So Not Super: How Captain Famous Met Sensa And Her Friend Steam

Victor Thyme, Meet Samantha Montgomery and her friend, Darrin York:

  A So Not Super prequel

  by Julie Wilhelm

  copyright 2014 Julie Wilhelm and Day304 Productions

  Thank you for downloading this book. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes provided the book remains in its complete original form. Thank you for your support.

  Samantha Montgomery, dressed in comfortable sweatpants and a loose tee, was lazily lounging in her chair after a day of long sessions with, sadly, her most hopeless clients. She’d been a psychiatrist from an early age, finding the brain and its functions more fascinating than any child should have. Now that she had her PHD and a steady flow of cases, life was good, if not stressful on the days when she finished her volunteer work with the local inmates.

  She'd come from good stock; her parents were well rounded people with strong morals and work ethic and it had rubbed off thusly. But now, she just wanted to relax, reread a little James Herriot and maybe even take a nap on the couch before bed.

  Peace would not last.

  The red and blue lights disrupted her dimly lit living room seconds before a voice behind her yelled “SAM!”

  Samantha turned to see her lifelong friend Darrin, whom she considered a more of a brother. Their mothers had been best friends growing up and they’d even given birth on the same day. Darrin, however, hadn’t ended up with the happy family Sam had and he’d taken a darker path as of late; a vigilante force for good to him, a high profile thief to the law. She hadn't even heard him come in, but he always used the back door in the kitchen.

  “Darrin! What-“

  Her front door exploded into knocks and Darrin scrambled for words. “I didn’t even see them until I was already in the house, Sam. I swear!” His burnt orange eyes pleaded for an apology but Samantha had no time for anything.

  A muffled voice came over a bullhorn before a canister of some sort crashed through the window and Sam screamed before quickly placing a protective bubble around it and it’s leaking contents with nary a thought.

  “I’m sorry, Sam,” Darrin said. “I'm so sorry. They followed me! I don't know how they knew!”

  She barely had time to think of a retort such as, "Really? You don't?", or, "Like we both didn't see this coming?" before her front door exploded and a squadron of black vested law enforcers filed in, guns at the ready and visors down. In the front, the masked swat leader gestured for some to go to the right and then he turned and saw Sam and Darrin standing there. He turned his whole body, weapon ready.

  “Stand away from him, Ma’am. We’ve got the house surrounded. He’s not going to hurt you. And if he does, he’s finished.”

  Darrin didn't have to be told to run.

  He took off and the cavalry tried to go after him, but Samantha jumped in the way, palms out and looking for anything she could drop on these people from the walls. The squad leader lost himself for a second, cocking his head in puzzlement but then quickly shouted orders to go after Darrin. Sam turned and ran the way Darrin had gone, she made it to the kitchen where he was being held up. Steam visibly rose from his body and his hands glowed but with a wave of her hand, Samantha brushed the assailants aside and Darrin headed out the back door. She followed again, clearing his way until he disappeared into the woods where she knew he’d be safe. The next thing she knew, a hand grabbed her arm and a voice whispered, “We need to talk.” The leader of this raid roughly pulled her aside into a spare bedroom and closed the door.

  “Well, that was scary,” she feigned a smile but he didn’t look amused.

  “Samantha Montgomery. Why do I know that name?”

  “I don't know. You're a cop and I volunteer at the prison?”

  He finally lifted the visor to reveal a handsome face which lit up. “Right! Of course. Look, I don’t have a lot of time here so just tell me how you did it.”

  With this extreme change in demeanor, Sam wasn’t sure what to think. “Did what?”

  “You’re not in trouble, okay? I can cover for you. You're like me. You know, special.”

  A cocky wink came along with the world 'special'.

  “I don’t-"

  “Most people that defend themselves by putting their hands out don't look around the room like they’re going to bring the walls down. And where’s the gas?”

  “The gas!”

  As if on cue, his team started gagging and crying.

  She regained composure and shrugged. “Faulty equipment.”

  He squinted at her. “I can make this all go away if you talk to me. If not, there's going to be a lot of questions.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  He shrugged. “A date. You're going to have dinner with me.”

  She laughed sincerely. “I am not.”

  “I’ll pick you up tomorrow around eight. Dress nice.”

  “No.”

  “Suit yourself but you’ll be embarrassed if you wear those.” He eyed her holey orange sweatpants.

  Before she could retort, he left the room, but she followed and he was back to professional without fault.

  "Sergeant Thyme," someone addressed him. "The house is clear."

  She tapped him on the shoulder but he brushed her off on one of his lackeys and told them to take her to the station to get her statement. Then he shouted out some more orders about taking fingerprints checking this and that and everyone busied with them while Samantha was rushed from her house and nearly bullied into the back of a police car hoping they wouldn’t break or steal any of her numerous art pieces scattered throughout her home. Before they departed, she was shown a warrant and eyed a well known judge standing on her front lawn in jeans. They'd been uber ready to get at Steam for sure if they had a judge on call.

  She sat at the station for hours, sweating, wondering what to say or do. She had seen this coming and she was glad Darrin escaped but she didn't want to go down as an accomplice.

  In a city where super human powers were banned, villains, especially, were taken very seriously. As for the SWAT team leader, Detective Thyme, she knew him by reputation only. He was the city's top cop with more arrests, more closed cases and he had ascended the ranks quicker than any officer before him. She wasn't surprised that he claimed to have powers but she did wonder how he kept them secret.

  At long last, her favorite SWAT team leader arrived. “Sorry about the wait,” he said. “Did you need anything? I told them to take care of you.”

  Samantha sighed. “Let’s just get this over with.”

  “I looked over your file, your history, your bills, and pretty much everything. With a villain like Steam, we can’t be too careful." He squinted at her. "Are you working with him?”

  She sighed. “No.”

  “It’s just funny that he picked your house to bust into and then you made sure he got away.”

  “Really? You sure about that?”

  He took a seat. “Yes. I know what I saw even if no one else did. Talk around the station is that Steam has more powers than we thought, but he doesn’t does he? He does however have friends with powers.”

  “You’re kind of arrogant, you know that?”

  “It's part of my charm.”

  “Not the word I’d use.”

  “The name's, Victor, by the way. Victor Thyme.”

  “And let me guess. Thyme will be good to me.”

  “Huh?”

  “You never used that as pick up line? Really? Never mind. Look, a man broke into my house, an obviously dangerous man and I’ve bee
n sitting here for three hours like the criminal. I’m sure you know everything about me by now so let’s cut the bull. What do you want?”

  “I want to protect you. If you’ll let me. People like us, we don’t come along every day.”

  Samantha straightened. Where was this going?

  "Look, there's no one listening or watching. They trust me. As well they should. I'm their Ace. So when I asked to speak with you in private, they allow it." He put his hands on the table and faced his palms towards each other. As Sam watched, a white ball of electricity formed between them and then dissipated. “That’s only a tiny fraction of what I can do. Only eight people know. Nine, now, with you.”

  Sam sighed. He was opening up to her and he was sincere. That much she could tell. Under all the arrogance, an actual gentlemen resided. A gentleman who had issues with being alone and needed someone to talk to. With the ban on super powers in this city, those with them left, leaving the extra extraordinary people few and far between. The other problem was that crime had risen dramatically and Samantha knew, as did everyone else with half a brain, that Victor's SWAT team was the biggest thing between this city and villain chaos.

  He went on. “When I pick you up tomorrow, at eight, sharp, we can talk away from here.”

  She let go a smile at the return of the ego and she did find the prospect intriguing but Victor Thyme was a highly decorated detective and SWAT team leader. Many of her inmate patients had been captured by him. She couldn’t make herself believe that he wasn’t handsome or that the prospect of getting to know him wasn’t tempting but Darrin…her best friend was quickly turning into a super villain and she couldn’t date a cop, no matter how tempting. Victor Thyme had one of the most straightforward, honest reputations around. If not a ego that he liked to flaunt on TV as well.

  “I can’t.”

  "Right. You’re friends with Steam.”

  “I didn't say that.”

  “You didn't have to.”

  “You can read minds too?”

  “Actually, no. Can you?”

  She laughed. “Look, This has been…interesting, but can I go? This is honestly, the most intense way I've ever been asked out before and I’m exhausted.”

  He sat back on his chair. “I have to say I talked to you.”

  “I understand.”

  “They trust me, you see. And knowing what I know about you, knowing that you helped Steam escape tonight, makes me an accomplice. Did you think about that?”

  “So now you’re guilt tripping me into going on a date with you. How romantic.”

  “Not at all, you’re free to go. I just wanted some points for effort. And to let you know that I haven’t given up.”

  Samantha sighed not knowing what to think and stood. She wanted to leave and hope that none of this came back to bite her in the butt but knew that was a slim to none chance. She hadn’t ever really been a risk taker. She thought things out, she usually made reasonable, calculated decisions especially when it came to Darrin. He wasn’t a bad person even if he did the wrong things for the right reasons. He was alone, her parents didn’t even know his alter ego. She told them he’d moved away and he sent them messages occasionally. After all, they were like his second parents. They were all family. But they had no idea about his power. It had been heavy burden to carry and a tiny niggling inside Sam told her that she couldn’t carry it alone forever. She looked back at Victor and then retook her seat.

  “I love him. And not in the way that you’re thinking but I will protect him no matter what it takes. I will always protect him. I will always take his side. And I cannot ask you to do anything more then you're already doing. If you can keep this secret, I will forever be in your debt but I cannot be involved with anyone who is in law enforcement. Do you understand? It would be too much for both of us. So, has this sudden puppy love at first sight thing waned yet?”

  “Actually, I think it just got stronger.”

  She couldn’t laugh or sigh. She just wanted to cry hoping she hadn’t made a huge mistake.

  “Good bye, Detective.”

  Days went by and she didn’t hear anything from him. Or Darrin for that matter. But she had a plate full of work and she buried herself in it. Another week and another week passed. She’d all but forgotten about Victor Thyme when Darrin showed up late one evening.

  “Hey, Sam. Mind if I crash here?”

  “Do I ever?”

  “Ya.”

  She laughed. “At least you’ve stayed out of the news lately.

  “I’m laying low. You know, this whole vigilante thing isn’t easy.”

  “I could never have guessed.” She waited a minute while he poured a glass of milk. “Have you seen your mom?”

  “Yes. I’ve been with her. She’s having a good period so we went to the movies and the mall. That place she’s in is so strict about letting them go but I know it’s the best place for her.”

  “And expensive.”

  “Ya.”

  They both knew that some of his stolen money went to pay her bills and for her rehab. Even though Sam's parents chipped in, it wasn't nearly enough. Samantha lied about the bills. She told her parents that Darrin was taking care of them. They still chipped in. Samantha's mother had been devastated when Dora had gotten hooked on drugs. Dora had broken when her husband, Darrin's father, had died. Then she dated every cliche' bad man out there until one of them finally landed her in jail where she unfairly developed a nasty drug habit and didn't have the will anymore to kick it.

  Samantha didn’t judge Darrin for his life, but she didn’t like it. Still, Dora was her godmother and she loved her. She made a mental note to visit. It had been too long.

  Sam shrugged off filling out some of her patient files and watched a movie with Darrin instead. They made a pizza and were having a fairly normal evening when the doorbell rang.

  Anxious as always, Sam thought twice before opening it but Darrin hid in the other room to be out of sight of the front door and she opened it to find Victor Thyme standing there dressed to the nines in a very official and fancy officer’s uniform and holding a rather large, flat box. She couldn’t help but smile.

  “What’s with the suit?”

  “Glad you asked. Here.”

  She took the box. “What’s this?”

  “Open it.”

  She removed the lid to reveal a glittering gown so pretty she gasped. “What is this?”

  “That is what you'll be wearing when I escort you to the Policeman’s Ball tonight.”

  She finally laughed. “Victor, I told you, that’s not gonna happen.”

  He pursed his lips and held his arms out to take the box back. She obliged. “Thanks though.”

  He shrugged and stepped closer. “You’ll give in eventually.”

  “You’re very sure of yourself, aren't you?”

  He kissed her and she didn’t pull away. His lips were soft and it had been too long since she'd been kissed at all.

  He pulled away, but not too far. “That is to ensure you’ll be thinking about what you missed tonight and for further insurance, I’m going to go to the ball surrounded by my peers, my chief and my captain and even the mayor and I’m not going to tell them you have Darrin York inside your house right now.”

  Sam stepped back. “How did you…”

  He tapped the side of his face, “X-ray vision. How do you think I knew what size dress to get you?”

  She dismissed anything she wanted to say about that and got back to more important things.

  “How do you know who he is?”

  “I did my research. It wasn’t hard to make the connection. I know about his mom too and you can let him know that the degenerate responsible for framing her is in prison doing 20 years without parole.”

  Sam heard Darrin get up but she raised her hand and blocked him with her power. He didn't fight it. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say you’ll go with me tonight.”

  She glanced halfway over
her shoulder. “I can’t. I can’t put you that position.”

  “I’m already in the position. I’m just not getting anything out if it at the moment.”

  She wasn’t sure if she should feel affronted when she glanced back at him. He raised his hand in defense, clutching the box with the other. “Okay, okay. Lucky for you I like a good chase. Have a good evening.”

  He turned and headed away and Samantha sighed. If this was a plot to get at Darrin, it was a weird one. Maybe Victor really did just want to know more about her. “Victor-“

  “Too late,” he called back. “The dress goes back tomorrow. And you know what?” He turned and walked backwards while speaking. “I’m kind of glad. This thing cost me an entire paycheck!”

  She rolled her eyes and closed the door to see Darrin staring at her.

  “You’re going to try and blame this on me, aren't you?”

  "You better not have eaten all the popcorn with the butter on it."

  The Policeman's Ball glittered with the city's finest. Sure, many still had to work, but never two years in a row, and because of the current Mayor's love of law enforcement, everyone who worked received a modest but appreciated bonus on their checks. The main event of the evening this year was, of course, Victor Thyme. He'd be receiving an award for his record breaking and a promotion to Lieutenant. He arrived alone but met up with his family soon after; all seven parents and his two siblings.

  Seven parents would seem excessive to most people, but Victor loved them all. It made for interesting family time, but they muddled through it and Victor proved to be a naturally well adjusted child; if not special. Once his powers began to show, and they did early on, many antics followed as the group kept the secret but Victor wanted to be an officer like his parents and they could do little to stop him.

  He'd always found it difficult to hold back, especially when he could have done more to stop criminals but he followed the law faithfully. Until he'd met Samantha. It was no easy feat for him to keep Steam a secret but as long as he wasn't hurting anyone, he could let it slide if it meant getting to know Miss Mongomery better.

  The awards went swimmingly and the cake was outstanding; he had three pieces. It was rare that his entire family was together and they took a group photo to mark the occasion. Around ten o clock, he was approached by a reporter for what he swore again was going to be his final interview of the night. But he did so love the attention. This may have been the best night of his life. The next thing he knew, everything went black.

  Tossing and turning later, Samantha had just fallen into rather light sleep around 10 when Darrin shook her. “Sam-“

  His tone was dire and she bolted up.

  “You need to see this.”

  She headed out into the living room where the TV was on. A blazing building aired with the caption POLICE BALL BOMBED.

  “They’re saying there are no survivors,” Darrin told her.

  A cold chill ran up her body and she felt sick.

  “I’m really sorry, Sam. But I’m glad you weren't there.”

  She hadn’t any words but she didn’t need them. A knock on the door brought them both to attention. Goddess, what if Victor had said something? What if they were here for Darrin after all? It was a fire…she didn’t want to answer the door but the handle wriggled and a voice called out. “Samantha! Open up!”

  It was Victor! She ran to the door and flung it open. His face was black from ash and he was wrapped in some sort of blue tarp but she didn’t care. She pulled him inside and hugged him.

  Darrin eyed him over, “Are you wearing car tarp?”

  Victor didn't have the energy to put his arms around Sam but eyed Darrin disdainfully. “I’m invincible. My clothes aren’t.”

  “What happened! Oh! I just turned on the news! What are you doing here? How did you get out?”

  Victor didn’t answer but pulled away from Sam’s surprisingly strong grip.

  “Victor?” Sam prodded him for info.

  After a long few seconds of silence, he spoke. “They’re gone. And I couldn't save them.”

  Sam eyed the TV and then Darrin, who got the hint and clicked the newscast off.

  “Why don’t I put on some tea?” Sam offered.

  “I don’t want any tea,” Vic said. “I want to find out who did this.”

  “Well you can’t do it right now. Sit.”

  He was in front of a chair and Sam nudged him with her power to make him fall back into it. It surprised him but he didn’t fight it. “Darrin, go put on some tea. I think I have some sweatpants and a tshirt that will fit him. I’m going to go get them. You,” she said to Victor with her palm out, “stay right there.”

  Victor tried to get up in protest but he couldn’t. “I don’t see much of a choice.”

  She smiled smugly and headed up stairs.

  Darrin filled the teapot with water and put his hands on it. It boiled a few seconds afterwards.

  Awhile later, Victor had some new clothes-an oversized orange sweatshirt with an otter on it and a pair of orange and white paw print pajama pants. They had all just finished a cup of tea in silence and Sam spoke up. “So what are you going to do?”

  Victor shrugged. “I’m dead. My options are limited.”

  Darrin chimed in. “Dead?”

  “Victor Thyme died in that fire. I can’t very well appear without announcing my powers. Everything in a two block radius was torched.”

  “Well certainly we could think of something,” Sam said.

  “I had just been interviewed on TV. Everyone knows I was there a minute before the explosion. I had to scrape melted camera lens off my teeth.” He picked at his perfect teeth. “And cameraman.”

  Sam cringed.

  “Well I shouldn’t be the one to say this, being a wanted felon and all, but why don’t you just be a super hero?”

  Sam and Victor eyed Darrin surprised. “Don’t you think I would have already gone that route?” Victor said. “That last battle ten years ago pretty much soured the local government on the idea.”

  Sam went on, “You know this city doesn't like super heroes, Darrin.”

  “No, I know Mayor Hixler doesn't like super heroes. And he’s dead.”

  Sam and Victor exchanged a look.

  “Maybe,” Darrin went on, “maybe it’s time things change around here.”

  “You offering to switch sides?” Victor asked.

  Darrin laughed. “I AM on the right side. And now, so is Mayor Hixler.”

  “A vigilante is not the right side.”

  “And you’re so perfect? How many times have you had to watch someone get hurt because you couldn't risk being found out?”

  “Okay!” Sam nipped the fight in the butt before it started. “Victor, maybe he’s right.”

  Victor didn’t argue. Secretly, he’d wanted it all his life but not like this. Not at the cost. He swallowed a guilty lump with a sip of tea.

  Samantha broke the silence. “Victor, do you have any idea who might have done this?”

  He laughed in spite of the horror. “No. Most people have no idea how many villains are running around the city. The mayor paid a hefty sum to the new stations to keep it mum. He had a lot of people who hated him for that. But everyone knows his mom was killed by The Card during the last scuffle. He’s hated heroes ever since. He became mayor just to make sure they could never fly in this city again. But I don’t think any of them would have killed him for it. And everyone else. In fact, the dumb kook’s been doing the villains a favor by refusing the heroes. So no, I don’t think he was the target. The police chief was against heroes too which made for some interesting conversations,” he smiled upon a memory. “If only he’d known.”

  "Who did know?” Sam asked. “If…if you don’t mind.”

  "I had seven parents. I was dropped off at the police station as a baby, you may not know. Four officers took me in so child services wouldn't haul me off. Two were married so their spouses knew and then and then Mam
a Marge got married to Papa Billy. Wasn’t he surprised when we told him? Well, that was only six years ago but he was kind a of dad by default still.

  “Goddess, Victor, they were all there?”

  “I was the guest of honor. I think I told you that.”

  “You did.”

  He glanced at her. “I’ve never been so glad to have been turned down for a date.”

  “This is touching and all,” Darin interrupted, “but what’s the plan?”

  Sam and Victor looked at him. Victor took in a deep breath and nodded. “I find out who did this and I bring them to justice.”

  Darrin smirked. “Right.”

  Victor's eyes glowed red for just a second and Darrin flinched. “I’m not a murderer.”

  Darrin put his hands up in self defense. “All right, all right. Neither am I. Cool it.”

  Victor smirked and flicked his fingers towards Darrin who started to shiver and chatter his teeth. “Not funny, man.”

  “How do we find out who did this?” Sam asked, absentmindedly taking Darin’s cold hands and rubbing them. Darrin let her, even though his power was that of heat. “I might actually be able to help,” Darrin offered.

  Sam stopped rubbing his hands and perked up.

  Victor did too and for the first time, actually looked at Darrin with something resembling respect.

  Darrin went on. “A couple of months ago, I was down in McGurk's when a scruffy little nerd came in looking as if he’d just put his finger in a socket. Real jittery. Messy. I was at the bar and I hadn’t even noticed my bar mate three seats over was none other than The Mob Boss. I'd heard he frequented the joint but I’d never seen him until today. Not that I was in there a lot.”

  “And?” Victor asked impatiently.

  “And I overhead the little crackpot saying something about taking out all the power in the city. The Mob Boss said he wasn’t interested in electricity but the little scruff ball said he wasn’t talking about power, he was talking about Power. “

  Before anyone knew what had happened, Victor had flipped the table. Sam went flying backwards and Darrin ended up in Victor's superhuman grip.

  “You heard that and didn’t report it?!”

  Darrin’s skin began to glow and steam began to rise but Victor wasn’t affected by the heat. Victor could not speak with the death grip.

  Sam finally found her feet and screamed for Victor to let go. When he didn’t, she formed a shield around Victor's hand and forced him to let go. He tried attacked Darrin again as soon as she let go but she caught him again and flung him across the room.

  All out of breath, the three stared each other down. Sam spoke first, to Victor. “You are a guest in this house and you will control yourself.”

  Victor said naught, only looked to Darrin who did not try and hide a smug smile.

  “And Darrin, why didn't you report that? Why?”

  His smile disappeared at the verbal assault. “That was The Mob Boss’s business. Not mine. Besides, The Boss shrugged the little nut off. How was I supposed to know?”

  “If you see it, speak it. You know the ad campaign that runs all over the city? The one about reporting suspicious activity? If you had said something, my family might still be alive!”

  “Might’s a mighty big word, Thyme. Go ahead and blame me. You’re going to anyway so you don’t feel so guilty.”

  Victor made to rush him again but Sam held him back. He looked surprised that she could and when he quickly settled, she let down her shield.

  "You want to know why I didn't care?" Darrin spoke with a cold edge. "Where were the cities powers when my mom needed them? You say the guy responsible for her predicaments rotting in prison? You're wrong. He framed her, he let her take the fall for his crime but your precious justice system's what did her in. She developed a habit in prison, was forced to try out the drugs before the alpha girls did to make sure they were good. It broke her brain. So don't talk to me about justice. She was a good person, a good mother. She's Sam's godmother. No cop, no judge, no public official would listen to me and help me get her out. So no, I didn't say a word about what I'd heard. As far as I'm concerned, they had to fend for themselves just like she did."

  "I know your story," Victor told him. "I looked into it. I called in a favor and had the guy picked up and convicted practically overnight. But it doesn't excuse your blatant disregard for ignoring a threat to this city."

  "Doing me a favor to get into her pants isn't exactly chivalrous."

  Sam spoke up. “Darrin! I think you should go.”

  “Me?!”

  “He doesn't have anywhere else to go. And you two obviously cannot be under the same roof.”

  Darrin glanced at Victor but no smug retort was given. Victor looked beaten and tired. Darrin rolled his eyes.

  "You know what?" Victor said. "I actually do have someone I can call. And I should."

  "Oh." Sam's face reddened at the embarrassment that she was upset he wouldn't stay. "Well, uh, okay. If you're sure."

  "Can I call you?"

  Sam involuntarily lit up and Darrin rolled his eyes at her inability to refuse help to broken people.

  "Uh, ya! Of course. Let me go get a paper, a pen! I'll be right back."

  She left the room, leaving Darrin and Victor. Darrin didn't hesitate to stir the pot. "You're family just died and you're picking up girls? Classy."

  Victor didn't miss a beat. "Actually, they wouldn't expect anything less. Plus I'm in need of friends right now. Even murderers, it seems."

  "I'm not a murderer."

  "By not repeating what you heard you might as well be."

  "Fine. Fine. I'll be your guilt dumping ground. But what's from keeping me from spreading your secret, huh?"

  "I think we both know the answer to that. She likes me and she'd never forgive you. And she is your weakness."

  Darrin squinched his eyes at Victor, disliking the fact.

  "Besides," Victor went on, "you say you're not a villain? Prove it."

  Sam hurried back in the room with a paper full of numbers. "This is my home and my cell. This is my parents house and my work number. Just call me if you need anything. Okay?"

  Victor smiled at her. "I will. Thanks." Then, in a blur, he raced around the room, righting the table and the things on it, putting things back on the wall where'd they'd fallen and he even swept the floor. When he'd finished, he stopped by the front door and nodded at Sam. "Thanks again. I'll call you." He looked at Darrin and tipped his head and he was gone.

  "I don't like him." Darrin stated bluntly.

  "You don't like anyone," Sam retorted.

  "Well I really don't like him. He's arrogant and a show off."

  "And a cop."

  Darrin didn't answer.

  "They're not all bad, you know. He has a reputation as being the best. As in honest, hard working and thorough."

  "I'm going to bed." He headed downstairs and Sam took a minute to reflect on the past few hours before heading back up to bed herself even though she had no idea how she would actually sleep.