Isabel had just finished her last delivery, and she was starving. A little roadside café caught her interest, so she pulled in and parked her car in the dusty gravel lot.
She’d just sat down at one of the cheerful outside tables when an attractive man approached her. “Isabel?” He offered her a friendly smile.
Cautiously she looked him over. Who was he, and how had he known her name? “Yes?” she finally replied.
“I’m sorry to disturb you,” he said calmly, “but I have a message from Chico.”
‘Chico’ was the codename she’d been told to expect when she’d spoken to those two men a few weeks ago, and agreed to help them. How could she refuse? The money and protection they’d offered were too good to pass up.
She stiffened a little, and quickly glanced around, but the other tables were empty. Nervously she motioned for him to join her. He smiled again as he slid into the adjoining seat. He was well-dressed, she noted, spoke English with no accent and, while he looked Latin, could have been any of a dozen nationalities. “Thank you,” he murmured, and unfolded his napkin as if they were old friends meeting for lunch. “My name is Carlos.” He casually squeezed her hand instead of formally shaking it. “I understand two of my associates spoke to you recently.”
She nodded. “Si.”
“Good. Were you able to get near the biker Rowdy?”
She hid her disgusted expression by intently studying her menu. “Yes. He’s a pig. He’s always trying to get me to take Meth or some other drug.”
“Have you?” Carlos quietly asked.
She swore softly in Spanish before meeting his intent gaze. “No. I will never touch Meth, or any of the other garbage they push. I only started making deliveries for the money…I know better than to get hooked on drugs.”
“That’s good to know.” Another brief smile curved his lips. “It’s important to my organization that you remain clean. What do you know about Rowdy?”
She narrowed her eyes, then spat, “Everything! Rowdy is bad, but he’s a man. I know what he wants, and how to satisfy him. That bitch Raven is worse. I’ve seen her give girls Meth, and tell them it’s Tylenol or some other pain reliever. She also threatens to have them beaten if they break any rules.”
That made him blink in surprise. “Raven is involved?”
“Si!” She nodded emphatically. “For about two months now. She recruits new girls, and manages the other girls who deliver drugs for the Blades. She meets with us regularly, gives out Meth and other drugs, and checks to make sure no girls are high before they make a delivery.
“Most of the girls were not using drugs when they started making deliveries. It’s Raven who gets them hooked.”
“That’s interesting,” he murmured. “I was under the impression that wives didn’t get involved in the Blades’ operations.” He glanced thoughtfully away, then returned his gaze to her uneasy face. “Thank you for that information.”
“Carlos,” she added urgently, “some of the girls have disappeared. No one knows what happened to them. They suddenly stopped stripping and making deliveries. No one has seen them or heard from them since. They just…disappeared. I’m scared,” she admitted, looking down at her lap.
“You have nothing to worry about,” he assured her, and reached across the table to lay a comforting hand over hers. “You’re protected.”
She nodded with relief. “Gracias.”
“Rowdy does not suspect you are working for us?”
That made her laugh. “No. He only cares about what’s between his legs. As long as I fuck him whenever he wants me, he’s happy. I told him my name is Isabella, and that I’m Italian,” she sneered. “He believed me completely.”
Carlos snorted his own wry amusement. “Excellent.”
A passing busboy interrupted their low-voiced discussion. They waited until he’d moved away again before Carlos continued, “We need to have more of our people…our women…working for the Blades just like you. I want to have some of them contact you. Can you recommend them to Raven, and make sure she chooses them to deliver drugs?”
She’d been staring at him, thinking how handsome he was, but his question dragged her back. She considered his request for a moment, then nodded. “Si. I will speak with Rowdy, and tell him I know some women who need money. If he is behind me, I think Raven will accept anyone I recommend.”
“Good.” He nodded in satisfaction. “I will arrange it. If you need anything, contact the men who spoke to you earlier. ¿Comprendé?”
“Si,” she quickly agreed, but then flushed and glanced away.
He cocked his head. “What?”
She hesitated, then took a deep breath. “The women you send…the bikers will want to have sex with them. Please make sure they are willing, or it could ruin everything.”
He sat back in his chair and studied her, and for a moment she was afraid he was angry. Then his expression softened. “You have family in Monterey, yes?”
She swallowed hard. “Si.”
“When this is done, I will help you,” he quietly promised. “I will have them brought north. They will have green cards, and we will find them—and you—a place to work in the U.S.”
She wanted to believe him, but she’d learned young that situations that seemed too good to be true were usually deadly. Still, he met her cautious gaze seriously, then earnestly added, “I promise, Isabel.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you very much.”
“You’re welcome…and good luck.”
She watched him leave, and felt hope for the first time in months. Quickly she finished her meal, and left for the club. Soon it will be over, she thought, smiling as she walked to her car. Soon it will be over.
Their professor was late…again.
Normally it was understood that if a teacher was fifteen minutes late, class was cancelled. But the normal rules didn’t apply with this instructor. He was always late…but he always showed up. And his class was so tough that class attendance was mandatory in order to pass.
Tim sighed, and shifted his overloaded backpack to the other shoulder. It wouldn’t be so bad if the classroom door was open, so he could deposit his heavy load on a desk and start studying. But the door was not only closed, but locked.
Suddenly a pair of cool, slim hands covered his eyes. He jumped in surprise.
“Guess who?”
“The professor,” he teased, and received a light slap on the head in reply.
“You’d better be kidding,” LeAnn smirked, then hugged him when he turned to face her. “He’s always late.”
“Yeah, but at least he’s consistent.” Tim smiled down at her, and watched as she checked her phone. “No posting that class has been cancelled?”
“No,” she sighed. “I guess we’ll just have to wait.”
It would be worth it, he reminded himself. The finish line was in sight…just one more semester after this one, and they’d both graduate. Shared enthusiasm kept pushing them through these last few grueling classes, and they studied together at every opportunity.
They’d grown much closer, especially since he’d started confiding in her about the growing distance between Crystal and him. She was a great listener, and he appreciated her advice and company. She even made it a habit to hug him when they met for class, then again when they parted. He’d felt guilty, at first, even though it was just a casual hug, but now he looked forward to it. And his conflicted emotions left him feeling more and more confused.
He tried not to study her from the corner of his eye, and was relieved when their professor finally arrived. Classwork was a good excuse to stop thinking about her all the time, despite his best efforts at maintaining a light friendship.
He’d expected to review last night’s homework, but instead their instructor surprised them with a quiz, and then a preview of the final exam. It would be a comprehensive final, of course, worth 50% of their overall grade. He met LeAnn’s gaze, and knew she was thinking the same thing: there would be a lot more study time in their immediate future. He wished he could stifle the guilty thrill of pleasure that hummed through him at the prospect.
Fuck, he thought, frustrated. LeAnn’s great. Smart, gorgeous, and amazing. But I’m married, and I love my wife. Only one more semester…just another six months…and I’ll be done. Crystal and I can move, and start a new life together. If she still wants to be with me, of course.
He sincerely hoped she’d still want to follow through with their plans, but she’d been so distant for the past several months that he wasn’t sure what their future held. They rarely even saw each other now, since he was already asleep when she got home, and she was still sleeping when he left for work. They rarely had time together for anything more than a quick kiss and hug…and on those rare occasions they did have sex, it was quick and unsatisfying for both of them. Despite her assurances, he felt like Crystal was just humoring him, going through the motions; he was a tedious chore to be dealt with, like laundry.
Even more frustrating, she was always gone before he got home from work, even though her shift didn’t start until much later.
I go in to dance for the happy hour crowd, she’d explained several times, and then stay for the rest of the night.
That left them only weekends together…but her moods were so erratic that he felt like he was constantly walking on eggshells. One day she’d be tired and listless; the next day she’d be bright and cheery, with tons of energy.
LeAnn nudged him, and he realized he’d missed a lot of notes while he was daydreaming. And their professor had hinted that the final test would be based around tonight’s information. He’d have to check with her later to see what he’d missed.
“Don’t worry,” she whispered. “You can copy my notes.”
“Thanks. You’re the best!”
That made her beam with pleasure. “You’re welcome.”
After he’d finished lecturing, their instructor answered a few questions about how the new information would be applied on the exam. Then he dismissed class. Tim and LeAnn lingered a few extra minutes, comparing notes and making plans to study together.
“I can’t stick around tonight,” she said when he walked her out to her car. “I promised to help my mom with her canning.”
“She’s still at it, huh?” Tim grinned.
“Best pickles in Texas!”
“They were really good,” he admitted. “Jeff and I used to sneak in and grab some when she wasn’t looking.”
“I remember,” she chuckled. “Mom used to get so upset! She finally started making a few extra jars just for you two.”
“We finally caught on when she stopped yelling at us,” he shrugged. “It was Jeff’s idea to raid her cookies.”
“Oh, really?” This time her lips curved into a mocking smirk. “He always blamed you.”
“He would.”
“Y’know he’s coming back, right?”
Tim blinked in surprise. “What? No, you didn’t tell me!”
“Well, I’m telling you now,” she grinned. “He’s coming back for graduation. He’d planned to anyway, but when I told him you were graduating with me, he said he wouldn’t miss it.”
“That’s awesome! It’ll be great to see him again!” Tim exclaimed.
“He’s looking forward to it, too,” she agreed, then gloomily shook her head. “I’m not sure I am, though.”
“Why?”
“He may bring a few friends with him,” she said grimly. “He says they want to go camping, but I know he’s going to try and set me up with one of them.”
“What, you don’t like military guys?”
“No!” She shook her head firmly. “I couldn’t be a SEAL’s wife. Always wondering where your husband is, if he’s safe…or even alive.”
“That would be tough,” he conceded. “I think it’s easier on the SEAL than on his wife.”
“Definitely. I want a guy who’s going to be home every night. A guy who will barbeque on the weekends, buy me flowers on Valentine’s Day and our anniversary, and help me raise our children. I want white picket fences and PTA meetings.”
“You deserve that,” he said softly.
She managed a quick, shaky smile. “Thanks.” Impulsively she hugged him tightly, then whispered, “I envy Crystal.”
“LeAnn…”
Before he could say anything, she laid a hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Tim.” Quickly she got in her car and pulled away from the dimly-lit parking lot. He stared after her, then heaved a weary sigh. Confusion, guilt, and flattery were all tangled inside his gut.
Impulsively he decided to visit Crystal at the club. He didn’t go there often, because he never liked seeing her dance for other guys, and she’d said it made her feel uncomfortable.
But tonight…yes, tonight was different. He just needed to see her for a few minutes, and tell her he loved her. He wanted to see her smile, and give her a hug, even if it was a quick one. They desperately needed to reconnect. He nurse the hope that she’d leave early with him, and just go home.
The valet recognized him, and cheerfully took his keys. The bartender was new, but quickly poured him a Coke and passed his request to see Joe to the nearest bouncer. He smiled as he watched the dancer on the main stage; it was Lauren, who’d given him his first lap dance and was always so nice to him.
“Tim!” Joe’s gravelly voice broke into his thoughts, and he spun around on his stool to clasp hands with the older man. “It’s good to see you, man.”
“It’s good to see you, too. How’s it going?”
Joe snorted out a laugh. “Dude, business is great right now.”
“Glad to hear it,” Tim said earnestly. “Hey, I wanted to see Crystal for just a minute. Is she in the locker room?”
Joe stared at him in confusion, then slowly shook his head. “Tim, Crystal doesn’t dance here anymore.”
“What?” His mouth dropped open.
“Yeah, man. She’s dancing at a club across town. Didn’t you know that?”
Tim numbly shook his head. “She mentioned she was going to try it, but it would only be once in a while.”
“It started out that way,” Joe conceded. “But over the last several months she’s been spending more and more time there.” Absently he motioned for a drink, and it appeared on the bar a second later. “She said she makes almost twice as much money over there, so I can’t really blame her. She hadn’t danced here for a few months now.”
And he hadn’t known. Stunned, Tim stared blankly at nothing. Why hadn’t he known? He was sure she hadn’t said she was moving to the new club permanently. What else had she hidden from him?
More money? What the fuck is going on?
She’d made great money at Joe’s club. She didn’t need to make more money. And what was she doing with it? He’d initially handled her earnings, but now that she had more free time, she’d begun depositing it. He still checked their bank statements regularly, and paid the appropriate taxes. He hadn’t checked their safe in a long time, but made a mental note to do that when he got home. Her earnings fluctuated, of course, but they hadn’t really grown.
They haven’t doubled, that’s for fucking sure.
Joe laid a big hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you go see her at the new club? Here’s the address.” He gave Tim a card with an address scratched on the back. “Just be careful, buddy.”
Tim stared blankly at the card, then nodded and finished his soda. He barely even noticed Joe clap him on the back, and then return to his office at the back of the building.
What had happened between Crystal and him, he wondered, baffled. Why hadn’t she told him about moving to a new club?
When he slid to his feet and turned to go, he almost ran right into Lauren. She’d finished on the main stage, and was cheerfully walking the floor. He had to admit that she looked fantastic, and did his best not to stare. But when he started to ease around her, she laid a hand on his chest.
“Hey, I remember you,” she smiled.
“You do? I’ll bet you say that to all the guys.”
“Stop it,” she laughed, then lightly patted his chest. “Yes. I gave you your first lap dance, didn’t I?”
He had extremely fond memories of that lap dance, and couldn’t help smiling. “Yes, and it was amazing.”
She hugged him, then angled her head curiously. “So why are you here tonight?”
“I was going to surprise my wife,” he admitted, feeling the pit settle back in his stomach, “but I just found out she doesn’t dance here anymore.”
“You’re married to Crystal, right? That’s right,” she answered herself, “I remember now. She’s dancing at the new club across town.”
“So I’ve heard,” he muttered. “I’m going over there now.”
She blinked in surprise. “Alone?”
Joe’s parting warning tingled down his spine. “Yes, why?” he asked carefully.
“Well, it’s in a tough part of town. It’s nice,” she quickly assured him, “but the area can be kind of rough. And don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re going to stand out a bit.”
“Why?”
She laughed. “Because you’re white. I mean, really white.”
Alarm flashed in his eyes. “Is it safe for the dancers?”
“I’ve never danced there myself,” she admitted, “but I’ve heard they take good care of the dancers.”
“Well, I’m going anyway,” he said resolutely. “I need to see her.”
Reluctantly she nodded and let him pass, then watched as he headed for the exit. He was nearly there when her conscience jabbed her, and she hurried to stop him. “Tim, wait a second.” Anxiously she hooked her arm inside his, and drew him into a quiet corner. “We don’t know each other,” she murmured, “so there’s no reason for you to trust me. But I don’t have any reason to lie to you, either.”
“I understand,” he said patiently. “What is it?”
She took a deep breath, then blurted, “What do you know about Crystal Meth?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Not much, just what I’ve seen on TV. I know it’s powerfully addictive.”
She nodded, and seemed about to speak again, then fell silent. He studied her more carefully. “What are you saying, Lauren? Crystal’s using Meth?”
“I honestly don’t know,” she said quickly, and spread her hands wide. “But a lot of the girls who dance there end up using Meth.”
Crystal wouldn’t use Meth, he thought. Sure, she liked weed once in a while…but nothing as poisonous and addictive as Meth!
Lauren bit her lip and looked unhappy, then sighed. “I just wanted to warn you before you went over there. Be careful.”
He thanked her and started to turn away, then hesitated again. “Why are you telling me this?” he urged. “We barely even know each other, and I didn’t think you and Crystal were friends.”
“I liked her,” the pretty brunette insisted. “I tried to get to know her while she was here, but Raven always kept her under her spell.” She sighed in frustration, then wiped a tear from her eyes. “I also lost a friend to Meth. She danced here, then moved to the other club for the money. Before long she was using Meth, and her life spiraled down fast. Then Maria disappeared without even calling me, and that was so out of character for her. I haven’t heard from her since.”
What could he say to that?
“Just be careful,” she added, and gripped his arm with surprising strength. “And make sure Crystal’s careful, too!”
“I will. Thank you, Lauren. I appreciate it.”
The valet hadn’t had a chance to park his car yet, so he retrieved his keys, tipped the boy, and screeched the tires as he left the lot. The Honda made good time, and traffic was light as Tim sped across town.
Lauren’s wrong.
He had to see Crystal. He had to look in her eyes, and find out for himself if she was using Meth. “No way,” he insisted. “Crystal wouldn’t do that.” His voice sounded loud and hollow in the car.
It would explain a lot, and you know it. Her behavior’s been odd over the last few months.
No way! There has to be another explanation, he thought desperately. She works long hours. Anyone would be tired after that kind of day.
There was no one who he could appeal to for help, either. Shane wasn’t friendly to him anymore, and Joe hadn’t even told him Crystal wasn’t dancing at his club. Not that it was his responsibility to tell Tim about his own wife, he glumly reminded himself. Raven wasn’t an option, either; he remembered Crystal crying because Raven was a bitch to her now.
You gotta do this yourself, buddy-boy. Now man the fuck up, and go talk to your wife.
There were a lot of nice cars at the new club. His Honda definitely stood out. The valet gave him a weird smile, but gave him a receipt and took his keys.
“Forty dollars,” the cashier told him when he stepped inside. She gave him a slow once-over, then smiled. “I’ll need to see your ID, too, sugar.”
He fished out his driver’s license and the money, a little surprised by the high cover charge. She accepted both, then smiled again. “Have a good time!”
The moment he walked into the club, he felt out of place. Two large black bouncers were standing just inside the door. They gave him a long, slow look, then exchanged a wry smile and dismissed him.
Startled looks followed him across to the bar. White, he thought ruefully. Now I get it.
All the other patrons were coal-black, and so were most of the dancers. Tim only saw a few Hispanic dancers and one Asian woman on the stage.
When he finally slid into an empty space at the bar, he ordered a beer in a bottle. The bartender set it in front of him, then opened it. He was quietly relieved; it was too easy to slip something in a Coke or mixed drink, and he didn’t want to drink anything spiked.
Damn, this is uncomfortable!
Self-consciously he turned so he could survey the club, and tried to ignore the jaundiced glances being tossed in his direction. The club was packed for a Thursday night, and there were plenty of dancers. Just like him, though, Crystal’s natural blonde hair and barely-tanned skin would stand out.
He’d just focused on the VIP area when a deep voice at his elbow startled him. “Hi.”
“Hi,” he said neutrally.
Like the rest, the gentleman was African-American, and well dressed. He was also incredibly tall, broad-shouldered, and looked like an athlete. He smiled and held out his hand. “My name is Sherrod. I’m the manager.”
“Tim, and I’m just a customer,” he replied, trying for humor.
Sherrod offered him a light smile that didn’t reach his eyes, then slid over to the bar beside him. “First time here?”
“That’s right.” He wasn’t sure he wanted this guy to know Crystal was his wife; he’d prefer to keep that information secret, if he could.
“Well, we’re glad to have you,” Sherrod said easily. “If you like a particular dancer, please let me know and I’ll send her over.”
“Thank you,” Tim nodded.
A flash of blonde hair caught his eye, and he spun around. Crystal!
She was hanging on the arm of another tall, well-dressed black man. The way she pressed against him, and the expression on her face when she smiled up at him, made Tim extremely uncomfortable. Nearly everyone else was watching them, too, as they headed toward the VIP area and disappeared up the stairs.
Before he could take a single step in her direction, Sherrod grabbed his arm. “Whoa, there, buddy. Hang on a second.”
“Let go.”
Sherrod somberly shook his head. “I saw where you were looking, and that dancer isn’t available.”
“Why not?”
“First, she’s in the VIP area, and you’re not a VIP member,” he informed Tim. “Second, the gentleman she’s with owns this place, and she’s with him tonight. Finally, you looked like you were about to start some trouble, and I don’t allow that in my club.”
He said it so casually, as he steadily held Tim’s angry gaze, that the smaller man’s nerves prickled with alarm. Then he saw the two gigantic bouncers angling toward the bar. They positioned themselves slightly behind Sherrod, but in a way that didn’t draw attention from any of the other customers.
“Now,” he continued smoothly, “why don’t you tell me why you’re really here?”
What other option did he have? He’d never get back into the VIP area with Sherrod and the bouncers blocking his path, and another immense bouncer guarding the VIP entrance. But he didn’t want to just leave without making some effort; that would be cowardly.
Fuck. No choice. Nervously he took a sip of beer to wet his throat.
“The dancer with the club owner, Crystal? She’s my wife.”
Sherrod’s expression grew serious. He glanced over at the bartender and held up his hand; a moment later he was holding a drink. He took a matching sip, then looked intently down at Tim. “I’ll ask you again. Why are you here?”
“I wanted to talk to Crystal,” Tim said simply, then repeated more forcefully, “I wanted to talk to my wife.”
“You two don’t talk at home?”
“Any reason why I can’t talk to her here?”
“Actually, yes,” Sherrod retorted. “You saw for yourself, she’s busy with a customer—the most important customer this place has—and I’m not going to interrupt their night.”
Tim narrowed his eyes. “So you’re telling me I can’t talk to my wife.”
“Yes, Tim. That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”
“What if I wait patiently?”
“You’re not hearing me. Crystal is unavailable tonight,” Jerrod insisted, and paused meaningfully before he continued, “All night.”
Tim pushed away from the bar, and bravely straightened. “I’ll come back at closing.”
“No, you won’t.”
“What?”
“You heard me. This club doesn’t need any problems, and you’ve got trouble written all over you.” Sherrod leaned closer to emphasize his words. “If I see you again tonight, or if any of my guys see you again tonight, we’re going to call the cops and report you. Now just go home. You’ll see Crystal when she gets there.”
“Bullshit,” Tim replied immediately. “I’m waiting for her.”
Sherrod gave him a level look, and calmly took another drink of his soda. “Okay, Tim. You seem like a square guy, so I’m going to level with you,” he said with another cold smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “The way I see it, you have two different choices. I’d recommend you consider them carefully.”
“Oh, yeah?” Tim snapped recklessly. “You tell me, Sherrod, my new best friend, what are my options?”
The big man’s face went ice-cold, and he shivered, but he didn’t back down.
“The first option is that you leave quietly right now. You’ll see Crystal soon, and everything will be fine,” Sherrod said, and finished his drink. “That’s the option you really need to consider.”
Tim stared up at the club manager without flinching. “And the second option?”
“The second option is you decide to stay. In that case, I’ll introduce you to the two gentleman behind me. They will escort you from the premises, beat you too a bloody pulp, and you’ll wake up in a hospital a few weeks from now.” Sherrod’s voice was calm, almost friendly, but his grin was malicious. “It’s likely you’ll have more than a few broken bones, and you’ll have to drink all of your food through a straw. The police will be there when you wake up, of course, and they’ll want to talk to you about the drugs in your possession and in your system.
“And here’s the best part,” he continued before Tim could snap out a retort. “I’ll have one of my strippers tell the cops how you stalked her, and tried to attack her after the club closed. Another stripper will say you previously harassed her, too. Finally, a third one will say you exposed yourself to her in the club, tried to fondle her, and offered her the same drugs that were found in your system.
“Even if you manage to stay out of jail,” he finished with a soft, menacing laugh, “you’ll lose whatever shitty job you have now, and Crystal will drop your ass and not look back. She’ll probably drop you anyway,” he added, raking the smaller man with a disdainful smirk. “But if you leave now, at least you have a shot at keeping your bones and your dignity intact.”
Tim’s heart was racing, and he felt light-headed. He believed every word; Sherrod was so matter-of-fact that he knew he’d make all of it happen…and he’d enjoy it.
“I want you to walk out that door,” Sherrod coolly told him, “and don’t ever come back. I don’t ever want to see you in or near this club again. When Crystal is here, she belongs to the club. We own her until she goes home to you…if she goes home to you. Now put your beer down,” he ordered, leaning down until they were only inches apart, “and get the fuck out of my club.”
Survival wasn’t cowardice, Tim thought furiously as he slowly, carefully placed his beer on the bar and eased around Sherrod. The two black hulks slid into place behind him, and followed him outside. The valet quickly opened his door, and shoved the keys into his hand. “Don’t worry about the tip,” he urged. “Just go, dude. Seriously. Get the fuck out of here!”
Tim pulled out of the parking lot and sped toward the highway. He was safe now, he assured himself…but his eyes kept flicking to the rearview mirror, and his heart raced again every time a car pulled in behind him. He couldn’t relax until he was halfway home, and then he started to shake as the adrenaline left his system. He focused on taking slow, deep breaths, and eventually he calmed down and stopped shaking.
Fuck me! That was close!
Then anger began to kindle in his veins again. Crystal hadn’t told him about switching clubs, and she sure as hell hadn’t told him she was so close to the new club owner! He’d been threatened with bodily injury, jail, and worse…and as far as he was concerned, it was all her fault.
He gripped the wheel tightly. Crystal had some explaining to do.