Page 76 of S.O.S. Perk

“What? No epic orgasms from Mr. Studly tonight?” Mel teased, clearly in a stellar mood now that she had good news.

“Nope. Perk is working, so I’m on my own.” Sloane sighed. “I actually haven’t seen him for three days, and I’m tired of putting in overtime to fill my lonely hours.”

“So, I’m afill-in then?” Melissa teased.

“You know you’re not,” Sloane corrected. “You’re my best friend, and,” she dangled a metaphorical carrot, “you’ll want to hear all about what I got up to with Perk in his friend’s barn Monday night.”

“Ooh, you’re damned right I will. Where and when do we meet?”

Sloane named a place they often frequented, then glanced at the clock. “How about half an hour?”

“Works for me. See you soon.”

****

Sloane was driving south when her business phone buzzed. It was her director.

“Vessers?” Baskins barked. “Where are you?”

“Driving through South Boston, headed to the Pike.”

“Change of plan. Jump on 93 south,” he ordered. “I just got word from the local police in Plymouth. A car’s been found under the ice in a pond in Myles Standish State Forest. They’ve got crews coming in and are planning an extraction. Checkingtheir BOLO, they noted we had an all points out for Nelsin’s Mercedes. From what the detective in charge says, it sounds like this is our missing person’s vehicle.”

“That’s good news. Just the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for.” Sloane pumped a fist in the air and headed for the ramp south.

Baskins gave her directions as she immediately switched back into agent mode.

“Copy that, Chief. My drive time, observing speed limits, is fifty-three minutes. Which puts my ETA at seven-forty-two.” Luckily, commuter traffic had pretty much wound down, but Sloane didn’t know if the boss wanted her coming in hot, or under the radar.

“No need to be quiet about things.” He’d read her mind. “I’m sure the PPD has lights and sirens all over the scene. Step on it, Vessers. I want you there ASAP. The minute that car is pulled out of the water, depending on if it’s the correct one, I want you to immediately set the Bureau wheels in motion.”

“You got it.” Sloane signed off, turned on her blues, and hit the gas. At this speed, and with the bonus of being able to circumnavigate any evening traffic slow-downs, she’d make the trip in just over half an hour.

Her only regret was having to call off supper with Melissa, but her bestie took it in stride. Mel was used to work pulling Sloane away from fun time, and all she’d asked for was a raincheck, which Sloane gave her without blinking because…

If she couldn’t talk blow jobs with Melissa, who could she unload to?

****

Even if Sloane hadn’t been given exact coordinates for the crime scene, once she pulled into the State Forest and drove toward her destination which was College Pond, she would have been able to find the spot almost blindfolded. Huge utility lightshad been set up, illuminating the area and the night sky all around, and the number of emergency vehicles on site was crazy. Sloane supposed this might be the most exciting thing that had happened in America’s Home Town in ages.

Or maybe not. She knew very little about Plymouth.

Sloane pulled up to a cruiser which blocked access to the pond.

Rolling down her window, she pulled out her ID. “Agent Vessers here to see Detective Blankenship.”

The officer glanced at her folder, then stepped back. “Yes, Ma’am. He’s the one talking to the tow-truck driver.” He pointed.

“Thanks.” Sloane tipped her head and drove slowly through the parking lot, nearing to where all the action was taking place.

Parking where no one would accidently hit her regulation fed-mobile, Sloane got out and approached where a conversation was being held beside a large tow vehicle. Her breath immediately condensed in the frigid air.

Damn.It was as cold as a meat-locker, here tonight.

“Detective Blankenship?” she called out as she approached.

A middle-aged man turned and nodded. “That’s me.”

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