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Prologue

Standing in the pouring rain hair stuck to her face ConTessa looked at the stone and brick house about to knock on her mothers fancy stained glass red door she asks herself how she ended up here of all places the loud clap of thunder brings her back to the task at hand she braces herself and counts to three and knocks. After what seems like hours her mother answers the door with her blond hair fixed in a prefect french twist, tailored cream colored Chanel pant suit and a single strand of pearls, after all theses years her mother still makes her feel like she is 13. She hopes her mother can't tell she's been crying (at least the rain is good for something) then blammo the door slams shut in her face she crumbles to the wet stone walkway and sobs. Mascara stings Tess's eyes as she looks around at the wet yet pristine manicured lawn she spots a group of rose bushes that remind her of her mother Beautiful but still can draw blood if not handled with care. She can't help but think the claps and pops of thunder sound like laughter and mocking to her ears, all the people in her life that always told her she was nothing but a dreamer, lazy, unrealistic, clapping and laughing letting her know they were right. Look at her now on the wet ground like a loser a coward crawling back to mommy and at that moment she decides never again will she rely on anyone to save her. From this point on she will save herself . And just like that she felt a change inside of her, a calm feeling like she never experienced before take over her whole body, she picked herself up and walked down the cobble stone driveway without fear because she knew in her heart this was her lowest of lows and no matter what happened she was in control of her life her happiness and never again would she allow herself to feel this helpless again.

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ONE

Sitting in her office pretending to be busy Tess secretly indulges in her addiction to paranormal romance, if only life could be as exciting as her books.

Tess, Tess, earth to Tess are you listening to me?

Tess snaps out of it , yeah sorry, yes we can handle it tell Mrs. Roundtree we are on it and gather all the information you can on her husband. You're flying solo on this one.

Megan, Tess's partner starts to laugh and says "your not fooling me I see that look of lust and longing on your face, you're doing it again, found your way down the rabbit h*** in one of those books, don't make me intervene! keep it at home sister" and walks away laughing.

Tess can't help but smile, she is grateful to have found such a wonderful friend, she would never have guessed walking into that shelter 10 years ago would be the beginning to such a good life. That is where she met Megan and the two had bonded a friendship that felt more like a sisterhood, the two would talk for hours about what they wished their lives would be and gossip about the other residents and what was going on, and their love for murder mysteries. But never about their past (they thought the past was behind them, leave it there) all while they did crochet. Durning one of those late night sessions Megan made a off handed comment about the two of them starting a PI company so they could make money doing what they loved (being nosy), and The Knitting Circle was born. They figured the company should have a name that didn't advertise it's product so clients could be discrete and while trying to come up with a game plan to investigate a case or just talking out the possibilities of a case they always did crochet, it helped clear their minds. Tess realized someone was starring at her, a tall dark haired stranger with just the right amount of ruggedness (Joe Magnolia comes to mind) and emerald eyes that held promise to all her desires. May I help you?

I'm looking for ConTessa Goings said Tobias . Well you're in luck what can I do for you Mr? Sorry let me start over, My name is Tobias Knight and I'm here to talk with Ms. Goings about the Off the Streets shelter . As you might have heard the city wants to take down the existing buildings between Main and Walnut streets to build luxury shopping and lofts.

First call me Tess and second how did you come to think I would care about the Off the Streets shelter and 3rd, why do you care?

Tobias thought to himself exactly what to say so he wouldn't let slip his personal interest in her just the part about it being his job. Well Ms. Goings, sorry Tess, I write for The Sun and I'm doing a human interest piece on the shelter and what kind of work is done there and while interviewing one of the social workers, a Mr. Raymond he mentioned your name and what a success story you were.

Tess smiles at the thought of Mr. Raymond such a nice, caring no nonsense man, with his big brown puppy dog eyes and graying mullet, (she always teased him about still living in the 80's and begged him to let her and Megan give him a make over, which he always declined by saying "how would my fans recognize me?"). Half jokingly she says, Mr. Raymond needs to look up the definition of success look around.

Looks like you're doing pretty well, as he scans around the room at the hard wood floors and mahogany desk, he could tell the space was decorated by a woman with the soft green drapes, blue sofa, dark wood table and book shelves and few potted plants scattered about. It had just enough color to feel welcoming and not fussy. He wondered if she had decorated the room herself. I didn't see a sign out front, Mr. Raymond said this was your office, what is it that you do?

Tess just smiled handed him her card, then said what would you like to know about how Off the Streets helped me?

The Knitting Circle. Tobias was more confused, he shook his head waved the card and said this really doesn't explain, but I'll ask about that later. I would like to interview you at the shelter sometime this week, that way we can take some pictures to accompany the article, if thats ok?

Looking at her appointment book Tess acted like it was a hassle to find the time to fit the interview in then looked up and said, this Friday at three?  Does that work for you?

Tobias agreed shook Tess's hand (which sent goose bumps up his arm and electrified his whole body, and from the looked on her face she felt the same) turned and walked out.

Walking back to his car Tobias was lost in his thoughts he walked right past his silver Honda and into a bench. He could not get over how pretty Contessa Goings was, long wavy chestnut hair, sharp chin and full lips and those eyes gray like a stormie night sky, he knew those eyes. Maybe this wasn't the best idea. Doing this story just to meet her, what if she found out? No, what if when she does find out? Tobias couldn't shake the feeling that Tess had already found a place in his life, even if she doesn't know it. He looked at his watch and swore, 4:15 pm he was late to pick up Liam. He jumped in the Honda and sped off.

One of the perks to having your home up stairs from your office is no travel time, and Tess was behind schedule, since she once again got lost in thought but this time her thoughts were about Tobias Knight, and the promise in his eyes, how could someone she just met invade every inch of space in her brain. Come on Tess shake it off! as Taylor Swift would say, Caleb will be here in an hour and you haven't even started dinner. Tess walked out her office door and took the stairs two at a time up to her apartment. When she renovated the second floor of the brown stone to make her personal living space, she wanted it to be modern sleek and sterile unlike the office space downstairs which was warm and welcoming. The main living area was an open concept, with living, dinning and kicthen all together. The room has faux concrete floors and walls, black leather and chrome couch and chairs and glass top tables. White plush area rugs defined the living and dinning areas. Canvases of abstract art gave pops of red throughout the whole room. The kitchen showcased stainless steel appliances, black granite counter tops and stark white cabinets.

Standing in the kitchen Tess took the veal, eggs, milk and cheese out of the fridge placed them on the counter then continued to pull out salt, pepper and flour from the cabinets, everything needed to cook veal parmesan for her and Caleb's monthly dinner . She had met Caleb at the Off the Streets shelter. He was Chief of staff at University of Cincinnati Medical Center and his wife often held fundraisers for local non profits. Caleb was a good man, who loved his wife and family but after the birth of their daughter, his wife lost interest in immanency. Tess learned this over a bottle of wine, her and Caleb shared, while celebrating raising close to two hundred thousand dollars for Off the Streets. She herself had relationship issues (lack of trust), so after thinking about it a few days, she went to Calebs office and proposed an arrangement between the two, even told Caleb to draw up a legal agreement, kinda like a gag order, (neither of them could tell anyone about their arrangement or monetary penalties would be enforced) he laughed but when he realized she was serious, an unconventional friendship was born. He is now one of her best friends.

The buzz of the door came through the security speaker startling Tess as she pounded out the veal. She walked over to the speaker and said hello?  The familiar voice of Caleb came out in his usual happy tone. What's good to eat? Tess hit the door release and said come on up!

Caleb walked on in and greeted Tess with a smile and hug and asked what he could do to help?

Tess handed him a bowl and said crack two eggs, and add half that cheese and 1/2 cup of milk while I finish beating this meat.

Caleb laughed as he responded with "I thought that was my job".

While snickering and rolling her eyes. "What are you 13 all of a sudden?".

Tess added the veal to the bowl to marinate she washed her hands and grabbed Caleb by the waist and led him to the spare room "We have about 30 min". The room didn't match the rest of the apartment it was Gothic and old world the walls had dark wood trim with Deep purple wallpaper with shiny metallic crescent moons, wrought iron sconces gave off a dim glow, the floor was covered in lilac shag carpet. In the center of the room stood a dark wood and wrought iron bed covered in a egg plant purple duvet with layers of pillows in different shades of purple, surrounded by sheer panels cascading from the ceiling. against one wall stood a dark wood wardrobe against the other a standing mirror made of dark wood with detailed carvings of vines and roses. The ceiling was painted to look like fairies playing hide and seek in a emerald forest along the river bank.

Tess pulled the sheers to one side then pushed Caleb in the chest so he fell onto the king size bed and turned to close the door, as she walked back towards him she didn't say a word, just stared in his ocean blue eyes and slowly began to take her clothes off she stopped at the wardrobe opened the doors to expose her hidden treasures (whips, gags, blindfolds, handcuffs, all sorts of toys) she grabbed two silk scarves, that's all she needed to use tonight.

Caleb's eyes were locked on Tess and never wavered, his body was already reacting, anticipating what was to come, she new exactly how to drive him mad with desire. After all these years, just the sight of her pulling the hunter green sweater dress over her head revealing those full creamy breasts still brought him to the brink of madness.

Now fully nude she climbed on the bed and rubbed her body up and down his as she tied each of his limbs to the bed with the scarves. She started undressing him, unbuttoning his white dress shirt to reveal caremel skin and taunt muscels lightly covered in dark hair, moving down to unbuckle his belt and undo his pin striped pants, she felt his arousal and it excited her. She wanted to make him whimper with pleasure, to beg her for permission to touch her, but tonight she didn't need to be touched, just release and control (she had to get Tobias out of her head) .

Kissing Caleb on the neck and leaving a trail of kisses down the right side of his body and up the left she worked her way back down the pleasure trail and took his girth in her mouth slowly, twirling her tongue. The gasp he made, made her quicken her pace and when that moist ache took over her body and she couldn't take it any longer, she slowly climbed on top of him steadying herself for the rush of pleasure as she lowered her self onto his massive member. She cried out in pleasure and set the pace she needed for release. Caleb's body shuttered under hers his words incoherent, he wanted to touch her feel her soft milky skin , he jerked and pulled against the restraints, it was no use, all he could do was close his eyes and surrender. That's all it took to send her over the edge and she plummeted into the abyss.

Without saying a word Tess untied Caleb put on a sheer purple silk robe and walked to the kitchen to continue cooking dinner.

After a few minutes recovering Caleb climbed out of bed, gathered his clothes and headed towards the bathroom arcoss the hall. Caleb always had mixed emotions after his visits with Tess, but he felt it a necessary evil, it kept him centered, focused and his fantsaies at bay, on the other hand he always felt like he was hurting his wife. He walked into the glass front  shower set the tempature to hot and savored the massaging water and let it wash his worries away.

Tess was pulling red dishes out of the glass front cabinet when Caleb walked in the kitchen, can I help? he asked. Sure, grab the silverware and these plates and set the table, while I get the food.

Sitting across from each other at the dinning room table Tess filled Caleb in on the Article being done on the shelter and he offered to help anyway he could. Tess wanted to tell Caleb about Tobias Knight and get his opinion. Ask if she was reading to much into this feeling, ask if she's crazy, but she decided to keep it to herself. After a few minutes of small talk about their jobs, and his family, they cleared the table loaded the dishwasher and she walked Caleb to the door where they said goodbye.

Tess wanted to shower and curl up in bed with a good book, hoping it would keep the thoughts of Tobias away.

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TWO

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When Tess walked in the office Megan was already there. Tess didn't know how Megan managed to make it to work by eight every morning so put together her bright red hair neatly braided down her back , full makeup including deep red lips, always dressed in the latest fashion , today it was a baby blue pencil skirt soft yellow flowing blouse and nude six inch heels. Which she didn't need at 5"9, Tess was jealous since she always needed a step stool to reach anything, standing only 5ft even. What's the update on Mr. Roundtree?

Megan began going over the information obtained, and shared the details of her stake out. It didn't take long to find out he is cheating with the baby sitter, I have the pictures to prove it. Just another job of the same old same old, why can't we get something more exciting? whined Megan.

Stop whining, cheating husbands are what pays the bills around here, laughed Tess. I have a meeting with Mr. Knight at three so I'll be out of the office. Or if you want to come with me we can just lock up here.

Of course I'll come, it'll be nice to visit our old homestead and catch up on the gossip there. Plus I need to talk with Eric and see what I can do to help try and save the place.

Great, we can take my car and leave early so we have time to stop for lunch on the way.

Tobias sat in his car watching Tess and her friend walk into Off the Streets, this is it time to get to know her find out everything I can. See if she's ready for the truth, or even if she's worthy of the truth. Just stay clam and professional.

You can set up in here, stated Mr Raymond as he shook Tobias's hand and hugged Tess and Megan. That would be great said Tobias.

Tobias looked around the big modestly furnished room what he would guess, acted like a rec room for the residents, two second hand couches in a faded floral and two chairs, the color of faded rust, along with a fairly new flat screen TV, was in one corner of the room. On the other side from there more chairs in the same color (must of been donated from a business that closed) and a table with a bench tucked underneath, sat between two tall book shelves lined with books and board games. The walls were painted a warm tan that matched the carpet.

Megan ask Mr Raymond if they could talk while Mr. Knight conducts his interview with Tess. Mr. Raymond led Megan out the door across the hall to his office.

Tess took a seat on one of the two chairs in the corner of the room, where people could read or think away from the noise of the TV. Tobias joined her with pen and note pad in hand. I'm ready when ever you are he said.

Seated across from Tess, Tobias couldn't help but feel that electricity pulsing through his skin. He looked down at his notes and began asking a series of questions. What brought you to the shelter here and how long ago? how did it help you? Why should the city stop or intervene in the development of this area?

The warm feeling that took over Tess when she was near Tobias, kept her on edge.  She couldn't shake the feeling he wanted more than just an interview. The way he looked at her, like he had known her for years was unsettling. I came here a little over 10 years ago at a point in my life when I had no place to turn, this place along with Eric...

I'm sorry interrupted Tobias, Eric?

Eric Raymond.

As I was saying, they took me in, showed me I had worth, provided me with counseling, helped me enroll in college courses which enabled me to become a productive member of society. If the shelter is torn down it will displace 20 residents and not to mention all the service to people in the future. Just a little over eight years ago we had a fundraiser which raised enough money to rehab the building bringing the plumbing and wiring up to code, with just enough left over to add an extension to the kitchen. I'm not asking the city to stop development or improvement, just leave this building and it's services intact, develop around it.

Would you like to elaborate on the circumstances that brought you to the shelter , Ms. Goings?

I don't think that matters, people come here when there is no place left to turn, while in the mist of all types of personal crises.

What would you say to the people who say, move the program to another area without the new upscale condos and shopping. Let's say for arguments sake, the unsavory type, that the program draws would keep consumers from this area.

I would say, "Doing or being caught up in the bad things, that lead to people being in a situation where they find themselves in need of the services offered here, does not make them bad, if everyone let their past define them, then I would never have broken free of mine.

Thank you, Ms. Goings I think I have enough for the article , we just need to take a couple pictures, maybe a few of you alone and a few with Mr. Raymond and Megan.

Sure, I'll go round them up while you find a spot you think will work for the for the pictures.

(Well I didn't get answers I wanted about her past, but she seems to have over come it) thought Tobias, as he set up the lighting for the pictures in front of a bulletin board in the front entry way. The board was covered with pictures and inspirational quotes. It was a small area painted bright yellow with hard wood flooring, the wall across from the bulletin board had a wall mounted coat rack with cubbies on the floor, and the stairs leading up to the dorm rooms was against the far wall across from the door. One quote on the board caught Tobias's attention "Affection is a coal that must be cool'd, else , suffered, it will set the heart on fire." who would have thought, Shakespeare.

Tess peaked in Mr. Raymond's office door looking for him and Megan and stopped before entering, the look on their faces and the hushed whispered argument caught her off guard, she couldn't quite make out what was being said.

"I thought you had it taken care of what if " Megan stopped mid sentence turned toward the door and plastered a smile on her round face shoved a hand thru her red hair. Tess, sorry we didn't hear you knock is everything ok? you ready to go?

Sorry, I didn't want to interrupt I was just about to knock , Mr. Knight would like to take some pictures with us and you also Eric.

In the car on the drive back to the office Tess ask Megan if everything was ok. Yeah, says Megan, why do you ask? It just seemed like you and Eric were caught up in an argument when I walked in. No, we just couldn't agree on the best course of action to take on how to try and stop the city from tearing down the shelter. You sure thats all it was? No, me and Eric have been having an affair for years and all of a sudden he wants to break it off! Megan looked at Tess and bust out laughing, of course that was all! Tess didn't really believe that, but she let it go. Megan hoped Tess bought her excuse, but right now she had bigger issues to worry about, she needed to continue her discussion with Eric.

THREE

Staring at his computer Tobias couldn't concentrate on writing his new article on The up coming reality TV show being filmed in Cincinnati, featuring Nick and Drew Lacey, Leim kept running around making airplane noises and crashing his remote control plane into the keyboard. Tobias stops working, runs after his son and tackle's him to the floor, the plush shag carpet feels like clouds as they land and he begins tossing him in the air. They both burst out in giggles, he is so thankful for this little boy, He sees a photo on the mantel of his wife, it brings a smile to his face. How could he have known 9 years ago when he and his wife Laura brought Liam home, it wouldn't always be the three of them. When Liam was five Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after a hard and not so pretty fight against the disease, Laura passed away just two years later.

Tobias looks in his sons grey eyes (the color of a stormie night sky, the same as Tess's) and says, "let's get pizza". He went to his computer, pulled up the Papa John's website and placed an order for a Large cheese on thin crust and an order of wings for later. Since the article has been published he needs to figure out a reason to stay in contact with Tess. Maybe he should just tell her!  No, No, not yet, he must make sure she's ready and he isn't even sure he knows, or what he even wants to happen once the truth is out.

Megan was looking at the morning paper when Tess walked in, coffee in hand , Have you seen todays paper? You know I haven't, you're looking at it, what's wrong? The city announced the go ahead on the new condos and shops, they plan to start demolition in 10 days. What about Mr. knights article? The city's official statement is, "The program is not being torn down only the building, Off the Streets can relocate with money donated from the developer."

Well that seems fair, a minor inconvenience, but fair. If Eric starts looking now, he should be able to find a place and who knows, with Mr. Knights article a good Samaritan might come forth with a building in a good location so the shelter can continue offering services to those in need. Tess didn't understand why Megan looked so deflated, not the ideal outcome but it works, all that Tess cared about was that services were available, the building doesn't matter, they would find a new building.

Megan rolled her eyes and went to the kitchenette for coffee and to call Eric in private, mumbling under her breath, Megan said ( This is not good, Looks like the excitment I wanted is about to hit me in face , to bad it's the bad kind).

On demolition day, Tobias stood across the street from the shelter with two other reporters watching the wrecking ball destroy two square blocks of historical buildings. He took notes and snapped pictures of the crew in orange vests and a big yellow front loading bulldozer. And people standing by with looks of grief on their faces saying goodbye to and old friend. Just as he was packing it up to head home, Tobias heard one of the workers yell out to Stop! he thinks he see's parts of a skelton mixed in with the debris. All Tobias could think about was he now has a reason to talk to Contessa Goings again.