Uneven Exchange (10 page)

“You have decisions to make.”

“I know. That’s why it is not going to be easy.”

Jake tried, without success, to focus on work. Instead, he sat drumming his fingers loudly on the smooth surface of the drafting table and turning to look at the clock every few minutes. Fortunately, Isaiah was out of the room as Jake mentally reviewed how approaching Alexandra might play out. He even spoke softly aloud while roleplaying a conversation between them. Then abruptly, Jake said, “That does it. I have to tell her.” He marched toward the front door, looking steadily straight ahead to avoid any eye contact.

“Hey, Jake, where are you going?” Isaiah called from down the corridor.

“Just out.”

Jake jogged to his SUV, got in, and sped toward Alexandra’s home. Within less than fifteen minutes, he had turned the corner onto Bay Bridge Drive. However, when he spotted the unfamiliar truck parked directly in front of her house, all of his deeply rooted suspicions instantly felt a lot more like reality. His stomach twisted into a constricting knot at the thought of Alexandra having found someone new.

With shaky hands, Jake parked his SUV behind the guest’s truck and then remained behind the wheel to contemplate his next move.
I can’t go in now
, he thought.
But maybe it’s better to get it over with.

Jake got out and thought about slamming the door to announce his arrival before opting to close it with a whisper. He stepped softly up Alexandra’s front walk and stood staring at her Spanish-style front door. Jake inched his thumb toward the doorbell but hesitated. He then made a fist, considered knocking, and stalled again. Instead, he took a step backward, turned, and walked toward his vehicle.

“Jake?” Alexandra’s angelic voice reached his ears.

He returned to her doorstep and saw her looking out at him.

“What are you doing here?” she asked him through the screen.

“I-I was worried about you.”

Alexandra opened the door and stepped aside so he could enter. “Please, come in. Let’s sit down.”

Alexandra took a seat on one end of her white, down-filled sofa, encircled by a multitude of plump throw pillows. She closed her study Bible and placed it upon the coffee table. Jake maneuvered several pillows aside to make room on the opposite end while watching Alexandra bury her bare feet under a Mexican serape-style blanket. The hand-loomed rainbow of colors was bright against the crisp white of her sofa.

“I’m sorry,” Alexandra said as she pushed back the blanket. “Would you like something to drink?”

Jake reached to recover her feet. “No, please stay where you are. I’m fine.” He paused before adding, “Thank you, though.”

Alexandra smiled warmly. “You’re welcome.”

Silence, followed by several quick smiles from each. Then more silence.

“Why did you stop by?” Alexandra finally prompted. “Didn’t Kathryn tell you I called in?”

Jake nodded. “Dumb, huh? I don’t know.” He shrugged and struggled to appear casual. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Alexandra’s lips curved in a tired smile that barely reached her eyes. “I’m just exhausted,” she said. “I needed a day off to do nothing.”

“To me you look beautiful.”

“Your timing is less than perfect,” she teased. “Here I am with no makeup and my hair in a ponytail.”

“You don’t need any makeup,” he told her, “and I like your hair in a ponytail.”

“You are one sweet man, Mr. Taylor.”

When Jake saw the sparkle return to her eyes, he decided to take a chance. “Alex?”

She waited.

“I also wanted to talk to you about something.”

Alexandra inhaled audibly.

“Is it bad timing again?” Jake questioned.

“Yes and no. I just don’t think I can force my brain to focus on anything right now. I need to a day to read, to relax, and do nothing else.”

Jake jumped to his feet. “Why of course! I completely understand. I can’t believe what a goof I am. All you wanted is a day off, and here I am bothering you.”

“Seeing you will never be a bother,” she said sweetly. “I could make you some lunch.”

“Not today. I absolutely forbid it.” Jake shook his head vigorously, then leaned down from the waist to kiss her forehead. “You rest up, and I’ll take a rain check on the lunch.”

“Okay, if you’re sure?”

“I’m absolutely, positively sure. Have a good weekend, and I’ll see you Monday.”

“You too. Any plans?”

“Not a one.”

“Well, have fun, whatever you do.” Once again, Alexandra pushed the blanket aside and stood. “I’ll walk you to the door,” she said kindly.

“No, please stay here.” As Alexandra returned to the sofa, Jake replaced her blanket and stood to leave.

“Please, stay comfy. I’ll turn the lock on the front door from the inside. You can set the dead bolt later.”

Alexandra settled back into the sofa. “Okay, you’re the boss. See you Monday. Thank you for caring so much to stop by.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Jake said, smiling warmly.

“Good-bye, Jake.”

“Good-bye, Alex.” He closed the door and confirmed the knob was secured.

CHAPTER TEN

THANKSGIVING DAY SURPRISE

Alexandra

After spending her day resting and renewing her strength by spending quiet time with God, Alexandra felt energized and ready for a long day of training. The timing of her renewed energy was perfect as Saturdays were always intense. Alexandra first passed through Administration security and then went directly to Sparky’s office, where she found a sticky note on the door. It read:

Alex, SAC wants to see you. Nat
.

Alexandra snatched the note, did an about-face, and headed to Kevin’s office. She was somewhat surprised at not seeing Natalie in person but brushed it off as insignificant. At least until she reached Kevin’s office. When Alexandra approached his doorway, she caught him anxiously watching for her and immediately sensed something was wrong.

Kevin stood to greet her. “Good morning. Come on in,” he offered quietly. “Please, have a seat.”

With a tinge of sarcasm, she remarked, “I guess I better.”

When Kevin sat directly next to her instead of returning to his desk, Alexandra knew things were definitely serious. She waited, without speaking, for the proverbial bomb to drop while Kevin drew a long and deep breath. Her anxiety escalated as she watched his chest slowly rise.

“Alexandra,” he finally said.

She gripped the chair bottom. “Yes?” she squeaked.

He paused, and she waited—endlessly it seemed—until Kevin finally announced, “The time has come. We’re ready for you.”

“Do you mean you’re ready for me to take Daniela’s place?” she asked timidly.

“Yes. Daniela has definitive plans to visit her brother. Instead, we want to send you in her place.”

“
She’s
going to see
him
? Daniela’s going to Mazatlan?”

“Yes.”

Alexandra looked at him in shock. “But I thought you wanted to draw him away from there.”

“We did and we still do. The problem is that time is passing, and nothing has opened up in Cancun. I really think we need to take advantage of this opportunity.”

As Alexandra digested his words, a wave of nausea caused her throat to constrict. Immediately, Kevin rushed to pour her a glass of water from the pitcher on his credenza. He held it out for Alexandra as she wiped the perspiration from her palms. She accepted the glass, took a sip, and allowed the cool liquid to remain in her mouth for several seconds before swallowing. She smiled weakly at Kevin and said, “I thought I was prepared for this, but obviously I’m not.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Nobody is ever really quite ready. You have to train hard and then let your instincts kick in.”

“Do you know the reason for her visit?”

“We’re not positive, but it sounds like there is some kind of snag with the restaurant.”

Alexandra looked at him in confusion. “He doesn’t care about the restaurant,” she offered confidently. “I’m sure Daniela simply needs more money.”

Her confused look transferred to Kevin. “If she only needs more money, why wouldn’t she ask Santiago to wire the funds?”

“I think it’s because Daniela doesn’t want her brother to feel like her personal banker.”

“But do you think he even cares when she asks him for money?” Kevin asked.

“No, I don’t. Not really. I think Mago would wire any amount at any time. But if Daniela needs additional financing, she is going in person simply to make herself feel better.” Alexandra watched Kevin’s expression change. “Why are you smiling?”

“Your instincts have already kicked in. You think like her,” he answered. “No one calls him Mago but Daniela, and to you, that name came out automatically.”

Alexandra tilted her head in thought. “I guess it did. You do know what Mago means, don’t you?”

“I believe it’s Spanish for
magician
.”

“It is,” Alexandra said. “That confuses me. I thought Daniela didn’t know about her brother’s actions. Isn’t Magician what they call him as an assassin?”

“Yes, but that’s not what it means to her,” Kevin explained. “Daniela grew up calling her brother Mago. It was her childlike way of trying to say Miguel. The name stuck. Who knows? Perhaps that’s how he originally became known as the Magician. The cute nickname of a child turned into the code name of a killer.”

“I don’t understand. How can you possibly know something like that? I mean, where would you have learned what Daniela, as a child, called her brother?”

“Because I’ve met Daniela,” he answered quietly. “I know her personally, and the nickname for her brother came up one day in conversation.”

Alexandra was shocked by his news. “Do you know her well?”

“Well enough.”

“Does she know you’re with the DEA?”

“Oh no.” Kevin shook his head. “Of course she doesn’t. I was undercover.”

“Is Daniela as nice as she seems?”

“Yes, she is very nice.”

Alexandra detected a change in Kevin’s tone. It almost sounded like sadness. She pulled her hair back from her face as she closed her eyes in contemplation. “Wow.” She breathed deeply. “This is a lot to take in.”

“I know it is.”

Alexandra turned to look directly into his eyes before asking, her voice quivering, “When would I have to leave?”

“Wednesday after next,” he answered gently.

Alexandra did some quick calculating. “Isn’t that the day before Thanksgiving?”

“It is,” he answered simply. “I hate to mess up your holiday, but the timing can’t be helped.”

“Missing Thanksgiving isn’t the hard part. It’s how to get around Jake.”

Kevin’s eyes narrowed. “Jake? I don’t understand.”

“Jake always spends Thanksgiving with me and my family.”

Alexandra’s announcement ignited Kevin’s look of surprise. “You’ve got to be kidding. Jake is invited this year too?”

“He’s invited this year and has been every year since meeting my parents. Jake has a standing invitation.”

“But, how—”

“Don’t ask. I know it seems weird since we’re not even a couple. Several years ago, Jake met my parents when they drove down to look at the remodel. Since it was close to the holidays, my mom wasted no time in making certain he had somewhere to gorge himself.”

“Sounds like my mother too.” Kevin chuckled. “But why doesn’t Jake visit his family for Thanksgiving?”

“They live in the Adirondacks, so it’s kind of far for just a long weekend. Jake does take the time to visit during Christmas and also at least once each summer.”

“Your parents live in Santa Barbara, right?”

Alexandra nodded. “Yes. Before my father retired, he built them a beautiful custom home.”

“I’m surprised your father didn’t remodel your house.”

“Believe me, he tried. He even started recruiting some of his old cronies until my mom talked him out of it. But, in the end, my dad was very pleased with the company I hired.”

“I take it he also liked Jake’s work?”

“He loved it, and now they’re like father and son.”

“Okay, so we really do have a problem. More like two problems.”

“Two problems? Dare I ask?”

Kevin hesitated before answering. “There are only ten days before you are scheduled to leave.”

“Go on.” Alexandra waited for another bomb to drop.

“And we need more time than that to get you ready. I would like to move you out of your firm and start working with you here full-time beginning this Monday.”

“You want me to start working Monday, as in this Monday? Kevin, do you honestly expect me to concoct an excuse to leave my business in less than two days?”

He tried to avoid her stare by awkwardly looking about the room. “I’m sure we can come up with something. We have to, Alexandra. You’re far too important to me. I don’t want you to just be ready. You have to be more than ready.”

“Well, it can’t be some dumb excuse. I mean, first it has to be something Jake will believe! Then we also have to think about my parents.” As Alexandra’s apprehension grew, the chair felt more like a cage. She practically jumped from her seat and began pacing the perimeter of Kevin’s office.

He stood to pivot as she circled. “Trust me, Alexandra. I know, I know. I’ve been racking my brain to come up with something, anything.”

“Well, you’re the experts. Hasn’t this happened before?”

“No, it hasn’t,” Kevin exclaimed. “It’s not every day we work with a civilian.”

“Oh now you’re telling me I’m hard to work with?” Alexandra accused. But her voice had a tinge of nervous laughter.

He smiled broadly. “In all honesty, Alexandra, my dear, there are times—not often, but there are times—when you can be one big pain in the butt. However, for the most part, I wouldn’t trade you for any other agent on my staff.”

For the first time in a long time, Alexandra felt appreciated. She stopped moving to smile gratefully at Kevin. “Thank you for saying that.” She walked over to him. “You know, I don’t mean to be a pain.”

He reached for her hands. “I know you don’t. Hey, but listen. I did toss around some ideas about you pretending to visit someone. Is there a girlfriend, maybe from college?”

“No, not really,” she said, thinking. “My parents know all my friends, and they would definitely want to call me, especially on Thanksgiving Day. As for Jake, too bad we work together, or else I could be out of town on business.”

“Yeah, I passed over that one too. Don’t you two ever have any separate jobs?”

“Of course we do. We have lots of them. Sometimes Jake is hired to complete the architectural drawings. Then, other times, I am hired to redecorate a preexisting home. But, for the most part, we market our talents as combined.”

“Talk to me about the jobs you do alone.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Is Jake ever involved with them?”

“Not really, but…” Alexandra searched for a solution. “The problem is our bookkeeping. We run one set of books for the firm, meaning one checkbook, one inventory control, everything. It’s pretty obvious what projects I’m handling, and besides, what about Kathryn?”

“So,” Kevin extended the word while pensively rubbing his chin. “We need to remove her from the scenario, along with the restrictions. Would it be reasonable for some client to hire you for a job out of town?”

“You know.” Alexandra digested his query. “I think we might be able to pull that one off. But I will need to come up with just the right client.”

“What about your condo project in Cozumel? Would they want to hire you for something?”

“No. I don’t think that would work. Last time I went down there, I invited Jake to come along. Just my luck, he would consider the invitation still open and show up unannounced.”

“Yes, you’re probably right. Then who else might hire you? Do you have any ideas?”

“I’m not sure,” she answered slowly, gazing at him blankly. Alexandra stared beyond Kevin, mentally scrolling through her client list. Excitedly, she jerked her head to look directly at him. “I think I’ve got it! Do you need me right now?”

“No, but don’t leave me in suspense! You’ve got what? Do you know of a client?”

“Do I ever. Is England far enough away?”

“England would be perfect, Alex. Tell me more.”

“That’s the problem, I can’t. I don’t remember, exactly. But if you don’t need me, I’m going to run by the office and check it out.”

“Good idea. Go ahead,” Kevin agreed, walking Alexandra to the door. “But be careful. Remember, you’re supposed to be in class today.”

“I know. If anyone sees me, I’ll tell them the instructor called in sick.” She paused at the door to ask, “Where will you be in a couple of hours?”

“I’ll be right here.”

“Okay. Then I’ll either call you or come by, depending on the time.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

After driving out of the DEA garage, Alexandra headed straight for her office and was pleased to find it deserted. She switched on the lights and immediately set out to locate the files for one of her previous jobs. It was a complete renovation of an old Victorian mansion, which the client had recently sold. While brainstorming about potential clients with Kevin, Alexandra had remembered hearing something about this client moving to London.

On her hands and knees, she pulled several file boxes out from under the workbench located in the supply room. Unfortunately, they were not labeled. For months, Alexandra and Kathryn had an ongoing promise to each other to organize the mess. It wasn’t an exciting job, so both kept coming up with excuses for putting it off.

Alexandra sat on the floor, with her legs stretched out in front of her, and dragged the first box forward. She removed the lid and, one by one, read the labels on the manila folders. Each name carried her back to the time of her involvement with the project described inside. Alexandra took more time than she expected, as she stopped to reflect on the welcome memories. Interior design was her passion. She looked at each endeavor as a time of new beginnings.