Murmansk

Chapters 6 & 7

Chapter 6

November 24, 2000

 

"I totally understand Jackson," I heard Abby talking on the phone in the other room, "It's just that I was hoping to eat today...and my baby's getting kinda cranky with the malnourishment and all."

May and I turned toward each other and smiled. This was Abby's domain...collecting money...and she used whatever tools were at her disposal. While most of the people that hired us paid on demand, there are a few pinchpenny holdouts that respond better to cynicism...and even a small number of that she has had to threaten!

We didn't work for those types more than once.

"I'll be picking up Jackson Wiedemann's money after lunch," Abby exclaimed as she walked back into the kitchen with a smile. "Just a little jab here and a poke there and he decided it was time to give it up!"

Jackson Wiedemann was a local Bail Bondsman that had thrown a couple of jobs our way over the last few months. As I said before, if I had my druthers I wouldn't touch bounty hunting with a stick. But if we had to do it, Jackson was a good guy to work for...he just liked to hold onto his money for as long as he could.

Thank God Abby didn't mind handling that! 

"Thank you again for taking care of that kind of stuff," I said to Abby as she poured herself another cup of coffee.

Shrugging, Abby made her way back to the table with a grin, "Just a part of doing business."

A knock sounded on the door just then and May shot up to answer it.

Pulling the dark-haired woman standing in the doorway into her arms, they embraced for several long moments. Finally pulling away, May beamed at the new arrival.

Raven Forester was very easy on the eyes. Years ago, we had also once been a couple, until she dropped me for my lack of perceived earning potential.

Although May and Raven had never been close in either school or adult life, they had grown very close when they both found themselves widowed under strange circumstances a few years ago. When they finally realized that there was a possibility that both of their husbands had been murdered by the same man, they called me.

I had been out of touch with both of them for years before that. May, my oldest and dearest friend had found love elsewhere as I let her slip through my fingers. Raven, the love of my life in college had moved up the social ladder through several marriages.

Honestly, I had hoped to never see her again before they hired me to help find their husbands' killer. Thankfully our friendships had all blossomed during that case. May and Raven, both only children, had latched onto each other like sisters. And of course May and I had gotten married...not without some friendly competition from Raven first however.

"It's been too long Raven;" May grinned while taking Raven's arm in hers and leading her to the table. "Those month-long trips of yours keep you away from me way too long."

"Aw," Raven exclaimed as she pulled May back into her arms, "I've missed you too!"

"Ahem," I heard then from the doorway, "Mind if I come in too?"

I grinned as I offered my hand to the thin, brown-haired man.

"Good to see you again Hershel," I winked, "Or are we Snake today?"

"Definitely Snake," he grinned back, "Hershel is just for strangers boss."

Snake Black always called me boss, a habit I had grown accustomed to on our last big case, although I had no idea why he did it. He was also Raven's new love...and also a thief...an art thief to be exact.