Passion in James County XII
The Widow
By D.C. Roi
Chapter three
Fran's neighbors, Greg and Abby Atkinson, were enjoying a rare quiet evening at home. For once, despite their hectic schedules, they managed to have a night off together and were determined to enjoy it. Greg was reading and Abby was knitting. The TV was off and soft sounds of classic country music came from the stereo.
Greg was wearing a sweatshirt and jeans and Abby had on a pair of ivory cotton flannel boxer pajamas that had a pattern consisting of pictures of antique furniture all over them. Greg had bought Abby the pajamas in a shop that specialized in sexy women's attire. There was lace edging around the legs of the boxer shorts.
Greg had difficulty concentrating on his book. He couldn't stop looking at his wife's lovely legs, which she had folded under her on the sofa as she worked. He considered going over and starting to make love, but she looked so intent on finishing the sweater she was knitting that he didn't want to disturb her. At least not yet.
The phone rang. Abby was the closest to it so she answered it.
"Hello," she said.
"Is this the Atkinson residence?" a smooth feminine voice Abby didn't recognize inquired.
"Yes it is," Abby replied. She wondered who the caller with the sexy voice was.
"Is Greg there?" the caller asked.
Abby frowned. "Ah...yes, he is," she replied. "Just a minute." She looked at Greg. "It's for you."
Greg got off the sofa, walked over, and took the phone from his wife. "Hello?" he said.
"Hello, Greg, this is Susan," the caller said. Susan Darden was a deputy prosecutor in a neighboring county. Greg, a deputy sheriff, occasionally worked with her when crimes involved James County, where he worked, and Lincoln County, where Susan did. "I talked to Amy Dawson this morning," Susan continued. "She told me you've gotten married. I assume I just spoke to your wife."
"Ah...yeah," Greg replied. He was surprised at the jumble of emotions he felt when he heard Susan's voice. He'd slept with her once, one night when she stopped by his house to review a case. "I, ah, am...and it was."
Abby was standing next to Greg, looking at him carefully, frowning, and listening carefully. She was a little upset that she was feeling pangs of jealousy.
"I'd like to offer you my congratulations," Susan continued. "But that's not why I called. I understand you arrested Henry Augenblack again."
"Yeah, I did," Greg said, "As usual, he had a bunch of stolen antiques in his truck. The state patrol investigators think most of them come from your area."
"That's true from what I understand," Susan said. "I'll need a copy of your report on this, and I may need you to testify, in case Henry's lawyer decides not to accept a plea bargain."
"I have a feeling Henry will be only too happy to accept a plea bargain," Greg told her. "As long as you aren't putting him away too long. You know, old Henry's not such a bad guy. He gave me some information that solved about a dozen burglaries in my area." He chuckled. "Of course, Henry also probably committed a dozen burglaries he didn't tell me about, too, but..."
"I'll keep that in mind," Susan said. "Thanks for the information."
"I'll have the office send you a copy of my arrest report in the morning," Greg said. "That OK?"
"That will be fine," Susan said. "Take care, Greg..."
"You, too, Susan," Greg replied, then she was gone. He put the phone down, turned and looked at Abby.
Abby frowned at her husband. "Who was that?" she asked.
"Susan Darden, she's a deputy prosecuting attorney in Lincoln County," he explained. "She needed some information on an arrest I made the other day."
"Oh," Abby replied softly.