Consequences Pt. 13F

"Nooooo," screamed Jackie. "I'll do anything you ask."

"Are you prepared to sign the other documents and remain honest with us?" demanded Honor.

They could see her mind was in a whirl as she considered all the implications. Finally she nodded, "yes".

"Well you'll have to stay and make it up to me," demanded Honor. "I get very needy during the night." Jackie looked like she had been handed a very nice way of saying sorry.

"Good, no harm done I think," said David after they left her to dress. "Nice job Honor, I was ready to make a run for it myself!"

"I'm sorry," said Honor.

"What have you got to be sorry about?" asked Bree. "You were a real trooper and did a great number on her in there, even I was scared and I was standing behind you."

"Me too," said Ruth, giving support.

"Well," said David, "I think I can hear babies calling to be fed," and as one they all headed for the nursery to make a fuss of the little ones, they had waited long enough.

The little ones were awake alright and stayed awake longer than usual because everyone spent time playing with them while the others discussed the case and what the Mayor might be up to. They also discussed the nightlife options that Jackie had given them but at that time they were still coming down from a high so they shelved the question until later. The general consensus being that they weren't bothered one way or another. Jackie was quiet throughout except to comment on the nightlife discussion where needed.

David decided to have the Mayor investigated before he was going to commit to anything, so he rang Arthur. He outlined what had happened and gave him free reign to do what was needed. "Send someone in if you're not happy, you could use John Horsey if he is nearest or of course Aleesha. Have we heard how Dawn is getting on with her investigation yet, has she touched base with you?"

"She contacted me from Los Angeles while she was waiting for an onward transfer, seems to be a bright woman. We have set up an arrangement for her to communicate with me once she is settled in and has something to go on." Arthur replied.

"Excellent" said David and they chatted about a few other investigations going on. Arthur said the new employee checks are in full swing but he wasn't sure how many new staff had been taken on yet from those he had vetted. David realised that he ought to call Jane and Lauren.

Jane reported that Vanessa had stepped into her role as if she had always been part of their group; she was moving into a family unit today but had been talking about becoming involved with the social side of the Retreat. "This is throwing up an interesting question about older children coming and going" said Jane "I am going to call a meeting when you get back to discuss how we handle it, Sundays and parties are probably the big issue but the ladies do like to wander around in next to nothing and I wouldn't want to change that." David definitely didn't want to change that and Jane admonished him with a laugh.

David continued "It's a very good point; I think we should prime everyone to give them time to think about it before the meeting."

"Erika has brought Janine home this weekend, she was disappointed that you wouldn't be here but Janine is causing quite a stir, a strong willed young thing isn't she?"

"That she is, I'll be very interested to get your take on her, whether she is someone who would become a member or just an employee who works out of our city office."

"You might want to get Lauren's take on her too, she's a lot more astute than she lets on and I think we could do worse than give her responsibility for vetting new members. If she became very proficient the other sites might benefit from her help sometimes. I wonder if Ciaron might be good at that too? "

"Let's ask her shall we, I agree about Lauren but I'm not sure she would want to travel, she likes her vehicle work too. Is she still doing days with her former employer?"

"Yes she is, and always comes back with a smile on her face."

"That's got to be good, let's talk to Ciaron first."

"OK I will set it up."

"Any other news?"

"Sophia has finally got a date with the Senator and June has settled in. From what I hear she is having the time of her life learning about what we do."

"And are you OK?"

"I am, I always miss you more on the weekends, so hurry back as soon as you can. Is it going well?"

"It is and it isn't," and David gave her a run down on what had been happening. Eventually they rang off but the longer the call had continued the harder it was, despite all that they had around them they missed each other.

David rang Lauren. "Hello light of my life."

"Hello trouble, what have you done now?"

"Can't I just call you because I want to?"

"Since when?"

"Since the last time."

"Huh!"

"Well at least tell me how things are going with you."

So she gave him a potted update on what was happening in the personal lives of everyone else. "That policeman friend of yours is pursuing Monica with a vengeance; I hope he has good intentions."

David laughed, "I don't think he would try so hard if he hadn't. Is Monica receptive to his intentions?"

"She is, very much so, but she wants to be sure about him."

"Makes sense with his history."

"Hark at you, Mr Don Juan."

"You cut me my darling, I miss you."

"More like you miss my body."

"That too, I won't lie. Is there anyone new in your life?"

"No one special."

"Glad to hear you're saving yourself for me!"

"You should be so lucky!"

"I will, it's a promise."

"Get away with you, you're full of empty promises."

And so their conversation went around in circles as usual but she added any extra titbits of gossip along the way and he told her a little of what was happening at his end, especially the juicy stuff.

The ladies hobbled into the garden party on Sunday, it had been a very long night, and Big Billy's smaller friend had been out several times. Jackie was caught eyeing Big Billy from time to time but they decided against it for now. At the party, it wasn't long before the Mayor cornered David and he brought out the drawings that he had pulled together based on their research. They talked convivially for a while and the proposals seemed to be generally acceptable, David had gone big on designs that fitted the local colonial style and all seemed well but there was still something unsaid. Eventually David came to the point, "What's all the cloak and dagger been about Mayor?"

"You have found us out have you? I was afraid of that but I'm sure she did her best."

"She did great, you will get no complaints from me but we are old hands at this and I have a very astute team. We concluded that there is something up but not necessarily something bad."

"Very astute indeed, but it's rather personal and I need your word that it will remain a secret."

"Well we would say the same, you know we have asked Jackie to sign a confidentiality document, well three now to be precise, and now we would ask you to sign the same. Why don't you sign first and then you might find that our interests are similar. But ours are about danger to people at risk and if there is similarity I would be more than happy to sign something for you, all of my people from top to bottom have committed to the cause as you will see, so my signature carries that weight."

The Mayor read the documents and with a deep sigh, signed. So then David told him what it was all about. At times the Mayor was enthusiastic and others concerned and worried. Eventually David could hold back his own questions no longer, "What's it all about Mayor?"

The surprise for David was that the Mayor himself claimed to have been abused in his first marriage and had suffered for some years before obtaining a divorce. As a result, he was determined to help other men who were in that position and needed help, but couldn't admit to it in a macho type male dominated society. They also discussed how some good men were coming off badly under the new 'no fault' divorce law and David wondered if that wasn't really the Mayor's main objective. However the Mayor freely admitted what his town was like and could see the need to support women. Without asking, David could understand what he wanted but it wasn't going to be in this town. 'Maybe' he thought, 'that Ranch they had been offered might be a good place for men to recover, and grow strong again,' but that would be for another day.

At the end of their conversation David thanked the Mayor not only for working with them but also for bringing to the fore something that they hadn't considered and he promised to do his best to investigate what facilities would suit the needs of men. They agreed to pursue discussions again once David had thought about it further and talked to his supporters. David wasn't sure that a facility for men could be close to one for women and the Mayor could see the point. He needed to understand what they had to provide for men and the Mayor described what he envisaged based upon his own earlier life experience. In the end David found the problem challenging and his mind began to work overtime.

They left the garden party arm in arm, with a surprise as Jackie joined without question, she and Honor were becoming inseparable yet at the same time part of the team like Jo and Ruth, it was interesting to watch. Bree put her arm through his and asked, "I wonder if she has always been into girls, she said she had a son didn't she?"

He raised his voice so Jackie could hear. "Where's your son today?"

"He is with grandparents for a few days, so I'm all yours," she grinned, turning to give Honor a hot look.

"Shall we ask her?" he asked Bree.

"Why not?" she agreed.

So they moved up close. "Have you always been into girls Jackie?"

"You don't mince words do you? Nope, first time with Honor, I've wondered though, had some near misses at College but it never happened. Hubby was always a good lover but I've been alone with my toys since, couldn't really get into the singles scene especially when I had my boy to worry about. Do you mind me being with you for the rest of your stay?"

David looked to the others who had closed in to listen, they all shrugged or said they were happy so he said, "It seems like you're a temporary member of our group."

"Is there anything I can do to help your cause?" she asked.

"There might be in a few days, which may mean some travelling. The Mayor has charged me with another project but I have to run it separately from our women's cause. Would it bother you if it was something for men?"

"As long as I don't have to let men bully me I don't mind, what's the cause?"

"It's support for battered men or those suffering from bad divorce settlements. It's going to be very difficult as men won't want anyone to know, especially their wives. It might also mean extracting the children if they are at risk but that could be very difficult as women are treated as priority caregivers."

The others were listening in for every word now, it wasn't something they had thought about.

"The Major wants a project near here but I've told him we can't mix the sexes, at least that's my thought. I think I need to find out more about how it must be handled but I don't know who to talk to, maybe Angela might be able to help if she's still talking to me."

Bree said "I think Jane still talks to her regularly so she might be able to ask the questions for you."

"What does she see her about, there's no problem, is there?"

"I think Angela likes to keep up on the Olivia situation and otherwise I think they have become friends."

"That's a relief."

He continued, "Jane told me that Olivia had gone AWOL again Friday night and hadn't come back yesterday, but the little one is still at the Retreat. No surprise of course but I wonder if she will come back this time."

"How do you feel about it?"

"Once Jane told me the baby is ok I wasn't worried about anything but she is putting extra security on the creche anyway. I think she will always come back as long as she is still alive. Like Ciaron's Mum I half expect her body to be found in some lonely place."

This was all new to Honor and of course Jackie hadn't any idea what they were talking about. "It's a long complex story, maybe we can share the task of telling you when we are on a trip or something." Bree explained.

When they arrived back at their Hotel the mood was very laid back and it wasn't long before Jo and Ruth were asleep together and Bree was dozing off next to David. Jackie looked sleepy too but Honor seemed agitated about something so David eased Bree off of him and indicated for Honor to join him in another room.

"OK out with it," he said, giving her no chance to prevaricate.

"Is this it? Am I to be back alone and isolated and won't see you or anyone unless for a trip or lessons?"

"I'm confused," he said. "You look happy with Jackie and I didn't think you were unhappy before this trip."

"So you have decided that I am a lesbian who had a one time fling with you and the others?"

"I think that I am going to need you to explain because I can see that my conclusions could be wrong." He said, hoping to cover all alternatives.

"I just feel like you have opened my eyes to you and now you will walk away. It's not about other people, you don't think about Bree in terms of other people she might have sex with, do you?"

He thought about that for a moment, 'Am I making the same mistake about her that I did about Ruth?'

He decided to be completely open, "No that's right, I suppose I made that mistake with Ruth. I thought she was essentially interested in women but she wasn't, at least as far as I am concerned. So I suppose you're right."

She stepped over close to him and slid her hand inside his shorts, then found them tight so pushed them down. She took him in her hand, he was soft and bemused. She mewed at it, how soft and pliant it was, then she kissed it. Despite his uncertainty David's second thinking centre was always ready to rise to the moment and dutifully stood to attention. She showed her appreciation sliding her hand up and down enjoying the soft feel to his hardening manhood. "I really like this David, If I had it to myself I could play with it for hours, but I'm not sure I want to play with anyone else's, what does that make me?"

"Normal, sexy, healthy, perfect," he replied. She liked to hear him say that and reached up to kiss him, still stroking his member slowly and gently.

"Can I have him to myself right now?" she asked breathily, when they broke apart. Then giving his member an extra stroke across its crown just so there could be no misunderstanding of what she was talking about. They looked each other in the eyes, sharing affection and need and he began to undress her and she him. Then he picked her up, laid her on the bed and ran his eyes across her body, letting her know he desired her before he slowly and sensitively made love to her. It was exactly what she wanted and needed. Afterwards they drifted off to sleep with her spread across him in the final position as he had emptied himself deep inside her. At some point she reached down and took hold of his penis then drifted back to sleep.

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When he woke up David found himself alone, so he pulled on his shorts and went to see what was up. There was no one in the next bedroom so he went to the nursery. He found Ruth and Honor cuddling the babies whilst chatting away to them in baby speak. Bree and Jo sat with Jackie telling her some of the history about Olivia. Jackie was letting out a succession of expletives as each new revelation poured forth. David went to kiss both stand-in Mums before going across to do the same to Bree and Jo before joining them. Jackie immediately looked 'put out.' "Sorry," said David, "I didn't mean to interrupt the flow."

"You mean I don't deserve a kiss," complained Jackie and he laughed, going over to plant a big one on her lips. He did a good job of it to make up for his mistake and she said, "mmm not bad but I might need another to be sure," So he reached around to kiss her on the neck just below her ear. "No fair," she said. "That's distracting."

"How far into the story are you?" he asked Bree and Jo who had watched with wry, amused expressions.

"We have a ways to go yet." He looked at his watch. It was late, probably too late for dinner. "Shall we grab a snack and head to Baltimore or maybe Florida, Jackie, could your folks babysit a couple more days or would you like to bring your boy with you? Then they can tell you more of the story on the way."

"Why Florida?" asked Bree.

"Just thought it wasn't so far for Jackie to come back."

"I don't mind, I'd really like to see your main Retreat and meet some of the people you have talked about. I would love to be there and meet her if Olivia comes back; she sounds like nothing I ever heard of before."

David looked around at the others. "Susan indicated that she would like to get back with the other babies, she was worried that Olivia was away from her baby."

"What will they have done to feed him while she is missing?" he asked.

"Well, knowing Jane she has shared her milk with both babies, otherwise the Nurse will have made up some baby formula, we have something ready every day just in case, there's plenty of good ones, just not as good as mothers milk."

"I don't want to seem overly concerned so would one of you phone Jane and get an update" said David. "Do you want to make your arrangements Jackie, one way or another I think we will be headed for Baltimore before the day is out."

A few phone calls later and Honor was arranging for the flight, but their mood couldn't be spoiled, even though they are headed back to reality. Therefore, Jackie was presently being teased for her initial role in their adventure and was sentenced to pleasing them all on the way home, starting by using her tongue. She of course was putting up a very weak plea against her sentence, loving every minute of being part of the group.

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Jane followed up the Olivia situation and then took the excuse to call him again. Evidently, Olivia had only gone out for a short time and had it not been for her history everyone would have thought there was a problem.

David didn't want to be interested in Olivia, he wanted to talk to Jane about personal things and Honor's future with them. But he asked her to speak to Arthur and do all the usual checks, like the cameras and tracing Olivia's mobile phone if possible; everything else they would ordinarily do in a missing person situation. David was hoping that would be the end of it for him.

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Meanwhile, Olivia had been lucky and very unlucky in one day. Early that morning while the babe was enjoying his mothers milk, she had been killing time on social media and found Daniel by accident. He had left town knowing that David would deal with him if their paths crossed again and cut any tie with Olivia. She had seen his photo linked in a group that included someone else she had been looking up. Life had become boring without the day to day contact of friends and colleagues. Not even work satisfied that need for social interaction, so she found herself looking up friends that she hadn't been in touch with recently. Finding him had been a surprise and one she knew she shouldn't act upon but her sexual needs won the day. She headed out at a reasonable time so as not to raise any suspicion and headed towards the coast; they had arranged to meet at a Motel far enough away that no one would know her. At first, he had lots of reservations but she assured him that she was divorced now and David no longer interfered with her life. Unfortunately for her, there was someone watching the entrances to the estate who decided she was the person they were looking for. The person followed them to the Motel and waited for her to come out, some considerable time later. Olivia emerged looking pleased with herself, climbed into her car and headed back towards the Retreat.