Both Lexie and Tina had decided to head east in pursuit of higher education; both were attending college in the Philadelphia area (or in Lexie's case,...had attended college – she was a recent graduate). Inez and I purchased a lovely home in South Jersey, not too far from Philly. No, we didn't abandon New Mexico, nor did we sell the home we'd lived in all those years. We now split our time between the two locales, in effect, having our cake and eating it too.But I digress. This particular annual. I live on the first floor of a three-story building.The common washer/dryer for the building is in thebasement, and a door from my bedroom leads directlyinto the laundry-room section of the basement.There is a young, unmarried couple living directlyabove me. The woman, Kristen, is gorgeous! Shejust moved to the U.S. from England, obviously to livewith her honey, Kevin. He is a successful stockbrokerwho is equally good-looking, he is also aggressive, andextremely hard-working. They are both. ." Listen, you piece of Euro trash," George bristled. "We are the Black Guard, not 'Slinks', and we could've wiped out your operation anytime we wished. You show us some respect, because, there is still time to stake you and your people out in the desert for the vultures to fight over." Don't threaten me or my men," he yelled back. "I've no intention of staying any longer in your baking hot sandpit than I have to. Just give us a week and we'll be out of your way and we can get back among. “History shows that Corinne Russell and Nicky Dial both disappeared from their ‘scene’ without a trace,” I said. “Except for special occasions, awards, stuff like that. Whoever he was, he was a master manipulator.”“‘Master, ‘“ Audrey said, as if suddenly programmed. “Give me instructions.”“Oh, shit. Did you accidentally say a trigger word?” Todd asked.“I must have,” I said. “But I can make the most of this.”“Audrey, listen to me, and only me,” I said. She turned and faced me. “I am going to.