Single Lady Spy 01 - The End of Me

through a dark hallway, “You are in serious shit. Your dad never wanted you to find this.”
    I tried to look up but my neck was killing me, “What is it?”
    He chuckled again, “Oh lordy, you are gonna be the death of me.”

Chapter Eleven – Magic beans

    The heat permeated through my flesh and into my muscles. I moaned as it vibrated softly and massaged my aching neck.
    “Got that thing off of the Home Shopping Network. They sent it to me for free ‘cause I spent over a thousand dollars on there last year. It’s called the Magic Beanbag. You heat it in the microwave, and then plug the vibrator in and put the beanbag in the holders and voila, a heated massage.” Fitz smiled and passed us each a margarita.
    I drank the salty, lime drink and moaned, “I missed you.” My voice had a slight vibration from the vibrator.
    Coop watched him, still not mellowing out, “It’s a bit early for marg’s, isn’t it?” he asked with a definite tone.
    Luce scoffed, “It is never too early for a margarita, and after the week we’ve had, I think we should have two.”
    Fitz beamed, “I like you!”
    She grinned, “Likewise. New favorite uncle, right here.”
    Jack smiled like he was listening to bible study or watching a documentary. He never seemed to engage much. It was like he was taking it all in.
    Coop sighed and sat on the oversized, floral couch. It matched the room beautifully. I felt like I might actually be in Savannah, Georgia or somewhere South and warm.
    Fitz’s dark-brown eyes sparkled when he looked at me, “What do y’all know?”
    I shook my head and leaned back into the massage, “Nothing.”
    He crossed his arms and sat in the fancy armchair, “Well, I knew this was coming. I knew James was onto something.” He sighed and looked around, “You have to know, once this can of worms is opened there ain’t no coming back.”
    I furrowed my brow, “Is this what killed my dad?”
    He nodded, “You could say that.” He looked uncomfortable, “I don’t want this to ever come out. I don’t want to be the reason you know jack shit.”
    Coop placed the full glass on the coffee table and leaned forward, “Who are you?”
    Fitz’s eyes darkened, which didn’t seem possible. His old, tanned face darkened with them, “I was in with Lincoln, her daddy. We enlisted same year, joined CI same year, and I retired the year he was gone.”
    I could see the skepticism on Coop’s face. It made me smile. Coop gave him a look, “How is that possible?”
    Fitz brushed the comment off, with a truly-feminine hand wave, “My life before doesn’t matter. I’m Fitz now, and I’m living the life I always wanted to.” He stood and walked to the kitchen. He did what my mom did, and talked as he sliced and stirred, “Back then, Gays had no choice, but to be in the closet. But Linc knew, he knew day one. We were in basic together and he made a shitty comment at me. I could have slapped him silly, but I just laughed it off. We were friends instantly. He saved me tons of times. Covered for me, so I could meet up with,” a slow smile crept across his face, “Friends. I was indebted to him the day I met him.” He pointed his huge knife at me from across the room, “He made me godfather of this pain in the ass, the day she was born, her and Sissy.” He winked, “I always imagined I was more of a fairy godmother though.” Luce and I laughed, but Jack snorted some of his drink and Coop looked confused. He wanted the story.
    “You’re Lieutenant Daily,” he whispered.
    Fitz’s eyes lit instantly. I could see his hand tighten on the grip of the blade. I put a hand in the air, “He has one of those memories, Fitz. Every detail of everything he has ever read or seen is in there.”
    Fitz’s stormy look never left.
    I looked at Coop glaring, “Keep your mouth shut and let him talk.”
    Coop gave me the look, I was getting used to, “You both have five minutes to have this all make some sense, before I drag your ass out of this place. This feels like a stall, like he’s waiting for the backup.”
    Fitz started to laugh, “Oh honey, I am dead. Didn’t you read that little chestnut in the files, Mister Memory Bank?”
    Coop sighed, “I only saw a few comments about you, like the godfather thing. They didn’t have anything about the fairy godmother though.”
    Fitz laughed, “You are an animal in the sheets, aren’t you? I, myself, love control freaks.”
    I grinned at Coop’s tightening jaw.
    Fitz