Falling for the Cougar

by Terry Spear

  He hastened to the drink concession. No sign of her there either. Then he thought he saw Uncle Bill near the stage off to one side. He couldn’t be here. With Bambi?

  Then his heart dropped as Nicole caught his eye, way down below, standing with a man near the part of the stage surrounded by shadow way on the opposite side. A man had his hand on her arm, and she was shaking her head at him. Scott saw red as he raced down the steps to rescue her.

  Chapter 20

  Bolting down the stairs two at a time, Scott made a mad dash for Nicole and the man who appeared to be accosting her. Before he reached the bottom step, a man slammed his body into Scott’s, knocking him to the ground.

  “Damn! Uncle Bill!” Scott yelled as he realized it was his uncle and tried to get him to release him. “Get off me!”

  Bill helped him to his feet. “Go back to the family. I’ll handle this.”

  “No way.” Scott looked for Nicole, but she was gone. “Where’d she go?” His muscles tensed with anger. If he lost her now, he’d kill Uncle Bill for certain.

  “I’ve got men watching her. Return to your—”

  “Who was that with her?”

  “Her old boyfriend.”

  “Major Tom? Damn, Uncle Bill.” He glanced down at Bambi. “Did you find anything in it?”

  “It’s a decoy. We picked this one up at the post office. She must have hidden the other somewhere.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, she’d make a good spy.”

  “All right.” Scott could see his uncle wasn’t going to let him go in the direction he intended so he ran back up the stairs to his seating. But he didn’t stop there. He continued to the farthest seats out, then circled around to the other side of the stage.

  A woman was viewing the stage with binoculars and Scott crouched down beside her and asked to borrow them. She smiled sweetly and handed them to him. He peered through the glass, trying to get a glimpse of Nicole anywhere near the stage. Then he spied her again. Major Tom was pulling her around the bottom edge of the stage to the back.

  Scott handed the woman her binoculars. “Thanks.” Dashing around the backside of the last row of seats, he hurried to the aisle that would intercept Tom if he could run down the steps fast enough and didn’t fall and break his neck. He wished he could be in his cougar coat and leaping down the rows, so much faster and skillfully than he could as a human.

  By the time he made it to the bottom, Nicole and Tom had disappeared. He charged around the end of the stage like a shark homing in on its prey.

  Nicole twisted her arm free from Tom as she glowered at him. “Is Bernadette in on this whole espionage game of yours, or just another of the women you messed around with?”

  Tom smiled. His butch-cut, ash-colored hair made him appear like more of a tyrant than he already was. Eyes, ice cold blue, stared back at her. “We know you shipped the stuffed toy, but where?”

  Sam. She knew he wasn’t to be trusted. He was just too much of a good old guy. He’d had her tailed, but apparently found only the canvas tote bag stuffed with yesterday’s news.

  Her heart nearly stopped as Boris Nikolayevich walked out of the shadows of the stage. His ebony hair was nearly all white now, though his brows were still bushy black. His black beady eyes watched her with interest while his face wore a mask of calm. He couldn’t have been in on the caper with Tom. He couldn’t have had her parents murdered.

  Her throat dried up as the anger swelled in her chest. “Boris.” Her word was merely a whisper.

  Boris looked from Tom to Nicole. “Where’s Bambi?”

  “She shipped it somewhere,” Tom said. “We picked up a package that was supposed to be shipped to Moscow. Just newspapers in a canvas bag.”

  “I hope it’s still safe. I know how much you wanted to have some more of that venison I always brought you when I visited every hunting season.”

  Boris was trying to tell her something. But what? Her head was swirling with confusion. Think, Nicole, think.

  “I always felt badly when I broke your mother’s little vase.”

  Her mother’s cherished vase. Dad had bought it for her for their first wedding anniversary. By accident, Boris had bumped into the pedestal table it rested on, knocking the table and vase to the floor. The Italian inlaid vase trimmed in 18k gold shattered into a thousand pieces on the marble floor. But he had replaced it with an intricately hand-painted set of hand-carved Russian nesting dolls, one situated inside another all the way down to the tiniest. Six in total, as she recalled.

  “I don’t think she ever forgave me. I figured she’d want me deported.”

  “She wasn’t that upset.”

  “She was. Your mother was very gracious. I knew how much that vase meant to her. I wanted to repay her, for all her kindness to me. Then she gave me a Japanese charm…for good luck.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Tom still had his damn gun pointed at her ribs.

  “You worked in some kind of intelligence office back in Washington, D.C., didn’t you, Tom?” Nicole knew he was itching to shoot her. What was Boris waiting for? If he was a good guy, surely he’d save her.

  “I’m sorry,” Boris said, “that it had to end this way.”

  Her eyes watered. He couldn’t be one of the bad guys.

  “Nicole!” Scott’s voice both forced a flood of relief and a mixture of concern for his well-being to wash over her like a hot shower. She dove for Tom, grabbed his arms, and in an instant wrapped her right leg behind his. Shoving against him, he fell backward against the hard-packed earth, knocking the wind from him.

  Scott pulled a gun from beneath his denim jacket and leveled it at Boris as Nicole grabbed Tom’s gun from where he’d dropped it.

  “Now what?” Nicole asked.

  “We’ll take it from here,” Bill said as he and Sam ran to join them, Ted and Hal right behind them. Bill had Bambi.

  “Damn, Uncle Bill. Where the hell have you been all this time?” Scott’s voice was irate with anger.

  “A couple of their cohorts distracted us,” Bill said.

  Hal was sporting a bloodied forehead; Ted had a black eye, but he smiled. “We took ‘em down. No problem,” Ted said.

  “You left Nicole all alone to fend for herself. And who’s that?” Scott asked pointing at Boris.

  Bill shook his head. “I know you have a license for that piece, but put it away, will you?”

  Scott shoved his gun in the holster underneath his jacket and wrapped his arm firmly around Nicole. She handed Tom’s gun over to Bill.

  “Boris Nikolayevich. You know. The one from your story,” Bill said.

  Boris winked at Nicole as he was handcuffed. Then Sam and two other suited officers she hadn’t noticed before, led Tom and Boris away. Boris wasn’t in on it. She just knew it.

  “He couldn’t have been involved in the murder of my parents,” Nicole said.

  “Listen, we got them all rounded up. The only problem is, we still don’t have the flash drive. I examined Bambi, but it wasn’t in the toy. I figured the one we got was a decoy.”

  “It was the original one.”

  “Okay, well, you were right about it not having anything in it. Of course we didn’t expect you to try and ship it off. It made us think there was something in it after all,” Bill said. “I sent my men to track you down to keep you safe, but they lost you when they went into the post office to grab the package you were trying to ship to the vet clinic,” Bill said, smiling a little, sounding like he admired her.

  It hadn’t been in Bambi. It was in the nesting dolls. She was certain. And Boris told her too. Why? If he was a bad guy.

  “Why don’t you take Nicole up to her seat to watch the rest of the show, Scott?” Bill said.

  “Nicole?”

  She nodded, but her attention was still diverted to Boris as Sam and the other agent led him away. Should she tell Scott what she thought?

  Something wasn’t right.

  As they returned to their seats, Josephine had m
oved over to sit between the boys and Janice had moved over a seat. Scott whispered to Nicole, “My mother’s going to throw a fit, but we’re going to get married tomorrow.”

  “What?” Nicole said.

  “We don’t need a blood test. There’s a three-day waiting period from the time we apply for the license, unless you’re on active duty. We both qualify for that.”

  “Your mother—”

  “She’ll understand.”

  “I don’t believe Boris is one of the bad guys.”

  Scott shook his head. “It’s out of our hands now.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  His dark brown eyes studied hers as he waited for her explanation.

  “I think I might know where the flash drive is. But if we find it, who do I give it to?”

  “How? Where? We give it to Uncle Bill.”

  “Boris told me about it. He can’t be the bad guy.”

  Scott turned to Janice. “We’ll be right back.” He hurried Nicole out of her seat. “Okay, what’s this all about? I thought Uncle Bill said there wasn’t anything in Bambi.”

  “Apparently, Boris said that to throw everyone off. To me it sounds like there was a mole in our government and Boris knew it. He was waiting for the guy to show himself. In this case, Tom.”

  They walked out to the vehicles and found Bill speaking with Sam. “I thought you folks were going to enjoy the show,” Bill said.

  “Nicole wanted a word with you, alone, Uncle Bill.”

  Sam tilted his cowboy hat and smiled broadly. “I can take a hint.” He sauntered off.

  Bill led them to a van, then had them enter the back. “It’s soundproof and free of bugs. What’s up?” He shoved the door closed and locked it.

  “Boris isn’t one of the bad guys,” Nicole said.

  Bill twisted his mouth, then nodded. “Okay, let’s say he isn’t.”

  “He isn’t. He’s afraid to give the flash drive to the mole who’s working in the organization.”

  Bill glanced at Scott who shrugged. “Private communiqué between Nicole and Boris.”

  “Let’s say you’re right. Where’s the flash drive?”

  “I have to make sure Boris isn’t going to be harmed.”

  Bill laughed. “Sorry, I’m not laughing at you. Did I tell you, Scott, she’s a remarkable woman? Okay, very few know this, but Boris is working for us. You’re right. There’s a mole. Tom’s only part of the equation. The flash drive has some vital information, but none of us knew who the mole was. He couldn’t risk turning the drive over to the wrong man in the department.”

  “But why involve me?”

  “He hadn’t meant to. He was incensed about your parents’ murders. Your dad had been the one who arranged to get him to the West, then helped secure a position for him with us. You must have mentioned the stuffed toy to Tom while you were dating him. Anyway, then he suspected Boris had hidden the flash drive in the stuffed toy. Only a search of your apartment and hotel turned up nothing.”

  “And Tom was concerned my father had told me something about him or others who might have been involved in infiltrating our intelligence services.”

  “We didn’t realize Tom was after you. No police reports had been made. We had no idea you needed protective custody. Boris was concerned you were in danger and sent you the message you related to me about the sharks and all. I had no idea my own nephew was in on the action. So where is the flash drive?”

  “You don’t just chase down deadbeats who don’t pay child support, do you?”

  Bill smiled. “Just a side hobby. I’m with the FBI. I've been undercover. I couldn’t tell the family. Not until now when it was too important not to.”

  Scott frowned. “What about Uncle Ted? Hal? Do they know what you do?”

  “Uh, yeah, because Hal’s law enforcement and Ted is my twin brother. But my sister and Janice, you? No. Not until now. I still don’t want Josephine or Janice to know.”

  “All right,” Scott said.

  “If I tell you where it is, you’ll send someone, and he may be the mole. You won’t know. Boris knows there’s still someone in the organization,” Nicole said.

  Bill nodded. “I’ll get it myself.”

  “I’ll go with you,” she said.

  “We’re getting married tomorrow,” Scott inserted.

  Bill chuckled. “I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t wait either.”

  Scott cleared his throat. “It’s a ten-hour drive—”

  “I’ll have us flown down.”

  “After we get married,” Scott said.

  “Yeah. National security can wait. I’ll speed up the marriage process a bit, first thing in the morning. The only big hitch is your mother.”

  Nicole smiled. Yeah, there wouldn’t be a lot of pomp and ceremony. She was totally agreeable. “About Boris—”

  “He’ll be released. It’s all part of the game. We don’t have anything to hold him on, that sort of thing.”

  “And Tom?”

  “We have plenty on him.”

  “What about Jackie?” Nicole asked.

  “I checked her out and she was dating Tom. Also, to my surprise, Bernadette was seeing him.”

  “What about the bodies disappearing? Except for Jackie’s, naturally, as they couldn’t get to hers without the police being involved that time,” Nicole said.

  “A major coverup. You contacted the police every time every time there was a dead body and what happened?” Bill asked.

  “No evidence.”

  “Exactly,” Bill said. “So it made it look like you—"

  “Were crazy. So the only loose end is the mole in charge of the whole operation,” Nicole said.

  “That’s about it.”

  Then none of their lives were worth anything until the flash drive was in the right hands, and the mole was ferreted out. Nicole squeezed Scott’s hand. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Don’t tell anybody what we’re going to do tomorrow,” she warned Bill. “Not a soul.”

  Early the next morning, though none was required, Josephine, Uncle Bill, Uncle Ted, Hal, and Janice all acted as witnesses for Nicole and Scott, while his young nephews fidgeted before the judge. They’d all agreed to wearing western clothes for the ceremony. It was quick, suited the area, and even Nicole had her own western clothes now too.

  Once the court document was signed, Scott kissed Nicole and the boys said, “Eww.”

  Everyone laughed. Finally, they were married. Hal took pictures of the whole family, and of the married couple.

  “Lots more kisses to follow as soon as we’re able,” Scott said to Nicole.

  “You bet. And the honeymoon too,” Nicole said.

  Surprising Nicole, Josephine was thrilled to get her son married off to her, no matter how they did it. So was Janice. Maybe they were afraid with all the trouble Nicole and Scott were having, it was better to be sure they married each other when they could! Nicole couldn’t agree more.

  They all hugged each other.

  “Yeah, well, we’re extending our leave,” Scott said.

  “Poor Whiskers.” Nicole didn’t want to leave him locked up in a crate.

  “Whiskers?” Josephine asked.

  “My Main Coon cat. The one that sleeps with Bambi.”

  “Bring him here to stay with me. I love animals.”

  Scott smiled. “Didn’t I tell you?”

  Later that afternoon after a special flight, Bill, Scott, and Nicole took an SUV from the airport to Nicole’s apartment in Killeen while Hal and Uncle Ted went to Salado to pick up Scott and Nicole’s bags from the mansion. Uncle Bill checked the apartment over before allowing Scott and Nicole to enter. “Okay, where is it?” Bill asked.

  Nicole noticed at once the pillows on her couch were out of place. “Someone’s been here looking for it.”

  The door opened behind them and they all turned to see Sam. He tilted his hat. “Howdy, folks. Did you get it yet, Bill?”

  “Bill, you weren’t supposed to
tell anyone.” Nicole’s voice was razor sharp. She was furious with him that he hadn’t respected her wishes.

  “Trevor and I have known Sam since we were in high school. He insisted on watching our backs.”

  Nicole folded her arms. “Yeah, well, the deal’s off. I was turning it over to you, no one else.”

  To her surprise, Scott spoke up first, “Now, if Uncle Bill—”

  “An annulment in this state is easily obtained.”

  Bill cleared his throat. “Okay, how’s about Sam and I step out of the apartment and you can get the flash drive for me.”

  “How’s about not.” Sam pulled his gun from his holster and waved it at Bill. “Hand over your piece.”

  Nicole could tell from the look on Bill’s face he was really hurting. His own best friend apparently was the mole and he’d never had a clue.

  “Yeah, yeah, you know the story. Got to keep up with the Joneses. Wife wanted a new car. Got three boys going to college soon. The house wasn’t big enough. And the extra pay was just right. Then the new girlfriend came on the scene,” Sam said.

  “Lewis Samuel Thompson, you can’t be serious,” Bill said, his words still couched in disbelief.

  Scott’s hand squeezed Nicole’s with reassurance and then he slipped his hand under the back of his shirt. To her astonishment, she realized he was still packing a loaded gun. She also figured she was the only one who was not expendable now, not until Sam had the flash drive.

  “Okay.” She headed for the kitchen. As soon as she was out of Scott’s way, he whipped out his gun and aimed it at Sam. Nicole dashed into the kitchen while Bill rushed Sam.

  Two guns fired, but she saw only Sam fall to his knees with a groan, clutching his shoulder, his gun on the carpet that Bill quickly confiscated. She was so glad he was the only one injured and none of his cohorts showed up to help him.

  Then Bill pulled out his phone and called for backup. He handcuffed Sam and said to Scott, “You can put that gun away now. Actually, I need to confiscate your gun because it was used at the scene of a crime. I’ll have to turn mine in too. At least only my round hit Sam.” Then Bill read Sam his rights. “What did Tom get out of all of this?”