Now Helen blushed at last, feeling strange at wearing her stockings and garter belt, but nothing else.&nbsp; It seemed wild, much too daring for the nice girl she'd always thought herself to be.&nbsp; But she saw the look in his eyes as he studied her, the desire and even fascination there, and forgot those worries instantly.&nbsp; She lifted up her arms to him, welcoming him with a smile, and as she felt his body settle onto hers, she thought that nothing in the world could possibly be better than this.&nbsp; His arms wrapped around her, cradling her in the warmth of his embrace, and in that moment, she trusted him as she'd never trusted anyone.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>19-03-2008, 00:41:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter was dealing with several awkward thoughts. Part of him wanted to take her hard, hammer her and himself into the bed until neither could take it any more. A completely ignored voice attempted to remind him that he was taking liberties with not only a current client but a married woman. A third thought tried to remember the last time he had had a woman in his bed. A fourth was taking clearly priority though; that he wanted to give this woman the best he had to offer of himself, because she was worth it by every reason and standard he could think of.<br><br>So he did nothing more rash than keep his arms around Helen as he kissed his way from her lips, down her throat and then gently on her nipples. Peter felt himself harden the same way her nipples did, as he played with them gently with his tongue.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>19-03-2008, 01:20:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Though equally torn in her own thoughts, Helen sensed something of his own indecision.&nbsp; But his actions quickly made her forget all that.&nbsp; She leaned into his kisses, watching in something like astonishment as he moved slowly down.<br><br>No one had ever taken such care with her body, done such things to make sure that she felt the pleasure that there should be when two people tangled together this way.&nbsp; She gasped faintly as his tongue teased steadily at her nipples, every reaction of her body, no matter how slight, a fresh amazement to her.&nbsp; Then she realized she could feel his body reacting as well, his shaft stirring against her leg, and she bit her lip.&nbsp; It was thrilling, more exciting than anything she'd ever known before, but at the same time, it felt almost out of control, and she clung to him more tightly, whimpering as she moved against him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>21-03-2008, 14:54:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter let his hand move down Helens back, squeeze her hips slowly and then wander to her breasts. He groped them gently, letting his thumbs flick the nipples from side to side, while he kept looking into her eyes. Then he moved one arm back behind her back, as he adjusted his cock onto her cuntlips with the other. His shaft was burning to be buried deep, but he needed a confirmation from her mind, and from her heart, as well as from the body that was clearly ready and willing. "Helen...may I...?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>21-03-2008, 15:14:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fear still lingered, painful memories still hovered, but Helen didn't hesitate for even an instant to give him the answer he craved.&nbsp; "Yes, Peter," she murmured.&nbsp; "Yes, yes."&nbsp; Her voice shook only with desire, her eyes meeting his steadily.&nbsp; Instinct prompted her to raise her hips to meet him, and she gasped as the movement pressed his shaft more firmly against her sex, his tip almost sliding into her.&nbsp; The touch sent a throb of pleasure through her, and for that moment, at least, all her demons were gone.&nbsp; "Yes," she said again, and this time the word was a plea, her need clear in her eyes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>21-03-2008, 19:00:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter kept looking into Helens eyes as he slowly pushed forward and into Helen, but closed them for a moment when he got as far in as he could, savoring the maddeningly sweet sensation of the woman surrounding him in wet tightness. The detecive opened them again as he slid as slowly nearly out of her again, and kept his eyes on hers for several minutes as he kept the slow motion within her, pausing only for fresh short kisses.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>21-03-2008, 20:43:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen watched his face, fascinated, amazed that there could be such pleasure in anyone's expression, though her own was equally joyful, equally grateful for this moment.&nbsp; This was what it was meant to be like -- to be entered slowly, to be filled in a way that let her savor the sensation, to feel her body respond eagerly.&nbsp; And most of all, to look into another's eyes and see care and tenderness there... it was so, so different from anything David had ever done to her that it was difficult to believe it was the same act.<br><br>Then he began to move slowly, back and forth, and there was no such person as David.&nbsp; She gasped as she felt her tight passage clinging to him with every stroke, her body overwhelmed.&nbsp; She felt warm, every nerve tingling with anticipation, and again her hips arched, matching his pace as he pressed forward and filled her again, and she bit back a moan.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>22-03-2008, 04:20:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter was well satisfied, not needing to do anything more than enjoy and keep off the lust to speed this experience to its end. But even this slow rythm would achieve that goal if it lasted longer. He reluctanty halted and withdrew from her, rolling to her side but keeping his arms still around her. Peter kissed Helen, murmuring "I better not be in haste, doll.." as his hands began to caress her back and behind.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>22-03-2008, 15:33:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen turned as he did, clinging to him, already feeling bereft and empty.&nbsp; But he was still there, still pressed against her and caressing her tenderly, and she sighed, slowly beginning to explore his body with her own hands.&nbsp; She felt a little shy again, a little awkward -- however right it felt, he was still a virtual stranger -- but now, at last, she could discover everything that was meant to happen between a man and a woman, and she smiled as she kissed him, her hand sliding up to stroke his face.&nbsp; "We don't have to hurry," she whispered, her own face glowing with happiness.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>29-03-2008, 23:35:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No. There is nothing for us in the world to hurry about." Mentally he added, 'nothing else for us to care about in the world'. "Helen...will you touch me? With your hand?" He nodded down, somewhat awkardly, at his aching erection. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>30-03-2008, 00:27:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen could only nod.&nbsp; She reached down, at least as awkward as he was.&nbsp; David had never wanted anything like this, never asked her for anything, only ordered.&nbsp; She'd never done anything like this before, and at first her grip was hesitant.&nbsp; Slowly, watching his reactions, listening to every sound he made, she held him more tightly, trying to find a rhythm.&nbsp; She leaned closer, kissing him again, thrilled at the warmth of him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>01-04-2008, 12:49:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter closed his eyes and shuddered inwardly at her gentle if somewhat clumsy touch. "Yes...that's is. Don't go faster, or..." He could not find the words to complete the sentence. One of his hands were finding her breasts again, but a finger was playing with her lips, venturing onto her tongue.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>01-04-2008, 15:13:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Again she could only nod, keeping her hand moving slowly and evenly, amazed that she could do this to him.&nbsp; It was her touch making him gasp, her nearness driving him as wild as he made her, and she smiled, shyly, shivering under his touch.<br><br>His finger surprised her a little, but she allowed it into her mouth -- she thought there was almost nothing that she would not let him do, and that frightened her almost as much as it aroused her.&nbsp; She was surprised again to find that she liked this, and her tongue slowly traced over his finger, now amazed at her own boldness.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>01-04-2008, 21:31:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was enjoying this far too much; her hands would be soaked any moment now. Peter placed his hand over her to make her stop moving hers.<br><br>The finger was removed from her mouth; he took the wet fingertip and ran it down along his shaft. He was silent for a little while. "Helen...I want to do something to you that you will like. Lie down on your back." He rose up and looked at her with a little smile. "If you dare?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>01-04-2008, 21:56:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen waited, breathless and frozen, as he was silent, her hands now only resting lightly on his shaft.&nbsp; She shivered as he spoke her name -- the word had never sounded so wonderful as it did when he said it.<br><br>She smiled up at him as he moved, wonderingly, but she was sure her face must be glowing with happiness.&nbsp; "If I dare?" she echoed, quietly.&nbsp; "Try and stop me."&nbsp; She shifted onto her back, still smiling up at him, memorizing every moment of their time together.&nbsp; Perhaps this memory would crowd out all the darker ones at last...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>01-04-2008, 22:12:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter laughed. "That's a new sound coming from your lips, Helen!" Then he whispered. "I like that change." He laid down on top of her, kissed her once again, and began to move backward as he placed slow kisses down her chin and further below. He stopped for a while when he reached her belly and just rested his head on her, then kept moving and kissing until he reach her clit. He sucked it gently into his mouth.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>01-04-2008, 22:40:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen laughed, surprising herself with the sound.&nbsp; How long had it been since she'd laughed?&nbsp; She couldn't even remember.&nbsp; She writhed slowly beneath him, leaning into each of his kisses, feeling a deep and pleasant warmth suffusing her entire body.<br><br>If he'd stunned her before, now she was shocked, frozen again with amazement as he reached her sex.&nbsp; Was he really going to--?&nbsp; And then he did, his lips closing softly around her flesh and tugging lightly.&nbsp; She gasped, her eyes first wide, then squeezed tightly shut, savoring the sudden jolt of ecstasy that went through her at this.&nbsp; It was very different from having his shaft inside her, but just as wonderful, and she felt her hips buck up to meet him instinctively.&nbsp; "Peter..." she gasped, then moaned, as now an intense tingling moved through her, radiating out from where his mouth touched her.&nbsp; "That's... amazing..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>01-04-2008, 23:01:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Mmmmmhmmm." His mouth was busy. Peter moved his hands to under her behind and lifted her up so he could get a more comfortable angle, and let his lips leave her pearl to follow the lips downward. And up, and down again. He let his tongue slip inside her, tasting her and finding her wet and spicy, after a while returning the clit, teasing and biting it lightly. Finally he climbed toward her again, licked his lips then kissed her deeply. "...did you like that?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 00:07:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sometimes she managed to look down at him, but most often she simply had to close her eyes, too overwhelmed to do anything else.&nbsp; She'd never felt anything like this before, and she could hardly even process how it felt, except that it was wonderful.<br><br>She shuddered and writhed beneath him, hardly able to stop herself from moving.&nbsp; By the time he stopped, even though it had been only a few minutes, she was gasping with pleasure, and aching for more.&nbsp; She kissed him eagerly, though she did find her own taste surprising, to say the least.&nbsp; But she was sure she'd never be able to kiss him enough.&nbsp; "I loved it," she whispered, reaching up to stroke the side of his face.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 12:23:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter smiled as he parted her thighs again, now holding on to her thighs. "So did I." He began to take her again, this time faster. And faster. Then stopping still, going faster and all over again. Each thrust was now a little harder, a little more decisive than they had had been the previous time.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 15:35:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The rest of the world faded away, nothing else mattering as long as they were together like this.&nbsp; Each time Helen was sure she couldn't possibly feel any more pleasure, she did, Peter somehow managing to make her more and more excited with each passing moment.&nbsp; Sometimes he would stop altogether, and they would kiss and cling to each other; then he would move again, more quickly each time, until she began to think this must all be a dream, because her life could never be so perfect.<br><br>Finally, her body shivered harder than usual, and something inside her seemed to overflow.&nbsp; She gasped, her hands tightening on his shoulders, and then cried out as an entirely new level of pleasure flooded through her, leaving her weak and stunned, gripping him as though unable to let go.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 19:58:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter held back a groan as he felt her flowing over, as much in pleasure as in holding back his ejaculation. He held still until she seemed done, and withdrew gingerly. The detective laid back in the bed beside her, put an arm under her neck and kissed her cheek. "I am not going to ask if you liked that." He smiled.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 20:11:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen sighed as he pulled free, almost whimpering.&nbsp; Again she felt lost without him inside her, and she turned to cling to him as he put his arm around her.&nbsp; "Oh, Peter... I didn't know anything could feel like that.&nbsp; It was... amazing..."&nbsp; <br><br>Her voice trailed off, again lost for words.&nbsp; Distantly, she remembered that this was, technically, adultery, but somehow that seemed a ridiculous idea, impossible.&nbsp; She still shivered now and then, as though getting warm again after being out in the cold for hours, but those little aftershocks felt wonderful.&nbsp; She buried her face against his shoulder, savoring those shivers.<br><br>Then she realized something, and turned to look at him.&nbsp; "But you didn't... Did you?" she asked, as flustered as she could be in her current blissful state -- which wasn't very flustered at all.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 20:19:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He shook his head. "No. I...don't have any condoms. The last package I bought got old and was thrown away a long time ago."&nbsp; Unopened, he thought silently and gave her a lopsided smile. "It's not as if I need that kind of thing very often." Peter closed his eyes and smiled for real now. "I haven't really been planning ahead for anything for some years now." He was silent for a little, just holding her body against his. "But perhaps you can use your hand a little again...?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 20:38:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh."&nbsp; She blushed furiously for not having realized that.&nbsp; Of course they couldn't take that risk, but somehow she thought she wouldn't mind carrying his child, and she blushed harder at that.&nbsp; "I... I'm not even sure if I can...." she said hesitantly.&nbsp; She was relieved not to be pregnant with David's child, but that fact also seemed to hint at her not being able to conceive.&nbsp; He'd certainly wanted her pregnant, and had never taken any precautions, or allowed her to take any.<br><br>But there was time for that later.&nbsp; Now she just turned to him again, kissing his cheek lingeringly.&nbsp; "Thank you," she whispered.&nbsp; Then her hand moved down, taking hold of him again, and began moving steadily, more confidently now, watching his reactions with fascination.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 22:17:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter breathed heavily. What she did was so good, and he was close. In fact he could come any second. And he had more to show her, to let her experience, but it could wait to another time. Suddenly he wondered if there might be any more times at all; would she want there to be more times, could there be more times if tomorrow went as he suspected? Had tonight simply made sure she would bolt first thing next morning? The thoughts made his erection wilter even as she held it. <br><br>He looked at her, a little sadly. "Let it be. I...was distracted. Just come lie on my arm."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 22:26:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen returned his look even more sadly.&nbsp; Somehow, it was her fault that he wasn't going to get to feel the same wondrous release she had.&nbsp; She held her breath for a moment, some primal instinct cautioning her that he might yet grow angry, as David had whenever anything went the slightest bit wrong.&nbsp; But of course Peter wasn't like that, and she exhaled slowly, settling into his arms.<br><br>She was still on the verge of tears, disappointed and ashamed.&nbsp; No matter how well he took it, it was still her fault.&nbsp; "I'm sorry, Peter," she whispered, once again burying her face against his chest.&nbsp; Now he'd never want to do this again, she feared, and the thought made her shiver in a much less pleasant way.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 22:34:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He nuzzled her neck and smiled. "It's not as if it fell off. Try with your hand again, stroke a nail along it...use your imagination." His fingers caressed her hair, then wandered down to her back. Peter lifted her head and kissed her lips. "Helen? Surprise me." He laid back. "And maybe I can surprise you again, too." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>02-04-2008, 22:53:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen looked at him wide-eyed, too surprised to realize what he was saying at first.&nbsp; All she could think of was that, apparently, everything was all right.&nbsp; He wasn't angry at all, not even upset.&nbsp; He didn't even seem disappointed, really.&nbsp; Her eyes filled with fresh tears, this time of happiness.&nbsp; "Oh... I'll-- I'll try," she said, smiling shakily.<br><br>She put her hand back, gently cupping and stroking the softened flesh.&nbsp; Her lips traced over his cheek, then down his chest, shyly but gaining confidence.&nbsp; She didn't dare risk a fingernail yet, too afraid of hurting him.&nbsp; This was all too new to her for now.&nbsp; But she stroked steadily again, pressing herself against him, hoping almost painfully for some sign that he was stirring back to life.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>05-04-2008, 13:21:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter twitched - as well as his member - when her warm hand returned to his shaft. But her lips on his chest, trailing there from his face, was the real reason he began to harden again. Was she really going to...? "Yes...that's good." He looked at her face and her smooth body, and knew that he wanted to be inside her again. Perhaps if he withdrew in time. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>06-04-2008, 22:01:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen still scarcely knew herself what she was going to do, but she did know that she wanted to do her very best to help him feel the same pleasure he'd given her.&nbsp; Inexperienced as she was -- and it seemed very odd for a married woman to describe herself that way -- she wanted to learn what he liked, what he needed from her.&nbsp; Without realizing it, she was quietly expecting them to stay together, an idea which already felt perfectly natural.<br><br>She kept things as they were for now; her hands stroking and her lips exploring the rest of him gently.&nbsp; There was still no rush, though she could feel him stirring in her hand, something which excited her more than she would have guessed.&nbsp; Perhaps in a few minutes there might be more urgency, but for the moment she just enjoyed being with him like this.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>11-04-2008, 14:06:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter became hard again in her hand, achingly so. He found her hair again, and caressed it, somehow slowly nudging her face closer to his cock. With the other hand he found her breast and began to play with her nipple. He murmured "You please me so. Sweet Helen. I want you. And not only your body. Damnit, I wish you were mine." He moved his hand to the other nipple.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>11-04-2008, 15:17:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Again Helen was speechless.&nbsp; In her heart, she was already his, but her mind still knew that to be impossible as things were.&nbsp; It was an impossible situation, this not knowing.&nbsp; Was she a widow?&nbsp; An abandoned wife?&nbsp; Or worst of all, not quite abandoned.&nbsp; She thought with sudden terror of David reappearing to claim her again.<br><br>She almost burst into tears.&nbsp; But she couldn't let herself think of that, not now.&nbsp; They might have so little time together, and she couldn't spend it crying and worrying.&nbsp; He said that she pleased him, and she wanted to do that in all the ways that she could.&nbsp; She looked up at him, still not saying anything, but her eyes showed how much she wanted his wish to come true.&nbsp; She let him guide her, whether he was really aware of it or not, and slowly she drifted down, now watching her hand as it stroked him.&nbsp; Again he was as hard as could be, and she also ached, wishing she could simply let him take her in any way he pleased.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>15-04-2008, 12:14:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter said with a tight voice, "Helen... Will you do to me as I did to you?...Down there?" Already her head was so tantalizingly close. And he had only experienced a woman's mouth a few times before. But those experiences had been wild. His member made a throb in her hand by the memory.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>15-04-2008, 15:11:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She looked at him again as he spoke, then nodded slowly.&nbsp; The idea alarmed her, but for his sake she ignored that, still trying to make these moments as perfect as possible.&nbsp; She felt him pulse in her hand, and realized how much he wanted this, and she would not deny him.<br><br>Slowly, she worked her way down until she was finally confronted with his shaft.&nbsp; It seemed huge like this, and she couldn't imagine it fitting into her mouth, but she would do her best.&nbsp; At first she kissed him, small kisses at first, getting used to him and the way he tasted.&nbsp; Then, gradually, she gathered courage, decided she rather liked the musky, very male smell of him, and tentatively took the tip of his shaft between her lips, slowly working her way down again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Captain Maltese</strong> on <strong>23-04-2008, 14:56:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peter closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again to follow the further arousing sight of Helen doing what was actually illegal in several states, amazed at her newfound boldness. <br><br>He found her intensely erotic like this; her well shaped body, the stockings, the way she laid curled on the bed and above everything her hands and tongue and mouth on his cock. "Helen...you are the most amazing woman I have ever met. If...the end of the case allows, I would like to spend more time with you." He shut his eyes and mouth abruptly, silently cursing himself for what would probably put a break on everything. EVERYTHING!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Case Of The Blue Lafayette (CptCalico and Valerian)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Valerian</strong> on <strong>23-04-2008, 15:20:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen looked even more amazed at herself, and had she known this was illegal in some places, would probably have stopped instantly.&nbsp; It was awkward and strange, and stretched her mouth uncomfortably, and couldn't possibly be the sort of thing any married woman should do, even to her husband -- but she found she didn't want to stop, just the same.<br><br>Her eyes turned to him as he spoke, wonderingly.&nbsp; She hesitated in her attentions to him, pulling away a little, realizing with a jolt the full meaning behind those words.&nbsp; She <em>was</em> married, however much she didn't want to be.&nbsp; Nothing good could come of this tangle she now found herself in.&nbsp; She wanted to stay with Peter, she never wanted to see David again, but what choice did she have?<br><br>She shut her eyes, too, staying perfectly still for a time.&nbsp; If David was still alive, she would divorce him, whatever the cost.&nbsp; She would not stay married to him another moment longer than she had to.&nbsp; Perhaps that would still not free her enough to be with Peter, but she had to try.&nbsp; "Let's not think about that just yet," she murmured, her voice filled with tears, though she refused to cry openly.&nbsp; She couldn't yet bring herself to put her mouth back on him, still choked with emotion, but her hand stroked him steadily again.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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