Free Solemn Duty (1997) by Leonard B Scott

move.
    I'm not going to let the bastards get me down. They don't know it, but they just threw Br'er Rabbit into the briar patch."
    Millie walked up with her usual smile. "Who's Br'er Rabbit?"
    "Men-talk, hon. Where's Barb?" Jerome asked.
    Millie raised an eyebrow. "We had a little talk in the women's room. I explained to her Eli wasn't available."
    "You're kiddin', right?" Eli said. He sat up. "I really liked Barb. Well, at least parts of her looked interesting. She said we'd make a perfect team in mixed doubles."
    "Forget it, Bub, that's your hormones talking. She's not your type. It just so happens I have a friend who--"
    Jerome sighed. "Aw hell, hon, ya promised you wouldn't try and fix him up."
    "It's a woman's thing, okay? Now cool it. Cynthia is a sweet girl who--"
    "Has a great personality," Jerome finished, elbowing his brother in the ribs. "And she makes her own clothes and doesn't eat much and--"
    "That's enough, Jerome Tanner, or you'll be lookin' for a gal with a great personality who'll wash your dirty socks and put up with your snoring. Are you two ready to go?"
    Jerome raised his hand from the table. "Almost, but I think there's someone who wants to talk to me before we leave." He looked over his shoulder directly at Ashley Sutton. "Is that right, miss? You did want to speak to me, didn't you?"
    Shocked, Ashley stammered; "Well, uh, no, sir, actually I wanted to speak to your brother."
    Jerome stood and pulled his chair out farther. "Then come on over, Agent Sutton, and sit right here beside him."
    Caught off guard, Ashley put on a plastic smile, got up and walked toward the table.
    Jerome raised an eyebrow as she sat down. "Just so you know I'm not psychic, Linda at the reception desk told me who you were and that you had asked about me. She said you showed your boo ID and said it was business."
    Ashley winced. "I'm sorry about that but they weren't going to let me into the club without a member to sign me in. I didn't want to disturb you. It really is business. I have something to give Agent Tanner."
    Shifting in her chair, she faced Eli. "Agent Tanner, I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner, but with your victory and the party, I didn't think it a good time to hand you your assignment instructions."
    Reaching into her purse, she took out the envelope. "Agent Tanner, I'm Agent Ashley Sutton. The Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta office asked that I give you this. Congratulations, you will be replacing me as the resident agent heading up the office here in Columbus."
    Eli stared at the envelope. Jerome slapped his brother's back with one hand and took the envelope with the other. "You're in the briar patch, Elly ! Hot damn!"
    Ashley nodded to herself, seeing Eli's reaction. He's good, very good, she thought. A great performance. He really looks like he's surprised-yeah, right.
    Millie kissed Eli's cheek and gave him a hug. "Now, I'll have time to find you the right woman. This is wonderful, Eli!
    We've got to celebrate! Come on, let's go to the house and break open a bottle of champagne. Ashley, you must come and tell us all how this happened. My God, assigned right here in town. This is going to be great!"
    Ashley began to make an excuse and make a fast exit, but Millie already held her arm and was gently pulling her up from the chair. "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Millie, the big guy's live-in housekeeper and, when he's nice, wife. I haven't seen you before, have IT'
    "I don't believe so, Mrs. Tanner, I just moved to Columbus a month ago and-"
    "Hold it, you two," Jerome said. He motioned to Eli, who was grimacing. "I think we've got a problem here."
    Eli spoke through clenched teeth. "I-I can't get up."
    "Cramps," Jerome said. "Take a couple of deep breaths and try to relax. Hon, go get the car and bring it up to the door.
    Ashley and I will help him to his feet and get him to the entrance."
    Millie looked worriedly at her brother-in-law, who was in obvious pain. "Anything I can do for