by Marie Astor
“Come in,” Jake’s brisk voice carried through the door.
“Hi,” Ally said, standing in the doorway.
“Hi, Ally,” Jake greeted her, rising so abruptly that he almost knocked his chair over.
“May I come in?” she asked.
“Yes, yes, by all means.” He began to hastily gather the papers from his desk.
She sat down, placing the tray on his desk.
“Ally, I wanted to apologize for the way I acted during our meeting—” he began but she cut him short.
“Jake, I’m the one who should be apologizing. You are a senior agent and the lead on this case. I let my emotions get the better of me and I was way out of line. You were right, this case is personal to me, but I’d like to assure you that I won’t let my emotions get in the way again. I will work twice as hard to prove to you that I’m capable of doing whatever it takes to complete this assignment. If I may say so, I think that you’re a top agent and I have so much to learn from you. I would like to have the opportunity to work on this case with you.”
A reluctant smile appeared on Jake’s lips. “Flattery will get you everywhere,” he said as he lifted a cup from the tray. “And I like your peace offering,” he added, biting into the doughnut.
“I was being sincere, sir. I will do whatever it takes to earn your trust.”
Jake remained silent for a few moments and Ally wondered if she had overdone it.
“It was never a question of your competence or my trust in you, Ally, because you have them both,” Jake said softly. “It’s a matter of my own competence and confidence,” he added glumly. “I’m going to lay the cards out on the table and let you decide whether you still want to be my partner afterwards. I’ve seen your file and I think it’s only fair that you know my history. About a year ago I was put on an assignment and there was an incident,” he paused, taking a deep breath. “An innocent woman died. Although my name was cleared, I hold myself responsible for her death. Without giving too much detail about the case specifics, which are still confidential, I can tell you that she was close to someone I was investigating and I used her as a source. When she was discovered, she paid for it with her life.”
Ally took a deep breath. By the expression on Jake’s face Ally could tell how difficult it was for him to share his painful past with her. To say that his words didn’t shock her would be a lie. She knew that this job was no walk in the park, but she’d never thought of death as a possible threat. So Jake had been right after all: she had a lot to learn. Still, that didn’t mean that she’d be backing out. If anything, realization of the danger ahead only made her more determined.
“I appreciate your sharing this with me,” Ally said slowly.
A bitter smile appeared on Jake’s face. “You’re welcome, Ally. Now do you still want to be my partner?”
“More than anything.”
“I would’ve never thought you had a death wish,” he muttered.
Ally didn’t miss the destructive tone in Jake’s voice. He was haunted by his past and he had to put it behind him. Up until now Jake’s emotional baggage was his own burden to carry, but now it concerned her and Ally would be damned if she let it jeopardize their mission. “I don’t know all the specifics of the case you described and I hope that you won’t think me inappropriate for saying this, but the agency obviously thinks that you’re innocent or you wouldn’t be working here. Marion thought we’d be a good team and I don’t intend to disappoint her.”
Jake scowled. “I told you how Marion thinks. She doesn’t care about you or me. She only cares about results.”
“Exactly. Because it’s the only thing that matters. Look, this may be my only chance to find out who ruined my father and I don’t intend to lose it. Now you can sit here and obsess over your mistakes and regrets or you can put your head back in the game and do something useful for a change, like help stop a monopoly from happening.”
The look of glumness was replaced by curiosity on Jake’s face. “I think I’ve misjudged you, Ally. You’re much tougher than you look.”
“I have to be. I’m the only one I can count on.”
He cleared his throat. “You can count on me, Ally. Now let’s get to work.”
Chapter 19
Ally felt a chill on her shoulders from the air-conditioning, and tightened her silk wrap around her.
“Don’t be nervous,” Jake whispered into her ear, squeezing her hand.
Her heart jolted from his warm, firm touch. “I’m not,” she whispered. “Just a little chilly.”
“Would you like some champagne?” he offered.
She shook her head. “I’m fine, thanks.” She couldn’t risk losing her concentration.
Ignoring her refusal, he lifted two champagne flutes from a passing server’s tray. “It’d be a shame to let Dom Perignon go to waste.” He winked and handed her a glass. “Go ahead, it’ll help you relax.”
“I’m relaxed,” she hissed. “I just don’t want to get too relaxed.” She was lying, of course. Inside she was coiled as tightly as a compressed spring. Tonight was the night of the charity gala and her only chance to get close to Platt.
Over the past two weeks she and Jake had worked nonstop to prepare; they’d come up with aliases and practiced their respective personas. Ally had had several sessions with Rebecca, learning the intricate secrets required to succeed at her assignment. Based on Platt’s preferences in women, they created a character most likely to get Platt’s attention. Ally lived in her character’s skin: she worked on her walk and posture, her accent and conversation topics. Ally even wore the blond wig at home to get used to it. She studied Blaine Platt’s file inside out, trying to understand what made him tick. She’d felt ready, but now she was shaking like a leaf. If she blew it, she’d never get a do-over.
She scanned the crowd. So far she hadn’t spotted Blaine Platt. She wondered if Platt had changed his plans and decided not to attend. The cocktail hour was coming to an end and the ceremony would begin shortly. It was a charity gala for the Modern Museum of Art. The top floor of the museum had been transformed into a ballroom, with banquet tables framing the floor. There was a live orchestra, complete with a cellist and a harpist, filling the air with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Apparently Platt was a huge supporter of modern art. Who would’ve guessed that someone capable of destroying a man’s life could have artistic sensibilities? She pushed her bitter thoughts away. After all, she didn’t have concrete proof against Blaine Platt. Not yet.
Suddenly Ally felt something inside her tense. It was a subconscious ominous feeling and she had no idea where it was coming from. She looked around and cringed—Ronald Graystone was standing a few feet away from her. She clenched the champagne glass tightly, consuming its contents in one gulp. If Ron recognized her, everything would be over.
“Bottoms up.” Jake clinked his glass against her empty one and took a long swallow. “Now doesn’t that feel better?”
“Yes, it does,” Ally replied absent-mindedly, wondering if hiding behind the bar stand would be too obvious a move. She risked another glance at Ron. More bad news. He was standing with a group of four people, two of which were his parents, Viola and Richard Graystone. The fourth member of the group, a tall girl of Ally’s age, stood next to him. By the proprietary way in which she placed her arm on his, it was clear that they were a couple. She had a petite shapely body and light blond hair that framed a face with a button nose and light blue eyes. Ron must’ve said something very funny because the girl laughed and lifted her head back like someone who didn’t have a care in the world. Just then Ron turned around and Ally cringed. His gaze swept the room, passing right through her. Ron took the woman’s hand and headed into the ballroom. “Come on, Annette. Let’s find our seats,” he said to the blonde, placing his hand on her waist as he passed right by Ally without giving his ex-fiancée so much as a second look.
Ally didn’t know whether to be elated or devastated. Annette. Annette Beale. She was Ron’s hi
gh school sweetheart, the one who cheated on him and broke his heart. Now they were back together as though Ally had never existed.
“Isn’t it wonderful, Richard? Just look how wonderful they are together! I’m so relieved that that nasty business with that Roberts girl is finally behind us.” Viola Graystone’s sharp, dry voice carried into Ally’s ear as Viola passed by, leaning on Richard Graystone’s arm.
“Yes indeed, Viola. Those two do make a nice couple,” Richard Graystone confirmed.
“And now that Madison is all set to marry Skip, I couldn’t be happier.” Viola dabbed at her eyes with her gloved hand.
“Now, now, dear, you mustn’t get too emotional.” Mr. Graystone patted his wife’s hand. “I see the museum’s treasurer right over there. We must make a good impression. I hear they are in search of a new law firm to handle their affairs.”
Richard and Viola Graystone disappeared into the crowd. Ally bit her lip to make sure that she was awake. She could scarcely believe what just happened. People who had been on the verge of becoming her family had walked right by her as though she didn’t exist. At least now she could stop worrying about the effectiveness of her disguise—it was clearly bulletproof. Indeed, when she’d checked her reflection in the mirror before leaving for the night, she was stunned by the blonde vamp who stared back at her from the mirror. She clearly had the appearance part down, and now she needed the guts to go with it. It was time to put her past behind her. Seeing Ron with another woman had hurt, but only for a moment. What it really did was settle her. Any attachment she had held to her past was now gone. When she had first returned from the training, Ally had tried to keep in touch with Maddie through email, but Maddie’s replies were few and far between until they stopped completely. Ally had felt guilty about losing touch with Maddie, thinking that the secret nature of her job and her inability to speak openly about it was partially to blame, but now she knew that she needn’t have. Maddie might’ve been a rebellious spirit, but she too had fallen under her mother’s firm grip. The Graystones belonged to a different world, a world of which Ally would never be a part of. No matter what she did, she could never change that. It was time to say goodbye. Ally signaled to a passing waiter and took two glasses of champagne off his tray.
“To tonight,” she said with a smile, handing one of the glasses to Jake.
“I see you’re starting to enjoy yourself.” He smiled, but his eyes were serious, focused on her.
His concern wasn’t lost on her. “I’m fine,” she assured him. “Just enjoying the party.”
Just then there was the sound of a gong announcing seating for dinner. “Shall we?” Jake asked, offering his arm to her.
“Thank you.” She wrapped her arm around his and followed him.
Jake moved swiftly through the crowd and for a moment Ally let herself enjoy the sensation of male closeness. Jake looked so handsome in his tuxedo. Ally felt like a princess in the beautiful gown of midnight blue silk Rebecca and Delilah had selected for her. For a moment, she allowed herself to forget that the gown was provided by the agency and so was probably Jake’s tuxedo. What if this was a real date? How wonderful it would be to have a strong, caring man in her life. Her body surged with electricity as Jake pulled her closer to him.
“Sorry about that,” he muttered. “For the kind of money this place is charging per ticket they sure packed everyone in like sardines. I sure hope Platt shows up or this carnival would’ve been for nothing.”
“It’s all right,” Ally replied coolly, waking up from her dream. This was no fairy tale and she was no princess.
Once they reached their table, Jake, being the perfect gentleman, pulled out her chair for her. She thanked him and sat down. This time she didn’t allow herself to be distracted by Jake’s courtesy; all of her senses were honed on locating Blaine Platt in the room.
An announcer appeared on the podium. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight’s charity gala. It warms my heart to see so many supporters of our cause. As you know, all the proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the museum. I would like to express my gratitude to you all. I hope that your support will not stop there. As you know, we have an auction planned for the second part of the evening with artworks by famous artists. All the proceeds from the auction will benefit the museum. I hope that you will enjoy the event and will leave here with wonderful works of art that will no doubt enrich your homes. And now, I would like to introduce one of our most generous donors and organizer of tonight’s event, Mr. Blaine Platt.”
Ally’s hand froze with a fork hovering over the appetizer she was about to try as she watched Blaine Platt approach the podium. She’d read in Platt’s file that he was a fitness fanatic, and it showed in the way he carried himself. He moved quickly and effortlessly, as though ready to spring into a jog at any moment.
Applause filled the room as Platt sprinted up the podium. He smiled and bowed in acknowledgement.
“Thank you, thank you all so much for your wonderfully warm welcome,” he began. Just like all the men in the room he was dressed in a tuxedo, but Platt’s fit his lean body with unmatched preciseness. His dark hair was cropped closely to his face and his light blue eyes swept through the room with steely control. He was clearly used to speaking in front of large audiences. “This world is full of ugliness and pain, but art makes it bearable,” Platt paused, his cool eyes sweeping the room.
Ally lowered her eyes to avoid the unlikely chance of Platt’s gaze intercepting hers. She couldn’t believe the man’s nerve. She could list countless examples of Platt mercilessly forcing out his competition. It went without saying that competition was part of being in business, but colluding to force out small companies that were a fraction of Infinity Capital’s size was not competition, it was ruthlessness. No wonder the world was full of ugliness and pain. Men like Blaine Platt made it that way.
“Art is balm for the soul,” Platt continued. “It is what makes us human. I will not bore you with a long speech tonight. We’ve got a wonderful evening planned for you. I hope that you will enjoy dinner and dancing, but most importantly I hope that you will keep your bids high and purses open for the auction part of the program. Have a wonderful evening, everybody.” With a quick wave of his hand Blaine Platt left the podium and headed to his table, at which he was greeted by two models. He planted a long kiss on each one of them in turn, tilting them back on his arm so far that their blond manes almost touched the floor.
Ally ran her fingers over her wig. Perhaps she should’ve gone for long hair after all.
Jake gave a low whistle. “Now there’s a man who understands subtlety.”
“Really,” said one of the elderly ladies at their table. She was seated to Jake’s left. Her white hair had been teased into a puffy cloud that towered over her face.
“Pardon me,” Jake apologized.
“You needn’t apologize. I agree with you,” the elderly lady continued. “Despite Mr. Platt’s generous contributions, the man is quite vulgar.”
Vulgar was the least of it, Ally thought, wondering how on earth she was going to commandeer Platt’s attention.
The orchestra started playing a waltz and couples filled the dance floor. “Shall we?” Jake offered his arm to Ally.
“Yes,” she replied breathlessly.
Jake led her to the dance floor. He took her hand in his, placing his other hand on the small of her back. Ally resisted a gasp. It was the first time she was this close to him and she couldn’t say that she didn’t like the sensation. She looked up into his eyes, feeling his hard, muscular body next to hers. His feet moved lightly as he swept her around the floor.
“You’re a wonderful dancer,” he said.
“And so are you,” she replied.
“Where did you learn to dance like that?”
“I used to love ballroom dancing as a kid. My dad got me dance lessons. I can’t say that I’ve had many chances to practice until now.” She looked up at him, studying his face. She’d never seen
him this up close before. Her eyes traveled up his strong jaw line and chin to his sensual lips and his straight nose that was perfectly proportioned to the rest of his face, to his gray eyes that locked on hers.
“Did I tell you that you look stunning as a blonde?” he asked, smiling.
“No, you didn’t. Thank you. I keep thinking I should’ve opted for long hair though. I’m not sure if Platt is going to go for it.”
His arm tensed. “I don’t want you to take any risks, Ally.”
She nodded. “You needn’t worry. I won’t. Besides, you’ll be the first to know if anything goes wrong.” On her dress she had a flower pin that had a tiny microphone mounted in it. Jake had a wireless receiver for the microphone. Once Ally got close to Platt, all Jake had to do was plug it into his ear and he’d hear everything.
“What if there won’t be enough time for me to get to you?” he worried. “That man’s got no principles. He’s ruthless and vile—”
“Yes, he’s a ruthless and vile businessman, but he’s still human. I can figure out what makes him tick and that’ll get us the information we need.” The information I need, she thought. If what she suspected of Platt were true, he’d never see the light of day again.
“If anything happens to you, I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”
“Nothing will happen,” she assured him, moved by his concern. His voice sounded like that of a man moved beyond his work duty. Could it be that Jake really cared for her?
The music ended and for a moment Ally remained standing close to him, frozen in a dance embrace.
“Thank you for a wonderful dance,” he said with a slight bow. “Excuse me for a just a moment.”
Stunned by the change in his tone she merely blinked in acknowledgement. Her eyes opened wide when she saw Jake make a beeline for one of Platt’s blondes. What the hell was he doing?
Just then the cords of tango filled the air and Ally found herself standing alone on the dance floor. This was humiliating. She had to save her face before Platt could spot her.