Page 77 of Sizzling Nights

Marco's phone rang and he looked at his watch before answering. "Hey there. How are you?"

She listened as she carried the empty cheese and cracker plate to the kitchen. When she returned, he hung up the call.

"My contact is all set with the encrypted folder. He's going to email you and would like you to begin populating it. As soon as it's all populated, he'll set up a conference call with the both of us to explain what he has and what it means."

She nodded. "I'll get it started right now; it'll take a while for everything to upload. In the morning it should be all set."

"Sounds good. I'm going to jump in the shower."

She opened her inbox and saw the email from Marco's contact. He hadn't shared the name with her and the email simply said, USDOD1. No name to decipher who it was. She was an investigative reporter, she could dig but chose not to. He'd tell her when he needed to and she didn't want to break his trust. She loved having him in her life and didn't want to do anything to hurt what they had. Wasn't that the key to a long relationship?

She clicked on the link in the email and opened the folder using the password USDOD1 gave her in the email. Once opened, she began copying the files Mitch and Gabby sent her into this new folder. It was all in the works now. Soon Shooter Benson would be in jail. As soon as that happened, she'd celebrate Keely and Carolyn. Who knew how many others there were? Hopefully, that information would come out as investigations ensued. There just had to be justice for all the damage that pig had created.

The folders began populating and she stood and shut off the lights in the living room and sauntered to the bedroom to snuggle with her man. Life was damned good right now. Even though she was hiding in a cabin and afraid to go out. That would be something she'd work on another day.

She undressed as the water shut off in the bathroom and slipped into bed. She rested on her side, facing the bathroom door, her head in her hand, eager to see Marco come toward her.

He appeared in the doorway, naked as the day he was born, but in much better shape. She smiled as he stalked toward her. His muscles rippled as he moved. His lips curved into a beautiful smile. "My day is now complete."

"Mine too." He pulled the covers back and slipped between the sheets. His fresh scent filled the room. His arms pulled her to him, and she sighed. This really was the best way to end a day.

49

Marco pulled into the parking lot and put his vehicle in park. He turned to Theresa, "Are you ready?"

She took a deep breath. "Yeah."

"Good."

He hurried around the car and opened her door. As soon as she stepped out, he took her hand and together they walked into the counselor's office.

The receptionist greeted them. "Hello. How may I help you?"

He smiled. "Marco Karason and Theresa Miklovic here to see Devin Krill."

"Certainly. Please take a seat and he'll be with you shortly."

He still held Theresa's hand as he led her to the loveseat near the window. They sat together. He watched a dog playing outside and Theresa watched the television hanging in the corner of the waiting room.

"Oh my God," she gasped.

He looked at the television to see what was happening and the scroller at the bottom of the screen said, "Shooter John Benson accused of two murders and money laundering."

He pulled his phone from his pocket and checked the news stations he watched. The first article was the same as the headline. He tapped it to open the story and began reading. Theresa did the same on her phone.

His contact had set the wheels in motion after their conference call last week. The most damming evidence came first because it was difficult to refute the timelines from his telephone being next to Keely's telephone, at Keely's house, at the same time the coroner had estimated the time she died.

The article delved lightly into the charges and the picture to go with the article was of Shooter Benson in handcuffs being led from his home. The article ended with, "Vice President Benson could not be reached for comment."

Theresa turned to look at him, her mouth slightly open, her eyes rounded. "I didn't expect it to happen this fast."

"He knows the faster they move the less time they have to concoct lies and make up fake bullshit to refute the evidence. If they've arrested him, they're doing a thorough search of his home, office, and vehicle. They won't have time to destroy any of it."

She nodded her head slowly and the receptionist announced, "Devin is ready to see you."

Marco stood and took Theresa's hand once more and they followed the receptionist through a door and down a short hallway to Devin's office. Marco stood back and let Theresa in the office first. Devin was welcoming as they entered, shaking their hands enthusiastically with exhuberant greetings.

Devin motioned to a sofa that matched the one in the waiting area and took a seat across from it as he and Theresa sat.

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