Her Officer in Charge (13 page)

“Oh, I see,” she said quietly. “Is it okay if I said I love that?”

“I hope you do,” he smiled. “You need to understand something, so listen carefully, and this is serious.”

“Okay, I’m listening.”

“I know about operatives. I know how they think, and how they work. One day the person you thought was the nicest next-door neighbor you’ve ever had, is in your living room with a knife at your throat. Operatives are trained chameleons.”

“I don’t know what to say,” she murmured. “Do you really think Scott could be one?”

“Anyone could be, and I’m not taking any chances with you. If he is, you could be in danger. I’m not saying he would purposely harm you, but it’s like being in the line of fire and not knowing it.”

“I don’t really understand. We’ve been working together for months.”

“When you leave here, he’ll be under surveillance. If he’s an innocent civilian, this is all a big misunderstanding, no problem, but if he’s not, anything could happen. So, my idea is that you stay here with me.”

“What?”

“It’s just a precaution until things are sorted out.”

“You don’t think he’s going to join us tonight, do you?”

“That’s what my gut says. If he is an operative, he’ll be sniffing the air. Operatives live just as much by their gut as their gun. If he backs out of meeting up tonight, it wouldn’t prove anything, but it would contribute to my suspicions.”

“I’m suddenly feeling kind of sick,” she mumbled.

“I’ve probably said too much, but I didn’t feel right about asking you to stay here without telling you why.”

“You mean, if this weren’t happening, you wouldn’t have asked me to stay over a bit longer? Wow, that’s one way to make a girl feel wanted.”

“That’s not what I meant. I just thought I owed you an explanation, and for the record, yes, I would have asked you to stay a few more days.”

“I need to ask you something.”

“Sure, but I can’t promise an answer.”

“Do you think Scott’s been using me to gain access to the bases where I’ve been doing my act?”

“It’s not what I think that matters,” he said solemnly, “but if someone wants to get on a base, your show provides the perfect cover.”

“Now that you mention it, he’ll often leave and come back.”

“What do you mean, leave and come back?” Vince frowned. “Be specific.”

“Usually during the setup. He’ll leave to get something to eat, or race back to get something from the motel. He’s always back in plenty of time before the show.”

“Anything else?”

“I don’t think so. I don’t know why, but that just popped into my head.”

“If anything else happens to pop in, let me know. I think you should call him now, and find out if he’s meeting us.”

“Right. My phone’s in the bedroom.”

“I’ll come with you,” he said, rising from the table.

“All this aside, I am excited about watching the games.”

“I’m excited that you’ll be staying with me,” he said, reaching for her hand.

“That too! I’m not as spic-and-span as you are,” she admitted as she rose to her feet.

“You will be by the end of the week,” he teased.

“Yikes, should I be worried?”

“About Scott, no, I’m going to protect you, and there may be nothing to worry about; about being neat and tidy in my house, most definitely.”

In a nearby Mexican restaurant, Scott Bateman was sitting at a bar drinking a Corona. Though he’d been relieved at the time, Bella’s stunt had thrown a wrench in the works and made some people very angry. He hadn’t been able make a move with her on the loose. If she’d been nabbed, the alarm would have been raised. The camp would have been lit up like a Christmas tree, and patrols would have been buzzing around searching for anyone else who wasn’t supposed to be there. When she’d called and said she’d met someone, he had no legitimate excuse to return.

Then there was Moses.

The man infuriated him. Moses was a glutton. He lived for food. Scott didn’t care if the man ate himself into an early grave, but insisting they meet at brunch instead of in the privacy of the suite was reckless. It didn’t matter that Moses swore he was off the radar; Scott didn’t take chances. An operative was off the radar only until he wasn’t, and that could happen at any time. Scott survived by being anonymous. Being seen with Moses put that in jeopardy.

Making things even worse, Moses had been furious that Scott had arrived empty-handed. Scott had explained that the change in venue had put him too far away from the office he needed to access, and Bella’s stunt had made a later attempt impossible, but Moses had refused to accept it. Scott knew the man didn’t make idle threats, but as grave as the situation now was, as Scott sat quietly sipping his beer, something else was bothering him.

The air! It didn’t smell right.

I don’t even want to go back to that base tonight, but I have to pick up Bella. War games. Fuck. I don’t need to see that shit. I’ve seen enough explosions and heard enough gunfire to last me a lifetime. She sounded pretty gaga over this guy. Maybe I can nudge her into sticking around here for a couple of days and I can get out of here by myself. I’ve got a snake wriggling down my spine and it’s telling me to bolt, and the last thing I want to do is put Bella in any danger.

Chapter Sixteen

The bartender picked up Scott’s empty bottle, wiped the counter, and asked if he wanted another. Scott shook his head.

“I think I’m going to grab a table and have a bite to eat.”

“You can eat here if you want,” the bartender offered.

“Yeah, maybe I’ll do that. Let me see a menu.”

He was perusing the entrees when his phone chimed, and without looking he knew it was Bella.

“I’ll take the chicken enchiladas,” he said to the bartender, “but I need to take this call so I’ll go outside. Won’t be a minute.”

“Sure, I’ll put in the order,” the bartender assured him.

Accepting the call, he held the phone to his ear as he moved quickly out of the restaurant.

“Bella, hey.”

“Hi, Scott. You wanted to talk to me about tonight?”

“Yeah, but tell me about this guy you’ve met. I didn’t know you jumped into things so quick. In all the months we’ve been working together, this is a first. How’s it going? How was your day?”

“You’re right, it is a first,” she laughed, “and my day was great. How was yours?”

“I had a surprise.”

“You did? What kind of surprise?”

“My manager showed up. He was at a local club catching a band last night and he knew I was down here doing your show. He called me and I met him for brunch at The Majestic.”

Sitting next to Vince on the couch in the bedroom, Bella shot him a look. She’d been holding the phone out so he could listen. Quickly moving his mouth to her ear, he whispered, “Stick with the truth.”

“I was there,” she said. “I saw you, and I thought that was him.”

Scott made it a point to explain anything that might be considered odd, whether or not he thought he was being watched. It was a rule he lived by; get in front of trouble, or trouble will get in front of you. He’d had no idea Bella had spotted him. The snake against his spine wiggled.

“You were there?” he casually asked. “Why didn’t you say hello? Too busy with your hunky marine?”

“My plate was full when I spotted you, or I would have zipped right over, but after I’d finished eating the beach was calling, and I didn’t want to intrude.”

“That Majestic is a fabulous place,” Scott said, feigning calm.

“Yes, I enjoyed it too, very much,” Bella sighed. “About tonight. I’m celebrating.”

Vince could have kissed her, but settled for a thumbs-up. She was handling the conversation perfectly.

“Celebrating? What are you celebrating?” Scott asked, grateful for the change of subject.

“Meeting Vince,” she declared. “That’s who I’ve been with. Captain Valenti, the officer in charge of the event last night. I know it’s over the top, and who knows what will happen, but I’ve had a fantastic time so tonight I’m celebrating.”

“That’s great, but Bella, I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it. I’m wiped out.”

“You are? Why?”

“I didn’t sleep very well last night and I’ve been tired all day. I need to drive home early. I’m having dinner now and I was hoping we could hit the road when I’m done, but I don’t want to ruin your plans. I’m sorry, Bella, I’m not sure what to do about this.”

“Tell him I’ve invited you to stay,” Vince whispered.

“It’s not a problem,” Bella replied. “Vince has asked me to stick around for a couple of days.”

“How will you get home? I don’t think I’ll have the time to drive all the way back here and collect you,” Scott said, hoping he sounded sincere.

“Um, I’m not sure,” Bella replied. “I’ll figure that out when the time comes.”

“Then I’m going to take off right after I eat,” he replied.

“Drive safely, Scott, and I’ll reimburse you for the motel when I get back. Is that okay?”

“Sure, no problem. Have fun. Tell the good captain I said to take care of you.”

“I will,” she replied. “Thanks, Scott, bye.”

“Bye, Bella.”

Ending the call, she dropped the phone and leaned against Vince’s shoulder.

“I felt as if I couldn’t breathe,” she groaned. “That was so weird.”

“You did great,” he said, putting his arm around her.

“He didn’t want to come tonight, just like you thought,” she said sadly. “I can’t stand to think he’s a bad guy. Sorry, I still don’t believe it, I just don’t. Is it always like this?”

“What do you mean?”

“The spy game. Speculating, wondering, cat and mouse?”

“Bella, how many times must I tell you, stop with the spy stuff, but yes. Intelligence is a giant chess match.”

“What happens now?”

“We wait and see what news comes in over the next couple of days, but, uh…”

“But what?”

“Nothing, we just have to wait.”

“No, no, no, you can’t throw me a ‘but’ like that and leave it hanging,” she exclaimed, straightening up and staring at him. “But what? Tell me.”

“I can’t stress enough how Scott may be totally faultless.”

“That’s not what you were going to say. I can see it in your face, and you don’t believe that for a minute,” she frowned. “Please, Vince, what’s the ‘but.’”

“Where’s my sweet submissive?”

“She’s sitting right in front of you. What’s the ‘but’?” she insisted.

“It’s possible you may never see him again,” Vince said grimly.

“Seriously? Why would you say that?”

“If, and it’s a big if, he’s an agent, and if,” Vince continued, emphasizing the word ‘if,’ “he’s spooked, he may just bolt. He didn’t expect you would see him at The Majestic.”

“I don’t understand why that matters. Why can’t you just fill in the blanks so this will make sense to me? You’ve told me so much already.”

“More than I should have,” he said gravely,
but not really. You just think I have. I’ve told you very little.

“Why would my seeing him at brunch with his manager cause him any worry?”

“It wouldn’t have.”

“Wait a second,” she said dramatically, “the light bulb just went off. It would spook him, as you put it, because that man isn’t his manager at all, he’s another spy, and if I saw him, someone else might have too. Am I close?”

“Stop using that word,” Vince said sharply, “and now you’re getting carried away.”

“Sorry, sorry, it’s the only word comes into my head when I’m thinking about all this, but tell me, am I close?”

“First things first, I’ve told you more than once, don’t use the word spy,” he declared, unexpectedly jerking her over his legs.

“Oh, no,” she squealed.

“You,” he exclaimed, landing a hard smack, “do not listen.”

“Sorry, sorry,” she wailed, “please, Vince, no!”

“Yes,” he scolded, continuing to rain his hand on her bottom.

“Ow, ow.”

“You deserve this, you absolutely do,” he said, spanking her with rapid-fire blows. “Am I making my point?”

“Yes, yes, yes, sorry, sir.”

After landing several slow, hard slaps, he pulled her up.

“No more of this spy business,” he said, shaking his finger at her.

“I understand,” she bleated, rubbing her bottom.

“Come and get your cuddle, naughty girl,” he sighed, pulling her into his arms. “When I know something for sure, I’ll let you know, okay?”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise. Now you need to excuse me for a minute,” he said, kissing her lightly and rising to his feet. “I have to make a call. I won’t be long, then you’ll have me to yourself for the rest of the night.”

She watched him head out, then, leaning back, she closed her eyes and thought about the sweet, thoughtful person she knew as Scott Bateman.

That’s probably not even his real name. I suppose I should be grateful. It feels as if this whole thing has brought Vince and me closer. I wonder what would have happened if Scott hadn’t been under suspicion when we came here. Vince still would have caught me when I sneaked back to that venue, but then what? I suppose it doesn’t matter. I’m here now, and that’s all that counts. Maybe Vince is right, maybe I am getting carried away. Like he said, all of this is nothing but speculation. I wonder if Vince is still a full-time spy. He said he hasn’t been in the field for a couple of years, but it seems like he’s involved in this whole thing, and he wouldn’t be if he weren’t still active, would he?

She found herself shifting on the couch. Her bottom was still tender, and it reminded her of their urgent moment in the shower, and the paddling, and all the other spine-tingling moments she’d shared with him, so many in such a small amount of time. A smile broke from her lips just as he returned; sitting back down, he took her hand.

“What were you just thinking about?”

“The shower this afternoon,” she sighed, “and, uh, other stuff we’ve done.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Vince, I know we’ve already talked about this, but can I ask you, point blank, if you weren’t worried about Scott, would I be staying here this week?”

“You’re asking me if I want you to stay, because I want you to stay, period.”