Deadly Deception

by Tami Kidd

  Alex shrugged. “Don’t know. We haven’t discussed it.”

  Reviewing his notes, Reece asked, “Did your father say anything else that would be useful?”

  “No.” Alex uncrossed his legs and leaned toward the desk. “I do have a question for you.”

  “Shoot?”

  “How did Dr. Foster pull off faking Thomas’s death? I mean it was an elaborate scheme and must have taken a lot of planning.”

  Reece put down his pen. “Dr. Foster is not talking. Well not talking sensibly anyway. A team is scheduled to arrive today to interview her.”

  “You’re talking about shrinks? Profilers?”

  “Yep, the ones that can look at the chewing gum you spit out and know your whole life story. They’re badass. I wish I could do what they do.”

  Alex slapped his palms on his legs and stood. “Well, I think my job is done here.” He extended his hand to Reece.

  Reece stood and shook Alex’s hand. “Let me walk you out.”

  “Not necessary. I can find my way.”

  “Well, if I don’t see you before you head back to California, have a safe trip and watch your back.”

  Alex winked as he flashed a wide grin. “Always.”

  ****

  As Alex exited the car, he heard church bells ringing in the distance. He looked up at the sky and squinted, his eyes watering from the noonday glare. He walked into the hotel lobby, removed a handkerchief, and dabbed his forehead and wiped his palms. Apprehension coursed through his body. Taking the elevator up to Mara’s floor seemed like a good idea. The slow measured rise would allow him time to think of how he would approach the subject with Mara. Who’s it going to be? Him or me? Did he even have the right to ask her those questions? Sure, I do. I have a right to know where I stand. Right?

  The elevator doors opened and he stepped into the hall. At Mara’s suite, he held his fist midair, his heart raced. Soon, I’ll either be a happy man or not.

  Alex inhaled and knocked on the door with determination. He waited and listened for the sound of movement behind the door. Nothing. He knocked again, louder this time. He stood there for what seemed like a half hour. He looked down to see if cement covered his feet. He knocked again. He took out his cell phone. You idiot, you should have called first.

  He pushed the call button next to Mara’s picture on his phone. She answered on the second ring.

  “Hi Alex,” she said, her voice soft and tender.

  “Hi. I’m standing outside your hotel room. You’re not here.”

  She chuckled. “I know.”

  There it is. That sweet childlike giggle that always tugged his heart and made him grin. “Where are you?”

  “See if you can guess. Listen.”

  Pressing the phone close to his ear, he said, “You’re at the beach.”

  “Yes, and it’s beautiful. A little warm, but it feels great. You should come down.”

  “Okay.” He hesitated and then asked, “Are you alone?”

  “Yes, I’m alone.”

  “Where are you exactly?”

  “Come to the boardwalk and find the giant clam shell. I’ll be sitting on the beach to the left.”

  “I’ll see you shortly.”

  “Bring sunscreen.”

  “Sure.”

  Alex ended the call, but instead of taking the elevator to the lobby, he ran down the stairs. In the gift shop, he overpaid for a pair of fluorescent yellow and orange swimming trunks, matching cap, and sunscreen. As an afterthought, he purchased two beach towels.

  He found Mara staring at the electric blue waters. He stood and watched her for a moment. The sight of her dark hair waving in the constant breeze off the gulf with her knees pulled into her chest, made her look so peaceful and content.

  “Why do they call it the Emerald Coast when the water is blue?” Alex asked, gazing out at the vast gulf.

  Mara turned to look at him and smiled.

  “Do I look ridiculous in these bright shorts?” he asked looking down at his attire.

  Studying his shorts and then his legs, she said, “No, you fit right in. Look around. You don’t look any different than the other guys on the beach.”

  Alex loved how her brown eyes twinkled, and when she smiled, how the tiny crow’s feet crinkled in an adorable way at each corner of her eyes. He handed her a beach towel first and then spread his out beside her. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small tube of sunscreen. “As you requested, my dear.”

  “Oh, it’s not for me.” Giggling, she slapped his bare calf. “You know how easily you burn.”

  Blushing as if he’d already gotten too much sun, he said, “I should have known.”

  “Sit.” Mara patted the towel beside her. “Did you do it? Did you talk to him?”

  Alex nodded. “Reece is a happy camper. I suspect they already have a team headed to the laboratory.”

  “Where is it?”

  “Outside Boston.” Alex watched Mara as she sat, mesmerized by the waves rushing back and forth. A serene expression painted her face. “What are you thinking about?”

  She shrugged. “Nothing. Everything.”

  “Are you thinking about us?”

  Mara turned and gazed into his eyes. “Always.”

  “I know this may be too soon to ask, but have you thought about what you’re going to do? I mean about Thomas.” Alex scooped up a fistful of sand and let it filter through his fingers. He couldn’t look at her, fearful of what her face might reveal.

  Leaning back on her hands, she stretched her legs out in front of her. “I have done nothing but think about the whole situation.”

  Sweat trickled down Alex’s back. He shivered despite the summer heat. “Have you made a decision?”

  “Yes.” Mara jumped up and ran into the warm, inviting water, splashing it up with her hands like a child, giggling in delight.

  Forty-Four

  David Ruiz glared at FBI Deputy Director Harlan Franks. The lanky redhead sat with his legs crossed while his fingers turned his wedding ring around his thin finger. Ruiz waited for a response to the question he had just posed to Franks. “I’m sorry, Harlan, did I not make myself clear?” Ruiz asked as he shed his fine Italian jacket. Hanging it gently, he admired it as if it were a beautiful woman.

  “No, sir. You made yourself perfectly clear. I hesitate because this is a pretty tall order.”

  “Yes, it is. Is it one that you can accomplish?” Ruiz pulled his chair out, taking a seat behind his expansive desk.

  “With all due respect, I think you should discuss this matter with the director, not me.”

  Ruiz leaned forward on his elbows. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Harlan, where do your loyalties lie, with the president or with the director?”

  Harlan Franks swallowed. “With the president, of course.”

  “Good. So, he can count on you to shoulder this task?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Can you count on your man, Reece? He’ll do what he’s told, no questions asked?”

  “Yes, sir. He’s a good man. He follows orders.”

  “After the task is complete, notify me in person. No phone calls, understood?”

  “Completely.”

  A flash caught his eye. Ruiz admired the gold Rolex on his wrist and said, “I have another appointment.” He stood and held a hand out.

  Franks rose, taking the cue, and shook the hand proffered him.

  As Ruiz escorted him to the door, he patted the man’s shoulder. “Don’t let the president down, Harlan. If this goes well, I can see him rewarding you greatly.” He noticed how beads of perspiration peppered Harlan’s freckled face. If he’s sweating now, just wait. Things are about to get a lot hotter.

  The deputy director turned to face Ruiz and extended his hand again.

  Ruiz ignored the gesture and, instead, placed a palm on the man’s face. He slapped his cheek twice. “You’re a good man, Harlan.” Ruiz frowned and stepped back into his office, closing the doo
r. He crinkled his nose as he removed a silk handkerchief from his pocket. He wiped his hands and threw the soiled cloth in the trashcan next to his desk. Staring at the receptacle, he sneered. His plan was coming together perfectly.

  Forty-Five

  Like two tourists on vacation, Mara and Alex collapsed onto the beach towels, dripping wet and laughing. Neither spoke as they waited for their racing hearts and laboring lungs to settle down.

  After her breathing returned to normal, Mara asked, “Did Agent Carter give you permission to return back to California?”

  “Yes, and he asked if I wanted protection.”

  “Why?”

  “Apparently, the group in Boston are murdering, maniacal sorts, and now that we know where they’re located, we could be in danger.”

  Mara sat up, twisting the water from her hair. “But aren’t they doctors and scientists?”

  “More like mad scientists. They’re suspected of bumping off more than one person who threatened their endeavors.” Alex stretched out on his back and stared at the cloudless sky. “Agent Carter asked if you wanted protection also. I told him he would have to check with you.” He turned onto his side, leaning on one elbow to study her expression.

  “I don’t want someone following me around. I just want to be left alone.”

  Alex sat up and cleared his throat. “So…you made a decision.”

  “Yes, I have. It hasn’t been easy. I struggled with it. Part of me feels I should stand by Thomas. After all, he is my husband.” Mara gazed up at Alex sitting next to her. “And the other part of me wants to return with you to California to pick up where my life left off a few days ago.” She turned back to stare at the waves rushing toward them. “God, it seems like a year has gone by, but it’s only been six days.”

  “I know.” Alex watched the waves caress the packed sand just a few feet away. He tossed his cap aside, hoping his wet blonde curls framing his face would make him look irresistibly handsome. I need all the help I can get.

  “I’ve thought about my life since all this has happened, from the beginning. When I was a child growing up in Arkansas, I had a wild imagination. That’s why I started writing. The worlds I conceived, the people I created were nothing compared to the life I have lived since Thomas died. And you know what?”

  “What?”

  “I don’t want that kind of life. The danger, the mystery, and the drama are so overrated.” Mara pulled her knees to her chest. “I know I’m too delicate for the complications. So, I’ve decided to go back to Arkansas.”

  Alex swiveled his neck and stared at her. “For how long?”

  Mara shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe permanently. That’s where my life started. My brothers are there, and I think if I go back, I can start over.” She held his gaze.

  He held nothing back and could tell she noticed the shock and surprise evident in his eyes. “Are you going alone?”

  “That depends.”

  “On what?”

  “On whether or not you want to come with me. I’ll understand if you don’t want to. I can’t expect you to pick up and move halfway across the country.”

  Alex nodded and took her hand in his. “I understand. I can’t say that I wanted this, but—”

  “I love you,” she interrupted. “Don’t ever doubt how much I love you. I just have to do this for me. I’ve never really had a chance to discover who I am.”

  Alex cupped her face. “I love you too, and I want you to be happy, no matter where in this big world you decide to live. I’ll follow you anywhere.”

  Mara smiled as tears rolled down her cheeks. She covered his hands with hers. “I don’t know what’s ahead for us, but I know we’ll write this new chapter of our lives together.”

  Alex leaned forward and kissed her lips, playfully brushing his nose across hers. He smiled and pulled away while gazing into her eyes. Then he winked. “Does this mean I have to learn to call the hogs or something?”

  Mara giggled and then nodded. “You can’t live in Arkansas and not learn to Whoo Pig Sooie.”

  Alex stood and held his hand out. When she grasped his, he pulled her up into his arms. Tears glistened in his eyes, waiting to fall. Standing on her tiptoes, her lips reaching his, he sealed their fate with a kiss. His heart skipped a beat at the thought of this new phase of their life together.

  Forty-Six

  Freshly showered and dressed, Mara walked toward Thomas’s room. Her stomach quivered and her hands shook. When she reached the door, she stopped, startled by what she saw inside. A housekeeper hustled around, humming to herself while cleaning the empty room. Mara did a double take at the door to confirm she had the correct room number. She leaned inside the room from the hall. “Excuse me, ma’am. Where’s the gentleman who was staying in this room?”

  The housekeeper stopped her musical interlude and gave Mara a puzzled look. She dumped the wad of bedclothes she carried into her cart and shrugged. “I don’t keep up with the guests. Probably checked out or changed rooms. Check with the front desk.” She picked up a plastic spray bottle and started to wipe down the mirror, resuming her serenade.

  “Thank you,” Mara said as she turned and left the room. Stunned, she headed downstairs.

  A tanned middle-aged woman in a crisp hotel blazer staffed the front desk. As Mara approached, the clerk plastered on a bright smile. “May I help you?”

  “Yes, I’m looking for the gentleman in room 217. Can you tell me if he has checked out or changed rooms?”

  The desk clerk’s fingers clacked the keyboard with lightning speed. “It appears that he checked out about two hours ago.” Returning her gaze to Mara, she asked, “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

  “No. Thank you.” Mara spun around and raced back upstairs.

  Noah answered his door almost immediately. Seeing the look of confusion on Mara’s face, he asked, “Hey, sis, what’s up?”

  Mara pushed by Noah. “Did you know Thomas checked out?”

  Noah’s brows slid together. “No, I didn’t. I spoke to him after we came back from the meeting with the FBI.”

  “Did he say anything about leaving or where he might go?” Mara plopped onto the bed.

  “No, he didn’t say anything. We mostly talked about his health. He was pretty upset about your situation. You know, between you and Alex.”

  Mara covered her eyes with a hand and shook her head.

  “What is it?” Noah grabbed a chair and pulled it up to face her.

  “I wanted to talk to him, explain things. I don’t want to hurt him.”

  Noah arched his eyebrows. “So, you’ve decided to stay with Alex?”

  Mara looked up at him. “Maybe you should brace yourself. We’ve decided to move to Arkansas.” She placed a hand on his leg. “Are you okay with that?”

  “Hell yeah, I’m okay with that. It’s about time. I’m just surprised.”

  “Surprised that I’m coming back to Arkansas or that Alex is coming with me?”

  “Both.”

  “Yeah, I’m surprised too. I’m scared. I hope he doesn’t feel like he’s giving up his life for me. I love him and want to be with him. I prepared myself for the possibility that he might not want to move to Arkansas.”

  Noah slid his chair closer beside her. He said, “Don’t be scared. You two have each other. Not to mention the rest of your crazy family.” He half-smiled as he tousled her hair.

  Mara’s heart swelled. “Thanks. I really wanted to talk to Thomas though. I need him to understand my decision. I don’t expect him to like it or agree with it, but I’d like him to see my side.”

  “I think he does see your side. Maybe that’s why he left. To let you know he’s okay with whatever you decide.”

  “You may be right. I’m going to call Agent Carter. He may know where he went.”

  “He might. It’s worth a shot.”

  Mara walked to the door and turned to look at her brother. “Are you sure it’s okay if we move to Arkansas? We may have
to crash at your place till we find a house of our own.”

  “Sis, you can stay as long as you like. Family is always welcome. I can’t wait to tell Patty. She’s going to be over the moon excited.”

  Mara hugged Noah and said, “Thanks, love you.”

  “Back at ya kid.”

  Mara returned to her room. Sitting on her bed, she held the phone preparing to call Agent Carter. Instead, she stretched across the bed and covered her eyes with her arm. Five minutes passed before she moved. Finally, she sat up to call the FBI agent.

  “Hello, Agent Carter speaking.”

  “Agent Carter, this is Mara Byrne. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”

  “No. Not at all, I’m glad you called. What can I do for you?”

  “I was wondering if you’ve heard from Thomas?”

  “No, I’m sorry I haven’t. Why?”

  “He’s checked out of his room.”

  Mara heard nothing but silence. “Hello? Are you still there?”

  “I’m sorry. Yes, I wish I could tell you something, but I haven’t heard from Mr. Byrne. I have no idea where he went.”

  Mara exhaled, disappointed in his answer. “Thank you anyway. If you do hear from him, would you please let him know I’d like to speak to him?”

  “Of course. Please, do the same for me as well. I would like to have his contact information.”

  “Certainly.”

  “Ms. Byrne, has Alex talked to you about what he learned from his conversation with Joseph Strange?”

  “You mean about the group in Boston?”

  “Yes. Please, be careful, they could be a threat to you and your family. Until we are able to close the case, I’d like to offer you protection.”

  “I’ll be careful, Agent Carter. Thank you for the offer, but I really don’t want protection.” Mara hesitated before she asked, “One other thing, has Dr. Foster answered any questions about how she managed to fake Thomas’s death?”

  “No, she hasn’t. She’s refusing to cooperate. We have a special team arriving tomorrow from Quantico to interview her. Hopefully, they will be able to get some answers.