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(original version: 18,750 words)

Falling For The Law

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"And how's the sexiest police officer on the face of the earth doing this afternoon?" Marley asked, somewhat jubilantly as she slid into the booth next to a slightly tired-looking Allie. Without waiting for a response from her girlfriend, Marley snuggled in close to the attractive chestnut-haired police chief and brought her lips to Allison's, finding her lover's mouth to be more than receptive.

"I'm fine," Allison replied with a smile, slipping her left arm around her lover's shoulders and pulling her in tightly. "Truth is, I'm much better now that I'm with you."

"Frustrating day?" Marley asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"Definitely," Allison answered, as she watched Mary approach their table with two menus in hand.

The couple chatted with the waitress briefly while they studied their menus, Mary tapping her pen against her order pad while she awaited their choices. Both women finally settled on the meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob. Once Mary was gone, Marley turned towards Allie and studied her girlfriend carefully.

"Still no luck locating your missing girl?"

Marley was caught a little off guard by the look of surprise on Allie's face, the auburn-haired beauty cocking her head to the side and giving Marley a measured look.

"Where did you hear about that?" Allie asked.

"I had lunch here in the diner this afternoon when I came into town to do a little shopping. Mary mentioned the poor girl to me and told me all the speculation around town."

Marley watched as Allie cut her eyes over to where the middle-aged waitress was busily conversing with another customer, coffee pot in hand.

With a roll of her eyes, Allie said, "And what's the four-one-one from the citizenry of Camden?"

Lowering her voice to an almost conspiratorial level, Marley said, "Well, she told me that there are some people that think this Anna Marie skipped town to go stay with relatives up in Tennessee. And then there are those that claim she's taking an extended vacation on the beaches of Florida until the storm clouds blow over."

"And what does Mary think?"

Biting her bottom lip as she shrugged her shoulders, Marley said almost shyly, "She thinks that Anna Marie's ex snatched her up and is either holding her, or something far worse..."

Marley's words hung in the air between them like a morbid pall, the attractive blonde observing her mate and seeing that Allie clearly struggling with how to reply. So much so that Marley began to feel guilty for having brought the subject up.

"Well, the first part is untrue. We've spoken to all of Anna Marie's relatives up in Tennessee, and none of them has had any contact with her since their last family reunion. As far as the Florida beaches thing goes, we've distributed her picture and information to every county in the state. If she's there, someone will find her," Allie explained.

Narrowing her eyes, Marley said, "But you don't think she's there, do you?"

"No," Allie said, after a moment's hesitation, "no, everything points to her ex having had her snatched up. We got the arson report back from the fire chief today. There were clear signs of an accelerant being used, the report suggesting some type of unleaded gasoline. I think one or more perps took care of setting the barn ablaze while someone waited nearby the house for her brothers to rush out to fight the fire. That person, or persons, then went inside and snatched Anna Marie up."

Marley bit at her bottom lip, her brow furrowing as she imagined the scene and how terrified the young woman must have been once she realized what was happening.

"You don't believe you're going to find her alive, do you, Marley stated, in a sad voice as she carefully studied her lover's face.

"Every day that passes makes that less likely. But until I have a body, I have to proceed as if she's still alive. I'm coordinating the investigation with the county sheriff, with them handling things outside the city limits. He's a sharp-enough guy with a lot of experience and doesn't mind sharing his resources. I've had a few leads, but so far, none of them have panned out," Allie explained, dejectedly.

Both women sat there quietly as Marley digested her lover's words, their implications seeming to cast a somber mood over Allie's countenance.

"Movie this week?" Marley asked, seeking to change the subject and alleviate Allie's discomfort.

Marley noted that Allie seemed to relax at the new topic, the tension in her shoulders dissipating and a genuine smile returning to the chief's face.

"I believe it's my turn to pick the movie this time," Allie said, as she leaned forward and kissed Marley's forehead lovingly. "Though I'm not sure there's anything at the theater worth seeing that we haven't already watched. What do you say we cuddle up on your couch under a blanket and find something to stream?"

"If we do that, I have a c-note that says we never make it to the movie's end," Marley cooed seductively, as she nuzzled her lips against Allie's neck and delivered the chestnut-haired beauty a kiss. "Because we both know you can't keep your hands off of me and that I'm a complete slut once you get started."

"Ooh, then maybe we'll just make our own movie instead," Allie said, with a mischievous grin as she allowed her hand to settle on Marley's inner thigh under the table. The sexy police chief's touch sent shivers of delight throughout Marley and caused a faint, throbbing heat to begin to build between her legs. Of course, the blonde had never before allowed herself to be videoed in an intimate situation, but the thought of doing so with Allie suddenly seemed enticing.

"Are you serious?" Marley asked, in a suddenly shy voice as she dipped her eyes, barely able to hold Allie's lascivious gaze.

"As a heart attack," Allie replied, licking her lips in a wanton display of carnality, her voice deep and dripping with lust. "I think it would be hot to have my own dirty movie featuring the most seductive blonde I've ever laid eyes on. That way, I can watch that sexy little expression you make every time I make you come whenever I want to."

"You're so bad," Marley replied coquettishly, a blush blooming on her face as Allie's fingers finally reached the apex of her inner thighs, the seductive police chief's fingertips dancing lightly against the blue jean material covering Marley's suddenly needy pussy. "And if you don't stop that, we're going to have to miss our meal so that we can rush over to your place."

With a roll of her eyes and with mock frustration, Allie removed her hand from between Marley's legs and said, "Fine, but I'm getting my movie made later, and as the director, I expect you to follow all of my instructions so that I can get your best performance out of you."

Marley trembled at the thought. She loved when Allie was so demanding and took control of their lovemaking. It always left Marley feeling so desired and adored. Allie made her feel like the centerpiece of the auburn-haired beauty's world, hungered for, passionately wanted, and worshipped in the most intimate of ways.

Yes, she would give up control to Allie and let her lover take her on a voyage of ecstasy, a trek leading Marley to nirvana. And though the thought of doing such a thing on video was a little scary, Marley knew that she could trust Allie to keep their documented sexual tryst between the two of them.

"You're the boss," Marley replied, with a nod signaling her willing submission to her lover's erotic whims. "And I promise to give the performance of my life."

"I don't doubt it for a minute," Allie replied with a smirk, as she once again allowed her hand to slide between her girlfriend's legs. This time, though, there was no attempt at coyness as to what she was doing, the flatness of three of her fingers cupping the length of Marley's sex and giving it a gentle squeeze. Marley's eyes closed, and a tiny moan escaped her throat as she once again wished that they could just skip the meal and find the nearest dark corner where Allie could fuck her.

Just then, Mary arrived with their heaping plates of food, the waitress setting the plates in front of them before grabbing a pitcher of sweet tea and refilling their glasses. They chatted with Mary briefly before the arrival of new customers drew the waitress's attention elsewhere.

"My daddy says to tell you hi, and that he's looking forward to meeting you someday," Marley announced with just a hint of glee. As expected, her father had hardly been miffed when she'd told him about Allie. On the contrary, he'd seemed quite pleased to discover that his youngest daughter had found someone to bring her out of the depression she'd been languishing in for months. The fact that Allie was a woman had hardly seemed to faze the man.

"Well, you can tell him, me too," Allie replied as she sprinkled pepper over her mashed potatoes and corn. "How about your mom? Any thawing on that front?"

Things had become frigid between Marley and her mother since the sexy blonde had come out. Jane Anderson had called Marley nearly every day since their last conversation, but her daughter had allowed each of the calls to go to voicemail. Marley did listen to all of the messages, each one having a similar refrain. Her mother went on about how she knew Marley was experimenting with her sexuality, how it was a phase, and how the novelty would eventually wear off. After listening to them, Marley had summarily deleted each one, refusing to respond.

"Daddy seems to think she will come around once it becomes clear that we're not just playing house," Marley replied, sounding a little flustered by the entire ordeal. "He says he wants to give her a chance to come to it on her own but also says if she doesn't, he isn't above putting a verbal boot up her ass."

That got a laugh from Allie, who said, "I think I really like your old man already."

The two chatted while they ate, finishing their meals before ordering a piece of peach pie to share. They were still sitting there drinking their coffee as they waited for their dessert when the bell over the door rang and in walked Travis Lucas and his entourage.

Marley felt Allie stiffen next to her and looked up to see what had caused her girlfriend's sudden change in demeanor. Her eyes scanned the diner and found the four younger men milling around the counter, each one looking a little more pitiful than the next.

One of the men seemed to take note of Marley and Allie, a sneer blossoming on his roguishly handsome face. He was the tallest of the group, and while his body was lean, he still carried a fair amount of well-toned muscle in his shoulders and arms. His narrow eyes and hawkish chin gave him the appearance of an apex predator, and the way that he leered over at them couldn't help but make Marley feel as though he'd spotted his prey.

"Fuck," Allie said, setting her coffee cup down on the table. "If he comes over here or speaks to us, don't respond. Just let me handle it, okay?"

"I promise," Marley replied, her stomach knotting up nervously, the plate of food she'd just consumed suddenly not sitting too well on her stomach.

Marley watched as the taller of the group leaned in and said something to the other three, their eyes instantly looking Marley and Allie's way before they began to bray with laughter. He then turned back to where the women sat and almost languidly began to stroll his way over towards them.

"Can I help you, Travis?" Allie asked sternly as he reached their table, bending over it confidently and placing his knuckles on its surface, bracing the weight of his upper body on the joints of his digits.

"Well, Chief, I thought you might want to introduce me to your friend here," Travis declared, licking his lips as he stared hungrily at Marley in a way that made the blonde's skin crawl.

"And why would I want to do that?" Allie asked as she slid her left arm around Marley, pulling the young author in closer as her right arm surreptitiously went to the gun holster on that side of her body, her forefinger unsnapping the strap holding the weapon in place. Marley caught the movement but didn't believe the troublemaker standing over them had. He was far too busy undressing her with his eyes to have noticed.

"Cuz there's not precisely an ample supply of beautiful women around these parts. And as it just so happens, I've recently developed an opening in my bed for just such a woman," Travis boldly stated, with a lascivious smile that made the food in Marley's stomach curdle even further.

"Marley, this sad specimen of manhood is Travis Lucas. Don't bother getting to know him, though, because he'll soon be back inside the state penitentiary," Allie replied cockily, her right hand still resting on the butt of her weapon.

"Ha!" Travis barked out loud, throwing his head back as he did. "You don't have shit on me, police lady, and we both know it. All of your suspicion and circumstantial bullshit amount to nothing, and my lawyer says that I might have a good case for a harassment suit if you continue to show up, out at my place."

"Your lawyer must have been smoking your product too long," Allie responded. "The law says that I'm entitled to show up there every day if I have reason to suspect you of violating your parole. So if I were you, I might invest in a litigator that doesn't have a rampant case of meth mouth and more than three active brain cells."

Marley watched as Travis Lucas's body stiffened, the muscles in his arms rippling noticeably. He was like a coiled spring, or a viper, coiled up and ready to strike. Marley held her breath, feeling Allie squeeze her shoulder gently.

The tension seemed to build to an apex, and then just like that, it was gone, Lucas seemed to relax as he stood up and crossed his arms.

"So tell me, sheriff, did you ever find that girl you were looking for?" Lucas asked, with almost a snarl. "Seems to me she's done up and disappeared for good. Can't say as I'll miss her any, though. The cunt did do me wrong after all."

Lucas's minions began to wander over, the small audience of three settling in just behind their benefactor. Marley was suddenly terrified, all of the violence and murders in her writings suddenly taking on an entirely new perspective in her mind. Beside her, though, Marley felt her girlfriend suddenly relax a second before a ratcheting sound coming from behind the gathered throng caught the blonde's attention.

"Alright, Lucas," came the low growl of Sam's voice as he stood there with a twelve-gauge Mossberg pump-action shotgun resting across his arms. "I've told you before, I won't have you hassling my clientele. So you and your peckerwood friends are now put on notice. You aren't welcome in my establishment anymore."

"Are you suggesting you want to swear out a trespassing complaint against them?" Allie calmly asked, as the four men slowly backed away from their table, the group never taking their eyes off the large black man holding the impressive shotgun.

"Now hold on a minute, you stupid nig..." Travis started to say.

"FINISH THAT GODDAMNED WORD, AND IT WILL BE YOUR LAST!" Sam bellowed, turning the gun towards Travis, his once brave pack of hyenas suddenly abandoning their leader as they scattered towards the door.

Beside her, Marley felt Allie nudge her to slide out of the booth. Never taking her eyes off the engaging scene in front of her, Marley slowly obliged Allie, carefully easing herself from their booth before slowly backing up and sliding into the booth behind her, desperately wanting something between herself and what was happening in front of her.

Marley watched in awe as her girlfriend extricated herself from her seat and stood confidently before what appeared to be a suddenly uncertain Travis Lucas.

"All right, Mr. Lucas, you heard the man. I'm going to be filling out an order of trespass against you and all your friends," Allie declared, her hand still resting on the butt of the pistol in its holster. At that moment, Marley couldn't help but think how sexy she looked, the confident gunslinger in countless westerns the blonde had watched with her father while growing up coming to mind. Marley marveled at how the auburn-haired beauty could seem so calm under such duress.

"Wuthafuck does that mean?" Lucas growled, his eyes still fixed on the shotgun pointed in his direction.

"It means, and I'll speak in simple terms here so your mind can grasp the concept, that if you, the Otis brothers, or your boyfriend, Parker, show up on this property again, you'll be arrested on the spot. For you, that will be an automatic return to the state pen," Allie stated, and though Marley couldn't see her girlfriend's face, she could almost detect a smile of glee in her tone.

Marley looked around the rest of the diner for the first time, and took in the other customers, most with horrified looks of concern on their faces. The blonde had been so caught up in her own little world that she'd forgotten that they hadn't been alone in the establishment.

Travis Lucas began to back towards the door, his eyes burning with hate as they bounced back and forth between Sam and Allie. When he reached the entrance, his eyes found Marley's for the briefest of glimpses, a wolfish smile blooming on his face that turned back to a sneer as his eyes once again found Allie's.

"See you soon, Chief," Lucas said, before hocking up a mouthful of spit and sending it arching from his mouth and onto the bar just feet from where a trucker sat watching the scene.

And with that, Travis Lucas was gone.

Marley exhaled a breath slowly she hadn't previously even known she'd been holding. All of the tension in her body seemed to quickly uncoil as Marley slumped down into the booth, but her arms began to shake as the pent-up nervousness inside her began to slowly seep out.

"Would you really have shot him, Sam?" Allie asked as the large black man cleared his weapon, carefully lowering it until the barrel pointed at the floor.

"It's just rock salt loads," Sam replied, with a shrug of his shoulders, "But yeah, if that redneck had called me a nigger, the doctors would have still been picking rock salt out of his peckerwood ass a month from now."

Allie shook her head and laughed before turning back to where Marley sat shaking, her anxiety having fully taken hold.

"Baby," Allie said softly, as she pulled Marley up out of the booth and into her arms, the blonde finally breaking down; tears streamed down her face as she held Allie tightly. "It's okay, baby, they're gone," the chestnut-haired beauty said reassuringly.

Marley sobbed quietly, wholly aware that all eyes were on her and Allie. She didn't care, though, not as long as she was wrapped in Allie's loving arms.

"Is she okay?" Mary asked, as she gently touched Marley's shoulder.

"She'll be fine; she just needs a little time," Allie said, as she softly stroked her girlfriend's back.

Sam approached Mary and spoke to her in a low voice. Marley watched as she reached into her apron and handed a small stack of tickets to the impressively large owner and cook.

"For everybody that's already ordered, dinner is on me tonight," Sam announced in a loud voice. "You all be sure to tip your waitress, though."

Allie guided Marley back to the booth, gently encouraging the blonde to take a seat as Allie slid in beside her. Marley felt silly and embarrassed at her emotional outburst. After all, everyone present in the diner had incurred the same scene, yet they'd all seemed to take what happened in stride, most of them returning to their meals as soon as Travis Lucas had exited the diner.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Allie asked again, as the fingers of her right hand stroked the back of Marley's long, blonde hair lovingly.