by Mimi Barbour
“Not gonna happen, Nik. So give it a rest. You don’t even look like him. Other than your outward appearance and build, you and your twin are total opposites in personalities and background.”
“Not as much as you may think.”
“Oh, yes, you are. Look, give me the information he gave you and I promise we’ll get those bastards. Trust me.”
When the doorbell rang, Maya indicated for Nik to go into her bedroom and wait. She took her gun from the drawer and undid the safety, then she slid it in the back of her waistband.
At that point, Nik hid behind the door and waited to see if she’d need any assistance. But her female neighbor, asking to borrow some milk, convinced him she would be safe. Knowing she’d be pissed, but doing it anyway, he used her balcony, lowered himself to the ground and faded into the darkness.
Chapter 16
“Maya, in my office. Now!” Ron Bitters, Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge in the New Orleans field office, was a powerful man, big and mean-tempered. Thankfully, he had a soft spot for Maya, and though Max got under his skin, he’d acknowledged a few times that, when under pressure, the two together were case-solvers, hard workers, and good agents.
Seeing the flashing streaks of red aura surrounding her irate chief, Maya stiffened her back and smoothed her hair around her cheeks. This could be ugly and she didn’t want the man to see her nervousness.
“Yo, boss. Coming.” She calmly laid down the pen she’d been chewing on and rubbed her hands over the tops of her thighs. Passing by Becky’s desk, one of the other agents working from the same office, she leaned over and whispered, “Remember, I want to be cremated.”
“Got it! Can I have your black suede jacket… and those red sandals with the ties and…?”
Maya pretended disgust. “Can ya wait till I’m gone?”
“Not unless I have to.” Becky wiggled her fingers while wearing a cheeky grin.
Maya approached the doorway and watched the irate man fling files from one end of his stacked desk to the other. “Do I close the door for this massacre, or do you want to terrify me in full view of the rest of my suddenly relieved colleagues?” His lips twitched slightly, which gave her hope.
“What the hell is going on with your partner? Is he dead or not? Blasted man pulls a disappearing act like fucking Houdini. Doesn’t even have the courtesy to give us an indication of whether he’s alive or in a shallow grave in the desert. Has he called you? Have you heard anything lately? Tell me again about the last time anyone saw him.”
Now this was kinda spooky, especially after her conversation with Nik last night before the son-of-a-bitch disappeared yet again. Not sure whether to mention the appearance of Nik Baudin or not, Maya stayed in the safe end of the pool. “Nothing’s changed from what’s up on the board. Last spotted at a nightclub on Bourbon Street. The same one we’ve had to close down a number of times for prostitution and illegal drugs. When we interviewed the workers there, they all said he stayed about an hour, sitting with a blonde chick. No one recognized her. Then he left, she stayed. Not long after, angry for being deserted, she took off in a huff. Nothing after that.”
“And the evidence from the back alley?”
“We found Max’s blood, quite a bit of it. Some smudges but no credible shoe prints. The scene looked like more than one goon had a go at him, but we couldn’t tell exactly how many might have been there. Of course, as you know, his body was never recovered.”
“And no videos or photos of him and the blonde together emerged from any of the other customers, especially of her? You’ve checked with all the patrons you knew about who were there at the time?”
“Sure. We hunted up as many as we could, and nothing. We’ve canvassed the streets behind the bar and the lanes leading away, every place within a few blocks radius, and no one saw anything, other than his snitch who gave us zip.”
“Useless twit.”
“No kidding! I even broke down and went to visit Max’s mom, Nellie, yesterday and she hasn’t heard from him either.”
Threading his hands through his brush cut, Ron lifted an eyebrow and let a small smirk emerge. “Did she drop?”
“Like a rock! Never saw anything like it. Those blackouts must be a real pain for the poor woman.”
“Well, knowing Max, I have no doubt the woman was covered with constant bruises while he was growing up. That agent has been a boil on my backside while he worked here, and now that he’s gone, he’s still damned annoying. You’d think he could do the decent thing and let us find his body so we can put the case to rest. But no… it’s just like him to make things ridiculously complicated.” Turning his back on her, Ron lumbered over to his chair and sighed with satisfaction as his ass made the seat cushion squeal in pain.
Recognizing his tone for what it was—spewing hot air—Maya kept her mouth shut and the grin off her face. “I haven’t given up…”
Bloodshot eyes glaring, quieted her. “Yeah… it’s time, Maya. You need another partner. I’ve let you cruise for far too long. Pulling someone from the day room when necessary worked for a short while, but no more—”
“No—”
“Don’t interrupt me!” His bellow and pointed finger stopped her arguments. “It’s done. I… What the hell?”
Maya turned to see what had made her boss’s face turn from red to purple.
Striding toward them with his typical strut, wearing his favorite silk suit and shiny four hundred dollar black shoes, Max made an entrance. He winked first at Becky and then patted the top of her head in the way he knew she hated. In a voice loud enough for both Maya and Ron to hear, he said smoothly, “Hi, Ladybug. I see by your joyful expression that you missed me.”
Ignoring the slap aimed at his arm, and Becky’s hiss, he moved further into the room.
Bedlam struck the rest of the staff. Most rushed to greet their long-lost colleague. Some leaned back in their chairs, grinning. Everyone had a different way of asking the same question… where the hell have you been? Some used crude language while others shared hugs. But the loudest and harshest of the greetings came from the man with Maya who’d shot from his office chair to stomp to the doorway. “Hey, asshole! Get in here. Now!”
Chapter 17
Nik knew he’d be in trouble without Maya backing him up, covering his lapses and, by the shocked anger on her face, she hadn’t decided whether she would help him or not. Then he realized the reason why she hesitated. The lady wasn’t sure.
Was it him, or Max?
Strangely, he’d taken for granted she’d know him. Guess he looked more like Max than he’d thought. Living as a single child, not being around his twin as they grew up, meant he didn’t have the advantage of figuring out how Max would actually behave in moments like these. He had to go by what he’d been taught in the last few hours: what he’d noticed himself since they’d met, use common sense and adlib like crazy. Having it all dumped on him like this, he felt disoriented and weirdly out of his league. And bizarrely hurt that she didn’t recognize the man she’d kissed silly the night before.
Not wanting his emotions to show on his face, something he’d never had to worry about as a soldier; he glanced away and saw himself in the window. Christ, I do look like exactly like Max! No wonder she was acting strangely. It shocked the shit out of him and he knew who he was.
***
Thank goodness, Max had drilled him most of the previous evening and far into the night about all the things he’d need to know to pull off this switch. That is, until Linda had stomped into the room in her bikini-style PJs, and fired both barrels. “Enough, you two! Max, honey, you need your sleep. Remember, it’ll be me having to put up with the monster you’ll be from the lack of it. So, Nik, go home. Come back tomorrow if you must, but, please, for now, stop!”
Nik looked closely at his double and saw what she had already guessed. Exhausted, Max looked like hell. He’d kept going because he’d known that Nik needed this intelligence. To get away with the switch, he�
��d need even more. But for now it was sufficient. Worried, Nik headed for the door. “I’m going. Max, take your medication and go to bed.”
Ignoring the order, Max continued. “You got the appointment in the morning for the stylist and the spa, right?”
“Yeah, yeah! Fucking torture… ah, sorry, Linda. I mean, freakin’ ridiculous as far as I’m concerned.” The stubborn glare shot his way made him add, “I know! It’s necessary. I’ll do it already!” Max gathered his belongings.
“Linda, did you give him the outfit I sent you to get from my apartment? It’s what you need to change into after the spa treatment tomorrow.”
“He’s got it, Max. I told you earlier, remember? Plus, I tidied the apartment like you said. Wasn’t much to do, but it’s all ready for you to move in whenever you want, Nik.” She tossed him the keys that were on the table.
“Thanks, doll. Tonight, I’ll stay at the hotel. But as soon as I look like this ugly dude, I’ll head over there and set up.”
Max added, “You got the burner phone with my direct dial set up? Use it whenever you need to. I’ll have mine with me at all times.”
“Yes, sir. Got it, sir.” He saluted and chuckled. “Goodnight, you two.”
Slipping out the door at the top of the stairs, careful not to trip on the garment bag hanging from his arm, Nik went over to Max’s vehicle, flung off the tarp and slid inside. Not fussy about driving fancy wheels, Nik had always preferred a truck. But if he intended on carrying on with this farce, he would have to use his brother’s chick-magnet and like it.
He parked a street over from where his appointments would be the next day and made his way back to the hotel. Bushed, he’d approached his room only to stop dead at the open door and groan.
Julian, shirtless, wearing a haughty attitude across his expression and a pair of pink silk playboy shorts that barely covered his bottom, waited, his hands braced on both hips. “So, Nikky! You finally decided it was time to come home.”
Chapter 18
“What the hell are you doing here? I told you, one night and then out.”
“Sure you did. But you never told me where I’m supposed to go. You know I’m on the run. And you know why. You want me to get shot at again? Maybe next time they’ll kill me.”
“One could only hope.” Nik dropped his armload and headed to the mini fridge for a cold beer. He flinched when he saw the tray of fancy sushi and salads arrayed beautifully. And the chilled bottle of wine. Well, shit!
“Excuse me? Do I look like a ghost to you? Maybe I’d like a beer too. Ever think to ask?”
“You want a fucking beer, get your own.”
Julian swayed over to the fridge, ignoring Nik’s next line.
“I meant buy your own.” An I-give-up snort followed and a curse came soon after. “I’m amazed someone didn’t waste you a long time ago.”
Much friendlier, Julian took a swig and then nodded. “Yeah, me too. So, where have you been? Gotta tell you, your lady cop wasn’t happy with you. Neither was Nellie. That disappearing act got to both of them.” Julian sat on the edge of the sofa, where his blanket and pillow were heaped in the corner with the remote on top. The king-sized bed in the other end of the room still looked pristine. “From what I could gather, you’ve done it to both of them before.”
“Done what?”
“Vanished.”
“Yeah, well, a man’s gotta do what a—”
“Bull. Those ladies worry about you. Well, one does anyway.”
“Mom knows I can look after myself.”
“I wasn’t referring to Nellie. Maya was pretty upset. She drilled me. Wanted to know what I knew about you. Had me on the hot seat for an uncomfortable few minutes.”
“What did you tell her?”
“Nothing important.”
Intrigued, knowing that the woman had a very strong presence, the willpower of a mountain climber and the same gift of gab as a slippery politician, he had to ask. “How’d you pull that off?”
“I did what you did. Went to the bathroom and never came back.” Julian lifted his beer in Max’s direction and, chuckling, Max returned the salute.
Chapter 19
The next morning, Nik purposely left while Julian was still in the bathroom. Looking for the garment bag that the pest had hung in the closet, he snagged it and packed whatever personal stuff he figured he’d need into his backpack and then slipped from the room. Yesterday, deciding not to vacate the place altogether, he’d paid for a month’s rent.
Hell, if the little guy wanted to hang out there, he really didn’t have a problem. In fact, he figured Julian’s knowledge might come in handy down the road. The pesky stalker could take him to the nightclub where he’d last worked and released the kidnapped girls. But that all had to happen after his transformation to Special Agent Maximilian.
Heading in the direction of the spa where his appointment time with the hairdresser loomed, he checked his surroundings, only to see the pain-in-the-ass he thought he’d left back in the room. How the little poser had caught up so fast, he’d never know.
“Thought you’d pull your vanishing stunt again.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Not impressed, Nik glared at his sidekick. “Why are you following me, Julian?”
“Juli.”
“Juli’s a girl’s name. Quit changing the subject. Why did you come after me?”
“Because you packed and left without a word.”
“I didn’t take everything.”
“Looked like it to me.”
“Well, I didn’t, you snoopy bastard. Look, I’ll be away for a few days, but the room’s paid for. Think you can survive that long without me?”
“You mean you’re gonna leave me all alone to fend for myself?”
“You’ll survive.” Nik stopped in his tracks. “Don’t walk like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re some kind of a model on a runway for a fucking fashion show is what.” Remembering his appointment, Nik whirled away from Julian and stepped up his speed. He swore when Julian rushed to catch up, his hips swaying worse and his hands keeping time.
“I do not.”
“Yeah! You do. And I don’t like it. Either walk normal—stop swinging your hands all over the place—or go walk on the other side of the street.”
“So now you’re embarrassed to be seen with me?”
“That’s not what I said, and don’t put words into my mouth.”
“I guess you want me to walk like a man.” A faint jeer could be heard in Julian’s voice. “Like you?”
“What the hell is wrong with the way I walk?”
“Oh! Nothing. Nothing at all. You have a really sexy ass and the way you move it makes me swoon—you should be fined for incitement.”
In a flash, Nik had Julian up against the brick wall of the drugstore they were passing. “You keep your squinty eyes off my sexy ass, or your ass will be in a sling from the swift kick I plant there. Understand?”
“Hell yes! And just so you know, the way you have of being able to move like greased lightning is such a turn on… okay! Forget it.” With his hands held up in surrender, and an unholy twinkle in his eyes, Julian added, “I’m sorry, man. It’s just so damn easy to yank your chain.”
Eyes narrowed, warnings flashing, Nik ground his teeth and watched Julian’s eyes register. No way could he ever let the little twerp know that it was his way of stopping the laughter that the little shit had the ability to rouse in him. He’d never met anyone so unintimidated, and who seemed to have complete faith in the fact that Nik was all bark and no bite.
The truth was that he had bitten many in the past, part of the job. Pushed too far, he could and would again. But certainly not the little fellow whose eyes held only worship and warmth.
Shaking him loose, Nik went to pick up his garment bag and dropped backpack, just as a crazy teenager on a bike swooped past and snagged the strap. Peddling for all he was worth, the kid headed up the stree
t with Nik giving chase. He’d have caught him too, but Julian, having taken a short cut through a restaurant yard, materialized on the street where the biker showed up. Leaping from the top of a parked car, Julian dumped the bike and began playing tug of war with the rider.
“Give that back.” Stubbornly, Julian held on.
Aiming his fist for Julian’s face, the teen’s jaw dropped when his opponent’s arm blocked the swing. He was even more shocked by the fancy defense moves when he tried to pull Julian down.
Fury etched on a face not yet shaving, the loser looked up to see Nik fast approaching. Shoving the bag sideways along with his attacker, he hopped back on his bike and took off, legs pumping madly.
Julian held out the scuffed, torn backpack, a proud grin lighting his face. “I got it.”
“Yeah, I saw. Thanks, man. Guess we’re even now.”
“Not by a long shot. You saved my life. I saved your bag. I’d say I’m one up.”
Nik cracked. He couldn’t help the chuckle that broke loose. “How do you figure that?” Heading to his appointment double-time, enjoying Julian trotting by his side, trying to keep up and still perform his asinine wiggle, Nik had to ask.
“Easy. If you’re dead, you don’t need stuff.”
“You’re one crazy dude, you know that?” Not getting any answer, Nik turned to his escort. Shocked, he realized he’d been walking alone, talking to the air. Scanning the street, he saw a black SUV heading towards their corner and no sign of the pest. Talk about a vanishing act!
Chapter 20
Later in the day, still smarting from the uncomfortable time spent with the boss, Nik followed close behind Maya as she headed towards their area and her piled-high desk. “You’re lucky Bitters didn’t throw your sad ass in jail for taking a leave of absence without permission, Max. And I wouldn’t have blamed him. I know you fed him that bullshit about being kidnapped and escaping yesterday, but I don’t buy it. Seriously, where the hell have you been?”