Mystique Rogue Read Free

someone knowing about it until it's finished.” He smiled and took a drink. “As for the rumors, screw em. Most of the town thinks you're a recluse and the rest simply mind their own business. Besides, this is a special trip. I usually don't come up here until later on, but someone paid good money to have it sent up here by courier.” A look of puzzlement crossed his face. “It’s funny, because I’m the only person who could even be considered as a courier and, knowing how you hate strangers anywhere near this place, I convinced the guy to allow me to bring it up here.”
    Carmen frowned, then turned towards the big screen television and hit the remote, activating the security cams. “Not that I don’t trust you, Paul. It’s just, after the last client we finished up with has made me a bit paranoid.” Her eyes flicked from one monitor to the next watching intently. A couple deer, squirrels, and a few birds were the only creatures moving in her compound. They were foraging for food.
                  “Better safe than sorry.” He nodded. “The little runt seemed to take offense when I told him he couldn’t come up here. My boy is keeping an eye on him because I promised to get your signature on the release for him so he could get paid.” Paul shook his head, “Kids these days, can’t take them out behind the woodpile, can’t sell them to the gypsies, and grounding only makes them happier because they get to go to their rooms and play on their computer and run up the phone bill.”
                  When nothing appeared on her monitors, she laughed. “You sound like my dad. But, then again, when I was a kid, as a reward he used to take me over to the Marine Base where he trained.   If I got into trouble, he’d still take me, but he’d make me run that damned obstacle course a few times over. Then he would have Master Chang work me over in the Tiger form of Kung Fu before taking me out to the gun range to make sure I knew how to shoot.”
                  Paul finished his coffee and set his empty mug on a nearby table. “As much as I would love to stay, I need to get going.  I bet you’ve got work to do too. Also, I’ve got an ‘I’m holier than thou’ type courier needing your signature. So have a good day.” He picked up the package he had set on a nearby table and offered it to her..
    “ Okay, I’ll try. Paul, I’m curious. Did you happen to notice where the package originally came from?”
    “ No, sorry I didn’t.” Paul reached into his coat and pulled out a bundle of letters, setting them next to the empty coffee mug, “I brought the rest of your mail as well. And it looks like you may already be a winner.”
    “ Oh gods! Not you too. I hate those damned things.  The only grin I get out of those  is imagining them trying to make it up into this valley in a limousine and their gear, in the dead of winter no less.” Carmen shook her head, “Give me the receipt and I’ll sign for it. Give the courier ample warning. If it’s a bomb, I can find out where he lives and how many times he takes a piss a day.” That should give him cause to worry.” She deliberately scribbled her name to the signature slip, making it impossible to actually read.
    “ Actually, the sucker sloshes rather than ticks.” Paul handed her the receipt and kept a copy for himself as he headed for the door. “I’ll be back up in a few days. If you need anything, you’ve got my number. Call and give me a list. I’ll bring it up with the rest of the supplies.” He grinned, then stepped out the door headed for his sleigh. “Thanks for the coffee and the warm welcome.” With that, he turned the horse around and headed for home, the bells on the harness jingling softly as they disappeared down the trail.
    After shutting the door and locking it, Carmen turned toward the stack of mail and the oblong package laying next to it. Shaking her head, she scooped up the everything, then