/forums/umma/p/410 on gopher.createaforum.com

	Return Create A Forum - Home
	---------------------------------------------------------
	UCC (UMMA) Managers Forum
	https://umma.createaforum.com
	---------------------------------------------------------
	*****************************************************
	Return to: Rampage Sports
	*****************************************************
	#Post#: 2895--------------------------------------------------
	Haunted by the Past - Chapter 07 - With an S, Like the Poet
	By: RampageSports Date: February 14, 2016, 9:59 pm
	---------------------------------------------------------
	Author's Note: The Spenser, Hawk and Susan Silverman characters
	belong to mystery novelist Robert B. Parker. Mr. Parker is one
	of my favorite authors, and his work is a major influence on the
	the way I write. Whether I even come close to mimicking his
	style is open to considerable debate, but I have chosen to use
	his characters in this story as something of an homage. My goal
	is to handle them as lightly as possible and to maintain them as
	Mr. Parker created them. Any failure on that front is
	completely my own.
	This little disclaimer will appear at the top of each chapter
	from here on out, because I want it to be clear that I'm only
	borrowing these characters. It took Mr. Parker decades to
	perfect them, and perfect they are. I don't want an ounce of
	credit for them, even if my use of them comes off well. After
	all, any success I have would be completely due to the way
	Parker has so clearly and masterfully defined them over the
	years.
	I'll also quickly mention here that King Powers is also a Parker
	creation, though I made no attempt to stay true to Mr. Parker's
	version of that character. I just thought it was a cool name.
	;)
	[hr]
	Haunted by the Past - Chapter 7 - With an S, Like the Poet
	"As a bona fide knight errant," I began, "shouldn't you be out
	in search of evil to battle, instead of gazing out the window,
	keenly alert for the presence of a short skirt?"
	He didn't comment on my presumption, nor did he deny it's
	accuracy.
	"Alas, fair maiden, it seems my prior efforts have been
	fruitful, for evil lurks not, this day."
	"Splendid," I said. "And how goes the other pursuit?"
	"It's too cold for skirts," he said.
	"Bummer."
	"I agree."
	A thin smile spread across my face as the exchange briefly
	pulled me away from my troubles. I looked up at Danni, who
	appeared similarly amused, even though she'd only heard my half
	of the conversation.
	"Hello, Spenser," I said into the receiver.
	"Richelle," he replied. "If memory serves, we spoke just a few
	days ago."
	"We did."
	"And now, you're calling again... on the office line, this
	time."
	"I am."
	"Perhaps it's just my overdeveloped gumshoe intuition, but I
	sense trouble may be afoot."
	My smile was long gone as the reason for the call came back into
	focus.
	"Unfortunately, it seems evil does lurk this day," I said. "It's
	simply moved south."
	Spenser patiently waited as I worked up the courage to get to
	the point.
	"He's here, Spenser."
	Once again, I could picture the scene as he sat forward and his
	expression turned serious. The time for humor was officially
	over.
	"Tell me," he said.
	Though we hadn't seen each other in years, Spenser and I spoke
	frequently by phone. He knew about RSI. He also knew who Danni
	was, and how she fit into things. I told him about the man who
	had approached her, and what he'd said about the King. Spenser
	asked if I'd seen Powers myself, or if he'd somehow made contact
	with me directly. I said nothing like that had happened, but he
	gave no hint that he didn't agree with me regarding the meaning
	of the royal reference.
	"I have some things to tie up, here," he said when I finished.
	"I'll be down in two days."
	"Only you?" I asked.
	"I anticipate that Hawk will desire to be involved, as well."
	I nodded.
	"Good," I said. "I'll make the arrangements."
	"There's really no need..."
	"Spenser, don't."
	My voice hadn't risen, but I could see the sharp tone of it had
	gotten Danni's attention.
	I took a deep breath before continuing.
	"Look, I'll never be able to repay you... either of you... for
	what you did back then," I said, "But, it's different now. I'm
	paying you, this time. I'm paying your rate... and Hawk's..."
	"I'm not sure Hawk has a published rate schedule, per se..."
	"...as well as expenses. I'm paying for everything."
	He was quiet for a moment.
	"I feel as though accepting remuneration may tarnish my shining
	armor."
	"I think even knights have to eat," I said.
	"We knights feed upon the nobility of our work," he said, "and
	are nourished by the gratitude of those we serve."
	"I've been to dinner with you. I'm pretty sure part of the
	reason you love Susan so much is that you get to eat your meal
	and then most of hers, as well."
	"I hate when she orders those fruity salads."
	We exchanged goodbyes, with Spenser warning me to be careful. We
	agreed that Powers wasn't likely to do anything more, but there
	was no guarantee. If he was crazy enough to come for me after
	all this time, then there was no way to know for certain what he
	might do next.
	I set the phone down, then observed the bemused grin on Danni's
	face.
	"What?" I asked.
	"Bummer?"
	I shrugged.
	"I think you had to hear the whole conversation."
	"Uh, huh."
	She nodded toward the phone and said, "So, he's the reason
	you're still here?"
	"Well, it's not really that simple."
	"It never is, with you."
	I narrowed my eyes at her, but it seemed to have little effect.
	"By the way," she said, "who's Hawk?"
	"Right. Back to our story, then..."
	[hr]
	Character Reference
	https://aade768506dacb303a01a361d3dc0d27209a5ec4.googledrive.com/host/0Bz8YsEjM…
	Name: Richelle Winterfeld
	Nickname(s):
	Background: Owner of the RSI stable, former underground fighter
	https://aade768506dacb303a01a361d3dc0d27209a5ec4.googledrive.com/host/0Bz8YsEjM…
	Name: Danneel Harris
	Nickname(s): Danni
	Background: RSI stable leader, reigning DEF welterweight
	champion
	*****************************************************