~~~
Just as the two Enigma men walked away Tessa jerked her head up and looked around, knowing deep down Chase was near. How she knew this remained a mystery since there was nothing to link them together on some metaphysical level. Yet she knew it to be true. The sudden flutter of her heart, the march of heat up her neck and the feeling of being watched engulfed her ability to continue with prayer. Her eyes scanned the area, hoping to see the man who’d saved her life and forced her world in a different direction. The ability to breathe became difficult, knowing his presence meant both danger and safety. Turning her eyes to the crucifix, she asked for forgiveness for her impure thoughts.
“Mrs. Scott?”
A male voice, comforting yet strangely unholy, broke the spell of the transcendental connection she tried desperately to make with a man she’d known for such a short time a year earlier. Tessa looked over to see a priest dressed in black cassock with the typical white collar. He nodded as his hands folded in front of his short body. “Dr. Zoric asked me to see to you. He was called away. If you need more time to pray I’ll wait in the back.”
Tessa wasn’t surprised to see a priest in an Episcopal church. She just couldn’t remember ever seeing an Asian American priest. But after all, it was Washington D.C., a multicultural Mecca. He was a little taller than herself, she noticed; five six or seven. His eyes were so narrow they looked almost shut as she edged out into the aisle. He carefully removed his round glasses and wiped them on his sleeve before returning them to his narrow nose. His smile looked artificial but patient. A few strands of gray were visible in his ebony hair. She thought it odd an Episcopal priest would wear his hair long enough to be pushed behind his ears. He even wore a diamond stud earring on his right earlobe.
Must be the youth pastor, Tessa thought. He appeared vaguely familiar when he extended his hand, indicating she should begin walking. “I’m sorry, Father--”
“Wu.”
“Father Wu, did Dr. Zoric say where he was going?”
A fake-like smile came to his narrow lips, revealing teeth that appeared to have been bleached. “Dr. Zoric only said for me to escort you to your hotel room.” Their steps grew slow, as if prolonging the departure. “I see now why Dr. Zoric painted you. You are quite lovely.”
Tessa’s eyes widened in surprise. “Thank you, Father Wu.”
A soft chuckle escaped his throat as he took her elbow, steering her in an unexpected direction. “Are you surprised I’ve seen that old Serbian’s work or that I find you fetching?”
Tessa resisted pulling away. “A little of both, I guess.”
“Confucius say ‘just because you’re on a diet, doesn’t mean you can’t look at the menu.’”
“I don’t think that was Confucius.”
Father Wu shrugged. “Well it wasn’t John the Baptist.” This drew an unexpected laugh from Tessa. “So this is the magical laugh that toppled the mighty Chase Hunter. I find it infectious for sure; light, spontaneous and happy. I never thought I’d meet the person who could break through that barrier of steel the captain cloaks himself in.”
Opening a door, he stood aside to let her pass into a driveway. The car turned out to be a dark and dated limo from the eighties. Chipped paint around the front bumper and a hairline crack across the windshield gave the wide vehicle the appearance of a bygone elegance replaced with forgotten maintenance.
He opened the door with such careful manipulation that Tessa almost missed the creak of rusty hinges that came with a vehicle kept too long. A fleeting thought that this would be a great car for Halloween crossed her mind. She slid into a seat made of faded leather that bore creases resembling spider webs. A little Yankee Candle air freshener danced with the movement of air as the priest joined her.
Visiting with a complete stranger, especially a priest, created a feeling of being trapped with her sins. She remained quiet, forcing a cool stare out the window in hopes of communicating a lack of interest in conversation.
“I’m glad we have this chance to visit, Tessa.” The car lumbered out into traffic as Tessa searched for a seatbelt and found none. He pointed out various green spaces along the way, indicating special gardens planted in honor of this person or government agency. “I understand you are a gardener.”
Her heavy silence eventually caused Wu to end any attempt at conversation until they entered the elevator at the hotel. “Chase is not the most forthcoming person at Enigma. We aren’t exactly on good terms.”
Finally her interest peaked at his choice of subjects. Tessa turned to face Wu fully. “Why is that?” Dr. Wu reminded her of a Jedi master; choosing his words carefully, moving with purpose and examining the world around him at each step he took.
“He calls me a mind bender. My job is to help people cope with the stress of saving the world. I’m the psychiatrist for Enigma.”
“Not a priest.”
“Well not an Episcopal priest.” He grinned. “I thought perhaps this outfit would set you at ease for our first meeting. You never came to see me last year after your first encounter with Enigma.” He motioned Tessa to hand him her key card then inserted it with ease. Swinging the door open, Dr. Wu walked in first. “Please sit, Mrs. Scott. I’m just going to check things out before I leave.”
Reluctantly, Tessa went to the couch, sat on the edge, straight backed and ready to bolt. She waited for Dr. Wu to finish his sweep of the rooms. Her mind raced back now to their first encounter. His appearance and demeanor that day was of a caring physician, encouraging her to seek help for posttraumatic stress in the weeks to come. She never had.
“I don’t need a psychiatrist, Dr. Wu.”
“You will before this is all over, Mrs. Scott.”
Dr. Wu, after making sure there was no danger, bugs or prying eyes, began boiling some water in the coffee pot. “Let’s have tea while I explain how we need your help.”
“Why?”
“Someone is going to try and kill the president. We think it’s your uncle.”
Chapter 5
Something about the way Zoric ignored how others reacted to the darkness in his eyes, gave him an edge during interrogations. Chase took advantage of that gift whenever a situation needed immediate results. He’d gotten used to people stepping aside for him to pass on elevators, sidewalks and especially narrow hallways. Much to his amusement he realized the hollow cheekbones and close set eyes added to his evil demeanor. Chase suggested wearing something more American to soften his look when not on the clock.
“Would it hurt you to wear jeans and a baseball jersey?”
The Serbian shrugged. “You are cranky, my friend. Thinking of the woman?” Zoric enjoyed baiting him about Tessa.
“More like unloading my Glock into your head.” His voice was calm as he poured over a city map lying on the table before him. They headed to the safe house after leaving the cathedral to go over any new information.
Chase’s eyes never left the paperwork. “Just wondering if the doc tried to play mind games on Tessa. Being so naïve, she could easily fall for his gibberish.” The woman was in his head again.
He could hear the muffled sound of Zoric’s voice but his mind drifted back to the year before when he’d tangled with the housewife. Stubborn, innocent and idealistic mixed with tenacity and courage, frustrated his no-nonsense personality. She’d forced him to laugh, something he’d not done in years. The sadness and guilt that plagued his conscience evaporated every time her lips parted. Even now, he could see the shape of her mouth, the blue of her eyes and the few freckles across her nose that makeup couldn’t conceal.
In spite of being terrified, Tessa had come through for Enigma, nearly giving her life in the process. He remembered the smell of her hair and the way it curled around his fingers. The press of her body against his…
“Are you listening to me?” It was Zoric. “Chase?”
He blinked to clear the flashback. “I’m listening. What did Wu say after dropping her off at her hotel?”
; Zoric frowned. “I just told you.”
“Tell me again,” he snapped as he turned to face the Serbian with folded arms across his chest. “Give it to me straight without all the romantic crap.”
Zoric shrugged, pulling up a bar stool. “When Wu told her about the plot to assassinate the president and her uncle being involved she nearly flipped. She refused to believe it. Remember how that temper of hers could flare up at a drop of a hat?” Chase nodded recalling how it had nearly gotten her killed. “She unloaded on Wu for a good ten minutes, informing him her uncle was a hero and would never do such a thing.”
“Did Wu turn all Shaolin Warrior to calm her down?” Chase could envision the doctor becoming aggressive to get her to shut up. The unassuming housewife had once brought Chase to his knees after attacking him. She’d even put one of his men in the hospital using nothing but a broom stick. Later she’d redeemed herself by saving the life of another soldier from a Libyan terrorist using the pepper mace in her purse.
Tessa never failed to surprise him. Maybe that’s why he…Chase stopped himself from thinking further.
The Serbian took out his switchblade and started opening and shutting it; a habit that usually annoyed his friend. “I doubt he even flinched. The man has ice water in his veins.” When his partner didn’t respond, he continued. “He basically laid out the facts. Her Uncle Jake is one of the leaders in the Remember the USS Liberty movement. Some sons and daughters of survivors have gotten involved but nothing serious. It’s only been recently that Tessa’s uncle started disappearing on trips for days at a time.”
“The reason?”
“Dr. Wu asked Tessa about that but she didn’t know anything.”
“Or she wasn’t telling the truth.”
“Dr. Wu would’ve known. Besides she’s a terrible liar.”
Chase nodded and grinned as well. “Let’s hope if she comes to work for us she doesn’t get captured.”
Zoric’s cynical glare met Chase’s eyes. “You should tell her we’ve been evaluating her for the last year.”
“She’ll over react.” Chase folded the maps and papers on the table. “I’m not exactly her favorite person.” He rubbed the aching spot on his chest. The pain disappeared a year ago. The doctor checked him out and said he was in perfect health. Men didn’t get any more fit than him.
The doctor forced Chase to see Dr. Wu, thinking it was something deeper. The visits resulted in a staring contest, Chase answering questions with questions of his own. When the two sessions concluded, Dr. Wu filed a report saying the captain leaned toward god-like tendencies and felt very little responsibility for actions that may have led to the deaths of others. In the weeks that followed the pain disappeared. Now the pain returned with an image of a bumbling housewife in his head.
Dealing with women and the emotional baggage that came with it wasn’t new to Chase. There usually was a willing female waiting back home for him. If she started asking too many questions, complaining about not seeing him enough or wanting him to meet the parents, he moved on. Broken hearts failed to concern him.
This strange sensation he experienced every time the Grass Valley woman’s name came up was disquieting, even irritating. At the same time Chase took solace in the fact he was capable of feeling something other than apathy and revenge. She made him want to be a better man.
“When are you going to see her?” Zoric joined Chase at the table and shuffled through the information.
“I’m not-if I can avoid it.” He forced his concentration back on his work.
~~~
The Smithsonian decided educators should be treated like royalty by using the Mandarin Pacific Hotel as its launch site for the conference. In partnership with the Smithsonian, government agencies and other university gurus, presented to seduce educators into promoting their platforms.
Normally Tessa would have believed she had finally reached Nirvana if not for Enigma agents sneaking around, making her life miserable. Then there was Robert’s news from back home. The new neighbors had started moving in to old Mr. Crawley’s house.
She mentally turned over Robert’s earlier report. “I only met the lady. Her husband was on some business trip or was it a conference? I forget what she said. No I didn’t get her name. She’s kind of the grandmotherly type. Kids took to her right off.” He paused long enough to reprimand one of the boys for farting.
“Jeeze! What are you feeding these kids, Tessa? Anyway, we’re taking over those cookies you have in the freezer. Will they still be good?” She heard Heather singing. “Gotta go, honey. Another dinner at McDonalds. Yay. I wouldn’t mind if you left us a few meals in the freezer when you decide to get a wild hair and take a trip with your rowdy girlfriends.” He made a kissing sound and hung up.
After walking her friends to their scheduled session Tessa searched until she found the poster outside a room that read: “Can You Dig It? Dr. Francis Ervin.” Slipping inside she noticed six others had taken seats at the round tables.
Dr. Ervin looked up and spotted her immediately and waved in recognition. He really was a dear, she thought, and worried the audience might be too small. This first evening of workshops might not be well attended. She smiled, noticing he was having some difficulty with the smart board and computer.
“Can I help you with that? I have the same system in my classroom. They’re tricky.” She reached for the computer. With his nod of approval, Tessa managed to pull up his power point presentation and showed him a few short cuts. “There. All set. It’s nice to see you again, Dr. Ervin. I’m looking forward to hearing you speak.”
He chuckled then wiped imaginary perspiration from his forehead. “Whew. I’m glad you came along. I’m not very good with computers. Give me a shovel or a box of shards and I’m a genius.”
Tessa laughed glancing at the clock. Time to begin. Another ten educators arrived. She took a seat at the closest table and waited for him to begin.
Within minutes Dr. Ervin began his lesson, which actually turned out to be very useful. She definitely would try this in the coming school year. Two attendees asked lots of questions which were answered with patience and enthusiasm. Copies of the program were passed out as people began to exit.
“Excuse me, Tessa?” Dr. Ervin began trying to set the computer up for the next session. “Could you wait to make sure I do this correctly?”
She came to his side and watched. “Perfect. You’re a quick study.”
He clapped his hands together once. “Wait ‘till I tell Martha I got the hang of it. Martha is my wife.”
“Yes. You told me on the plane. Packs too much for you.” Tessa felt amused.
“So I did.” He chuckled. “Would you mind waiting here with my things for just a few minutes? I need to get some water and stretch my legs. I’ll be back in five, plenty of time for you to get to your next class.”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
It was more like ten minutes. Tessa remained by the computer, leaning against the table where it rested. Yawning, she looked down to see that the screen had gone black. Fearing the power had been compromised; she reached down and touched the refresh pad. A picture popped up on the screen of a badly crippled navy ship. Across the screen in capital letters read, “REMEMBER THE USS LIBERTY.”
Sucking in her breath, her eyes lifted to see Dr. Ervin walking into the room chatting with some teachers he invited in from the hall. She hit the escape button and quickly gathered up her things.
The smile she offered the professor felt fake as she tried to exit. He mumbled a “thank you” when his phone began the Indiana Jones theme song.
~~~
Moving to the computer, the professor hit a few buttons and smiled triumphantly before raising the phone to his ear. “Yes. She saw it.” He listened a second before answering. “Because she was pale as a ghost, that’s how I know. Besides I had the computer programmed to her touch. It let me know when the picture was accessed.” Dr. Ervin positioned the phone between his shoulder and ear as he pul
led up the next presentation on his computer. “So how is the move going? Meet the neighbors yet?” A smile spread across his face when his wife told him about the stale cookies from the kids next door.
Chapter 6
Escaping to the bathroom, Tessa locked herself in a stall and stood frozen in confusion. How could this be happening to her again? After her near brush with death a year ago, she vowed never to put herself or her family in harm’s way again. Now here she was in the most powerful city known to man, being sucked into a conspiracy to assassinate the president, and if that wasn’t enough, her uncle may be involved.
She listened for the person washing her hands at the sink to leave before slipping out of the stall. Pulling her purse open, Tessa searched for her cell phone. Activating it, she saw there were two messages; one text, one voicemail. The voicemail was her husband, Robert, calling to let her know all was well on the home front and ended with “miss you”. Then there was the text message from an unknown number.
“We need to talk. I’ll be waiting at the National Geographic booth in one hour.”
Knowing it would be futile to redial the number, Tessa slipped the phone back in her purse before glancing at her watch. Was it Zoric checking up on her? There remained a certain amount of mistrust between her and Enigma. No matter if Zoric claimed to be her forever protector, he was a dangerous killer that could easily turn on her.
Then again maybe it was Captain Hunter. He’d pledged no such thing. All he ever managed to do was give her nightmares for the last year. Pushing her into a fight against terrorism she’d not realized existed; he’d barged into her home saving her from Libyans.
Kidnapping her, the captain drove a hard bargain to secure her support a year earlier. Through it all he remained aloof and determined to see the mission completed. Saving her life multiple times resulted in damaging the once clear and focused values she’d carried like a badge of honor. Would there ever be a time when circumstances forced her to step up and return the favor?
Winds of Deception (Enigma Series Book 2) Page 6