Aileen
Griffin is an interesting character. She was suggested to me by my
friend, Aileen Aroma. She loved The Ninja Tattoo and Teague,
the hero, so much, she asked to be a character in the second book
Conduct Unbecoming. How could I say no? I created Aileen and
she jumped into the story, hit the ground at a dead run, and carried
events away like a house on fire.
Since
her arrival in Conduct Unbecoming, she's been in at least five
more of my books (not yet published). She continues to amaze me with
what she does and says. She's one of the most formidable, capable
women who's ever walked onto my pages.
Aileen Griffin got
off the plane, sunglasses on her head. She walked to the car rental,
then to the baggage pickup. Settled in her white Dodge Dart, she
turned left onto International Speedway Boulevard, heading to the
interstate. Taking the south bound exit, she drove to Edgewater.
Hitting the city limits, she called Teague.
"Yes, your
majesty?" he answered without saying hello.
"Funny man.
You should be on stage."
"What do you
want, Aileen?"
"An update."
Heaving a sigh,
Teague told her what he'd discovered, also mentioning the man on the
beach. He didn't tell her where Nadeya was, but she didn't even ask
if he'd found her yet.
"Please call
me with any updates."
"Sure will."
"Thanks,
Teague."
"No problem."
He hung up.
Aileen smiled and
pressed a few buttons on her phone. A special GPS program had
initiated with her call. She knew exactly where he was. Setting the
phone in the hands free holder on the dash, she drove confidently to
Teague's location.
The dogs started
barking shortly after the four of them sat down to breakfast. Han ran
to the door. Leah went to the window. Standing on her hind legs, she
examined the outdoors, growling. Han's hackles rose and he stalked in
front of the door uneasily.
A white Dodge Dart
pulled up next to Teague's truck. A trim, well built woman with light
brown hair, got out of the car. She scanned the terrain like a
soldier, her hands on shapely hips.
Nadeya took Vivica
to the office. Jasper and Teague flanked the door, watching the
woman's progress through the narrow windows beside the door. Putting
his head in his hand, Teague groaned. Even in jeans and a crop top,
he recognized her. He told Jasper to holster his weapon and lock up
the dogs.
"It's
Aileen," he said.
"The ex?"
Jasper struggled a moment with Han. Leah came quietly. He put them in
the guest room.
"Yeah."
Teague opened the door and went down the front steps. "Let me
guess. GPS program on your phone."
"Handy dandy
device, McMurtry. You should try it." She held her phone up
proudly, waving it in front of him.
"I don't spy
on people anymore, Aileen." He frowned, hands in his pockets.
"Why are you here?"
"I took time
off to help. Can I come in? I need to pee."
"Gotta ask
the owner. Yo, Jasper!" he called loudly.
His friend came
out, dressed in jeans and a tight Black Sabbath T-shirt. He looked
fierce.
"The lady
needs to pee," Teague said. "May she come in?"
"You know her
well, bro?"
"Dude, I used
to sleep with her."
Jasper nodded.
They followed him inside.
©
2018 Dellani Oakes
No comments:
Post a Comment