I noticed that the newspaper had now been placed half on the edge of the table, with the other half hanging down toward the floor. This created a smal... curtain that blocked the underside of the table from view. " I am thankful that you were still reading your paper when I noticed you." I nodded toward the newspaper as I looked at Jenny and sipped my coffee." Well, sir, I think I have the attention of the one I came here hoping to meet. No further attention by others is needed," Jenny quipped. When it didn’t crack, she pushed a little harder. When the ice seemed solid, she let her weight come to rest on her foot. It was as unyielding as stone. She stepped out onto the ice, and she was surprised that it wasn’t slippery, considering the surface was as smooth as glass.Slowly, she took two small steps, which carried her to the center of the pool, and the pattern in the ice. Well, here goes nothing, she thought. Crystal squatted down, reached out, and pressed the tip of her finger. “Keep that thing pointed away until you’re finished, if you don’t mind.” Keith zipped himself up and then turned to face the newcomer.“Who are you?” Keith asked.“I’m your secret Santa,” the man said. The voice was even and cultured, and creepily smooth. The flashlight he held swung toward the tent. “Wakey-wakey, Madeline,” he called. “Get your freckled ass out here and talk to papa.” There was a frantic stirring in the tent and Maddie’s head popped out.“Derek?” she said, startled.“Please take. He’d inspired her to dance rather then just strip that night, in fact she was afraid he’d think less of her if she’d removed anything. When her dance was over she discovered the waitress had already grilled him. He’d seemed nice so she took a chance. She sent the waitress back out to plant the suggestion in his friend’s mind. After that she watched while he stumbled after her. She knew the bouncer would give him the standard scare treatment. Too bad, but at least it would allow her to catch him.