Page 7 of Special Agent Joseph

“Just so you realize you’ll have to return tomorrow as if nothing happened and resign for personal reasons. Let’s hope they haven’t seen the video yet.”

Scratching her neck again, Megan muttered tiredly, “Okay.”

Pissed for messing up on her commitment, she threw the wig onto the desk. “You have no idea how glad I am to get this piece of crap off my head. I don’t mind the contact lenses but with the temperatures most days over a hundred, the hairpiece has been murderous.” Sheepishly, she grinned at the woman showing little sympathy. “Look, I’m sorry that I screwed up the assignment, but I can’t say I’m not relieved. I hated working in that stilted office atmosphere. So many of those white-collar stiffs exist in an alternate universe and have no idea about the real world or for that matter, a sense of humor one might actually call funny.”

Sarcasm winding through her reply, Sheila murmured while heading to the wall of windows overlooking the vista of dry vegetation. “Right now, neither do I.” She turned her back to Megan. “Did you know that the kid you saved was Vinnie Farina’s granddaughter?”

“What? No. But I know the name. Isn’t he one of the men featured on our most wanted list?” While talking, Megan undid the pins from her own long red locks, and her fingers slid through the previously bound hair, freeing it to her shoulders.

Suddenly Sheila changed the subject. “Why don’t you cut that mop of yours? If it was short, it wouldn’t be so hot under the wig.”

“Hell if I know. Took so long to grow I guess. Tell me more. About Vinnie.”

“Right. Bastard’s been running his crime syndicate for years and never gets smeared with the shit his people go to jail for. He lives like a king and is a legend with many here in Vegas. Word is, he’s dealing in a lot of the potent drugs lately. We’re trying to get the lowdown on the prick but he’s more guarded than a flophouse in Vegas.” Sheila swiveled back to face Megan and picked up the file on the desk in front of her. Sighing, she said, “Go home and report back here on Monday. I’ll find a replacement for the bank job by then, and you can brief her.”

Chapter Five

Megan headed to her apartment which she shared with her best friend from college. When she walked inside and saw the mess, she knew Mikey must be home. “Seriously, dude, do you have to leave a trial of destruction everywhere you go?”

Her roommate showed himself, wearing nothing but a towel and a big grin. Normally, Micheal was the most masculine of men but when he wanted to goof off, his effeminate side would appear and make her laugh. “Cool your jets, sweetie. I’ll clean up. Don’t I always?” The light tone and simpering grin made her laugh, exactly like he knew it would.

“Sure you do.” Muttering her comeback, she added, “I won’t hold my breath.”

“I heard that.” Micheal smirked teasingly. “Bad time of the month?”

“Quit being such an ass.” She had to grin at his reference to her snarkiness happening during certain days. He loved poking at her about something she couldn’t change, yet he was alwaysthe most considerate friend when she felt the worst. “When did you get back?”

Micheal lowered his lean body onto the sofa arm and didn’t worry that his towel slipped enough that Megan turned away, self-consciously doing so to respect his privacy.

Micheal picked up on her conduct and started laughing before he whipped off the towel and stood to reveal the silky boxers he wore. “Hey little prude, I’m covered.”

Megan swiveled back to him and slugged his arm.

“Ow!”

“Then stop being such as ass.”

“I will when you stop being such a prissy little miss.”

“So sue me because I was brought up to show respect. My brother kept his door closed and his body to himself.”

Laughing, Micheal reminded her. “You’ve met my sisters, all three of the nutcases who to this day walk around half the time with no clothes on, and the other half dressed in the style where they might as well have gone naked. I don’t have a shy bone in my body.”

“Well, since there’s only one bone I feel shy about, thanks for covering up for me. You know I appreciate it.”

Micheal walked over to give her a hug and a kiss on the forehead before adding, “I appreciate you too, honeybun.” He pulled her hair affectionately and started to head back to his room.

“Uh-uh. No you don’t. You take this stuff with you.” Megan laughing, skirted around, grabbing his towel and threw it at him, chuckling when he ducked and ran. She kind of expected him to do exactly that since it’s what he always did. Sighing, her vexation more put on than real, she whipped around the living room and scooped up the rest of his belongings, clearing away the chip bags, pop cans, and wiping the table.

Calling out, she said, “Are you on furlough?”

“Just for the night. I have an early flight in the morning.”

“I suppose you have a date.”

“Nope. All yours. Figured to have a quiet evening and watch some TV with my favorite prissy little missy. I ordered a pizza. Maybe after wine and dinner we can make popcorn, fight over the cushions, and watch a chick flick.”

“I can’t wait!” The sarcasm came through loud and clear. “You know I hate those stupid movies.” Megan heard him laugh at her reply but knew in her heart that though Micheal made it sound like it was only her who liked the stay-at-home evenings, he chose them as much, if not more often than she did. Understanding that his job as a major airline pilot was stressful, she never ragged him, but whenever possible, just went along.

---