�Plans for tomorrow?� Monica questioned her partner over the dinner table. She had offered to cook while he fixed a couple of leaking faucets they had noticed in the bathrooms, one upstairs and one down.
�I really think we should pay a visit to Lord Chuck�s office but it�s too soon. We don�t want to get caught and thrown out of town so soon.� John helped himself so another scoop of the salad.
�What do you hope to find there?� Monica had a sip of her fruit juice and then went back to the remainder of her meal.
�Don�t know yet but after today my suspicions have flown sky high that this community isn�t as idyllic as anyone says.� He tasted a fork full of the salad.
�I think we should get to know a few of the neighbours a little better.� Monica paused from eating. �Maybe I could take up walking for some daily exercise.�
�Good idea. While you do that I might go back to Jarred the grocer and ruffle a few feathers. He knows more than he�s letting on.� John took a sip of his soda and eyed what was left on his dinner plate. �Any other ideas?�
�Not too many feathers John.� Monica chuckled to which John smiled and nodded. �I was thinking we need to show to more people that we�re really newlyweds and are very much in love. We could go for a picnic lunch in the park tomorrow.�
John flushed at the thought of �performing� with more onlookers. He was still really rusty in the love division.
�So what about those lessons you promised?� John picked up his utensils to finish off his meal.
�Later in bed,� she grinned and with her lips poised on her juice glass, finished off the remnants.
John couldn�t help dwell on the bedroom side of their relationship. Being in the same bed night after night was bound to test their boundaries. Many times that day his thoughts had returned to the morning when Monica had more or less said that she wanted more from him than a kiss. His dilemma was whether he should lead and perhaps mess it all up or wait for her move. He decided to wait and see once they were in bed together again.
�That was delicious!� John swallowed the juicy morsel of steak he was keeping until last. �You missed out on quality.�
�I just felt in a salad mood John,� Monica slightly yawned as she got up from the dining table to take the dishes to the kitchen. �I�m really wanting an early night.�
�Leave those,� John insisted. �Why don�t you run yourself a hot bath before bed and I�ll do the dishes and cleaning up?�
Monica hadn�t thought about the fact that John had lived alone for so long, he would be used to doing things for himself and not expect someone to do them for him.
�After that why don�t you join me?� Monica suddenly felt renewed energy. It had been a while since she had bathed with someone special. Would he accept?
�Join you in the bath?� John verified with wide eyes. �Okay.�
Showing her delight at his acceptance she moved up to him and lifted a hand around the back of his neck urging him closer for an entr�e kiss.
�..
Finding a few aromatic candles she had packed, she lit them and placed each around the bathroom to giving the atmosphere a little touch of heaven. To the rippling hot, steamy liquid she added some bath oil that foamed sensually as the water inched higher.
Even without company she would treat herself at least once a week to the simple pleasure. Gentle ambient music played in the background. Her CD player and relaxation CDs went everywhere she did.
Her every pore was excited at the prospect of John joining her. Whether they went the next step in the relationship or not, sharing an intimate bath was enough to show their mutual fondness.
Slipping off her robe and resting it over the back of a handy chair she took her first step into the heat and tested it with her big toe. Gradually adding more and more of her lower limb she deemed it safe to step right in and inch her way down into the heat.
Once fully in she luxuriated, stretching her whole body out for every crevice to feel the rapture. Not needing wet hair she had tied it up away from her neck. Just as her head rested back against the porcelain there was a quiet knock at the door.
�Come in John,� she knew he would need more permission. Tentatively he opened the door and then looked around the room before his gaze fell on the tub.
�You sure you want me in there with you? It might be a tight fit.� John smiled awkwardly, not feeling fully in control of his thoughts.
�Come on John. Take your gear off and get in here with me.� Monica giggled more from a little nervousness. She had never seen him fully naked before but had seen enough to know he was in good shape.
Starting with his T-shirt he slipped it over his head and dropped it against the wall. It would be laundry later. As he undid the button of his jeans he watched his partner eyeing him.
�Keep going, I�m enjoying the show.� Monica smiled as she savored the ambience.
John just chuckled as he slipped off his jeans, socks and shoes and threw them with his T-shirt.
�So are you going to just stare at me like that?� His thumbs stayed hooked in his briefs.
�Just get in before it gets cold John,� she consoled as he slipped off his last garment.
As he also eased his way into the water the overwhelming feeling hit her that this was her work partner and yet they were naked together in a hot bath and she had just seen him bare and liked what she saw. It was highly exciting and arousing especially as they adjusted their limbs for an easy fit.
John bent his knees a little on the outside of hers then he also lay back enjoying the heat and company.
�I haven�t had a bath since who knows when.� John sat up a little to take a look at his attractive partner whom he was seeing in a novel setting.
�I think you�ll want more after this one.� Monica took the soap from the dish and began lathering her palms. Sitting a little out of the water she smiled at the look on her partner�s face as he saw her emerging glistening breasts.
�I�m sure I will.� The words came out with difficulty as Monica�s hands made their way to his chest and began massaging slowly, deliberately watching his varying expressions of bliss. She sat so she was between his legs, her knees bent beside him.
�Now it�s your turn,� she urged after thoroughly lathering and rinsing his upper torso. He took the soap from her fingers and produced a cheeky grin.
�So this is one of your lessons?� The soap back in its dish he proceeded to place both his foam-covered hands on the soft flesh of her breasts and slowly kneaded. The reaction was heaven for both of them as he circled each mound in sequence and with just the right touch.
�Now go down further.� Monica leant back letting him view his handiwork and the inviting pink flesh of her belly in the sexy mottled light. His fingers swirled in waves making her even hotter. �Yes, like that.� Holding the fingers of both large hands on her hips his thumbs gently but surely massaged from her navel out. As he saw her panting, his thumbs went slowly lower until they were playing with the juncture of her inner thigh under the water.
All of a sudden she gasped and went to sit on his lap, feeling that he was more than ready for her if he wanted to go forward with their bond. As if sensing mutual thought their lips met in a hot, wet frenzy and arms slipped over both their sexually electric bodies, pulling them closer physically as well as emotionally.
�I can�t stop myself,� John let out between breaths and continued the embrace of all embraces. �You taste so good. The way you feel���
�I want you,� she wheezed out as her body slipped on his and their mouths opened, their tongues grinding in intense passion. It was so clear that John wanted it too that she lifted her hips to accept his erection inside her. Nothing more required saying between them. No more permission needed to be sought. All was lucid. Zero else mattered but mutual satisfaction as she eased down on his monument. The room was thick with steam and energy as their bodies ground into each other.
It all felt so right, yet two partners behaving that way was not ideal in the bureau�s eyes. Monica internally justified her actions as genuinely performing her role. Who knew where it would lead and who cared. All she wanted was him and she had him, all of him deeply inside her.
One arm along the rim of the bath for support in the slippery environment and the other gliding over Monica�s lower back he accepted her every ministration. What healthy male wouldn�t? She was beautiful and comely in misty light. Her face told of her lust and love. That turned him on even more so and he grew even bigger inside her, thrusting deeper.
Moments would be spent looking into each other�s eyes and other times they would be madly kissing again as the movement became more furious below the water. The way his hands held her hips, his thumbs digging mercilessly into her inner thigh was driving her past the point of any control. Her hands in his hair one instant and scratching down his back the next as she bounced away had him wondering whether he had gone to bed and was dreaming
Swiftly John took control and lifted his lady, easing her to recline back. One hand cushioned behind her shoulders for her support, his other rested on the bath rim to steady himself as he found his tempo again. Monica spread wide for him, letting him lodge deep inside. Even though it was their first time she wanted all of him, body and soul.
�You have me.� It was a belated reply but one that told the hazy Monica that her lover was about to lose control inside her. Externally was a furnace if intense sex, internally her mind went blank except for her inner thoughts. As she felt his seed fill her and his body heave above hers it seemed to be the catalyst for her own journey. Still pulsing inside her, it was her turn to release.
Her heart was filled with so much emotion through those seconds of untold bliss. There was nothing like coming with a man wedged inside her. She had just made love to the man of her dreams and it was coming to a brilliant close. All that combined sensation in addition to the ethereal surrounds were compounded in her first orgasm with him.
In opposition, as the cloud slowly and feverishly faded, her smile widened as she also saw him grinning down at her from above. He moved down to give her another kiss, the sealer that he agreed that their very first time was a success, one hundred fold.
�Let�s finish up here and go to bed.� John proposed as he reached for the soap again suggesting they finish up by washing each other.
�Hold up a minute. I can�t feel my legs.� Monica exhaled, still in a reclined position.
Large soapy hands ran along her thighs.
�I can.� John snorted sending a wave of giggles through his lover.
His hands roaming her body as he slowly bathed her was renewing her energy like nothing she ever expected. Usually after sex she was spent, preferring to just lie under the bed covers and snuggle. She groaned out her contentment as he covered every last place and rinsed her.
�John, that�s so nice,� she voiced her pleasure as his lips gave her another sweet kiss.
�Let�s go to bed and continue this.� His provocative invitation was hard to decline. Her lips smiled wondering what earthly good she had done to deserve so much heaven.
*****
�Oh, oh�.oh!� Each exclamation of delight and satisfaction was more drawn out as Monica flopped back on the bed deliriously exhausted from another round of her partner�s demonstration of worship. �That was amazing!� Her arms stretched way above her then made their way to John�s lower back, exploring the body that had once again made delicious love to her.
�You�re amazing!� John reciprocated the statement of adoration and bent down to kiss her once more. As their lips fastened in added bliss they rolled onto their sides under the soft, fresh, lightly scented bed covers. Especially close, their limbs found comfortable positions entwined around each other�s bodies as they rode out the remnants of the ultimate in sexual union.
�How did you learn to do that?� Monica rested her head on the pillow mere centimeters from his.
�Learn to do what?� Did she mean make love because wasn�t that obvious?
�With your fingers just below my navel.� Her searching, relaxed eyes looked into his. �It drove me wild for you.�
His eyes looked directly into hers and then smiled,
�Just one of my tricks I�ve learnt.� He mentioned with a low seductive whisper. �I have more.�
�You�re not so rusty after all, John Donaldson.� She couldn�t help laugh a little at his wide grin. It was so rare to see and with his face so close it made her love him all the more.
�It�s like riding a bicycle, it all comes back in an instant.� That smile remained.
�So riding me is like riding a bicycle?� Monica feigned offence but chuckled.
�You have better handles and your gear changes are far sexier,� he snorted and went into kiss her. Mocking affront again she moved back, his lips just missing hers, but then in an instant changed her mind and let him plant his lips on hers in the final union for the night.
�You have a way with words Agent Donaldson.� Her body made sure she was nestled well enough against him, giving him a tangible feel of her �handles�.
�Let�s get some sleep,� he chuckled. �We need a clear mind for what�s planned tomorrow.�
After switching off the single light both sets of eyes closed and their arms found their final resting places for a night in each other�s embrace.
Nothing could be heard except the rhythmical breathing of two contented people.
It could have been minutes, it may have been hours but when Monica jolted awake with a gasp and sat up in bed panting, John was right there with her.
�Monica, what is it!� His arm automatically pulled her close.
It took a while for her to make sense of her vision. The face she had seen was familiar but the surroundings odd.
�It was the Purvis girl.� Monica finally revealed after an agonizing minute.
�Jolee?� John queried.
�No, the teenager, the one in Selma�s picture.� The fear that the image conveyed was one that had not come from Monica herself. As she had experienced in the past with similar visions she felt it was a plea for help. �There�s something wrong.�
�You saw the girl in your dreams?� His sceptical nature needed to confirm.
�It�s more than that John. It�s more than just an image.� Monica was trying to get back her composure from the intense almost psychic experience. �It was as though she was in the room with us. I could use every sense to know she was there. I felt her fear.�
�Could she be dead? Maybe it�s her restless spirit.� From years of getting to know his partner he was trying.
Monica just shook her head, �I don�t know.�
At that instant, from the quiet almost morbidly so night came an eerie distant scream.
�.
By instinct John leapt out of bed and went to the window. All was dark and still outside except for the light the moon cast on the street and garden below.
�Anything?� Monica was already out of bed and looking for some warm clothing.
�You heard it too!� he needed to corroborate. Opening the closet doors he quickly searched for some underwear and fresh clothing. It was clear that both were in agent mode and the scream they�d heard was real and needed investigating. �Could it have been her?�
�I don�t know how.� Monica finished pulling up her jeans and reached for her socks and shoes. �It sounded as though the plea came from a few streets away, not across the road.�
�Well, there�s no way I�m hanging around here. F*ck curfew.� Quickly tying his shoe laces he went back to the closet for a jacket and stuffed his pockets with his usual FBI agent necessities.
Monica did the same.
Lastly getting his gun he made his way downstairs with his partner in tow. Grabbing the house and car keys they slipped outside into the chilly night air.
�No John, they�ll hear us!� Agent Doggett had instinctively headed for the garage. �We have to do this on foot.�
With an exasperated look he finally agreed that it made sense not to arouse suspicion.
Running stealthily along the quiet, lonely street they made it to the intersection that to the left lead them to the main community through road. To the right was where they believed the scream originated.
�Notice something?� John took a breather as they looked around them, searching for any clue.
�There�s no-one about.� Monica huffed out with mild exhaustion from the running.
�Right, and why not? Everyone just sleeps through a blood curdling night-time scream right?� John took another left and Monica followed. �No lights in people�s homes. It�s as if no-one cares.�
�Or no-one heard it, except us.� Monica stopped right behind her partner.
�You think we were the only ones who heard it?� With frustration John faced his partner.
�Maybe, or there may be other reasons.� Monica took her partner�s hand. They needed to keep moving and searching if they were to be of any value.
�Other reasons,� John reminded her that she was about to explain further.
�Either they chose not to hear it� You saw the town�s folk today at the meeting too John. What did they seem like to you?� They arrived at another intersection wondering which way to turn in the dark moonlit street. No street lights were needed in a town with an evening curfew.
�Spaced out, brainwashed.� He offered.
�Or frightened.�
With that statement John looked intently at his partner,
�Frightened of what?�
�I don�t know yet but I do know what we have to do now.� John gazed in the direction his partner was looking.
Their journey in search of the screaming voice had brought them to just outside their afternoon�s meeting place, the community church.
�..
�If you�d asked me at dinner whether we should be breaking into Lord Chuck�s office so soon I would have said no.� John jiggled the lock pick into the padlock on the rear door to the church with Monica keeping watch. �But something tells me he�s hiding something big, I mean felony big.�
�Do you think there might be an alarm?� Monica offered, covering all possibilities.
�Doubt it in a town of people who are either brainwashed or frightened.� The padlock opened with a click. �I�m surprised the doors are even locked like this.�
�Maybe he�s taking extra precautions.� Monica followed close behind into the dark rear kitchen and closed the door behind her. Both agents clicked on their flashlights and made their way to the office, sweeping their light over inanimate objects as they went.
�Another frikkin� lock. What�s this, Fort Knox or something!� John joked as he once again picked at the key hole.
�I wouldn�t be surprised if there is gold inside here, another variety of gold.� Monica swept her flashlight in a circle around her.
�Success.� John turned the door handle and they were in. The office appeared smaller in the dark than it had that afternoon but was crammed with places they should be searching. �Monica, computer! I�ll check these.�
Again he picked the lock of the filing cabinet and began flicking through the folders while his partner waited for the computer to boot up.
The bones of the female agent began to tingle, a sure sign that there was imminent danger.
�We have to be quick John. Anything?� Monica double clicked the �Start� then �E� buttons on the keyboard to immediately get into Windows Explorer. She wasn�t sure what she was looking for but would probably know when she found it.
�Just the usual city council stuff.� He continued to leaf through. It was then they both heard something outside the window as though someone was poised there. The situation suddenly became more urgent.
Monica, trying to remain calm, double clicked the �Data� folder and scoured its contents. Like John, the folder seemed to be labelled with community affairs. �Housing, Residents, Utilities�,� she read to herself as panic was held at bay.
�John, anything? There�s someone coming,� she urgently whispered.
�Just concentrate on what you�re doing,� he correctly suggested.
Her eyes scoured over each of the many folders until she came to one that grabbed her attention as it seemed out of place among all the other.
Double clicking the folder marked �Outgoing� opened up many other single Word and Excel documents. The sounds were coming from the direction of the back door where they had left the padlock open. She couldn�t stop now. Quickly heading to the office door she locked it and placed a chair against the handle wedging it into place as John kept wading through his second drawer of paper documents.
The computer monitor light illuminating her face she showed determination as she quickly scoured the file names. Again there was an inconsistent header and her instinct was to open it.
�Shit!� she exclaimed under her breath.
�Found something?� John didn�t veer from what he was doing.
�It�s password protected. A file called �Greener Pastures�. I get a definite vibe from it.� With mounting frustration Monica just stared at the password prompt.
�Email a copy to the Lone Gunmen and CC yourself!� John pulled out a manila folder and with flashlight between his teeth flicked through the pages, taking out one in particular for further perusal.
Quickly Monica opened up her hotmail account and went to attach the document when there was the sound of a key being inserted in the office door lock.
It was times like those that were all part of being a good FBI agent. The split second moments between freedom and imminent capture were always exciting when looked back upon after escape but at the time, terrifying. Could they get away undetected that time?
The file download seemed to take forever as she tapped her foot nervously on the floor.
�Leave it!� John whispered anxiously. �We have to go now!� The chair against the jiggling of the door was starting to become more violent.
The download complete she pressed �send�.
�Who�s in there?� came the familiar voice of Charles Simmonds, the town�s �cult� leader.
When Monica wouldn�t budge right away, John switched off the computer and pulled her towards another door of the office. Did the file have enough time to completely send? There was no time to be concerned. They had to get out of there undetected and fast.
Just as she was heading for the door she saw The Covenant book they had signed that afternoon. It was not the time to stop and see what they had signed. That would need to be left for another time. She felt a tug on her arm.
John opened the door to the bathroom ensuite and they both entered just as they heard the other door being forcibly opened.
�You won�t get away with this!� Came the booming, irate voice. Monica snibbed the lock as John stood on the toilet and opened the window above. �I will find out who you are and you will be appropriately chastized.� The bathroom door was shaking almost as much as the female agent.
John gave Monica a leg up to the open window just as the shaking stopped and there was silence again.
�What�s he doing?� Monica murmured.
�Shh,� John listened. �This way, quick!�
�What? No!� She protested as he unlocked the bathroom door and peeked back into the dark office. Having to comply or be left stranded she followed him out from where they had come and then into the body of the church. They quietly made their way down the aisle as they heard Chuck once again entering the building.
Taking his partner�s hand he led her between the pews and implored her to follow his actions as he lay flat on the floor under one of the long church seats.
The sound of footsteps could be heard walking up the aisle.
Nervously both bodies remained still even though it felt like an eternity. John could tell by the lack of vocalization that Chuck was thinking they had indeed made their escape.
With frequent eye contact the two agents deemed it time to rear their heads and take a look. Over from Chuck�s office came some shuffling sounds and a stream of light.
He was clearly looking to see what the intruders had been after. Noiselessly John stood and Monica followed. They had to make it past his office and rear kitchen door undetected if they were going to make their escape.
Stealthily, the agents tip-toed past the door. There was a loud bang from within that made them freeze but then they understood that Chuck must have slammed the filing cabinet drawer with frustration.
Finally out the back door they breathed half sighs and quietly walked to the street and then ran to the closest junction and turned out of sight.
All that time John had kept hold of a single sheet of paper he had found in one of the folders. It wasn�t until they had safely made it back home and was opening the front door that Monica noticed.
John closed and locked their front door not seeing their neighbor�s house and the single curtain that moved to a closed position.
�..
�What�s that?� Monica questioned.
They both needed to take a breather after climbing the stairs and sitting heavily on their bed.
The place was dark but any light would draw attention their activities so they lived with the dimness.
�I�m not sure yet but it looks like a list of names.� John reached for his flashlight and scoured down the page. Monica huddled close to also inspect the finding.
�Could they be the people who live here?� Monica searched down to the Ds but there were no Donaldson�s.
�I�m not sure, nothing familiar.� He stopped short as both agents� eyes saw the same name. �Justine Purvis.�
�I don�t get it.� Monica slightly frowned confusion. �What is this list?�
�I don�t know yet but I know a way to find out.� John reached into his never-ending jacket pocket and pulled out his cell phone dialling the assistant director�s number.
�John, it�s 3 in the morning,� Monica reminded.
�Since when did that stop us before? There could be people in danger here Monica. That�s what we�re here for, to find out what�s happening and to fix it.� John was right. He usually was but sometimes forgot that even though he was relentless in his quest for the truth others still savored their sleep.
�Yes?� came the weary voice on the other end.
�Sir, it�s John Doggett. I think we�re onto something sir and I need someone to look into a list of names I have here.�
�Can�t it wait until morning?� The voice was still strained.
�I have reason to believe that people�s lives are in danger and that we need to get on it right away.� Monica loved him for his practical approach but also knew he needed to chill out once in a while. No wonder that friend of his had suggested reading a novel.
�Okay, can you fax the list to me at the office? I�ll go straight there.� John could hear him getting out of bed and padding around the bedroom.
�Thank you sir. One more thing, there�s name on the list that�s familiar, a Justine Purvis.� After saying the usual goodbyes he closed the cell phone and then looked at his partner with purpose. �Let�s go read your email.�
On the dining room table Monica flipped open her laptop computer and booted it up while John went to the kitchen to make coffees, all with only the illumination from his FBI issue flashlight.
Monica hooked up the scanner they had brought with them in case they needed to use the computer�s facility to fax anything. It would certainly prove useful in that instance.
As Monica hit the button to send the image of the list of names to Skinner, John came back with the steaming hot cups of stimulant.
�It�s on its way. I�m just getting into hotmail.� Monica accepted the cup and took a sip before sitting it beside the computer. John pulled up a chair next to her also sipping the brew. �Even if it did send in time there�s no way I can crack passwords.�
She typed in her email account password and there were anxious moments while they waited for it to open.
They both breathed relieved sighs as new mail showed that indeed the file had sent.
Double clicking the subject again revealed the password prompt.
�What about trying some of the words we saw in the files?� John suggested. �What about �outgoing?�
�This is just hitting and missing,� she mentioned after it didn�t work.
�Try �greener pastures�� John sighed. �Not that either.
�Let�s hope the Lone Gunmen have better luck. Should we ring them?� Monica queried.
�And get the wrath of a sleep deprived Langly?� John joked. �I�ll wait until morning.
Monica sighed and yawned.
�How about we try to get a little sleep before Skinner rings with news?� She closed her windows and shut down the laptop, leaving her coffee barely touched beside it.
�Reaching for the precious document John took it upstairs with him, together with his coffee mug. Would it have been missed from the church office? Was that the reason the filing cabinet had been slammed in frustration?
What would the next day bring?
Chapter Seven
The phone rang at about seven jolting them both out of semi sleep. John reached for his cell phone but it wasn�t that.
It was Monica who woke up enough to know it was their home phone. How many people knew their new number?
�Hello, Monica Donaldson.� There was a little static on the other end. �Who is this?� John immediately took more notice. �What do you want?�
It took until about the time when Monica was going to hang up when there was a lone voice.
It was quiet and husky as though someone was trying to disguise it, but not electronically.
�You�re so close now��
�Who is this?� Monica repeated.
�But you�re being watched,� the voice exclaimed.
�Watched, by whom?� She asked but it was too late. There was a click the other end and then silence.
�Talk to me Monica!� John sat upright in bed letting the covers fall from his bare chest, a reminder that they had totally undressed again for the doze in bed.
Stretching over to the bedside table she replaced the receiver then turned back to her partner.
�Someone�s trying to warn us,� she responded with a faraway look.
�Principal Looney, Chuck?� John mentioned sardonically.
�No, it was someone else.� Slipping out of bed she headed for her clothing drawer and began rummaging for something. �John, my instincts tell me we can�t just wait around for Skinner�s call.�
�Male or female?� He also followed suit and began dressing in the clothes he had hung over a chair a few hours previously.
�Male I think but the voice was distorted.� She found a pale blue track suit and threw the clothing on the bed while she dressed in her underwear. �I�m going to go for a morning run and see what I can find.�
�Okay, I might see if our elusive neighbour Frank is at home.� He finished dressing and glided over to his partner and stopped her before she sped out of the room. �Monica, please be careful.�
�I will.� She looked up to him and sweetly smiled. �I have something worthwhile to come home to.� They moved in for a loving kiss and a hug. �I�ll see you in about an hour for a shower and breakfast?�
�Shower together? That would make me sprint home.�
�Don�t all newlyweds do that?� Monica teased as she extracted herself from John�s unwilling arms. �Soon.� She blew him a kiss and was gone.
*****
The morning was perfect for a sprint. The previous night had been chilly but promised to be warmer. The air was fresh and smog free, so different from DC.
It gave her a sense of freedom and well-being to be out like that in the open air. Apart from the crazy happenings going on in the community it had its benefits. The gardens and open countryside were beautiful, the housing was sparse enough for each family to create its own little world and yet the people seemed friendly and welcoming to newcomers.
Her hand immediate went to her side pocket to feel the cell phone she had slipped in, just in case Skinner decided to call that number. He would probably call on John�s phone first.
As she jogged there were many people out and about even though it was still early morning. Perhaps due to the evening curfew the residents� circadian rhythms allowed them to go to bed early and therefore rise early. Monica loved mornings such as that and back home she would often jog along the streets to the park and the length of bicycle track. As she sprinted there were a few familiar faces she had seen the previous afternoon at the meeting. They smiled and said 'Good morning' as though the place was like any other small, happy community. Possibly on the way back home she would stop and talk further.
The run was a chance for her to think. It was the first time she had been apart from John for two whole days. It surprised her that it felt a little odd as though he had been becoming part of herself and without him there was a small sense of loss. Conversely, she enjoyed her freedom knowing that when she got back home he would be there for her. It was the sense of security she hadn�t felt in such a long time. She had often convinced herself that she didn�t need a man to have a fulfilling life and she didn�t. John was different; he was more than just someone to stand by her but a friend, a colleague and now a lover.
Chuckling to herself she shook her head marvelling at how lucky she was to have someone as upright, intelligent and also as loving as John.
After about fifteen minutes of running and thinking she decided to make her way back and to look for likely candidates with whom she could have a short chat for information she had no idea she would receive.
Hopefully there would be some light shed on the list that John had found in the community leader�s office. There would have been about thirty names listed and she had done a quick scan and memorized most. Maybe it was all their overactive imaginations and it was just innocent. Conceivably Justine Purvis had died somehow or even just moved away and Selma was still in denial. Why then were there others?
Doing a quick sprint that left her a little breathless she stopped to catch her breath just near a woman with her small daughter. They were collecting the morning newspaper.
�Good morning,� the woman greeted.
�Oh hello,� Monica stood from her stooped position to smile at the mother and daughter and look across to their home. It was older than the others and with a quick summation Monica wondered if it was one of the original buildings of the estate.
�I saw you at the meeting. Welcome to Meadowlands. I�m Sarah Wheatley and this is my daughter Jaime.�
�Wheatley, that rings a bell,� Monica quickly thought and decided she had chosen the right place to stop. She looked down at the daughter who would have been all of three and smiled. �What a pretty name. I�m Monica but you probably know.�
�So have you and your husband settled in okay? I hear that this is your honeymoon.� Sarah inquired.
�We decided that we would use the time off to just relax here before John goes back working next Monday and I start looking for a job. Our honeymoon money went into the house.� Monica nodded and decided she needed to get the topic back onto the woman and her family.
�Oh no, you shouldn�t look for work. Being a housewife here is quite acceptable and recommended. It�s in The Covenant.�
Monica tried not to show the frustration she felt inside. Did all the women in the community feel the same way? It was then that she began getting some strange vibes. It was as though Sarah was worried all of a sudden. A couple of times she looked just past her causing Monica to turn but she saw nothing.
�But I want to work. Staying home all day would drive me to distraction.� Monica saw the worry in her face and wondered why.
�You must stay home and make babies. That�s what we�re all here for.� It was as though she had been told to say it but that the statement didn�t come from the heart.
�Sarah,� Monica knew what she had to say. The names had stood out on the page because there were two of them. �Your name sounds familiar. Do you know a Thomas and Gretchen Wheatley?�
Her bottom lip trembled and fear enveloped her as once again she looked over Monica�s shoulder.
�Jaime, run inside!� Her mother spoke and spread her arms as though shielding her daughter from an invisible enemy, then started walking backwards, shaking her head.
Monica turned and her eyes went wide with recognition just before there was a sharp blow to her head and then darkness.
*****
