Guarding Faith

by Nicole Flockton

  Faith stood as well and picked up her bag. “Yeah, I’m sure everyone else will be too. The big event starts in two days.” Saying it out loud, nerves assailed her. She’d never competed in such a big event and if it wasn’t for this case, she wouldn’t be now.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s all surreal. When I was on the circuit competing in this rodeo was always a big goal for someone who grew up in Texas. When I walked away from the sport to join the agency, I never thought I’d actually be here.”

  Eddy squeezed her shoulder. “You’re a natural. I’m surprised you walked away from this career. Even though you’re undercover, you have a good chance to win.”

  For the first time since she took the assignment the reality of her situation sunk in. She was undercover. She was here under false pretenses. “I shouldn’t win, Eddy. It would be wrong. I’m not supposed to be here, do you know what I mean?”

  Her partner studied her as if processing her words. “I suppose you’ve got a point, but don’t forget the organizers are aware of you. They’re the reason we’re here. They were the ones who contacted the agency and made it possible. The problem is if you change the way you perform, it’s going to be suspicious among the competitors. Just do what you’ve been doing. We’ve already made arrangements that any prize money you win here will be donated to charity.”

  Every word he spoke was true, she’d just forgotten for it a moment. Before she could say any more, Eddy’s phone trilled. He pulled it out and while he spoke, Faith turned away and looked around, her gaze connecting and locking with Greg’s. He was sitting on the other side of the café, watching her intently.

  Her body warmed in remembrance of the night she’d spent with him. She hadn’t expected the fireworks or magic they’d created.

  What would’ve happened if they’d got together when they knew each other all those years ago?

  Would she have joined the FBI or would she have followed him around from base to base? Would she have been able to cope with the dangers of his career? Not knowing where he was going and if he’d come back alive? Could she cope now? Her job could be just as dangerous as Greg’s.

  “Faith!”

  She dragged her gaze from Greg’s and focused back on Eddy. The look on his face made a ball of dread the size of a large boulder form in her belly. Something was wrong. “What? What’s happened.”

  Even before Eddy spoke the words, her instincts were screaming that it was her horse. Saying the words were going to be difficult but she had to. She may not be the official owner of the horse, but she’d ridden her over the last few months... worked together as a team. On Ginger’s back she’d found her love for barrel racing again. “It’s Ginger isn’t it?”

  Eddy nodded.

  Don’t say it, she wanted to scream. If he didn’t say it, then maybe it wouldn’t be real.

  “I’m afraid so. Looks like she’s missing.” He said it.

  Faith’s knees buckled and she would’ve collapsed to the ground if a strong arm hadn’t wrapped around her waist and propped her arm. “I’ve got you, Faith, I won’t let you fall.”

  “Who are you?” Eddy demanded, immediately switching from concerned friend to fierce FBI agent.

  Faith’s mind buzzed with the knowledge that her instincts were correct. Ginger was missing. Along with that shock came the surprise that Greg had moved with supersonic speed to stop her from falling to the ground.

  “Greg Robertson, a friend of Faith’s.” Greg handled the introductions she was unable to deal with at the moment, his voice deep and strong. “And you are?”

  “Not that you need to know, but I’m her trainer. We really have to go Faith,” Eddy said raising his eyebrow. The word now remained unspoken between them.

  “I know. I know.” Faith straightened her spine and took a step away from Greg, lamenting the loss of his warm arm around her. But she was an FBI agent, she couldn’t show any weakness. As a SEAL he should understand that. Only he didn’t know what she did for a living. He just thought she was a serious rodeo competitor.

  “What’s happened?” Greg demanded as he crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Nothing you need to worry about.” Eddy laid on the southern drawl, getting into character, reached out and laid a hand on her arm. “Come on, Faith, time’s a wastin.’ We gotta get to the stables.”

  She made to move away, but Greg grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers. “Faith, what’s going on? And don’t tell me nothing. If I hadn’t been watching you would’ve been in a heap on the ground.”

  Faith bit her lip, the urge to blurt everything out strong, but she couldn’t. Her job depended on her being discrete and keeping to the task she’d been assigned. “It really is nothing, Greg. I’ve got to go. It was good to see you again. And thanks for… catching me.”

  She walked away hoping she looked more confident than she felt. At least she had Eddy by her side. Her back burned from Greg’s gaze and she was surely surprised it wasn’t sizzling a hole in her shirt.

  They got outside and she immediately dove into her purse for her sunglasses, the brightness from the early morning sun hard to get used to after being the in the dim lighting of the hotel.

  Okay. Time to put aside the emotions about Ginger’s disappearance.

  “What’s the status,” she asked Eddy as the slid into his car, glad that she’d composed herself enough. If anything, anger was replacing the shock she’d sunk into after Eddy’s announcement.

  “Just that when one of the groomers went to get Ginger and load her into the trailer to bring her to the arena, she wasn’t there. He called me immediately and I told him not to let anyone into the area.” They pulled out onto the road and once they were on the highway he continued. “We have to get there quickly because everyone is going to want their horses so they can practice.”

  “Dammit I can’t believe this is happening. Here at such a major event. We never thought it would take place here.”

  “Well there was always the threat, Faith, that’s why we’re here.”

  Faith leaned her head back against the car’s headrest, tiredness pervading every section of her body. “Yeah, I know. Just why Ginger? Why me?”

  Eddy drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “I’m beginning to think it’s more than just a coincidence. There’s a method to these people’s targets.”

  “We need to look at the file. I’m missing something here, I can sense it.” One of Faith’s talents had always been the ability to see what others had missed in the case files and photos.

  “When we get to the stables you look at the file, while I go and check out the area. The file’s in the locked box in the truck.”

  “Won’t it seem strange that I’m not rushing to find where my horse is?”

  Eddy shrugged as he indicated to exit the highway. “I’ll tell them you’re upset.”

  “It won’t take me long to look over the file, I’ll be with you by the time you’re ready to walk through the stables to look for any evidence. I’m sure the cops will want to talk to you first.”

  “Okay.” Eddy went to the trunk and open pulled out the file for her. “Make sure you secure it properly.” He tossed the keys at her and she caught them one-handed.

  “Will do. I won’t be long.”

  Faith slipped back in the car and turned it on, directing the vents so the air-conditioner blew in her face. She flipped open the file and quickly scanned the contents. She’d taken a speed reading course after her first month with the agency. There was always so much information to digest on a case that the quicker she could read it the better it was for her.

  “There it is,” she muttered, elation building in her. How had they not made the connection? She slammed the folder shut and switched the engine off. Once she’d secured it again in the trunk, she locked the car, looking around the immediate area, noticing the three police cars parked in the lot.

  Once the local law enforcement realized the FBI were on the job, hopefully, the
y’d co-operate and not interfere too much.

  As she walked around the back toward the stables, a hand reached out and yanked her behind a tree. She yelped in surprise and prepared herself to flip her assailant. A familiar scent surrounded her and she relaxed as the identity of her potential attacker sunk in. “Greg, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “Tell me what’s going on, Faith. Tell me why your trainer is secluded in an office with the police, while you sat in the car and read through a file?”

  Shit, how could she have made a rookie mistake of not paying enough attention to her surroundings while she searched for missed leads in the file? Anyone could’ve come up and attacked her and she wouldn’t have been any the wiser.

  If she wasn’t careful, she was going to blow her cover and all their hard work would be lost. Her chance of promotion would be lost, too, and she’d never be given the opportunity to prove herself again.

  The time had come to get rid of her distractions, and the major distraction was standing in front of her. She’d stood her ground in Virginia and had turned her back on him. She had to do it again. Her job depended on it.

  “None of what’s happening to me concerns you, Greg. We had one night together. I’m here to compete and I don’t need you distracting me.” His eyes narrowed at her accusation. A pang of regret touched her heart, but she brushed it away. She had a job to do. That’s what was important. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to meet with Eddy.”

  “Why can’t you trust me, Faith? I know you’re in trouble. I know something bad has happened. Why else would there be so many squad cars here? Don’t walk away without telling me. I could help you.”

  Faith closed her eyes and erected a wall around herself. It would be so easy to lay her head on Greg’s chest and tell him everything, but she couldn’t. Just like he couldn’t talk about his missions, she couldn’t talk about her job.

  “You can’t, Greg. It would be best if you leave. Aren’t you here with your folks? Go spend time with them. I bet they’re wondering why you’re not.”

  Greg waved off her concern with a shake of his hand. “They’re fine. I don’t live in their pockets and they don’t live in mine.”

  Anxiety built inside of her. The longer she stayed away from Ginger’s stall the more suspicious it would look. Pulling out of Greg’s hold she hitched her bag a little higher. “Goodbye, Greg. Keep safe.”

  She turned and marched away from him, hoping like hell he wouldn’t take it upon himself to follow her. If he did, she wasn’t sure she had the strength not to tell him everything.

  Chapter 6

  Greg studied Faith’s retreating figure. There was something major going on here and he was determined to find out what. The inside of his left arm was tingling, a sure sign that not everything was as it seemed.

  He hated to do this, but his protective instinct was kicking in majorly. Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out his phone and opened his contacts, scrolling until he found the name he wanted. The name that everyone in his team always called on when they needed information. The name that would, hopefully, give him insight as to what drama was surrounding Faith.

  The phone connected with after one ring. “Cowboy, what can I do for you? Isn’t your team on some R&R so that newlyweds can all honeymoon?”

  Greg chuckled. “Hey Tex, yeah everyone’s off and so am I, but I need some help. I think I’ve landed in the middle of a situation and my instincts are telling me I need to get to the bottom of it.”

  “Okay, what are the details? You’re in Houston?”

  While he’d been talking he’d heard Tex pounding at his keyboard in the background. It didn’t surprise him that the former SEAL had zeroed in on his location already. “Yeah. The rodeo is on and I’m visiting with my folks. It’s the first time in years we’ve been able to come and watch it. Used to come every year when I was growing up.”

  “Right. Is there something wrong with your family?”

  “No. I ran into a girl I used to compete with in Virginia, and she’s here in Houston, but I think she’s in trouble. This morning at the hotel, she almost collapsed when her trainer, and I use that title loosely, told her something.”

  “Why are you suspicious of this trainer?”

  “Faith’s never had a trainer with her at events before. The guy reminds me of someone. I guess it’s just my gut telling me nothing is adding up. He’s got the swagger most trainers get from spending all their time on horseback. But he’s constantly alert like we are when we’re on a case.”

  “Okay, how about you give me some names and I can do some digging.”

  “Her name is Faith Timberly, she’s twenty-seven and is a barrel racer. Born July 15th in Texas.”

  “And the other guy.”

  “His name is Eddy. I don’t have a last name.”

  “Right. Give me a few minutes and I’ll have some information.” More tapping on the keyboard sounded and Greg looked around. Always on alert.

  From his position under the tree, the same tree he’d pulled Faith behind, he had a good view of the building and the walkway to the stables. So far Faith or Eddy hadn’t emerged and no one was going in. Everyone was congregated out the front.

  Why was no one going inside?

  He couldn’t see any yellow tape to signify a crime scene. But there had to be a reason for why they weren’t allowed to go in.

  Tex’s low whistle drew his attention from the buildings back to his phone call. “What is it? What have you found?”

  “Well your girl’s not a barrel racer, Cowboy.”

  “She’s not my girl.” His response was immediate.

  “Of course she’s not. Why else would you be asking me to check into her?” Sarcasm laced every single world Tex spoke.

  “Whatever, Tex,” Greg responded, not wanting to delve too deeply into why he’d made the decision to follow Faith once she’d left the hotel. He’d been worried about her, that was all. He hadn’t trusted Eddy, so he wanted to make sure she was safe. “How about you tell me what you’ve found out and let me worry about what I may or may not feel for Faith.”

  Tex chuckled. “Another one bites the dust,” he sang off key.

  If Greg didn’t want to know the information so badly, he’d have hung up then. “Just get on with it, Tex. If Faith isn’t a barrel racer, then what is she?”

  “She’s an FBI agent.”

  “What?” He’s mind buzzed at the news. Then again, her quick reflexes when he grabbed at the tree made sense. Yet he still had some doubts. “That’s ridiculous. You must have the wrong information.”

  “Are you doubting my abilities, Cowboy?” Tex’s voice was deadly quiet.

  Greg thrust a hand through his hair. “Shit, sorry Tex, it seems too far left field that Faith works for any type of Government agency.”

  “How about you review the information I sent you. There’s a picture attached. You should be able to confirm if this is your girl or not.”

  Before he’d finished speaking his phone chimed with an incoming text message. Greg opened his message app and clicked Tex’s message. There staring up at him was Faith’s picture from her FBI badge. “Fuck,” he muttered as he put the phone back to his ear. “Why is she pretending to be a rodeo competitor if she’s a fucking FBI agent?”

  “I’m about to send you another picture. Is this your Eddy?”

  Once again Greg opened his messages and there in the message stream with Tex, Eddy’s picture from his FBI badge started up at him. “Yeah, Tex. That’s him.”

  “You don’t have to worry about him. If this Eddy guy is with your Faith, then she’s in good hands. He’s got a good reputation as an agent.”

  The information did alleviate some of his stress, but he still had a million questions. “Good to know, but still why are they here and why is she acting—fuck.” Understanding struck him hard, like being punched in the gut. “She’s working undercover, isn’t she?”

  “Looks that way. I’ll need a little
more time to find out exactly what she’s doing but everything is indicating that she and Eddy are working a case.”

  “And I need to not interfere, don’t I?”

  “Yeah, probably the best thing to do, but what you can do is be an extra set of eyes on your girl to keep her safe.”

  “Not sure she’ll let me.”

  Tex chuckled. “So she’s like just about every other woman your team has gotten involved with. Independent women who can look after themselves.”

  “Yep. It’s what I like about her.”

  “It’s what we all love about our women, Cowboy. But just because they’re independent doesn’t mean you can’t work with them. Just stay close by and watch yours and have her six. When I know more, I’ll get back in touch.”

  “Thanks, Tex. Appreciate your help.”

  “You got it. Bye, Cowboy.”

  “See ya Tex.”

  Greg popped his phone back in his pocket and contemplated his next move. Faith was an FBI agent. He never would’ve picked that. He thought for sure she would be exactly what she was posing to be—a successful barrel racer.

  What was the case she as working on? It had to have something to do with the rodeo. Was she working the case when she’d been in Virginia?

  Of course she was. She’d pushed him away the night of the wedding. That night he could see in her eyes that she wanted to invite him up but for some reason she hadn’t. Even this morning she’d told him last night was a one-off thing.

  If anyone could understand the stresses of keeping quiet about your job, he could. Like Faith couldn’t tell him about her case, he couldn’t tell her about his missions. Although she didn’t have a Tex that could give her information.

  Movement around the building caught his eye and he straightened. He made out Faith, Eddy and a couple of police officers making their way toward the stables. Scanning the area around him, he moved closer to Faith and the others.