Deep in the Night

This is one part of a longer crime/romance story that is connected to the other parts. To fully appreciate the story, please start at Part 1 and read through. Thanks.

Part 7 Jordan Takes Raven On A Romantic Date

Raven slid into the smooth, leather seats of the BMW, "Nice car." She commented.

"It's not mine...just a rental." Jordan explained. She adjusted the stereo to a station with light jazz, and since the weather was pleasant, opened the sunroof. They made small talk on the pleasant drive to Santa Fe. Jordan maneuvered through the narrow streets of the old town until she located the restaurant on Canyon Rd. After pulling up in front, the Valet opened their doors and drove off with the BMW.

Entering the handsome classical doors of the old Hacienda, Jordan announced to the Maitre'd, "We have reservations for 8:00." He led them through the dark, carpeted restaurant to a table for two beside a beautiful window overlooking a courtyard garden. Behind each of their chairs was a potted tree interwoven with little white lights. A candlelit lantern glowed on the side of the table.

"This is nice and private..." Raven observed, "...and romantic." She quietly added for Jordan's ears only.

"Let's order a bottle of wine." Jordan suggested. "What would you like to eat?"

"I haven't decided yet. Probably fish or a pasta dish."

"Sounds good. We would like a bottle of a reasonably priced Sauvignon Blanc." Jordan told the uniformed waiter to pick. He returned a moment later, opened the bottle and poured their wine.

After he departed, Jordan raised her glass, "A toast?"

Raven also raised her glass, "Yes...to a beginning for us. To what I hope will be many more days and nights that we share together."

"That was nice." Jordan smiled at Raven and they each took a sip of the fruity wine. Raven ordered the pan-seared salmon and Jordan decided on the herb encrusted trout.

"This is delicious!" Jordan announced after her first bite of the trout. They were enjoying the tasty dinner when a middle-aged man approached their table.

"Lily, is that you?" he asked addressing Raven. She looked startled for a moment, but quickly recovered, "I am sorry, you must be mistaken."

"I would swear that I know you from somewhere. I'm Ray Lenwood. Do you remember me?"

"Uh...I'm afraid I don't." The man continued. "Have you ever worked for the federal government?"

"You must have the wrong person." Raven insisted. The man smiled sheepishly, "Then I apologize. Forgive me for interrupting your dinner...ladies." He left their table.

"So you were a federal employee?" Jordan teased.

"I have no idea what that man is talking about." Raven lied.

Jordan noticed she was uneasy and there was more to this.

"Will you excuse me, Jordan. I'm going to the ladies' room."

"Shall I come with you?" Jordan asked.

"No. I will be back shortly." The restrooms were located off a side hallway near the restaurant's entrance. But, Raven had no intention of using the facilities. She stood near the glass doors and pulled a cell phone from her purse. After dialing a number, she spoke into the phone, "Hello, it's me. I have been recognized."

"Do you know who he is?"

"I don't recall his face, but he gave me his name as Ray Lenwood."

"I will get on it right away. Most likely he wouldn't have volunteered his name if he were looking for you. Unless it is a fictitious name." There was silence for a second and the man added, "Of all places to be recognized...in Shawnee."

"I'm not in Shawnee." Raven informed him. "I'm in Santa Fe having dinner with...a companion."

"Okay, just be careful. If anything else weird happens, you call me immediately. I'll get back with you." Raven turned off the phone and returned to the table.

"Are you all right?" Jordan asked her as she sat down.

Raven forced a smile, "Yes, I am fine, hon. Let's enjoy the rest of the evening." Jordan knew the man had disturbed Raven and she lied about it. She wanted to trust Raven and hoped that she wasn't in some kind of trouble. The remark about the federal government had Jordan's profiler instincts aroused to the deepest degree.

The remainder of the meal passed pleasantly, but when Jordan suggested dessert, Raven hastily declined, "Let's go elsewhere."

Jordan paid the check and the Valet brought their car around. She headed out of the city and calmly noted that Raven was trying to discreetly look behind them.

Is she checking if someone is following us?

Jordan wondered. They weren't far from Albuquerque when Jordan pulled the BMW off to the side of the road. She put the car in park but left the engine running.

Shifting in the driver's seat to face Raven, she began, "Look, Raven, I like you a lot. I know there is something in your past and I haven't questioned you about it because, well, it's none of my business. But, there is an investigation going and if you are in some kind of trouble then I could be compromised and you know how things can get out of hand..."

"No!" Raven quickly interrupted shaking her head, "I'm not in any trouble."

"...I can help you." Jordan continued.

Or hinder you,

thought Jordan.

"I promise you I am not in trouble." Raven sighed heavily.

Jordan replied, "It's just that you seem upset or nervous and...do you think someone is following us?"

Raven assured her, "I'm okay, really. That is sweet of you to want to help me." She reached for Jordan's hand, "I like you very much and I want to be completely honest with you. I have never lied to you Jordan. I don't want anything to ruin what I think could be a good thing, that is, you and I. I'm all right so let's just enjoy each other. Okay?"

"Very well...if you say so, I'll take your word for it. What would you like to do now?"

"God, I could use a drink."

"Then a drink it is." They were closer to Albuequerque than anywhere else so Jordan headed down IH 25. Once they were again within the city limits, she asked, "Know of any good bars?"

"Let's try the one at the Hyatt. They have a decent lounge."

"Yes, I know where that is." Jordan found a parking spot on a side street. They boarded the elevator in the posh lobby. They were alone and while riding up to the sky view lounge on the top floor; Jordan stood close to Raven and took her hand, squeezing it gently, "Everything will be okay." Raven looked at her with gratitude and would have loved to smother her with kisses, but the doors opened up to a dark, elegant, plush bar.

They found two barstools together and sat facing each other. "Good evening ladies. What can I get for you?" The distinguished white haired bartender asked.

"I'll have a Manhattan." Raven answered.

Jordan followed, "And I'll take a dry Martini."

They sipped their drinks for a moment as soft music played in the background and Raven started to relax. Her eyes met Jordan's. The earlier, serious conversation in the car had seemed to propel their relationship to a more personal level and now their gaze communicated a certain understanding.

They were lost in each other when the bartender interrupted, "Ladies, the two gentlemen at the end of the bar would like to buy you a second round."

Without breaking her gaze from Raven, Jordan told him, "Please tell the gentlemen thank you, but we are already taken." Raven smiled at Jordan's remark.

Jordan started to rise from her barstool and said to Raven, "Let's go."

"But I'm not finished my drink." Raven protested.

"I'll buy you another one later." Jordan told her and urged her up. Once inside the elevator, Jordan wasted no time in gathering Raven into her arms and pressing her lips against Raven's. The spontaneous kiss took Raven by surprise and she struggled to get her arms around Jordan who had been waiting all evening to kiss her. They melted into each other, marveling at the exquisite softness of the other's lips. They couldn't even end the kiss properly as the bell rang to the elevator and it stopped to let other passengers on board.

The two women separated and stepped into the back of the car, sneaking loving glances at each other. After exiting the hotel, they hurried across the street to the BMW and Jordan sped eastward toward Shawnee.

Arriving back in the small town, Jordan eased the BMW behind the motel. Raven unlocked her back kitchen door and pulled Jordan into her apartment. They came together urgently and their lips and bodies pressed tightly against one another. Once again, their mouths met and their kiss grew into a deep, hungry embrace. No words were necessary as both women sought to fulfill a need and years of loneliness began to wash away.

Jordan's arms encircled Raven and her hands felt the slender, tapered back beneath the red dress as she tried to pull Raven even closer while she tasted her sweet mouth. Raven responded in kind and let her hands rub the back of Jordan's neck and plunge into Jordan's hair running through the soft tresses and igniting Jordan's desire even further.

Jordan broke the kiss and her lips moved to Raven's cheek then to her throat. Raven tilted her head back and closed her eyes, yielding to Jordan's kisses. Her lush perfume and her own natural scent filled Jordan's nose and she sensuously stroked the delicate skin of Raven's throat with her tongue. Raven moaned her delight at the intense sensations that Jordan was causing. Her knees went weak and a wet heat grew between her legs.

"Can we please sit down?" she begged Jordan hoarsely.

Jordan backed off but kept an arm around Raven's waist and led her to the small living room. They sat on the edge of the couch and became wrapped in each other's arms, hastily resuming their intimate contact. Inflamed with desire, their kisses turned frantic and they couldn't get enough. Jordan's hand wandered down Raven's back over her hip and onto her thigh. She slid her hand just underneath the edge of Raven's red dress resting it upon the warm, smooth flesh.

Raven covered Jordan's hand with her own for a moment before guiding it up to her bosom. She gasped as Jordan gently squeezed the full breast through the fabric. Jordan broke the kiss, sighing ardently.

Her breathing was faster and she leaned in to return her lips to Raven's when the phone rang. "Ignore it." Raven commanded. But the ringing continued and Raven glanced at the phone cradle attached to the wall.

"That's the office line." She stated. "I wonder who's calling at this time of night." With an irritated sigh, she got up from the couch to answer the phone, "Shawnee Inn." Jordan listened to Raven's end of the conversation.

"Oh, Hi Sheriff."

He must be looking for me

, Jordan assumed. But Raven continued the conversation. "No... that's okay... I'm still up." She made a face at the phone causing Jordan to laugh. After a pause, she went on, "Well, I think I can manage that. How many will it be?" Another pause, "Sure, just send them over. I'll take care of them." She hung up the phone. "That's weird." She stated.

"That was Bill Hagan. He's got a bunch of doctors from some disease center that are staying in town and need rooms. I wonder what that is all about." Raven sat down again next to Jordan who remained quiet not wanting to reveal the doctors' involvement with the investigation.

"Maybe some strange epidemic is spreading through town." Raven pondered.

"I doubt that." Jordan stated confidently. "If that were the case, you would hear about people getting sick." She lightly rubbed Raven's back wanting to put her anxiety to rest. "I haven't heard of anyone becoming ill."

"I suppose that makes sense. But, it's still rather unsettling. Anyway, they'll be here in about 15 minutes. I got to get their keys." Raven rose from the couch, "What a way to ruin a moment."

Jordan grabbed her arm and pulled her back down. Raven fell backwards onto the couch. Her legs went into the air as she tumbled unto the cushions and both women erupted into giggles. Jordan scooped Raven up and cradled her in her arms, kissing her mouth, "We still have 15 minutes to find that moment again." Raven lay back and accepted the tender, sensuous kisses. She reached up, pulling Jordan down on top of her and gave her a kiss equally warm and sumptuous.

Gazing up at Jordan, she spoke softly, "Do you know what I would like to do?"

"I hope it's the same thing I would like to do, but we are now down to 10 minutes." Jordan flirted as she gently brushed Raven's hair back from her face.

"Well that too, but I was thinking of something else at the moment."

"Oh, really? Jordan teased. "And what else could you be thinking about while I was offering you my best kiss?"

"And a superb kiss it was." Raven praised. "But, I was thinking how I would love to take you away with me on my motorcycle. We would ride into the mountains to a place far away from everybody and everything. Just you and me... together."

Jordan smiled, "I like the way you think Raven Summers. And I would love to take you up on that thought...as soon as my investigation is over." Jordan grew despondent at her own words for she knew she would be returning to D.C. when the case was solved. She pushed the idea into the back of her mind. For the moment, she didn't want to consider what her days would be like without Raven and she didn't want to spoil things for Raven by appearing in a depressed mood.

Jordan stayed in Raven's bedroom while the doctors arrived at the office and Raven doled out keys. Jordan kissed her goodnight when the doctors left and announced her goodbye.

"You don't have to leave, Jordan."

Jordan spoke softly to Raven, "I very much want to stay, but I don't want to rush things with you. I like you, perhaps more than you realize and I want our relationship to work." Pulling Raven close, she went on, "What I am trying to say, Raven, is that I would like to spend a lot of time with you and get to know everything about you first. And fall in love with you along the way."

"That is sweet, darling. I think I do know how much you like me, because I feel the same about you. But, I am going to have to take a cold shower now." She ended giggling.

"Same here." Jordan replied. "Good night, baby. I'll call you tomorrow." She ended with a final sweet kiss on Raven's lips.

***

Raven woke the next morning with a smile on her face. She felt like she was in a dreamy state as she recalled the tender moments she had shared with Jordan the night before. She picked up the stuffed leopard and hugged it to her saying aloud, "God, I do like this feeling." She wondered if she was beginning to fall in love with Jordan.

Rising from bed, she pulled on her silk bathrobe and puttered out to the kitchen. She had just started coffee brewing when there was a knock at the office door. Peering out the office window, she saw a delivery van in front and a young man with a huge bouquet of red roses. She opened the door and he announced, "Delivery for Raven Summers."

"Thank you." She answered, taking them from him. Closing the door behind her, she buried her face in the bouquet, inhaling the scent of the roses. She noticed a small envelope attached and pulled it off. Suspecting it was from Jordan, she clasped the note to her breast for a moment. Opening the small pink envelope she read the note inside,

Raven,

I had a lovely time with you last night. I would love to see you again...soon.

All my affection, Jordan

Raven picked up her phone and dialed Jordan's room, but got no answer. She then tried the sheriff's office. Sarah announced to Jordan, "Raven Summers is on line 2 for you." Jordan shut the door to the conference room and picked up the phone.

"Someone sent me a beautiful bouquet. Two dozen red roses, the voice said"

"Must be someone who thinks you are really special." Jordan told her.

"I'd like to personally thank the sender with dinner and a sweet kiss and whatever else she would like."

"The sender accepts and would like to know when she can pick up her thank you."

"Tonight at my place. Whenever she is free from her police duties."

"The sender will be there. I will make sure of that." Jordan answered.

After she hung up the phone, Bill Hagan knocked on the conference room door. "Jordan?" he poked his head in, "The docs just arrived. They'd like to report their findings to you."

"Great. Send them in, let's get rolling on this." Hagan entered the room followed by Jimmy and the doctors. The sheriff introduced the medical team to Jordan. "Where's the two detectives?" Jordan inquired. "They haven't come in yet. Jimmy, give them a buzz and see if you can find out where they are."

Jordan settled into her chair and the team leader began his presentation. "As you know, we collected specimens from the victim's houses and tested them for identification purposes. And, like the medical examiner, we are unable to identify the species of bacteria that we have. By all physical appearances, it is a strain of streptococcus, but it has different properties from any strep species that we have encountered."

"What does that mean in English?" Jordan asked.

"It means that we have either discovered a new strain of the bacteria or someone is tampering with streptococcus!"

"Tampering? How?"

The doctor continued, "Gene manipulation, in a nutshell Agent Connor. Various genes can be removed from one species and spliced into another. They are doing it now with produce to make heartier vegetables that are resistant to cold, pests and viruses. It's all designed for bigger profit, of course. 60% of the produce that you buy in a grocery store contains altered genes. The same principle applies to bacteria. Someone can manipulate their genes to make them resistant to environmental stressors or antibiotics. Create a superbug, if you will."

He continued, "Washington has suspected the Russians of doing this sort of thing for years. After the fall of their government, we discovered an abandoned lab over there with 3 million tons of anthrax."

Jordan was deep in thought, "Let's suppose someone in Shawnee is actually doing this manipulating of germs. Can you elaborate on who would have the capabilities to do it and what the consequences would be?"

"Whoever is doing this needs two things. The knowledge to know what the hell their doing and the equipment to do it. Isolation and reproduction of the bacteria isn't too expensive, but the important consideration is lab safety. He or she would need the proper set up for self protection. Dealing with some of the species is nasty. Take anthrax and the Ebola virus for example. There are only two labs in the country that are equipped and cleared to handle them, ours, the Center for Disease Control and the military's Fort Dietrich in Maryland."

"So, I would expect, " he went on, "that you should look for someone with a minimum of a bachelor's degree, more likely they would have a master's or doctorate. A professor, chemist, biologist...any of those types would have the knowledge and clearance to get a hold of lab equipment and benign specimens to work with."

"And the FBI has been keeping an eye on who has been putting in repetitive orders for that equipment since 9/11." Jordan announced, "I'll get them to fax us a list."

The doctor continued, "The consequences of a super bug would be grave. If it is resistant to antibiotics, nothing will cure the infection. People with immune compromised systems would die, such as the elderly, children and people with AIDS. Depending on the virulence of the bug, it could kill healthy people as well. If it 'were' highly contagious, my God, it would devastate an entire town such as this. Ever read about the Black Plague in Europe in the middle ages?"

Jordan spoke up, "It wouldn't be that bad, I hope?"

The doctor just looked at her, "A quarter of the population died. Better yet, if you haven't already done so, rent Outbreak and watch it. It's not so far from the truth about bio-weapons."