MMB - The Great Hippocrates Robberies

"No, I found it myself. I'm looking for someone to replace Rhonda; her husband Bill, you remember Bill don't you? Anyway, he's in the Army and just got orders for Fort Ord, California. She's leaving in four weeks." Then she said, "I'm in a bad way. I'm going to need a new office manager and the office is so busy right now that I just don't have time to spend on job interviews. I need someone fast that I can trust and won't have to baby-sit while they learn the ropes. You still open to offers or have you already accepted a position?"

Was I open to offers? Hell yes I was open to offers! I said to her, "When do you want me to start?"

We spent the next half hour going over the details. I was to start the following Monday and would be brought up to speed by Rhonda before she left. After that, we spent the next couple of hours just talking about old times.

It couldn't have come at a better time; and for the first time in months, I finally had something to look forward too.

Chapter Three – "Starting Over"

I showed up early that Monday before the staff arrived for a conference with Vicky and Rhonda. After cordialities, they began briefing me on the names, positions and responsibilities of each staff member along with any individual quarks they thought I should know about.

My first day at work came to be quite a surprise to me. Now you might think it was because I hadn't worked for several years and needed to get re-accustomed to the hectic routine of a doctor's office. That goes without saying.

No, it was because for some reason, Vicky had neglected to tell me that Wyatt Forster was working for her. Imagine my surprise when she told me as she was briefing me on the office staff, that he had been working there as a file clerk for about five months. Wyatt had been a pilot for the same charter service that Ron worked for and that had to have been a big pay cut.

Vicky must have seen the expression on my face because she said; "He left the charter service right after the accident. He'll tell you about it if he wants to. If he does, I think you'll understand." Then she added, "It never occurred to me to ask you, but I'm asking you now. Is it going to make you uncomfortable working with him?"

After the funeral, Wyatt and I lost touch with each other. I guess at the time we were both trying to grieve in our own way. Somewhere deep inside, neither of us wanted to talk to the other for fear we would end up reminiscing about our spouses.

It would have been just too awkward to see Wyatt. Not just because of our shared loss, but also because we had dated each other for two years in high school. We both knew that had I not gone to an out-of-state college and he joined the Air Force after graduation, our lives might have been different. I think at that time, neither of us wanted to think about it.

I thought about what she was asking for a second and said, "No, Wyatt is and always will be my friend."

"Good." Vicky said, "I hoped you would say that! Now, shall we go meet everyone?"

One by one I was introduced to each member of the staff. Vicky somehow managed to save Wyatt for last. I think from his reaction that Wyatt was as surprised to see me as I was at finding out he worked there.

The rest of the day was uneventful until I got ready to go home that afternoon. Like a lot of other medical offices, the practice closes the doors at 4:00 and the staff usually leaves when the last patient is gone.

Rhonda and I had decided to stay late and go over some of the changes in insurance filing procedures when, at about 6:15, we decided to call it a day.

I remember thinking as I was headed to the rear exit that it had been a good first day and was already looking forward to the next. I opened the door and headed to my car when I saw Wyatt leaning, with his back to me, over a car. The hood was up on the it and he appeared to be trying to fix something. I walked up to him and said, "Need any help?"

"The damn thing's been acting up for months! I knew I should have put it in the shop when I had a chance! Now I won't be able to get a mechanic out here until tomorrow morning! FUCK!" I could hear the annoyance in his voice as he was saying it.

He looked up suddenly from the car as if it had just occurred to him who he was talking to and said, "I'm sorry Delores, I didn't even realize that was you. I was just venting." Then he added, "I'm just mad at myself for not getting this hunk of junk looked at when I should have."

"Need a lift?" I suggested.

With a big grin on his face, he said, "Thanks, that would be a big help! Let me just lock it up and I'll be right with you."

On the way to his house, we talked about old times and what we had each been doing the last several months. Neither of us mentioned our spouses. I don't think either of us would have been comfortable doing so at that time.

When I told him what a surprised it was to find him working for Vicky, he told me what had happened to bring it about.

"I quit the charter service Delores. Too many corners are being cut everywhere and the F.A.A. is dropping the ball. They seem more concerned about not inconveniencing the airlines than they are about safety. I got fed up with the whole damn mess and decided to do something else. I'd rather make less money than deal with the aggravation.

I needed someone to talk to so I called Vicky and told her what I was contemplating. She tried for hours to talk me out of it. Finally she gave up. That's when she told me that her file clerk had just left to take a job in Columbus and asked me if I'd like the job. It was just my good luck that she hadn't filled the position yet." He was silent for a few seconds, then he added, "I know filing all day is not much after you have flown airplanes for a living, but the pay's not that bad and I like it."

When we got to his place, as he was getting out of the car, I asked him how he was planning on getting to work in the morning.

"I thought I'd take a cab." He replied.

I thought about it for a second and said, "Look it'll cost you a fortune and you are going to need the money to get your car fixed. I just live a couple of sub-divisions over, why don't you let me pick you up and we will carpool until you get it fixed?"

"You sure it won't be an inconvenience?" He asked hesitantly.

I smiled and said, "No, not at all. Pick you up at 7:00?"

As I drove the few remaining blocks home, my mind was a mix of joy and sadness at seeing my friend. I was both happy to see him again, and sad to see how much the tragedy we both shared had affected his life.

The mechanic came during our lunch break the next day. When Wyatt came in, I could tell from his face that the news was not good. It turned out that his car was in worse shape that he thought and he was going to need a new engine and it would take at least two months to get the parts.

At first when I suggested we continue to carpool, he was resistant saying that it was too much of an inconvenience for him to ask of me. When told I wouldn't take no for an answer, he insisted that I let him give me some money for gas. So, I told him that it really wasn't out of the way but while I wouldn't take his money, if it would make him feel better, he could buy me lunch. He gave in and agreed.

From then on, we started going out to lunch every Friday together.

When Wyatt's car was fixed, we decided to continue to carpool, swapping off driving every other week, and save us both some gas.

It didn't take long of us seeing each other every day before any reservations I might have had about renewing our friendship were gone.

It finally occurred to me that as much as Wyatt was like a brother to Ron, Candice was like a sister to me. I know that Ron would have trusted no one more than Wyatt to take care of me; and, I'd like to think, where Wyatt was concerned, Candice felt the same way about me. One thing I was sure of, both of then would have wanted us to be happy.

I don't think either of us planned it that way but after about six months, we started becoming quite close again, like the way we had been in high school.

I had been waiting for him to ask me out for the last two months. Finally, when he didn't, I decided to take the initiative. I sort of ambushed him with it. On the way to work one day I started talking about all the new movies that were coming out and eventually worked my way around to a particularly popular movie at the time.

Casually, I asked him what he thought of it, hoping he hadn't seen it. When he told me he hadn't, that's when I asked him if he wanted to go see it with me. I must have caught him totally by surprise because he stammered like a schoolboy when he said yes.

Even though all we did was to watch a movie, eat popcorn and share a large soda together, that Friday was a momentous occasion. It marked a turning point in both our lives when we each left behind things past and moved on to pursue things new.

For the next several months we dated. In all that time, Wyatt had been the perfect gentleman, much as he had been back in high school. We had never shared anything more intimate than a kiss when fate intervened with an event that would change both our lives forever.

Chapter Four – "The New Partnership"

It was three months later; Vicky had told me to call a staff meeting. She was going to announce to everyone else that she was going into partnership with Dr. Mark Jennings and that that practice was going to be moving into the new building in about two months.

"That is, assuming that everything is ready on time." She emphasized, then added, "Now before you ask, no one is going to be laid off. I will need each of you to work on Saturdays for a few weekends, especially you Wyatt.

As for the rest of you, Delores will let you know who will be needed and when. But most importantly, I want you all to know that jobs are safe. Now for the good news, if this goes smoothly, you can all expect a nice bonus when it's over."

And it did go smoothly. Well, almost! It was the last Saturday before we were due to open in the new office. Everything had been moved except for the last shipment of patient files and the movers were supposed to show up the next morning to pick those up.

Except for me, the office was empty but it wouldn't be that way for long as I was expecting Wyatt back any minute.

Wyatt had been gone for about fifteen minutes having left to go and to get us some food for diner.

We were just about through, having perhaps an hour's more work to do, but were both so hungry that we did not want to wait until the ride home to pick up something to eat. Instead, we decided to order takeout from one of the nearby Chinese eateries and have Wyatt go pick it up.

Wyatt and I had been going through files most of the day. I was tired, and somewhat dirty from handling paper files and cardboard boxes all day long. It was my good fortune that Vicky had made sure the contractors install a shower when the building was constructed.

She told me once that it came most handy on those days when she was on call to the hospital and had been forced to spend a long night dealing with patients in the emergency room.

I had brought a change clothes with me and decided that I had time to take a quick shower before Wyatt got back with the food.

Vicky kept several spare dresses, still in the plastic bags the cleaners on a shelf just inside the shower room just in case she needed them. Vicky is about two sizes smaller than I am so there would be no mistaking our clothes even if they did look the same.

I placed my clean clothes on the shelf, took off my dirty clothes and placed them in the gym bag I had brought with me and preceded to take a shower.

About five minutes later, I had just turned off the shower and was drying off when I heard footsteps coming towards the door behind me.

"Wyatt, is that you? I'm almost done honey; I'll be out in minute." I called in the direction of the door as I dried my hair.

When I looked up, it was to discover there were strangers standing there waiting for me. Neither of them was Wyatt.

Unfortunately, I recognized who they were. I had read several newspaper accounts about and infamous couple of thieves known as the Matchmaker Bandits who seemed to specialize in erotic art, antiques and collectables.

I was pretty sure it was them as they both matched the description in the newspapers exactly, the man being a tall muscle bound male and the female a rather comely looking brunette long shoulder length hair and a rather stunning figure.

As he stood there, the man held a pistol in his right hand and a large canvas bag in his left one.

The newspapers had said they the used the pseudonyms 'Ms. White' and 'Mr. Black.' Both were wearing gray overalls and besides the pistols they were pointing at me each had one additional distinct article of 'clothing', a cheap plastic Lone Ranger mask.

The papers had also mentioned that not once in their many robberies, had they killed or seriously harmed anyone. Just then, I found that fact very comforting and, I suspected if the news accounts were true that if I didn't give them any trouble I wouldn't be harmed.

I had no doubt what the two criminals were there for! I just hoped the rumors of what happened to their captives were not true.

"Hello Delores! Having a nice weekend? Enjoy your shower?" Came the voice of the female bandit.

I looked her straight in the eyes and said, "Well, to tell you the truth, it looked like it was going to be a nice weekend until you two showed up!"

"Now really, that hurt! How about you Mr. Black? Are you pained?" She said obviously feigning indignation.

He answered, a tone of sarcasm in his voice, "To the quick, Ms. White! I fear I shall never recover."

"Well, I know you didn't really mean that. To show you what good sports we are, we are willing to forget that remark if you'll just be kind enough to show us where the good doctor's collections are." The female intruder said.

As I tried to cover my nude body with the towel I was holding, I said, "I don't suppose it would do any good to tell you I don't know what you're talking about would it?"

"You could, but Mr. Colt here isn't as patient as I am and he absolutely insists. Would you like to argue with him?" Ms. White said as she raised her pistol slightly and pointed the deadly weapon directly at my heart.

Having no other option, I said to her, "Well then, since you put it that way, I guess I have no choice. May I get dressed first?"

"I don't see why not, here put this on." Ms. White said as she picked up one of Vicky's black dresses and threw it to me.

After I caught it, I looked at it and said, "That's not mine, it's too small for me! It'll never fit!"

"Sure it will, give it a try. Of course, if you want to go around naked, that's fine with me. What about you Mr. Black?" She said maniacally to her partner.

He smiled, looked at me and said, "Works for me. I kind of like the view."

I frowned, tore open the bag and proceeded to put on the dress.

The dress was designed to open from just below the waist in the front, similar to and evening gown and I could only get three buttons to fasten. They were the second, their and fourth ones from the top. It barely covered my breasts in the front and I was one good stretch short of popping all three of those buttons and completely exposing my nude frontal body.

The male robber had been watching me put it on the whole time. When I was done, he said to me, "Looks like it fits to me."

"Pervert!" I said to him indignantly.

I was beginning to get nervous when I noticed he kept glancing down at my crotch and said, "Does he have to stare at me like that?"

"Sorry," he said, and looked genuinely embarrassed, "it's just been quite a while since I've seen a shaved one in person."

Then he said to me, "Hold that thought."

After that, Mr. Black suddenly sat down the canvas bag he was carrying, turned and walked back out the door and down the hall. I remember hearing what sounded like the clanking of metal as the bag hit the floor.

"Okay, you're dressed now, out into the hall with you!" Ms. White said to me.

I followed the male robber into the hall. He appeared to be looking for something. He opened several doors when finally he disappeared into one of the restrooms the patients used and closed the door behind him. Presently, the hallway echoed with what was obviously a flushing sound coming from the restroom. About a minute later, he reemerged from the restroom carrying what appeared to be an empty trashcan.

Embarrassed, he said to Ms. White, "Had to go! Too much coffee while we were waiting."

As he was leaning the trashcan against the back door, Ms. White said to him, "Did you remember to wipe down everything you touched?"

"Yup, there was even a bottle of bleach there so just incase some enterprising C.S.I. thinks he can pull a D.N.A. sample from it, I poured it in the bowl. " He replied with just a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Next Ms. White said to me, "Then if there's no further interruptions, let's get down to business. Where is Jennings' Collection? And before you try to tell me that you don't know anything about it, have a look at these."

She reached into a pocket on her overalls, removed several photos and handed them to me. They depicted Vicky, Dr. Jennings and myself carrying several boxes into the back door of the facility. Since I knew the two robbers were already aware of the contents of the boxes, there was no sense denying that I knew where the collection was.

"It's in a secret room behind the storeroom. Dr. Mercer had it built to hide spare supplies in just incase we were ever broken into." I told her.

She smiled and said, "Show us."

I took her down the hall and around the corner to the storeroom at the end of the hall, and opened the door. When we were all inside the storeroom, I told them to close the door. I walked over to the medicine cabinet, took out my security card, placed it in the slot on the cabinet and typed in a code.

When I pressed enter, the back wall swung away revealing eighty-foot long room that ran almost the entire length of the building.

Just inside the doorway on the left hand side was a large refrigerator containing a wide assortment of medications. The refrigerator was attached to a battery backup, which was in turn attached to a generator. The generator was about four feet by four feet by eight feet long. Running down each side of the wall was a long set of shelves, six rows high and about 18 inches deep.

In the center of the room, were spaced two long racks running almost to the end, also six rows high and 18 inches deep. The shelves on the left wall were about half-full of miscellaneous medical supplies. The shelves on the right wall about half filled with a backup copy of Vicky's DVD collection. All of that, I am sure was of no interest to the thieves.

It was the two rows of shelves running down center of the room that immediately got their attention for, except for the first shelf, they contained row upon row of various vibrators and dildos of all shapes and sizes. On the first shelf were ten catalogs each filled with a selection of antique coins. Not just any kind of coins mind you, but only coins that depicted erotic representations of man or beast. There was even a few that had both!

"Jackpot!" Mr. Black said his companion when he saw the room's contents.

She looked at him and said, "It certainly does appear so." Then she added, "Take Delores into the examination room around the corner and wait for me. I going to figure out what to do with her while we're busy; I won't be long.

"Okay honey, you heard the lady. Let's go." Mr. Black said as he gestured towards the door with his pistol.