Phil Saunders worked hard to preserve his air of mystery. There was the expensive European cars, the tailored wardrobe, the Italian shoes, and his casual air of menace. No one, not even his closest friends knew that Phil was a federal Marshall who spent a small fraction of his time on occasional bounty hunting forays. Most of the time he was tracking down drug laundering operations in a nondescript building on the seedier side of town. No one ever suspected it housed a cadre of federal agents cyber-sleuthing. This anonymity served Phil as an effective cover and allowed him to infiltrate in places that fear the feds. If Phil had "just happened" to allow the rumor to float about town that he was secretly an eraser for the mob, it really would not be his fault is someone believed him now would it?
Most days. Phil was a normal single dad, albeit one better dressed, and more well mannered than most. His ex-wife Claire had divorced him after she crossed paths with an old high school flame at a reunion. Claire, in many ways, had never quite accepted that the diploma meant that she was finished with that chapter of her life. Despite college, marriage, and the apparently good life that Phil had given her, Claire was gone like a shot when she found out that Eddie was now single and still interested in her.
Phil was angry at first, but it soon passed. He certainly could not be upset with Eddie, Claire was quite beautiful, it was only natural that he was interested in her. Phil passed from anger to something resembling amusement at the fact that his wife still considered herself sixteen years old! If she was this addle brained, Phil thought, it was best to be rid of her. The divorce was as amicable as one involving children can be. Phil bought out her share of the house and Tommy, their son, got alternate weeks with his parents. Since the only thing Claire seemed interested in now was Eddie's cock, she often allowed Phil to have main custody. Phil had built a network of support for those times when he was suddenly called away, but for the most part he made it work. There were unquestionable advantages to being a single, seemingly deep pocketed, single father. Namely soccer moms! .
Even though Soccer was not his favorite sport, Phil tried to attend every practice and game that he could. It was amazing how often as he made his way to the bleacher seats, the gorgeous young mothers would either hide their wedding rings or surreptitiously flash their naked ring fingers when he strode past. Of course Phil would return a smile with one of his own. He usually preferred women who lived out of town. Small town gossip that he could not control might crimp his style. Some of the women were quite enticing indeed.
A tall redhead often caught Phil's eye. She was always well dressed and seemed sexier than the other women. Her long red hair framed her face like a halo. Her alabaster skin and clear complexion were quite enticing. In either yoga pants or her fashionable skirts, Phil could tell that she had killer legs. From what he could tell her breasts were quite nice and once, she had worn a navel bearing, clingy blouse, so Phil knew that she was not concealing a roll of flab under her, ordinarily conservative, attire. Phil knew that her name was Lilly and that she worked for one of the local banks. That she was divorced and that said divorce was rather bitter could be heard by anyone within earshot. Oblivious to the activities of her own child and the others, she was usually arguing very loudly with her ex-husband over her cell phone. Out of curiosity Phil often ease dropped, "Listen you cheap bastard I DON'T care if it means that you can not afford to buy "Jenny" a new Beemer, your kid comes first! IF I don't get the check on time, I swear to God that I will sneak into your house like a ninja and castrate you while you are lying in the arms of your whore!"
Phil smiled inwardly. "As screwed up in the head as Claire is," he thought, "at least she spares me the drama." Phil cast a long, appreciative look at Lilly and then focused his attentions on the game. Tommy, had all the ear marks of a better than average player. Phil was caught completely of guard a short time later when Lilly brushed up against his arm. The pee wee players were gathered around the coach, getting a post scrimmage breakdown, Phil's mind had been elsewhere, contemplating what to make for dinner when Lilly introduced herself.
"You are Phil Saunders, Tommy's father right?"
"Yes, Ms."
"Bachman, Lilly Bachman. Rose Conner is my daughter but I reclaimed my maiden name."
"Nice to meet you Lilly, I've noticed you at practice."
A serious look crossed her face, "Mr. Saunders, I wasn't flirting with you." After a moment of awkward silence the ravishing redhead lowered her voice a bit and said, "I understand that you can do things?"
Phil locked his face into a neutral expression and replied, "Such as?"
"Well..." Lilly's eyes darted about to establish that no one was in earshot before continuing in an even softer tone of voice, "I understand that you can lean on people, sometimes make them disappear."
"Ms. Bachman," replied Phil evenly, as a brilliant scheme unfurled in his mind, "I hardly think this is the time or place..." Phil reached into his pocket and withdrew one of his more vague business cards. "Pick out a quiet restaurant in Turnersville that you like, my treat, text me the time and place and IF I can work you into my schedule I will." With that Phil winked at Lilly Bachman and then slowly stepped over a few yards away. The coach's post game spiel over, Phil bent low to receive Tommy in a tremendous bear hug. Yet even while he held his son close, Phil's mind was focused on Lilly's fabulous legs.
It was not hard to figure out what was on Lilly Bachman's mind. Ordinarily, this would place Phil in a quandary. As a sworn agent of the law, it was his duty to mention to his superiors that a local soccer mom wanted to hire a hit man. But Phil knew that there were far finer things to do with Ms. Bachman than to send her to prison. Perhaps, just this one time, his bosses would not need to know. Phil felt just like a contented spider in an extremely sticky web as he read Lilly's text. Of course he would be there.
Three nights later, Phil was waiting in a rear booth at the finest dining establishment in Turnersville, outside the prying eyes of his small suburban town. Phil had arrived early to make sure that the recording and video equipment was functioning properly. A small part of Phil felt like a weasel but the rest of him understood full well that what he had in store for Ms. Lilly Bachman was a damn sight better than prison would be. No doubt the beautiful young mother would feel the same way, once Phil laid all of his cards on the table.
She arrived at the appointed time. From Phil's seat he spied her glide through the front entrance like a she leopard. She removed her jacket and hung it on the rack by the vestibule. For a moment Phil's breath froze. Under the expensive jacket, she wore a short clinging dress of shimmering material that exposed a great deal of her real estate, and sexy black nylons on her long and luscious legs. Her shoes and handbag matched the dress. Lilly's long hair was done up in a stylish coif. It was obvious that she was going to use every bit of charm and feminine wile that she possessed. Unfortunately, she had no way of knowing that Phil, while appreciating the smoldering package that was Lilly Bachman, would never become a moth trapped in her flame. Even so Phil had to strategically hide his erection as he helped Lilly take her seat.
Phil played it cool and ordered a very expensive meal and appropriate wine for both of them as he made small talk while waiting for Lilly to come to the point of her conversation. After nearly an hour, during which Lilly carefully probed Phil for weaknesses or signs of betrayal she finally summoned her courage,
"Phil, I suppose you have an idea of why I am here." she said slowly
"I know it is not my good looks and scintillating personality, but I would like to hear it in your own words."
Lilly turned both ways, lowered her voice and began her tale of woe. "My ex-husband, Joseph Conner is an asshole, why I married him I'll never know. While I was pregnant with Rose, that mother fucker stated sleeping with my best friend. Jennifer Mathews!. I could perhaps have handled that triple betrayal but Joseph had to rub it in. He left me for Jennifer, knocked her up right away and now treats Rose like she has leprosy."
Phil placed a sympathetic expression on his face and replied as sincerely as he could, "Gee, Lilly, I'm really sorry to hear that. If you don't mind my saying so, Joseph is a moron for cheating on a woman as beautiful as you, however scads of men are assholes and terrible fathers. Those issues are best handled by a priest.
"You don't understand, Joseph is one of the sharpest lawyers in the county, he knows all the judges and attorneys. He finds every way imaginable to avoid paying me the alimony and the child support I am due. The judges give him continuance after continuance and never even bother to look at my legal arguments and petitions. Worse, the asshole knows that he is hurting Rose and myself and he doesn't care. Money that SHOULD be going to me he spends on his whore and the little brats he brooded with the bitch."
