Harry looked at Diane�s face, raising his eyebrows as if asking her permission. It was clear that she, too, had nothing more to lose, and she nodded, licking her lips absentmindedly. Harry leaned over and laid Diane on the bed, then reached over her head with his left hand to pull her mouth to his. He kissed her slowly, erotically, and she wrapped her arms around him to pull him closer. She also wanted to conceal Harry�s right hand, which was reaching for a pocket in his suitcase. She saw the outline of a gun in that pocket when Harry pushed her back, and she wanted Bob to either focus on the action with Diane on the bed, or to look away in disgust. Anything but notice that Harry was reaching.

�That�s enough,� Bob said, standing. Harry froze in place, his fingers inches from the gun. He pulled his lips from Diane, and they gazed into each other�s eyes with heat and passion and love. Standing on the edge of life removed all their inhibitions, and they let their eyes write love letters and flowery sonnets in those few seconds.

�Get up!� Bob yelled at Harry, who slowly complied, never taking his sad eyes off Diane�s.

The door burst in, and three SWAT officers flew into the room and tackled Bob. His gun flew across the room, and another SWAT officer ran in and retrieved it.

�Are you two okay?� a tall blond cop asked Harry and Diane.

�Yes,� Harry responded, still looking at Diane. �Your timing was impeccable. Kudos to California cops, right Diane?�

Diane nodded and smiled. She got up and stood next to Harry, then reached up and kissed him again, wrapping her arms tightly around him. They literally held on to each other for dear life, feeling a profound gratitude.

�Jeez, guys. Get a room!� a familiar voice said from the door.

�We already have one,� Harry said, smiling at Diane. Diane blushed and focused on Jill, who was standing in the doorway.

�It�s about time!� Diane said to Jill. �What took you so long?�

�Yeah, well I was busy following you so I�d know where to send in the heroes,� Jill shrugged.

�Tailgating is a travesty of proper police procedure,� Harry said, hugging Jill.

�Yeah, well you owe me one, Denby. No, actually, now you owe me two.�