Chapter 16: Aha!

Muttering under his breath over Jake's propensity to constantly screw up around an attractive woman, Phineas surreptitiously watched Floyd Rattigan out of the corner of his eye. The ex-con didn't do a good job of hiding his interest in the teen detective. A quick survey of the room didn't find his brother, Garth. Floyd, the smarter of the two brothers, wouldn't want to draw much attention, so he likely left his less intelligent sibling outside in the car.

Everything makes sense now. Floyd was Red Mask, while Garth was Blue Mask. The interactions I saw and heard at the historical society fit them precisely. Plus, I can’t believe I forgot that Garth used to drive an old blue pickup truck with a faded silver streak down the middle. But they should still be in jail, shouldn’t they? Dammit, I better check on when they were released. Hmm, maybe I better look into who else we put behind bars is out early, too.

As Phinn watched Cozart hold an animated conversation with Mayor Broome, the teen spotted Kennedy Eaton waiting to interview the amateur historian. The television reporters had already raced outside to record updates, so the newspaper journalist had an opening. A similar opening that Erin sought to use as she moved toward the crowded aisle.

I don’t want Floyd to watch when I make my move on Cozart. He needs to be distracted or **** to leave. Now, how can I…aha!

“Johanna, isn’t this an excellent time to conduct some interviews for your new citizen journalist role? I’d suggest starting with that man over there with the short black hair and gray t-shirt,” Phinn said, gesturing slightly toward where Floyd stood with several fishermen.

“What are you up to? I know when I’m getting sent away,” Johanna stated, stopping at the end of their row. She was close enough for Erin to overhear the conversation. “Ask Erin. She’s News Girl.”

“It’s part of my investigation. But I needed a talented actress to chat with him so he doesn’t get suspicious. Erin comes across as all business,” Phinn responded before lowering. “Honestly, she can be a bit intimidating.”

“Don’t butter me up to do your dirty work. I’m not an actress,” the wannabe influencer replied while Erin rolled her eyes at the discussion.

“I am not buttering you up. Frankly, I think you’re a tremendous actress, but if you prefer to call it your screen persona, that’s your choice. You can interview anyone you want, but I’d be grateful if you started with that guy.”

“How grateful?”

“I promise an interview when this is all over—me and Jake,” Phinn said, dangling the carrot.

“You already owe me one!” the chestnut brunette pointed out. Still, she sighed loudly as the line exiting the chamber dwindled enough for her to leave their row. “Fine!”

“Isn’t that Floyd Rattigan?” Erin questioned after Johanna stormed off.

“It is.”

“Wait…didn’t something happen with him back when we were in junior high?” Erin asked. “I remember Dusty mentioning the name in the office.”

“We tangled with the Rattigans a couple of times. The one you’re thinking of ended with them in jail,” Phinn explained while they walked over to where Kennedy started to interview Cozart.

“Ah, expecting trouble?”

“Something like that,” Phinn said, watching as Floyd suddenly jerked back as a phone-wielding teenager accosted him.

Unfortunately, the junior investigator couldn’t enjoy watching the scene. He had his own issues as Chief Norberg approached with an annoyed expression.

“Farris, what’s this nonsense that you told Alderwoman Annable?”

“I didn’t tell her anything, Chief!”

“So you didn’t concoct an outlandish threat from Deputy Chief Reyhall?”

“Asshall did threaten to send us to Turnville if we ‘meddled’ again in the treasure hunt,” Phinn shot back, making air quotes for meddled. “But I never told her. Have I ever come across as a snitch to you?”

“Watch the attitude, son. I did warn you. You’re at the end of your rope with me. If you want to hang…” the police chief trailed off upon realizing he was being recorded.

“Is that true, Chief? Did the Edgewater Police Department threaten Jacob Magnum and Phineas Farris after they helped stop a home invasion and potential **** on Regina Tarr last night?“ Erin challenged, holding her phone in his face. “What’s the EPD’s position on Good Samaritans? Did Deputy Chief Reyhall unveil a new department policy? Will you be actively pursuing others?”

“Who–”

“Erin Donnelly for the Edgewater North High Sonar. Would you care to confirm the threat?” the cinnamon brunette pressed.

“I…I don’t have time for this. People have lost their damn minds over a few gold coins,” Chief Norberg grumbled. He started to march away before looking over his shoulder at Erin to add, “No comment.”

The likely incoming senior editor watched the police chief until a local businesswoman stopped him to demand answers. Readjusting her eyeglasses, Erin shifted her attention toward her classmate. Phinn ignored the expectant, unrelenting expression for nearly two minutes before breaking.

“What?”

“You better watch out. The police seem almost as mad at you as with Oswald Cozart.”

“The police are always mad at us.”

“True. But Chief Norberg–”

“Norberg is more bark than bite. Besides, he likes us more than most of the cops,” Phinn revealed. Eventually, he relented and gave the persistent reporter what she’d been waiting for. “Thanks for distracting him.”

“Breaking news! Phineas Farris actually thanked someone besides his own ego,” Erin announced, nearly mimicking Hollie Kittler’s voice exactly.

“Don’t expect an interview because of it,” the bespectacled sleuth warned.

“As if I want to hear your bullshit,” Erin shot back before moving forward to claim her spot behind the Edgewater Dispatch reporter.

Shaking his head, Phinn grumbled about Jake’s absence despite being the one who assigned him to the stakeout. His socially outgoing and popular partner usually handled their female classmates during investigations. Their sharp tongues for Phinn often became tongue-tied around the football player. One such girl reappeared at his side.

“Thanks for sending me to interview the rude guy,” Johanna complained.

“I never said he’d be open to an interview.”

“Then why did you send me to him?”

“To distract him, of course,” Phinn replied in a tone one uses with a young child.

“From what?” Johanna nearly screeched.

“So he might leave us alone for a few minutes or stop following us,” Phinn replied, watching as Kennedy kept on badgering a nonplussed Cozart with questions. The author seemed to relish the additional publicity for someone who claimed to be uninterested in the treasure hunt’s sensationalism.

“Stop follow–-Wait; what? Is that the guy who followed us here? Are you crazy? What if he kidnapped me?” Johanna screeched.

“Relax. He’s not going to kidnap you. Floyd just learned how obnoxious you can be. So you’re welcome,” Phinn explained. “Now, don’t you have other average Joes to annoy?”

“Nice. Real nice, asshole,” Johanna growled, folding her arms while refusing to leave Phinn’s side.

Eventually, Kennedy broke off her interview with Oswald, who seemed disappointed that she didn’t continue. Stepping forward immediately, Erin introduced herself.

“Aw, a high school journalist. How delightful! Ask away, Miss Donnelly,” the visiting amateur historian declared, beaming. Then, his attention flickered briefly at Phineas as the teen detective stepped forward. In that quick glance, Phinn noticed a rather odd and unexpected expression: recognition.

“I’d like to join in on this interview as well. I’m Phineas Farris, sir,” the teen said calmly and pleasantly despite the surge of curiosity he felt.

“Such an unusual name,” Cozart remarked, his friendliness lessening. “Are you also a high school reporter, Phineas? Perhaps a colleague of Miss Donnelly’s or her counterpart from a rival school?”

Phinn ignored Erin’s dirty look because he sensed Johanna opening her uncontrollable mouth.

“A reporter? Ha! Phinn’s a–Oww!”

“Hardly, sir, I’m the president of the North High History Club,” Phinn introduced himself while pinching the back of the influencer’s arm. “I’d love to lock in a few historical details about Thornbeard for our next meeting. Would you mind if Johanna, our club’s secretary, also recorded this interview?”

“Well, I guess that wouldn’t…oh, my! Look at the time. I’m sorry, kids, but I have to get going. Here’s my number, Miss Donnelly. We can set up a time for an interview tomorrow,” Cozart suggested.

Despite Erin’s attempt to ask a couple of quick questions, the suddenly shy author begged off. He announced that he’d promised Channel 23 a live on-camera interview in a few minutes. Continuing to shut down Erin’s persistent attempts, the curly-haired man rushed down the aisle, barely stopping to shake his head at Kathryn Pettit and Davis Stensland, who wanted to chat.

“Strange,” Erin remarked.

“Not really. I wouldn’t pass up a chance to get interviewed live, even if it’s rinky-dink Channel 23,” Johanna commented.

“Most suspicious, “Phinn stated before adding, “Channel 23 doesn’t have a live newscast this late.”

“Hello, ever hear of breaking news?” Johanna challenged. Then, she slammed her heel down onto Phinn’s foot. “That’s for pinching me. It fucking hurt!”

“I hate to say it, but he’s right. Channel 23 would never interrupt their syndicated reruns at this time of night. I believe they’re the highest-rated programming on the channel,” Erin recalled.

“Well, he wanted to go somewhere in a hurry,” Johanna replied, shrugging her shoulders as she whipped her phone out again to record the crowd leaving.

“Have you talked to him already or attempted to?” Erin asked, lowering her voice because of the phone.

“You saw it too,” Phinn replied. “I don’t know why he appeared to know me.”

“Duh! Channel 5 had stuff on you and Jakey,” Johanna pointed out, causing Erin to frown at being overheard.

“But Stone Barrington made sure to use pictures of us from when we were fourteen. The gawky look helps push his narrative of us as nosy brats,” Phinn clarified.

“You are nosy, but Jake’s not a brat,” Erin replied, causing Johanna to laugh. “Still, the abrupt attitude shift was odd.”

“Whatever. I’m off to create content,” Johanna announced. She took about five steps before turning back to glare at Phinn. “And you can find your own ride home!”

“Don’t look at me. I’m still mad at you from that thing in the spring,” Erin reminded.

Phinn nodded as his two classmates walked away. The teen detective didn’t necessarily care or notice. He was preoccupied with Cozart’s strange behavior, along with the Rattigans’ return. It would be better not to walk home or call his parents for a ride. With that in mind, he went over to one of the few friendly faces out of the many in city hall tonight.

“We need to talk,” Phinn hissed, grabbing Kathryn’s arm to lead her away from Prof. Stensland.

“I’m sure you do. Which one interests you?” Katie asked, winking.

“What? No! What happened with you and Oswald Cozart?”

“Aww, you don’t want advice about girls? That’s so disappointing. Can’t you make your mother happy for once?” Katie teased.

“Don’t start, or I’ll ask about Stensland. Would you like me to investigate your new beau?” Phinn threatened, mostly out of annoyance at the teasing.

“He’s not my new boyfriend. Davis called to apologize Saturday night. He wanted to make sure he didn’t cross the line by suggesting you talk to me about Thornbeard. When I replied that it wasn’t a big deal since I’m close friends with your family, we decided to meet last night for dinner to discuss the crazy developments I missed while out of town,” Katie explained. Still, she couldn’t help but needle him. “Aww, is somebody feeling jealous?”

“Did I ask that? No, I asked about what just happened a few minutes ago,” Phinn repeated, ignoring the teasing.

“Geez, we really need to work on your social skills. Fine, I’ll answer, Phinny,” Katie assured the teen before he could get more pissy. “All I did was introduce myself and mention my area of interest. After Davis did the same, I started to suggest we get together to discuss why I had never heard of Thornbeard, but Cozart blew off my offer. The guy practically ran away.”

“You don’t find that odd?” Phinn queried.

“Not really. I’ve met his kind at conferences all the time. Besides, he mumbled something about a news interview. The guy probably sees dollar signs with all the attention,” Katie speculated. “Why?”

“I don’t know. Something feels off with him,” Phinn said, thinking aloud more than anything. “Oh, I need a ride home.”

“I gathered as much,” Katie remarked. “Now, be civil. Davis drove me up from Green Grove.”

“Ugh,” Phinn groaned, but he followed the cute professor back toward her colleague.

“If you don’t mind, Phinn needs a ride home before we head back. He had a slight disagreement with his previous chauffeur,” Katie announced.

“Ah, high school romance drama. I remember those days vividly,” Prof. Stensland responded, chuckling. Then, he did something Prof. Pettit knew Phinn hated; he slapped the teen’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, kid. It eventually gets better. Somewhat.”

---

A Few Hours Earlier

"But…No, I didn't…Okay, okay…I'll be home soon…I said soon!" Andre exclaimed before ending the call. "Shit."

“Bad news?” Jake asked awkwardly. He didn’t really need to ask as he’d heard Mrs. Savard screaming at her son.

“They finally found out,” Andre revealed, sighing heavily in resignation.

“How bad?” Jake inquired, meaning his punishment.

“Probably the rest of the month. I’ll find out more after I get home. So, you’re on your own,” Andre said, starting up his car. “You wanna go home or stay here?”

“I’ll get out around the block,” Jake decided. “Hey, I’m sorry you got into trouble for helping us.”

“Helping you? Fuck, bro, Luke and I got grounded for putting on a sex show in front of all those boats,” Andre pointed out. “Hell, I don’t regret anything except the Coast Guard rolling up on us. That shit is going to be a story for years!”

Andre laughed boisterously despite his grounding. Jake joined in as he admitted they did have a wild story to retell eventually. However, Andre warned his friend that his parents would likely find out soon.

“I’m probably good. My mom has tunnel vision when she’s got a trial. It’s probably going to last more than a week. So by the time it’s done, the orgy on the Rim-Rod is hopefully replaced by another scandal,” Jake explained. “Libby’s the only one I have to worry about. Dad will probably be proud and tell me some stories I don’t want to hear.”

“Haha. Yeah, I could see Marv spouting off about some old hookups,” Andre admitted, stopping the car at the curb. “It’s so weird how different your parents are.”

"Opposites attract. And they were already opposites in high school," Jake said, shrugging. His parents had a rocky relationship growing up, with multiple breakups and makeups before they settled down together for good. Getting out of the SUV, he turned to thank his teammate. "I owe you one."

“Naw, we’re good. You tell Brain Boy he’s the one that owes me,” Andre stated before driving off.

Jake now faced a dilemma. It wouldn’t get dark out for another hour or so. So he’d need to keep a low profile until then. On the side street, he saw the alley that ran behind Tarr Manor. Recalling that they never had a chance to explore the Mask Brothers’ getaway last night in the rain before the police arrived, Jake started down the narrow, crumbling road.

As an older neighborhood, nearly every home had a garage or parking space off the alley. A few modern garages were scattered on both sides of the claustrophobic alley, but the majority were old carriage houses renovated over the decades for automobiles. Most also showed their ages with wear and tear.

With Tarr Manor the eighth large home down from this side of the alley, it took Jake some time to walk slowly toward it while scanning the ground for clues. He found several cigarette butts around where he guestimated the Trans Am had been parked last night. However, Jake didn’t collect them as evidence. We’re not going to run them for DNA or anything, he thought, chuckling at the idea. Still, he counted how many as a potential estimate of how long someone might have waited in this spot.

Reaching the Tarrs’ carriage house/garage, Jake glanced up at the two-story building while deciding what to do next. Entering through the back gate was out as an option. He knew he’d easily be seen in the wide open garden from the mansion's rear. However, he noticed an alcove where they kept the garbage and recyclable containers on the opposite side of the garage from the main gate. Behind them sat a narrower gate in the fence. Jake slid into a tiny area only wide enough for a slim sidewalk after finding the gate unlocked.

From his new vantage point, Jake could tell that the sidewalk ran all the way to the mansion's front yard. Creeping forward until he reached the edge of the garage, the teen detective pondered his next move. Aware that the kitchen sat on the other side, Jake decided to risk it. Racing forward, he closed the open distance between the mansion and the garage within ten seconds.

Now, slinking along the mansion’s wall, Jake leaned around windows to peek inside while listening. However, he neither saw nor heard anything at first. Eventually, he reached the side of the porch. Just as he spotted The Factfinders’ car still parked on the street, the heavy front door burst open.

**** to jump back, Jake could only make out snippets of the conversation as Cody and Sophia thanked Regina for her help and hospitality. Ever the most polite people Jake had met, the two teens promised to keep the Tarr family updated with findings.

How could you betray us, Regina? How? And for those prudes?

Despite his disdain for Cody and Sophia's uptight attitudes, Jake still respected their observational skills more than Phinn. So, he immediately traced his steps until he reached the end of the mansion again. Placing himself against the wall, he hoped they wouldn’t notice somebody lurking when they drove past.

The hidden sleuth only relaxed after several minutes had passed. Then, he heard Jace’s loud, angry voice. Assuming he’d been spotted, Jake ran back to the side of the garage. Once there, he slowed down long enough to hear the kitchen door bang open.

“What are you doing?” Regina called out.

“What do you think? I’m going to get some answers,” Jace replied loudly.

“I already talked to him,” Regina insisted.

“Not him. I want answers from the big guy,” Jace said, entering the garage from the side door.

Unsure what to do, Jake exited into the alley again. Searching frantically, he heard Jace’s raised voice before he darted down the alley in the opposite direction that he’d come from. Almost at once, he spotted several bushes at the rear of the next-door neighbor’s house. Sneaking behind the brush, Jake waited and waited.

After almost five minutes, he heard the main garage door roll up. Jace’s older luxury car raced down the alley. Slipping out, Jake abruptly halted. Straight ahead sat a compact car that sounded awfully familiar. Although Jake hadn’t personally seen Sandy-Brown-Hair-With-Glasses’ car before he escaped last night, Phinn had described it. The car parked in front of Jake matched that description perfectly.

Brimming with curiosity, Jake snuck through the smaller gate and crept along the garage again. Not hearing a sound, the junior investigator began to study where the other intruder from last night could watch Tarr Manor. No spot stood out, so Jake moved forward again into the open space between the two buildings.

Only for Jake to almost collide with Regina.

---

Jake knew Phinn was pissed at him after their last message. But it wasn’t his fault. After nearly colliding with Regina and spotting her angry reaction to seeing him, Jake scrambled to think of a reason. Blurting out that he’d been worried about safety after last night’s break-in appeared to do the job. The talentless actress immediately grinned like a Cheshire cat before welcoming him inside Tarr Manor again.

After that, things just seemed to steamroll. Regina explained how her brother had to leave for a meeting, which she poorly explained as causing her foul mood. However, she claimed to be thrilled that Jake returned. She owed him greatly for last night. Nothing was said about Cody or Sophia as she led him upstairs.

Assuming Regina planned to lead him up to the family archive, Jake suddenly felt like an idiot when she escorted him into a different bedroom. That’s where Jake now found himself standing when her yellow sundress hit the hardwood floor.

"Holy shit!" Jake blurted out. Whatever warnings Phinn had sent him a short time ago flew out the window as he stared at Regina’s huge tits. They seemed absolutely massive. He’d never seen a pair so big in his life. Definitely Double Ds; they looked like giant, ripe melons. They were titanic and showed no sign of sagging yet at her young age.

Perky and firm, Jake found his mouth watering as his gaze yearned to touch them. Devour them. Perfectly golden, Regina’s round mounds clearly showed an affinity for nude sunbathing. Later, Jake would swear he heard them calling out like a siren, begging to be squeezed. And those hard, pink nipples demanded to be suckled.

"Do you like my big tits?" Regina asked, snapping Jake out of his daze.

"Oh, yeah..." the high school student murmured. He swallowed as the seductive vixen reached up to her caress her tits.

"I thought you would," Regina stated confidently. A smirk formed as she could tell the teenager wasn’t able to drag his eyes away from her nude assets. “Most men find them irresistible.”

“I…I can see…why,” Jake responded, almost in a hypnotic trance.

"You ever been with a girl with breasts as big as mine?" the buxom brunette asked, cupping those mesmerizing globes.

Jake replied with something that sounded like a cross between no and a groan.

"Men do whatever I want to get their hands on these. Will you do whatever I want, Jake?” Regina inquired, pinching her nipples lightly as she continued to grope herself.

“Uh-huh.”

“Good. Start with taking your clothes off,” the heiress directed.

Grabbing the hem of his shirt, Jake pulled it over his head, exposing his toned, muscular body to the slightly college senior. Well-acquainted with the male body, Regina ran her gaze up and down with widening eyes. Tossing his shirt onto a chair, Jake began to recompose himself. Now it was his time to show off. So, keeping his eyes on her face, Jake reached to pull his shorts down with a firm yank. The move left him clad in only a pair of tight boxers.

Regina didn’t swear like Jake, but her effort to stifle a gasp failed. Instead, her eyes could’ve burned a whole straight to his crotch. The gray material did nothing to hide his fully engorged cock, which strained to escape. If anything, the tight, clingy material provided a view of the full size and shape of what the football player had to work with. Then, Jake wasted no time stepping out of his boxers to wave his full staff around for effect.

Regina’s smooth lips curled up in approval before she spun around to pull down her panties. Jake couldn’t stop from licking his lips. Her ass cheeks jutted out from her slim frame in an almost cartoonish fashion. With hungry eyes, the teen admired those ripe, firm ass cheeks, so round and perky and smooth. It was a heart-shaped ass most women would envy.

When Regina spun back around, she found Jake’s body colliding against hers. Their mouths connected immediately as raw lust pumped through their veins. The boiling primal urge also clouded the part of Jake’s brain that reminded him he’d entered dangerous territory as he jammed his tongue down her throat. But he wasn’t thinking about all the ways this could go wrong. Nope. None of that mattered in the moment. All that did was the inevitable outcome of his cock sliding inside her pussy.

As their tongues battled for supremacy, Regina's ample tits smashed against Jake’s broad chest. Her hands explored the ridges of his toned figure, paying particular attention to his abs. Then, they lowered down to cup his sculpted ass cheeks. Finally, Regina’s long, nimble fingers slid around his thick shaft. Even with his dick trapped between their bodies, she eagerly stroked it.

“I thought you had a big one, but damn, boy, you’re gifted,” the vixen purred. “Bed!”

Before Jake could even react, Regina spun him toward the bed and shoved. The **** left him half-seated on the bed with his pole pointed to the ceiling. Without any hesitation, Regina dropped to her knees in front of him.

“I could work wonders with his beast,” the brunette praised.

"You like?" Jake asked, finding his cockiness return as she started to jack him.

"Don’t get a fat head, kid,” the slightly older woman warned. Now, using both hands to stroke, Regina planned to keep him putty in her hands.

However, Jake wasn’t one of her usual weak-willed followers on campus. He’d gone up against some strange characters, including the slimiest scumbags, since before he hit puberty. Sure, he’d experienced plenty of moments of weakness when it came to his desires, but he usually didn’t lose control for long.

"Gawddamn," Regina swore softly, admiring his cock from up close.

Watching as a slight amount of pre-cum leaked off his angry tip, Regina licked her lips as it slowly glazed his cockhead and its accompanying shaft. The allure of that delicious-looking coating caused Regina to move quicker than she planned.

“Fuck!” Jake moaned, watching as Regina’s open mouth descended over his swollen shaft.

Another curse ended up stuck in his throat as she took over half his length down hers in one smooth movement. Then, those plump lips wrapped around tightly before the suction started. The supposedly well-bred young lady showed off her slumming skills when her tongue shot out to savor the underside of his cock with gentle massages.

“Gawd…damn!” Jake cried before praising her. “You know your way around a dick.”

Slowly bobbing up and down, Regina’s eyes twinkled in delight. That tiny reaction was the only sign Jake received before the busty brunette inhaled his cock. With one hand stroking, her mouth worshipped every inch he had. She sucked with such fervor that Jake started to see stars. Later, Jake hesitated in calling Regina a slut, but admitted she was really, really into the blowjob. He’d also regret how he acted toward the brunette in bed. Despite being pissed at his partner, Phinn would assuage his guilt by reminding him that Regina proved to be a two-faced liar time after time.

“Up. Move up. Against the headboard,” Regina barked out the order.

Not put out by the demand, Jake wiggled his body up the bed until his back hit the wood. Instead, he watched as the blue-blooded bombshell walked along the side of the bed before kneeling on the edge. Then, she swung a leg around until she straddled Jake while placing her hands on his bare chest.

“You sure you’re ready for this?” Jake challenged. “Girls sometimes struggle with–”

“I'm not most girls," Regina proclaimed, cutting off his challenge. With a grunt, she took almost two-thirds of his cock into her on the first attempt. Still, her eyes glistened from the sudden intrusion.

“Problem? Maybe you should’ve let me fuck those moneymakers first,” Jake suggested, eyeing up those magnificent tits.

"I’ll get my money's worth first and last," the brunette declared, scrunching up her face as she raised her body before impaling herself down another inch. "Jesus..how fucking big are you?"

Jake leaned in near her ear to whisper his last measurement.

“It’s perfectly understandable if you can’t take all of me,” the teenager added.

“I can take every fucking inch!” Regina vowed before another attempt caused her to wince. An additonal attempt caused yet another wince and cry.

“Not every girl can take–” Jake started to say before the proud heiress slapped it shut.

“I can do it! I can fucking take it! Those other little sluts are quitters! Losers! I can fucking take any fat cock! I know it!" Regina spat out, angling her hips so she could find the right spot. Finally, she found it to **** herself all the way down,

With his sword fully sheathed inside her, Regina crowed over her triumph. Reversing the struggle, she caused Jake to squirm by squeezing him tightly with several strong flexes.

The abrupt shift in pleasure nearly caused Jake to spasm. However, he held it back.

"Better than those little high school sluts you fuck, huh?" Regina challenged with a knowing smirk.

With her hands clenched around the headboard, Regina used the leverage to start moving up and down. Apparently, she was never one to take things slow, so she increased the pace in rapid succession. Gritting her teeth, Regina's hips slammed down hard repeatedly while her huge breasts swung wildly like weapons of mass destruction.

Planting his feet flat against the bed for leverage, Jake pumped back at his bossy lover. He slid his hands upward until his palms cupped and corralled those swinging Double Ds. Moving his hand over hers, Regina physically ordered him to grope her tits.

With a sudden move, Regina stopped her bouncing. Pulling her hands off his, she grabbed his chin and **** it toward her face. Jake began questioning his and her sanity as her face transformed into pure fury.

“You will answer me,” she snarled. “Those little sluts have nothing on me, right? I even put those whores from the boat to shame, don’t I?”

“What? How did you–”

“Oh, I watched the footage that’s all over the place. Even then, your cock is bigger than I expected. Our future footage will humilate all those bitches!”

Unsure what the hell Regina meant, Jake decided to fight fire with fire.

"That all you got?" the teenager challenged.

“I’ll make you burst,” Regina swore.

With eyes blazing in furious heat, she picked up the pace even more. The buxom brunette’s entire body worked in sync, causing the slaps of her ass against his skin to echo in the room.

“Just admit, kid. I’m the best you’ve ever had and the best you’ll ever experience. Those wannabe schoolgirls have nothing on me!” Regina boasted before dropping her lips down to attack his neck. Intent on sucking until she left her mark, the arrogant coed never saw Jake reaching his boiling point.

Taken by surprise, Regina didn’t have time to react when Jake pulled her hard against his chest. Using his strength, he flipped them over as the angry woman cried out. Then, pulling out, Jake flipped Regina over again until she found herself on her stomach. Roughly yanking her back, Jake positioned her luscious body until she rested on all fours.

"What the...Oh, fuck!" Regina screamed in surprise as Jake pumped into her pussy again.

Pissed about Regina’s condescending attitude toward his female classmates, Jake started pumping his hips at a rapid, rough pace. Pummeling in and out, Jake groaned and grunted as he drove relentlessly into the gorgeous bitch. His hands savored the smooth skin of her hips until he suddenly caught sight of movement to the side.

Looking over, Jake saw their reflection in the mirror. Both coated in sweat, the teen thought they looked like they’d run a marathon. Regina’s mussed hair, lusty-filled expression, shrieks, and yelps all combined to reveal the nasty slut hidden beneath the elegant exterior. Still, Jake marveled at those big tits swinging wildly from each slam of his hips.

Leaning forward over her back, Jake slid his left hand under Regina to squeeze one of her massive, hanging breasts. With his right hand, he gathered a fistful of hair and yanked backward.

“Hey!” Regina exclaimed at the rough play. She liked…no, demanded always to be the aggressor. “Don’t fucking—Oww!”

Although a gentleman when it came to women, Jake found himself pushed past the brink by the lying, scheming coed. Glancing down at where his hips blurred from the rapid pistoning, Jake found himself unable to resist the temptation.

SLAP

“Ugh… hey!”

SLAP

“Don’t you fucking–”

SLAP

“Oh, gawd, yes!” Regina screamed, suddenly loving the hair-pulling and hard slaps to her ass.

“You like that? Tell me…tell me!” Jake ordered, turning the tables from earlier. “Am I the best? Am I?”

“Yes!" Regina bellowed. "You're the fucking best! The best fuck I've ever had! You're incredible! Holy fuck!"

“I’m not some snot-nosed high school kid now, am I?”

"Ugh! No!” Regina shrieked. "Fuck me, baby! Don’t stop fucking me!"

“You’re a rude bitch, you know that? You deserve to be spanked.”

"Ahhh! Yes!" Regina moaned, delighting in this rough treatment. "Spank me, Jake! Spank my fucking ass!"

SLAP

"Uggghhh! Gawd, yes!" Regina keened, her pussy tightening around Jake after one final slap.

As Regina’s orgasm erupted, it caused her pussy lock around Jake’s cock. The vice-like grip set off a chain reaction that led Jake to shoot volley after volley deep into the exhausted brunette’s pussy.

Then, with their fallen bodies clinging together, Jake started laughing. He’d at least learned that whatever scheme Regina played, she was willing to fuck him to get what she wanted.

I bet I learned more than Phinn tonight.

---

Although Sunday night’s thunderstorms ended the heatwave, the temperature remained warm as the clock ticked well past two in the morning and closed in on three. Only the lack of humidity and a gentle breeze kept the late-night air pleasant. Directly under the moonlight’s glare, Phinn sat on the Magnums’ patio furniture. On the table, he glared at the perplexing medical examiner’s report on the skeleton that Bert had slipped to him in the parking lot.

After arriving home, Phineas escaped from his mother’s questions by striking first. He started by complaining about Mrs. Annable’s attempts to get him into trouble with the police and put him out front at the city council meeting. Pamela had been thrown for a loop with her son protesting that he’d be embarrassed to speak in public. And she’d lost all interest in Phinn’s investigating when he mentioned that Katie and her date dropped him off. That kernel of information sent his mother to her phone to text and call around her Bentworth clique for anything they had on Davis Stensland.

With his mother suitably distracted and his father snoring in the den, Phinn snuck outside. Pulling out a scuffed key, the teen detective crossed to Jake’s yard and made a rare visit to Busybody, Incorporated’s old headquarters. While sniffing the dusty air, Phinn reminded himself that they needed to clean up HQ. It wasn’t looking pretty after years of neglect.

He’d spent almost an hour reading and rereading their two casefiles that featured the Rattigan brothers. An excellent notetaker, Dusty’s observations also reminded him how far their agency had fallen since their record keeper moved away. Inspired by his old partner, Phinn created a list of everything they knew about the skeleton, Thornbeard, and Jason Tarr.

Now, seated outside on the patio, Phinn mulled over the facts they had. There weren’t enough of them, with far more questions hanging over the case. Closing the ME’s report, Phinn shook his head.

What the hell does that even mean? How did it happen? Who brought the skeleton to the sand dune? Somebody had to place it there. It certainly didn’t wash ashore. Why is Thornbeard’s existence such a mystery? How did he suddenly matter again? And did Jason Tarr lead an expedition to find the pirate’s lost treasure? We assumed he failed, but what if he found it?

Sitting back, Phinn rubbed Bandit’s ear as the bulldog slept on his lap.

What does Oswald Cozart know about the treasure? He’s hiding something. That we can be sure of, but what? The same goes with the Tarrs. Regina is clearly lying with her awful acting. Hopefully, Jake doesn’t screw up while trying to screw her. Maybe she’ll slip up and reveal the truth. Then, you have Sandy-Brown-Hair-With-Glasses. Is he purely lucky with finding the map and some of the doubloons? No, no one is ever that lucky. How is he connected to the bigger picture?

Glancing back down at his notes in the moonlight, Phinn nodded.

Floyd and Garth Rattigan are mere opportunists. They’re no different than Scarface and Stringy Hair. All are out for the quick, easy buck. Yet, when did the latter two surface in this case? Could one of them have been my assailant at Bentworth? The Rattigans always move in packs of two, three, or four. That person who gave me a concussion must have been alone.

A squeak filled the silent night air.

It could only come from the rear gate near the door to HQ.

Bandit’s eyes opened as he softly growled. Looking over his shoulder, Phinn didn’t see Jake returning, which would’ve been odd if he had. Jake always parked on the street in front of his house.

No, Phinn watched as a twenty-year-old woman attempted to enter the backyard as quietly as she could. Dressed for a night on the town, the dirty blonde wore an off-the-shoulder cream top folded over her bust with a brown faux leather miniskirt. Holding a pair of brown heels, she tiptoed through the gate on bare feet before slowly closing it.

Turning around on unsteady feet, the tipsy coed nearly stumbled before steadying herself. Telling herself to keep it together, the dirty blonde carefully took one step after another forward.

“Don’t worry. Jake’s still out, and your parents are asleep,” Phinn announced.

The shout caused Bandit to growl louder while he raised his head.

“Shhh, it’s not a burglar. It’s Libby,” Phinn informed the dog, who immediately switched to wagging his body excitedly at her name.

“Jesus Christ, Phinn! Don’t scare me like that,” Liberty Magnum snapped, glaring at her younger brother’s best friend. Abandoning any hopes of sneaking in unseen, she stopped tiptoeing.

“Good night?”

“It was okay,” Libby admitted, sounding grumpy about her night.

“Jake’s getting suspicious. He thinks we should investigate to see if you have a fake ID,” the bespectacled teen revealed.

“Wouldn’t that be something? You know you have to distract him.”

“Of course, I wonder which of your parents wouldn’t mind and which would be upset. Your dad is pretty laid back about most things, but his business does get hurt by underage drinkers. I think your mother might be the one impressed with your ingenuity,” Phinn decided. “So the ID works fine?”

“Haven’t even had a second glance yet. Thanks,” Libby responded, leaning forward to rub her dog’s head.

“Still, testing my creations with attractive women might not be the best manner to see if they withstand scrutiny. I should find a different batch of test subjects,’ Phinn admitted.

“That’s true. The bouncers are usually too busy staring at Syd’s ass or Brigid’s tits to care about our licenses. Oh, Kari’s especially thankful. You might get a reward later this summer from her,” Libby teased, knowing her brother would be exceptionally jealous if that came to pass. “Is Bandie alright? Did he throw up?”

“No, I was out back and heard him whining to go out when I finished. I figured with your mom’s trial, she didn’t need to wake up to take him out. Your dad also got in late,” Phinn recounted.

“Thanks for helping out. Come on, Bandie, time to go inside,” Libby prodded.

Bandit didn’t feel like moving.

“Give him a second. He’s been sleeping,” Phinn said.

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

“Can’t. My mind is racing with all our case’s new peculiarities,” Phinn responded. “We need to solve it before the whole city freaks out.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“The treasure hunt.” Phinn watched as Libby clearly had no idea what he meant. “The pirate treasure hunt. We found that skeleton at the beach last week.”

“Oh, Syd did mention something about you guys and a skeleton. I don’t know. I stopped paying attention years ago with your crazy shit,” the older sister admitted. “Wait, did you say a pirate?”

"Yeah, don't worry about it," Phinn replied hurriedly. It would be for the best if Jake's boat romp didn't reach his parents. He'd end up investigating solo for a few weeks.

“Okay, maybe you should finally go to bed. Everyone else is asleep.”

“Jake’s not back yet.”

“This late, he’s probably with a girl,” Libby speculated, rolling her eyes.

“I know he is.”

“And you should be out with one, too,” Libby stated, leaning down to kiss the top of his head. “Find a love in your life, Phinny.”

“I already got one.”

“Ugh! Playing detective isn’t the same. Maybe you should try writing a detective story instead. That way, you won't need to make fake IDs for extra cash,” Libby suggested, finally having success with getting Bandit to move.

“I’m not making those licenses for money. They could be helpful during investigations. The local cops know us, but we should be able to trick those in other jurisdictions easily. Still, this is more about next year in college. It would be nice not to get hassled by whatever hick town cops we encounter.”

“Yet, nearly every other college student would use them to buy beer,” Libby pointed out. “Seriously, try writing a mystery. It’s less dangerous than running around like you do.”

“But I like running around and pissing off the police,” Phinn declared, watching as Libby picked up Bandit to carry him to the door.

“But I bet you’d enjoy creating your own mystery. Total creative control,” Libby added, chuckling.

For once, Phinn didn’t have a comeback. Instead, his brain sparked with a new theory. It ran through several variations as he hummed.

“Uh, you okay? You aren’t having a seizure or something, are you?” Libby asked, looking concerned. She almost fell over when Phinn suddenly jumped out of his chair.

“That’s it!”

Bandit responded by barking.

“Shush! You’ll wake Mommy and Daddy, Bandie,” Libby warned, attempting to hush the excited dog. “Thanks.”

“No, thank you!” Phinn said, showing a surprising cheerfulness as he hugged the confused coed. “I know what’s going on!”