His Baby Bonus. Laura Altom Marie

      The United States Marshals Service

      Formed in 1789 by President George Washington, the United States Marshals Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency—and in my mind, one of the most mysterious. They used to carry out death sentences, catch counterfeiters—even take the national census. According to their Web site, “At virtually every significant point over the years where Constitutional principles or the force of law have been challenged, the marshals were there—and they prevailed.” Now the agency primarily focuses on fugitive investigation, prisoner/alien transportation, prisoner management, court security and witness security.

      No big mystery there, you say? When I started this series, I didn’t think so, either. Intending to nail the details, I marched down to my local marshals’ office for an afternoon that will stay with me forever.

      After learning the agency’s history and being briefed on day-to-day operations, I was taken on a tour. I saw an impressive courtroom and a prisoner holding cell. Then we went to the garage to see vehicles and bulletproof vests and guns. Sure, I’m an author, but I’m primarily a mom and wife. I bake cookies and find hubby’s always-lost belt. Nothing made the U.S. Marshals Service spring to life for me more than seeing those weapons. And then I realized my tour guide wasn’t fictional. He used those guns, put his very life on the line protecting me and my family and the rest of this city, county and state. I had chills.

      Things really got interesting when I started digging for information on the Witness Security Program. Deputy Marshal Rick ever so politely sidestepped my every question. I found out nothing! Not where the base of operations is located, not which marshals are assigned to the program, what size crews are used, how their shifts are rotated—nothing! After a while it got to be a game. One it was obvious I’d lose!

      Honestly, all this mystery probably makes for better fiction. I don’t want to know what really happens. It’s probably not half as romantic as the images of these great protectors I’ve conjured in my mind. Oh—and another bonus to my tour—Deputy Marshal Rick was Harlequin American Romance–hero hot!

      Laura Altom

      Dear Reader,

      In case you couldn’t already tell, I’m fascinated by the United States Marshals Service! Their Web site is wonderful, full of all sorts of interesting facts (www.usdoj.gov/marshals/index.html). Some of my favorite pages detail marshal-led sting operations. These guys are not only brave and strong, but funny!

      One of the most elaborate stings involved free tickets to a Washington Redskins home football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. “The fugitives, wanted by authorities for a variety of criminal offenses, willingly gathered at the D.C. Convention Center in response to ‘invitations’ sent by the Marshals Service to the last known addresses of more than 3,000 wanted persons with more than 5,000 outstanding warrants.” There are some super pics on the site, one of which features a pair of fugitives hamming it up with, unbeknownst to them, a U.S. Marshal dressed in a chicken suit!

      Hoping any contests you win are the real deal,

      Laura Marie

      P.S. You can reach me through my Web site at

       www.lauramariealtom.com or write me at P.O. Box 2074, Tulsa, OK 74101.

      His Baby Bonus

      Laura Marie Altom