NOTICE TO READERS: While most of our readers wish to play heroic roles, or at least roles on the side of law and order, there is the occasional chatter who is quick to recognize that without villains, or in this case a villainess, there can be no heroes. Such a chatter is Suanne from Manassas, Virginia, who will be guest starring as Susanna, a sexy Russian DVX agent.

"Wow," says Frisco to the beautiful young woman with curly dark brown hair. "You want to explain to me just what you were doing skulking around in the catacombs??"

She turns smoldering dark brown eyes on him and answers in Russian...(as usual, I'll translate for you.) "Nyet." (No)

"This is interesting," Frisco comments, a smile turning up the corners of his mouth very slightly as he holds her closely. "Vy russkiy,?" (Are you Russian?)

"Da." (Yes)

"Shpionka?" (Spy?)

"Da."

Fortunately, the truth serum he'd given her a few minutes ago had taken effect, and he discovered that her English deteriorated to Russian when she couldn't think fast enough.

"By chance, are you DVX?"

"Da."

He pulled her closer, whispering in her ear, "You know what they do to agents they no longer trust?"

"Da."

"Now, what are their plans for me?"

"Ja zametil zdes asipku." (Seems they are going to kill you.)

Frisco turns her to face him, then takes her mouth in a long, passionate kiss. He turns her loose, and she stares at him, her eyes meeting his in a moment of naked truth. Then, he steps back, and turns to go.

"Vy kuda?" (Where are you going?)

Frisco smiles. "Away."

"Da skoreve svidanyji," she sighs (Until we meet again.)

"Da." He nods. "Da skoreve svidanyji."

Then, with a confident male swagger, he saunters off down the underground tunnel, our Russian agent watching as he walks.

"Kissdotye, mean yaws a boot Susanna!" she calls to him. (By the way, my name is Susanna.) Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

Meanwhile, above ground...Katherine Bell enters her apartment, slamming the door behind her, the walls echoing with a string of curses that astonish us with their fluency. "That !!@#$$%& Lucy Coe!!!" she muttered, kicking off her high heels and stomping around the living room. "I'll wring her *(#$@%&!* neck if it's the last thing I do!"

"Temper, temper, Kat," comes a strangely familiar voice, and she turns in horror. "Damian? My God! You're dead!! I went to your funeral." Her eyes wide in shock, she backs away from him, her face white and her voice breaking. "This can't be happening."

"But it is, my love. I've come back from the dead for you. You didn't think that something like death could keep me away, did you?"

"Get away from me!" she screams. "Help!! Police!!"

Quickly, Damian grabs her, and pulls her into his arms. "Shut up, darling. You don't want to lose all of this, do you?" She shakes her head, and he continues. "Now, listen very carefully. Unless you want me to expose all the rotten things you've ever done, and reclaim all my money-at least what you haven't yet spent, we'll do it my way. Nod your head, darling." She nods. "For the time being, at least, I'll stay dead. You go on living as you usually do, and I'll use this place as my base. One false move from you, though, and it's over. Don't threaten me with the police, Kat. You know how easy it was for Sonny to get off-it'll be no sweat for me. Now, do we have a deal, or do you take a sudden, tragic fall down the stairs??" Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

"Miss Lucy," Luke greets as his erstwhile partner enters Luke's for the first time in a week.

"Luke," she smiles. "Long time, no see."

"Long time, no talk. We're partners, aren't we?"

She nods, and asks, "Why do I have the strangest feeling that you're going to ask me some very awkward questions?"

"You're psychic, darlin'. Now, it occurs to me that there are things going on that partners shouldn't keep from each other. Things involving scary people and dangerous doings."

Eyes narrowed, she demands, "What do you know, and how do you know it?"

Thinking of the subterranean enclave on Spoon Island, he answers, "Let's just say I have friends in low places. Shall we talk in private?"

Adjourning to the back room, Luke asks, "Lucy, I know you're in a tight spot. You wouldn't have sent Siggy away if you weren't."

"Siggy?"

"Don't worry, darlin', the duck is fine. What I want to know is, would you like a little help from a group who is working toward the same objective as you are? It would be like Mexico, babe. You and me, and a few other friends for backup." The bait dangled, Luke awaits. "What do you say, Miss Lucy?"

Lucy looks down at the poker table where they are sitting. "I say, deal me in." Hmmmmmmmmm

Stay tuned!! Will Frisco meet up with the beautiful Russian spy again? Is there something going on here? Will Kat find a way to get rid of Damian once and for all or is she destined to lose everything once again? Is Ryan searching the city for the beautiful blonde? Will Lucy manage to keep her dangerous secret from Kevin? Will Laura mind her husband working with a lovely, sexy, wealthy and exciting woman who courts danger and always turns a profit while she does it? Hmmmmmmmmmm