South Beach Sizzles Boxed Set: South Beach Sizzles Contemporary Romance Series

By Charity Pineiro

SOUTH BEACH SIZZLES COLLECTION

with Now and Always and Faith in You

South Beach Sizzles as two determined and courageous sisters explore their attraction to two very handsome and successful men.  Join Connie and Carmen on their sexy, emotional, and humorous journey to find love and reach for their dreams.

NOW AND ALWAYS

Romantic Times: 4 Stars - Pineiro "ignites her own brand of Miami heat in this sexy and humorous romance."

Connie Gonzalez is a driven, ambitious woman who is one of the FBI’s best agents and determined to prove herself in a man’s world. Assigned to the Miami Bureau, Connie soon finds herself going undercover in Miami's glamorous South Beach area. An injury throws her together with the very rich and tempting Dr. Victor Cienfuegos. Victor is everything Connie should avoid, but despite the risks of her work and allowing any distractions, Connie cannot deny the attraction between herself and the sexy physician. Will danger keep them apart or is their love strong enough to survive for now and always?

FAITH IN YOU

Affaire de Coeur: Pineiro "pens a truly charming . . . romance . . . Her lively writing style makes this . . . romance a page-turner."

Paul Stone accepts Connie Gonzalez’s invitation to join her for a traditional and fun-filled Christmas Eve dinner. Paul is instantly captivated by her intriguing kid sister. Carmen Gonzalez is leery of the self-assured FBI agent whose upscale upbringing provided him with all he ever needed. . .except love. After a fast-paced courtship, Paul and Carmen are ready to walk down the aisle, blissfully unaware that fate – and their own secret fears – will test their fragile commitment long before they make it to the altar . . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Caridad Pineiro
• Release date: Mar 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781497763784

Book preview

Chapter 1

Miami, Florida

Victor glanced at her resume, certain he wouldn't hire her.  She was too young and too inexperienced.  Nancy at the personnel office must have been crazy to even send her over.  He considered calling the agency to cancel her upcoming interview, but the young woman was probably on her way.  Disgustedly, he stared at the empty waiting room of his office.  This was going to be a bad day all around.

The temp had misread his note, canceled his appointments for the day, and rescheduled them for tomorrow.  Too bad that today was the day he had time for his patients.  Tomorrow he was expected in surgery.

Victor dragged a hand through his hair and tried to guess how many of his patients would remain with him if these screw ups continued. And all because his regular nurse/receptionist, Yolanda, had decided to get pregnant.

Damn, he cursed, but Victor wasn't angry at Yolanda.  He was sorry that she was now at home, flat on her back until the arrival of the baby in another four or five months.  He couldn't wait for her to come back once she had the baby, even if only on a part-time basis.  But Yolanda's unexpected defection to the ranks of motherhood had thrown his neat little world into a state of chaos and made him question too many things.

He was supposed to be a triple S if there was such a thing -- thirtySomething, Single, and Successful.  An up-and-coming orthopedic surgeon who hopefully would be Chief of Orthopedics sometime this year.

So why was it that with so much supposedly in his favor, at times he didn't know who or what he was any more or what he wanted out of life?

He set aside the resume, drew in a deep breath, and smelled something rank.  Looking down at the overflowing wastebasket next to him, he caught a glimpse of the days’ old remains of someone's lunch.  Something else the temp couldn't seem to do right, although it defied logic why someone couldn't arrange to keep the wastebaskets clean and the office looking neat.

Victor shook his head, stood, and began to straighten the disorderly piles of magazines and health brochures available for his patients.  He walked into the receptionist's area and stopped short.  A number of his patients' files were haphazardly stacked on the desk, waiting to topple at the slightest provocation.  If they did, it would take hours of work to reorganize them.  He reached to balance the precarious pile.

From the other side of the desk someone said Hello, surprising him into jostling a goodly portion of the files onto the floor.  They landed in a heap of scattered papers and manila file folders.

He cursed under his breath and glared at the young woman.  Couldn't you have knocked at least?

She squared her shoulders and crossed her arms in front of herself.  I did, but apparently you didn't hear.  She eyed him curiously as he stooped down and shoveled together the papers from the files.  If your bedside manner's like this, it's no wonder you have an empty waiting room.

He stopped picking up the papers.  Who are you anyway?

Carmen Gonzalez.  I'm here for the interview for the nurse/receptionist position, although you look like you're in more of a firing than hiring mood.

He laughed, surprising himself.  There was just something about her that made it hard to stay angry.  Maybe it was her sauciness or her young eager face.   Too young.  I'm sorry you wasted your time coming.

You're not even going to interview me? she said softly, her crimson painted lips forming a frown.  Look, I know we started off on the wrong foot.

He held his hand up to stop her.  It's not you.  I'm in a rotten mood and besides, you're too--

Young and too inexperienced, Carmen finished for him.  Nancy was afraid that you would say that.

Victor nodded, bent, and returned to gathering the papers.  Nancy knows what I want.

And you're certain that I'm definitely not it, she shot back quickly.

He laughed again, shook his head, and glanced at her.  Do you always do that?

She looked taken aback and her dark chocolate eyes widened with doubt.  Do what?

Finish whatever anyone is saying.

She blushed brightly and looked away.  Only when I'm nervous.

Victor doubted that there were many situations in which Carmen could be nervous.  She struck him as the cool and capable type.  Just like his old receptionist Yolanda who could handle just about anything.  Despite that, he needed someone with more job experience, especially with the nightmare his office had become in the last few weeks.

He stood and rearranged the scattered papers and folders into a pile on the desktop.  He would have to organize them when he had a precious spare moment.  Look, I appreciate your coming down here, but I think Nancy made a mistake.  It just wouldn't work.  I need someone who can straighten out this mess and handle my patients.

You actually have patients? she teased and glanced around the empty waiting room.

A chuckle worked out of him and he pondered again what it was about her that could make him laugh given the current state of his life.  In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had actually been this spontaneous.  Not in a long time anyway.

Yes, I do have patients.  The problem is that the temp canceled today's appointments and rescheduled them for tomorrow.  I have to be in surgery tomorrow.  So if you don't mind, I really have to go and start calling them.  Hopefully I'll still have some patients left when I'm done.  He bent, collected the last of the papers, and dumped them on the desk.

Carmen had yet to move, so he eyed her, wondering why she was still lingering and she finally got the message.

Carmen gave him a disappointed nod and walked away.

The office phone began to ring.  The problem was the phone was nowhere to be seen.

Victor searched all over the desk and burrowed under the pile of papers that had once been his files.

Well don't just stand there, he snapped at Carmen.  She had stopped at the sound of the ringing and now stood in the middle of the waiting room.

Please help me find the phone, he added more politely, ashamed that he was being rude.  That wasn't normally his style, but he had neared his limit of patience.

Carmen shook her head in amusement, picked up the phone they kept for patients to use, and with the quick push of a few buttons, she answered. Dr. Cienfuegos's office.

She glanced at him for further instructions as the garbled sound of someone on the other end of the line drifted over to him.

Victor didn't know how she had done it and didn't care at the moment.  He waved for her to go on with the call.

Yes, Mrs. Ruiz.  We're sorry that the doctor's temp called to cancel your appointment.

Victor heard the angry burst of Spanish from his position across the room.

Carmen held the phone away and motioned for him to take the call, but he waved his hands and shook his head.  The last thing he needed to deal with today was Mrs. Ruiz.  He didn't care if she was one of his mother's very rich, very influential friends.  She was a royal pain in the ass, generally vicious, and he was in no mood to deal with her today.

Carmen relented and got back on the phone.  In Spanish, she calmly explained the mix-up.  She reminded Mrs. Ruiz about Victor's problem, what with poor Yolanda having difficulties with her pregnancy and leaving him without help.  That seemed to bring a round of commiseration from the other woman.

Yes, of course.  I can imagine how hard it was for you, too.  I'm sure you can understand how Yolanda feels and how poor Dr. Cienfuegos is trying to handle all this with her gone. You know men are lost without us, Carmen said, earning the other woman's sympathy.

Another burst of Spanish came across the line and then Carmen laughed, a rich, full-throated laugh that reached into her eyes.  He grinned, enjoying how she had the shark eating out of her hand.  It gave him second thoughts about his earlier decision not to hire her.

Yes, yes, I agree, Carmen said, shaking her head and looking his way.  I'm so glad you're not angry.  What would be a better day for your next appointment, by the way?  She motioned for him to bring over his appointment book and after a few tries, he located it, and brought it out to her.

Carmen plucked the pen from his shirt pocket, sat down, flipped through the pages, and very efficiently rescheduled Mrs. Ruiz for another day.

Thank you very much for being so understanding. She hung up and handed him his appointment book.

There was no way Victor was going to take it.  Please reschedule the rest.

She eyed him doubtfully and clutched the book to her chest.  I thought you weren't going to hire me.

I'm not.  Not yet anyway, he admitted with a grin and a shrug.

He motioned to the phone sitting in the patient's area.  How did you do that with the phone and how did you know about Yolanda?

Carmen laughed, her dark eyes sparkling and her smile displaying straight, toothpaste bright teeth.  We have the same phone system at the nursing school.  I temp there sometimes for Nancy, who happens to be Yolanda's cousin.  And you will hire me.  Trust me.  I'm very determined.

She surely was, he thought with a nod.

Victor walked back toward the receptionist's desk. I'm going to try and straighten out the files.

He stopped short, turned, and asked, You're not planning on getting pregnant any time soon, are you?

You're not allowed to ask that question, she reminded him, waggling a finger.

Victor knew that only too well, but that didn't stop a suddenly mischievous streak from tossing back, Well, I did ask.  Are you?

Carmen chuckled and shook her head.  If I was, my parents would be checking me into the nearest convent.

He wrinkled his brow, trying to figure out that comment.  Why?

She shot him a saucy grin.  Because I'm a good Cuban girl and still single.  We don't do that kind of thing, Carmen said with an exaggerated roll of her eyes.

The laughter that erupted from his chest was heartfelt.  It made him feel warm and alive, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Carmen, you are too much.

She nodded, placed the appointment book down, and dialed the next patient on the list.  My sister Connie says the same thing.

He stopped short.  There are two of you?

She waved him off.  We're not twins.  Connie's my older sister.  My way too serious older sister.

Victor smiled and mumbled again, Too much.

Hey, Dr. Cienfuegos, Carmen called out.  You should do that more often.

He faced her, slightly confused.  What's that?

Smile.  You're kinda cute when you smile.

Now, Carmen.  You know you're not supposed to say that kind of thing, he teased, waggling his finger in warning as she had done before.

She grinned saucily.  Well, I did.

Victor chuckled and walked away to fix his files.  He stopped at the desk and looked back at her as she started making calls.  He wasn't going to hire her.  She was too young.  Too sassy.  And as he looked at her, took in for the first time all her too dangerous feminine curves, he wondered if he was dead not to have noticed them before.

He was definitely working too hard.

Chapter 2

Connie Gonzalez slipped on the thin latex gloves before entering the crime scene.  She stopped at the door and checked the frame for signs of forcible entry.  Not a nick marred the lock or door jamb.  The perp had a key or was let in by the victim, she told the agent behind her, who examined the door and agreed.

Easy work, Gonzalez.  Any beginner could see that.

So let's see what else we have then.  Stepping inside the room, she scanned the interior of the shabby motel room, typical of those backstreet, by the hour establishments.  Two mismatched chairs sat beside a scarred table strewn with the remnants of a take-out Chinese dinner for two.  She stepped over and opened the containers.  One from Column A.  One from Column B.  Husband says they had finished dinner when he left.  Must be light eaters, she commented about the nearly full containers.

The agent behind her grunted, entered the room, and sat down at the table.  He picked up a fork and one of the containers. Want some? he asked.

Connie shook her head as he dug into the fried rice and leaned back in the chair.

Sir, I don't know how you can handle that, she said as she approached the bed where the victim lay.  Or at least what remained of the victim.

What's the matter, Gonzalez?  Stomach a little queasy? he teased as she bent at the knees and made herself face level with the edge of the bed and the body of the victim.

Connie laughed and tossed her shoulder length cap of hair aside.  Hell, no.  The salt and grease will kill you.  Plus the MSG always gives me a headache.

He chuckled and dug back into the fried rice as Connie rose, walked to the other side of the bed and examined the blood splatter patterns on the sheets and victim.

Twelve gauge shotgun.  Two blasts.  One to the chest.  One to the privates. She blushed as she examined the victim's body.

The other agent laughed, nearly choking on the mouthful of rice.  That some new technical term, Connie.  Privates?

Yes, sir.  I petitioned to add it to the FBI dictionary.  What do you think?  While she waited for his reply, she checked out the bathroom, and after examining the area, returned to the main area of the staged hotel room.

Her superior grabbed an egg roll, waving it as he spoke.  I think you need to get a thicker skin.  That Catholic school innocence gives the male agents a real opportunity for making you uneasy.  Want some egg roll?  He held up the victim's purported dinner and as he moved it around, bits of filling flew off.

Can I help it you guys don't have any class?  Anyway, let's get this over with.  You're making me hungry. Where's the other body? she said and sat down at the table across from him.

This time her superior did choke on the egg roll.

She reached over and pounded his back until he had control.

How did you know there was another body? he asked once he could talk again.

No forced entry.  The posture of the victim's body would indicate that she wasn't yet asleep and the sheets were off her even though it's kinda cold in here.

She rubbed her arms against the chill and looked up at the two-way mirror at one side of the room where other instructors were monitoring the test.  If it's intentional, please turn up the heat.  My Cuban blood can't handle this cold and it's the least you can do for solving this little puzzle.

The instructor sitting across from her laughed and dug back into the pint container of Chinese food.  Don't get too cocky, Agent Gonzalez.  Or should I say, Agent-in-Training?  Since so far you're the only one to have picked up on it, let's hear your theory.

Connie nodded, leaned back in her chair, and confidently laid out her explanation for the crime.  As I was saying, the victim was not covered, and the bed, lumpy and soft as it is, shows a deep impression.  More than our little 'victim', if she was of average weight for that height, would have made, she said, pointing to the mannequin that had been prepared for the exam.

The husband claims they had been involved with some drug dealing and that his wife was supposed to meet with one of the men.

She chuckled and shook her head in disgust before proceeding.  You guys have a twisted idea of what meeting with someone is.  Anyway, as I said before, there was no forced entry.  The nature of the gunshots is not typical of a drug style execution.  The husband claims they ate dinner, but it was barely touched.  My guess is, he went to get dinner, came back, and saw through the window that his wife was doing it with someone else.  Not too smart on her part, but maybe she thought he would take longer to return.  In any case, when he saw what was going on, he lost it, went and got his shotgun, returned, and blew them away.  He laid out the dinner to support his story.

The instructor nodded and urged her to go on.  What about the other body?  Where did it go?

Connie stood, walked over to the mannequin, and pointed to the groin area.  I'm assuming you intended these bits of stuff on the mannequin to be brain matter, because it's inconsistent with what would happen to a shotgun blast to the 'privates', she said with a smile, teasing him.  So, I'm assuming they were involved in, let's just say something my Catholic school mind would rather not discuss in mixed company.

I knew you were good, the instructor said.

Connie did a mock bow and continued.  The plastic liner of the shower curtain is missing from the bathroom and there's no trail of blood from the bed to outdoors.  Therefore, the husband likely wrapped his wife’s lover in the shower curtain and took the body elsewhere.  That's supported by the small bit of plastic caught on a nail by the door jamb.

The instructor clapped. Very good, Connie.  Nice job today.

Thanks.  If you don't have anything else, I'd like to go back to the dorm now, she said and walked back to her teacher.

He stood and plopped the pint container of food back onto the table.  Big exam tomorrow, right?

Connie nodded.  I have some studying to do and I want to call home and see how things are going.

He laid a hand on her shoulder.  Don't worry.  You're going to pass that test with flying colors.  You're the first one to solve this crime and only a few others will get it as quickly as you did.  You're one of the best I've had.

I appreciate that vote of confidence.  Only the best could choose where they wished to be and she was itching to go home to Miami.

After another few exams, she only had one real hurdle left to go: the self defense test.  She hoped that when all was said and done, she would be at the top of her class and buying a ticket back to Miami.

#

After a quick dinner in the cafeteria, Connie returned to the small, dormitory style room she shared with one other woman.  She sat at her desk, quickly glanced through her e-mail, and seeing nothing urgent, closed her laptop.  The various messages could wait until after she talked to her family.

She dialed and the phone rang a few times before her sister Carmen answered.

Hey, sis.  How are you? she asked.

Good.  What about you? Carmen responded.

I'm fine.  Have any luck landing a job yet?  Carmen had been looking for a nursing position for once she graduated.

Even if I told you, you'd probably never believe me, Carmen replied.

Connie leaned back in the chair, propped her feet on the desk, and wondered what trouble her sister had gotten into this time.  Carmen, with you anything's possible.  Please, don't keep me waiting.

Carmen regaled her with the details of her interview with her prospective employer.  Connie laughed as Carmen described the look on his face as his files fell on the floor.  Her eyes teared up from her amusement as her sister exaggerated the telephone run-in with Mrs. Ruiz.

This guy sounds like he's in real trouble, she said.

Carmen chuckled.  Yeah, real trouble.  He needed help right away and I felt so bad for him that when he asked me to call everyone, I gave in.

Connie shook her head.  Oh no, sis.  Don't tell me he's got a pretty face and got you to do the work for free.  We didn't raise a fool, you know.

I know, Connie, Carmen said with an exasperated sigh at her sisterly chiding.  He offered to pay me.

And you accepted of course, she jumped in.

Now, Connie, don't get all crazy.

Tell me he paid you, Carmen.  There was a moment of silence on the line, then her sister laughed--the unrestrained, earthy laugh Connie had missed so much during the months of their separation.

Well? she prompted.

Do you always do that? Carmen asked.

Connie furrowed her brow, trying to imagine what her sister was talking about.  I don't get it.

Victor--

It's Victor now?  When did that happen? she teased as she slipped her feet off the desk, tucked the cell phone between her ear and shoulder, and gathered her books and study materials.

"Victor asked me if I always finished sentences for other people.   So do you?"

Heat crept into her cheeks and Connie was glad her sister was not in the room to witness her embarrassment.  All right, you got me.  I'll keep quiet while you explain how he got you to do his work for free, didn't hire you, and became Victor all in the course of one day.

Carmen chuckled.  "Lighten up.  He did pay me for the day and he likes to be informal."

Connie waited for her sister to go on, wondering if she had gotten the job, but Carmen didn't say another word.  After fifteen seconds or so, Connie asked, So did he--

Hire me?  I knew you couldn't keep quiet, Carmen kidded.

Connie wished her sister was in the room with her so she could provide a sisterly smack to get her in line.  Tell me, she pressed and looked at her watch.  She had to hit the books shortly.

Do you know he actually had the nerve to ask if I planned on having babies soon? Carmen admitted.

Connie bolted upright in her chair, righteous indignation seething in every pore of her lawyer's body.  He's not allowed to ask that.  The Neanderthal should know.  If he refused to hire you because of that, we'll sue.

Take it easy, my little legal eagle.  He admitted he shouldn't have asked, but then again, it's something I wasn't thinking of doing right now.

Her adrenaline going, Connie couldn't stop.  I should hope not.  At least not until you're married.

Ah, Connie.  Earth to Connie, Carmen teased.  This is the twenty-first century.  People do that now.

But not you, Carmen.

How do you know? her sister said, knocking all the wind out of her sails.  Connie's little sister had. . .well, lost it…while Connie was still nearly a virgin at the age of twenty-six.  She didn't consider her couple of short college relationships a lot of experience, sexually that was.  She didn't know what upset her more, Carmen's active love life or her own chaste state.

Carmen, she said huskily and paused to clear her throat.  As long as you took the right precautions.

And as long as her sister wasn’t doing it with that no account Julio from down the block, she thought to herself.

A heavy sigh drifted from the other end of the line.  Of course, I do.  Don't you?

Connie blushed, hesitated, and then stammered out a quick, Of course.  Of course I do.  Well, at least the few times she had in any case.

Believe it or not, Victor hired me, even though I was too young and too inexperienced.  I don't know why and I don't care.  He's paying me well and I'll be able to get experience so I can get another job once Yolanda comes back.

That's great, Carmen.  Congratulations.  We'll have to celebrate once I get home.  Home, she thought with a pang of longing.  It had been months since she had been back to the small cinder block house off Calle Ocho in Little Havana.

You know where you're being assigned already? Carmen asked.

Connie hesitated and finally admitting, Well, no.  Just wishful thinking on my part.

Con? Carmen asked softly, using her pet nickname for her older sister.  The one reserved for important moments or serious ones.

Connie wondered what was suddenly bothering Carmen.  What’s up, sis?

Have you talked to Mom and Dad about where you'll be living if you're assigned to Miami?

Connie chewed on her bottom lip.  No, but they have to know I'm not going to live at home if I come back to Miami.  I mean that’s so Old School.

I know.  Still, Mom launched into one of her 'My Daughters' speeches the other day. I think she'll give you a hard time if you tell them you plan on getting your own place.

Connie sighed and dragged a hand through her hair.  Well, I'll deal with it if and when I'm lucky enough to get the Miami assignment.

Not to mention good enough, she thought, suddenly assailed by doubt.

Okay.  I won't say anything.  Besides they're not home right now.  Want me to have them call you later?

No.  I'll be at the library studying.  Tell them I'll call tomorrow.  Carmen?

Yes, Con.  What is it now? Carmen said with a sigh, as if waiting for Connie to chide her about something.

Connie smiled, certain she would catch Carmen off guard.  You never told me if he was cute or not?

Who?  Victor? Carmen said, obviously playing dumb.

Of course, Victor.  Who else?

There was a long, drawn out moment over the phone line as her sister considered it.  I don't think he's your type at all, Connie.

And yours? she teased.

No way, came the immediate reply.  He's much too old.

Connie pictured him, wondering what he looked like from Carmen's sparse references.  The picture of a cigarette-smoking, paunchy, sixty-something male chauvinist immediately came to mind.  Well, I hope he's not so old that you'll be looking for another job in a few weeks.

I said old, not ancient.  I think he'll be around for a while.

Carmen stopped for a second and laughed.  The kind of laugh that told Connie her sister wasn't being totally truthful.  Okay, Carmen, spill the beans.  What's with this doctor of yours?

Don't worry, Connie.  You have to go, remember, so take care.  I'll talk to you soon.

Connie stared at the phone for a second after Carmen ended the call, wondering what her sister was keeping to herself.  Then she grabbed her things, slipped them into a well-worn knapsack that had seen her through law school and now nearly thirteen weeks at the FBI Academy.  She hoped that in another two weeks, she would retire the knapsack forever as she left the academic realm and jumped into the real world.

That was, if she could nail all her exams.  She rose, heading to the library for another long night of studying.  This was too important to leave anything to chance.

#

Connie stared at the results posted on the bulletin board and smiled.  Her joy was short lived, however.

So, Speedy Gonzalez.  Think you're one up on us, don't you, she heard from behind her.

She looked over her shoulder and upward as she stared at the man who had been the bane of her existence for the last two and a half months.

Paul Stone was handsome, intelligent, wealthy, and he made sure everyone knew it with his inbred arrogance.  A native Floridian, he had grown up in, as he said it, Myah-muh, and considered Connie just one of the thousands of Cuban cockroaches who had invaded his city.

You have a problem, Stone?  She faced him and crossed her arms before her in a challenging pose.

He leaned closer, towering over her as he looked at the test grades and standings.  You're number one.  I'm number two, but not for long, he said as he shifted away, but still remained close.

That self defense test.  He tsked and shook his head in chastisement.  Pretty little thing like you is going to have a hard time, darlin'.

Connie, barely over five feet, craned her neck to examine his six foot plus height and too broad shoulders.  Well, you know what they say.  The bigger they are--

The harder they fall, he finished for her with a decidedly assured masculine smile.  Not this time, Speedy.  Give me a call in Myah-muh from wherever you're assigned.  He waved and was about to walk away when Connie stopped him by laying a hand on his arm.  She took a piece of paper from a pad, jotted down a number, and handed the slip to him.

Stone took it and scrutinized it for a second, a deep furrow across his brow.  What's this?

Connie smiled.  It's the number for the Miami Bureau office, she said, pronouncing it Mee-ah-mee as the Cubans did.  "Call me, Stone and I'll let you know how things are going in Mee-ah-mee."

She left him standing there, open-mouthed.  But even as she tried to put his words out of her mind, she knew he was right.  The self defense test tomorrow would be the hardest challenge.  Especially if their instructor decided to test her mettle by pitting her against someone like Stone, who had at least a foot of height and a hundred pounds on her.

But she could do it, she reminded herself.  She was a black belt and well-versed in martial arts.

She would knock Stone flat on his ass if she had to in order to get back home.

#

She stood on the mat in her ghi, waiting as the instructor explained the scenario to the class.  Also dressed in the traditional martial arts garb of a loose white jacket and pants, a black belt around his waist, he walked around the circle of men and women who would one day be FBI agents.  His hands were held loosely behind his back as he strolled and dictated the terms of the test.

Class.  As I indicated earlier, there will be bodily contact in this test just as one day in the field you will be required to defend yourselves.  Of course, it is to be light bodily contact.  We don't want anyone to be injured during the exam.

The instructor returned to the center of the mat and faced her.  Gonzalez.  You have earned the honor of being the first one tested today.  Let's see, he said, looking around the circle of students once more.

He smiled and Connie cringed as his eyes settled on her worst nightmare.

Stone, please join us.  You will be the perp in this scenario.  Also, please bring that pipe with you, the instructor said, pointing to the long, heavy, hard rubber rod used in lieu of the real thing.

Stone grinned, picked up the rod, and tossed it into the air, where it flipped end over end before landing in his hand with a loud slap.  He remained on the edge of the circle, five or so feet from Connie and the instructor, who outlined the remainder of the test.

Gonzalez, you have chased the perp into a confined area.  You have also lost your firearm along the way.  Having cornered the perp, he has grabbed the nearest weapon--a piece of pipe.  It is up to you to disarm him and get the cuffs on.

The instructor tossed her the handcuffs which she tucked behind her back into the black belt around her waist.

Stone moved a