“Here, let me move those things.” Maura almost ran to Jane, sweeping the journal and pen from in front of Jane and tucking them into an antique side table in the living area. “Now, how many pancakes would you like?”

Jane frowned. Something was off, Maura had a secret and Jane wanted to know what it was.

————————————————————————————————

Charles Hoyt grinned. The gift box before him was exactly what he thought the good doctor would have purchased. Elegant yet understated. A lot like Jane. “Well…” he asked. His patience was wearing thin. He wanted an answer to his question and yet still none came.

“I… I… well I don’t know.” Robin tripped over the sentence. She knew Hoyt wouldn’t be pleased.
Hoyt looked up from the box and tilted his head, regarding the slim woman before him with lethal curiosity. She was a necessity to him, his biggest challenge yet. She was the apprentice that would bring him everything he needed and so far, she hadn’t disappointed him. He’d chosen her carefully, her career choice made her almost invisible but, at the same time, essential, a worker ant that was at the midst of the action and rarely seen. She was born to blend in.

“Find out.” He whispered as he lifted the panties she’d stolen for him and examined them carefully before burying his face in the crotch and inhaling deeply.