Eternal Service Read Free Page B

information shared could be open to future blackmail. Even after all this time, Micki never even knew Alex’s real last name – and she always paid in cash. “I’d be responsible for the security teams that guard state officials,” she added, not wanting to mention that the state official would be the President of the United States. “The position is a good career move, even if it does sound like a mountain of paperwork.”
    “Fair enough,” Micki replied as she studied her client. “You don’t need to share with me the exact title or duties, but I do want to know how you feel about this promotion and what it means for your career?”
    Alex grabbed one of the pillows from the couch and, while she played with the tassels along its edge, she reflected upon her career. If she wanted something career–wise, she got it. She had always positioned herself strategically so she could command the best opportunities that were available. “I put my career above everything else. It’s what I do, but at least I can control what direction my career takes me,” Alex grimaced. She pulled at the strings of the tassel, carefully straightened them, and then moved to the next one in the row.
    Micki wrote in the folder as she commented, “Control is very important to you.”
    Isn’t it to everyone? After a pause, Alex admitted, “At least I can get what I want.”
    “And how is that working out for you? Is it making you happy?” Micki asked.
    “Ugh!” Alex threw the pillow aside. “My career is great, but what I really want is a passionate relationship. I want a family. Where are all the real men?” She glanced over to her therapist, “I mean, I have this unclear picture of who I want. He’s perfect. He’s a Mr. Butch Manly … I just can’t seem to find him.”
    “Alex, you’re a top level security specialist. Your accomplishments at this young of an age can be intimidating to some men.”
    “To all men, I guess.” Alex said, “Except for the socially inept or the mama’s boys.” Alex bit her lip, looked down to the floor, and added, “Or the crazy stalker types.”
    “Men come in many sized packages, Alex. But it’s what’s on the inside that counts. A small–framed, computer nerd who loves playing games can be a wonderful catch. You need to get past the wrapping.”
    Wiping away a tear, Alex confided, “It’s … it’s not the wrapping, Micki. I never get to know a man well enough to even get to the inner layers of who they really are.”
    “I know, and you’re doing a great job working on that. You are approaching your 40th birthday in a couple of years. The big ones tend to get people thinking about where they are in their life and what they are doing. We’ve had this discussion many times in the past, Alex. You want a passionate romance with a ‘Butch Manly’ type of guy, but you select men who never quite fit that bill, then you only go on one date with them. You force yourself to be emotionally flat in these relationships in an effort to protect yourself from being vulnerable.” Looking at her client she asked, “It’s been a long time since we discussed it, but you did just mention it. Do you want to talk about the stalker that attacked you some more?”
    “Hell, no! I just wonder where all the heroes are.” Alex peeked at her watch and realized 45 minutes remained.

CHAPTER TWO
     
    The scent of freshly made coffee invited Raymond into the kitchen. His bare feet barely made a sound on the tile floor as he walked over to the long counter filled with coffeemakers. From French presses, machine drip and even percolators, he had many choices. He preferred whole beans freshly ground over the pre–ground, tasteless variety stored in cans. He considered a French Roast, but instead settled on the already made Texas Pecan flavor.
    While he poured himself a cup, he noticed his sister Sulie sitting quietly at the kitchen table working a crossword puzzle. She seemed blissfully unaware of the