A Witch and Her Man (Jeff and Gail) Read Online Free PDF Page A

holding his chest and staggering. For just a moment, the streetlight illuminated them and Jeff saw both were wearing police uniforms. At first glance, the car appeared to be a police cruiser but to his educated eye it was not. It was the wrong make and model. Both men scrambled into the auto and it sped away, tires squealing.
     
    Jeff leapt to his feet and began to shoot at the receding car. The loud reports of his gun shattered the early morning stillness. Jeff's lips tightened in satisfaction when he saw the back window of the fleeing car explode into tiny pieces. Bullets continued to pepper the car as he emptied his entire twelve round clip into it. The car rounded the corner and was lost to view. Without even thinking, Jeff ejected the spent magazine, slid in a fresh one and chambered a round.
     
    He turned just in time to be assaulted by the terrified woman who threw herself into his arms. He held the still smoking pistol away from her while wrapping his free arm around her. "I thought I told you to stay put and stay down," he growled. His voice softened. "Are you ok?"
     
    "Yes, at least I think so. Are you?"
     
    "I'm fine," he started then noticed she was completely nude. Gently, he forced her back into the house. Lights in the neighborhood had begun to come on.
     
    "Get dressed. I'm sure we're going to have company soon," he said in a calm voice that belied his actual feelings at seeing her this way.
     
    Gail looked down at herself and her eyes filled with horror when she realized she was nude. With a tiny shriek, she placed one arm over her breasts and a hand over her sex. She dashed across the living room, into her bedroom and closed the door. He shook his head and grinned.
     
    Minutes later, a squad car rounded the corner with lights flashing. Jeff placed his gun on the coffee table and flipped on the porch light. When the squad car approached, he stepped out on the porch with his hands in the air. The police car pulled to the curb and two officers cautiously approached with guns drawn.
     
    The officers gazed around warily then focused attention on him. "I'm not armed. My pistol is on the table inside," Jeff said. One of the uniformed officers approached while the other remained behind to provide cover. "My name is Jeff Larkin. I'm reaching into my pocket to get my identification, officer."
     
    "Slowly," the man advised and moved closer.
     
    With two fingers, he handed the police officer his wallet. The officer stepped back to a safe distance and spoke to his partner. "Watch him."
     
    "Watching," his partner answered.
     
    The officer holding his wallet found Jeff's id and radioed in the information. Jeff knew he had checked out when the man lowered his weapon. "His papers are in order. He's a PI and has a license to carry," he said to his partner. The two men came close and while one hung back the other took his statement. Gail, now dressed, also joined them on the porch and gave her statement. The officer's radio buzzed for attention and he stepped away to answer.
     
    In his absence, Gail looked up at Jeff and stammered quietly, "I'm sorry I didn't follow your orders to stay down and... and... I'm sorry for my being nude."
     
    "The important thing is you're all right. I hope you got enough rest, because I don't think we're going to get more until later this morning." They had just finished speaking when the officer rejoined them.
     
    Another car pulled up just as the officer completed filling out his report. An investigating team piled out of the car and began checking the crime scene. They searched inside the house and carelessly retrieved slugs from the couch and door. After stepping in it, one of the investigators took samples of the blood on the sidewalk. He watched them from Gail's porch in disgust. "Damned sloppy," he mumbled under his breath. One of the investigators sauntered his way. The expression on the man's face was one of arrogance and contempt.
     
    His walk alone raises my blood