Page 72 of The Doctor's Twins

“Thanks, Sam.”

Peyton was on the night shift that whole week, so I didn’t have to be concerned about leaving her alone at the house. I never told her, but it made me nervous when she was there by herself. I even contemplated buying a large dog to protect her, but we were both too busy with our careers to care for a puppy. So, instead, I had a kickass security system installed.

I met Sam the following evening at 6 pm for a drink and a chat.

“You look good, Ben. Still tickling titties and caressing clitorises?” he chuckled.

“Yup. Still beating the snot out of transgressors, and keeping an eye on wandering spouses?”

“Ouch! Good one. Yes, I’m still the answer to all matters clandestine and otherwise. I must say, you look like a man who doesn’t have one stuck in the chamber. Who is she?”

“That obvious, is it?”

“Yup.”

“I take then that this isn’t a social call.”

“I’m afraid not. Sam, I’ve got a really big problem and I need your help.”

“Sounds serious, Ben. Are you in danger?” Sam asked with a look of genuine concern.

“Not me, specifically, but my girlfriend could use some help.”

“Okay. I’m listening.”

I told Sam the whole sordid tale, after which he told me he would look into it on my behalf.

“This guy sounds like a real scumbag. It isn’t going to be easy getting the measure of him all the way in Mexico. But I have a few trusted connections I can talk to.”

“Great. As I said, please, be careful who you talk to over there. This guy has the local authorities in his back pocket, so asking the wrong man for help could end up in an ugly mess.”

“I hear you, Ben. Don’t worry about that. As I said, I know some quality people in Mexico City. I’ll need a few days to get the ball rolling, but it shouldn’t take too long.”

“Thanks, Sam. I appreciate it.”

“Not at all, Doc. I owe you that much seeing as you managed to save my left nut.”

I laughed at his grimace.

“You’re too kind, Sam,” I said and slapped him on the back of his shoulder.

“Tell me about your new lady.”

“Peyton’s a doctor too—a resident—smart as hell, and even sexier than she is intelligent.”

“I must say, Ben. I haven’t seen you quite this lyrical about a woman. She must be something.”

“I’m crazy about her.”

“It sounds like she’s been through the wringer with this Mateo guy.”

“Yeah. You’d drive over there and kill him with your bare hands if I told you all the despicable things, he’d done to her. He threw her down a flight of stairs while pregnant with their child. What kind of a monster does that to a woman?”

“One that needs to be removed from civilization, I’d say.”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s see what I can dig up on him first. We’ll tear him a new one later,” Sam smiled.

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