Hunter's Find

by June Kramin

  “The mob?”

  “There has to be a better word for it.”

  “It is what it is, lover.”

  “What would you have done?”

  “I can’t say. I’ll be honest and admit that it scares me a little. I really didn’t sign up for this when I took that clerk job.”

  “But you joined willingly enough when Vince spoke to you today.”

  “He didn’t really give me much of a choice. Besides, I’m intrigued. I don’t know what to think, really. This whole day has been a whirlwind.”

  “But you love me. That much is true. Am I right?”

  She kissed him. “That much is true.”

  “Good, because I’m not really a consultant. I’m more like their lawyer.”

  “I want a divorce.”

  Gerard laughed. “No deal. I’m more of the behind the scenes guy. We have some pencil dick to be the public face. My skills are better spent…elsewhere. Come on. Let’s make our rounds and get home and back in the sack. I want you again, wife.”

  Of course she left that last part out when telling Hunt. Her job with the FBI was the first thing she really took seriously in her life. She couldn’t believe she’d let her love for a man interfere with it. All she’d been able to do to keep her sanity was to convince herself she could do her job more effectively with the insight Gerard’s position now offered her. Mandy had planned to bide her time, collect the information she needed to for Abbey, and convince Gerard to leave with her.

  Chapter Forty

  “You did what?” screamed Abbey.

  Mandy wanted to fess up and tell them right away rather than wait for them to find out. She made an excuse to be late for work the next day and drove to headquarters. Mob employee or not, she was a woman first. Vince made a comment about her wardrobe and she pretended to need to expand it to suit him. He expressed that he was in fact pleased at her effort and would not be upset at her tardiness this one time.

  “I didn’t know he was a part of it, I swear. You know that. This is your fault!” She screamed at Abbey.

  “How is it my fault?”

  “You should have given me some clue as to what I was doing. You knew everything and everyone involved. You could have laid out some kind of plan of attack. If I hadn’t helped Vince’s son in a street fight, I’d still be pushing coffee and smokes at that damn counter.”

  “You know why we couldn’t tell you.”

  “You should have given me some credit and filled me in, dammit. But it doesn’t matter. It’s that much better now that I’m married.”

  “How do you figure that?” Dan said, joining in with the screaming.

  “Now I’m in. I’m really in. They are never going to suspect anything.”

  “Bullshit. This isn’t going to fly, Mandy. You love the guy, don’t you?”

  She chewed at her bottom lip in lieu of an answer.

  “Answer me!” Dan roared even louder.

  “Yes! I do. So what?”

  “So what? You’re not going to turn him in. You aren’t going to do anything that will get him arrested.”

  “He’s not even a big part of it. Don’t you think I would have sensed it? All he did was sit there for coffee each day. I had no idea he was a part of this. My guess is his role is to stay clean. There has to be some reason he doesn’t get involved at a higher level. He’s a good guy, Abbey. He said he’s like a lawyer. Jokes aside, what he does is probably legal from every angle.” She was ignoring Dan as best as she could.

  “A good mobster. Listen to her.”

  “Go to hell, Dan. He’s not a mobster, but he’s my ‘in’. You keep trying to slice this up any way you want, but you know I’m right. I’ll get closer, faster, with him on my side. I don’t know why you’re even in on this case. All you do is bust my balls. I’m the one out there putting myself at risk.”

  He got right into her face. “This case is mine! It’s you that was the afterthought! Don’t you forget it, doll!” He pulled her to her feet by her arms then brought her closer to him by her hips, holding her to his midsection. “You just couldn’t keep your legs shut. Could you? You like the feel of that?” He said as he backed her into the desk. “You want to—”

  “That’s enough!” Abbey shouted. “What the hell are you doing?”

  As if he were in a trance, Dan let go and stepped back. Mandy slapped him hard. “You fucking pig!”

  He held up a finger and pointed it in her face. “And you’re off the case, you cheap slut!”

  “He did not call you that!” Hunt said.

  Mandy shrugged. “He did.”

  “Has he been killed?”

  “No. He’s still there.”

  “I’m on it,” Hunt said, acting like he was standing up. Mandy pulled him back down.

  “His day will come. I’m not worried about him anymore.”

  “Anymore?”

  “He really flipped after that.”

  “Oh no you don’t! I’ve worked hard to be where I am. Abbey? Come on! This is a good thing. You had me jerking off a coffee machine for months and now I’m the boss’s son’s right hand man and married to the lawyer. It doesn’t get any better than this. I’ve gained access to everything in one day.”

  “Pillow talk included,” Dan griped.

  “Yes, dickhead. Pillow talk included.” She turned her attention back to Abbey. “I’m able to keep my identity a secret as long as you guys don’t blow it for me. I’m telling you, Gerard isn’t a major player here, but he’ll keep me close, and that means I’ll be the first one with the knowledge of anything you want.”

  “Why didn’t we have an ID on Gerard if he’s the lawyer? It doesn’t make sense.”

  “He said he’s the behind-the-scenes guy. I guess he’s family and they try to keep the name off the books as much as possible. I don’t know how he is turning out so high profile, but you have nothing on him. We do now though. That’s what matters. Everything I learn will help us.”

  “I still don’t like it,” Abbey said.

  “Why? Why is sleeping with him any worse? I’m safer than I was before. He loves me. You think he’d let something happen to me if suspicion suddenly fell on me? He’d be the first to defend me.”

  Abbey turned to Dan. “She has a point.”

  “You’re off your nut, boss.” Dan stormed out of the office.

  “Ignore him,” he said to Mandy. “You really think your cover won’t be compromised?”

  “I know it won’t. Even more so now. You have to let me do the contacting from now on though. If you show up at the wrong time…I don’t even want to think about it.”

  “We’ll leave you be for now. But I have to have a way to contact you. I want regular updates. You figure it out. We’re too close on this, Mandy. We don’t have enough to run them in. I can’t afford to stop this now.”

  “You don’t have to stop it now. We’re only just getting rolling.”

  “I hope you’re right about this. You’ve put me in a hell of a position here.”

  “You were right about me. I’m the girl for this job. I know I am. Let me do this.”

  “All right. I want you to stay away from Dan. You report only to me.”

  “No problem there. Thanks, Abbey.”

  “Would you call me Craig already? Damn it all, Mandy. I swear I’m going to take my wife’s last name.”

  She laughed softly. “I never thought of it like that. I swear.”

  “Just watch your back. I don’t want to lose my best man. You get pregnant and I’ll kill you myself.”

  “No worries there. I’m not ready to bring a kid into this mess.”

  “Wise woman.”

  “You going to fill me in now on some names and specifics or are you going to let me shoot in the dark here?”

  He pulled a large file out of his desk. “I think you should know the main players. I don’t want you wasting time on dipshits like Melvin. I’m not sure what Vince will have you doing with Angelo, but he’s about
as second in command as you get.” He flipped open the file. “Do keep your eyes open around that Bennett guard dog of his. He could be trouble.”

  “We’ve met.”

  He took Mandy’s hand. “I mean it, Mandy. I hate what you’ve done. Your judgment is clouded. You need to look out for yourself.”

  “I can handle it.”

  He sighed and focused his attention back to the folder. After about an hour, Mandy said she had to get back.

  “Take care of yourself, kid.”

  She saluted him playfully. “Yes, boss. And thanks.”

  “For?”

  “Everything. Keeping Dan at bay and not killing me for marrying Gerard. I swear I wasn’t going to let it happen. It just…did.”

  “Oh, don’t get me wrong. I want to kill you plenty. I have to go with your gut here. I don’t see as I have much of a choice in the matter.”

  “I’ll check in after a bit.”

  “Soon, goddammit. I don’t like the rogue agent bullshit.”

  “I promise,” Mandy said before she walked out the door.

  “Did you mean it?” Hunt asked.

  “Of course I did. I wanted to do the job, Hunt. I was upset about the possibility of being sidetracked. A man can do the job and be married. Why shouldn’t I have been given the chance?”

  “It wasn’t a man/woman statement. I would have been worried if I were Abbey, too.”

  “I don’t want to fight with you about this.”

  “I don’t either, and not just because I don’t want you to get mad and hold off on sex. I’m saying he was right about you being too close to the situation. If it came down to it, I would have worried that you—or anyone in that position—may have chosen love over what was right.”

  “Give me one example,” she said, angrily.

  “Me.”

  “You?”

  “You were essentially my mark. I fell in love with you. Look what I chose?”

  “But this was different.”

  “Not really. My first duty was to bring you in, but I banged you instead.”

  “Banged?”

  He scooted closer. “Made love. Love makes us do crazy things. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “Can I be done with storytelling tonight?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  Mandy was grateful that the recap was put on hold. Telling the story was bringing back unpleasant memories. She hated that, even to her, she sounded like a lovesick teenager who was risking a career over love.

  Her belongings showed up early the following morning, and they were busy getting things organized. Secretly she hoped they never went back to their conversation, but she didn’t think Hunt would let it go.

  As they carried in boxes, she apologized numerous times to Hunt.

  “I didn’t imagine I had acquired so much stuff again. I really got rid of a lot before I moved into protective custody.”

  “Don’t apologize, babe. The house is more than big enough for this and more.”

  “We’re doubling up on a lot of appliances. Is there a Goodwill in town?”

  “Not far from my office, actually.”

  “I’ll start a box then. This is ridiculous. I should have gone to pack up and saved them from sending it.”

  Hunt pulled her close. “Then we would have been apart. No way,” he said with a kiss. “I’d have spent four times what they cost to keep you here.”

  Mandy cuddled into him. “You sure know how to spoil a gal.”

  “You two are all I care about. Stop sweating the petty stuff, babe.”

  The phone rang, interrupting them. Hunt walked over and answered it. After a few murmurs of “sounds good,” “we don’t care,” and “all right,” he hung up.

  “Who was that?”

  “My mom. Last minute decorating.”

  “Crap. I forgot that was tonight.”

  Again he walked over and held her tight. “You’ll be fine.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a party pooper. I want to meet your family and friends. I just hope no one knows how we met.”

  “Only Roy and Luke know that, and I made sure they’ll be quiet. I also put Luke on duty tonight.”

  “Afraid he’ll spill the beans?”

  “He has a loose tongue when he drinks.”

  “We need to come up with a good story.”

  “Let’s stick to the truth.”

  That surprised Mandy. “Are you crazy?”

  “I meant mostly the truth. We met on a case. That’s all they need to know. You don’t care if people know you are retired FBI, do you?”

  “I suppose not. I just don’t want to give out details.”

  “Then don’t.”

  “They’ll ask why I’m retired at my age.”

  “Your reason is upstairs. That’s the best one in the book. You’ll be fine.”

  “Promise not to abandon me?”

  “I’ll stay by your side all night.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.” He grinned.

  “What?”

  “Big bad FBI agent can take on a mob boss, but not sixty-five-year-old in-laws.”

  “Your mom is scarier than one-eye Devon.”

  “One-eye Devon?”

  “He was always picking his teeth with a buck knife. Threw it by my head once to make a point.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “I threw it back. My aim is pretty damn good, too.”

  Hunt placed his hand at his crotch. “I’ll remember that.”

  Mandy smirked. “I didn’t hit them, but I bet I gave him a little trim.”

  “You scare me.”

  She pulled him by his shirt, down for a kiss. “Good.”

  Trying to find an outfit for Hannah was tough for Mandy. Even though it had only been a week, she had outgrown almost everything.

  “No problem, babe. We’ll stop at the mall before we hit the American Legion.”

  “Would you mind? I’d really like her looking nice since this is her coming out party, too.”

  “Of course not. We’re the guests of honor. Who can complain if we’re a little late?”

  “That’ll score points with your mother.”

  He had to laugh at her. “She’s not that bad. Just wait and see. The news was thrown at her all at once. I know she’s really thrilled I’m settled down, and even more so about Hannah. Trust me and relax. Would you, please?”

  “I’ll be fine. I wish I could drink.”

  “How long are you planning on nursing?”

  “As long as she’ll let me. A year. Maybe more.”

  “That long?”

  “It’s the best thing for her, Hunt. So I behave for another year. No big deal. You don’t have to, though. I mean it. You drink with your friends—I’ll drive us home.”

  “You sure you don’t mind?”

  “Of course not. You ready to go?”

  “Don’t I look ready?” Hunt was in a black pullover and jeans.

  “You look casual.”

  “That’s all it is.”

  “Am I overdressed?”

  “You’re gorgeous. Don’t change.”

  “It’s the only dressy thing I have that fits these boobs.” Mandy wore a white sundress. She tugged at the ties at the chest as she spoke. “And have access to be able to nurse.”

  “You look great. I like that dress. It’s what we were married in. It’s fitting.”

  “You sure?”

  “Positive. Stop being so nervous. I promise my friends are harmless. You’ll have a blast.” She looked up at him with no emotion. “You love me?”

  “Very much.”

  “And I love you. That’s all this is about.” He gave her a strong kiss. “Let’s go.”

  They wandered together through the kids’ aisles at the department store with Hannah asleep in Hunt’s arms. Mandy wasn’t thrilled with the selection of dresses in Hannah’s size.

  “There’s another ra
ck of dresses over there.” Hunt pointed across a rolling shelf unit he could see over but Mandy couldn’t. “I’m going to go pick up some socks since we’re here. Meet you over there in five minutes.”

  “Okay.” She continued to flip through the rack she was at, harshly pushing the hangers away one at a time as she grunted in frustration. “There isn’t much to choose from.”

  “We’ll go to the city this weekend if you want. It’s only an hour away. You’ll have more luck there. Just get what you need to get by for tonight.” Hunt kissed Hannah’s sleeping cheek. “She’ll be adorable in anything.”

  Mandy smiled at him then wandered to the other rack.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Hunt was digging through a large wire display bin of socks looking for his size when someone came up behind him. “Hunt?”

  He spun around at the familiar voice. “Annabelle?”

  “How are you?” She leaned up for a kiss on the cheek and as good of a hug as she could give him with the baby on his shoulder. She went around to Hunt’s back so she could see Hannah’s face. “Hunt, she’s beautiful. She yours or did your sister have another?”

  “She’s mine.”

  “I hadn’t heard you were dating anyone. You know my mom,” she said as she rolled her eyes. “Always hated that I let you slip outta my grasp. She still brings you up on occasion.” Her eyes went to the baby again. “You know, it took a long time getting over my decision. But it was what I had to do. Getting over you was harder than I thought. I had no idea—”

  Hunt cut her off. “We don’t need to rehash this, Annabelle. I’m sure you’ve moved on and have a great life.”

  Just then a young boy came running up to her. He appeared to be around three years old. “Mommy!” he said as wrapped one arm around her leg and another held a dump truck tight. “Can I have it?”

  “Sweetheart, you already have six dump trucks. What are you going to do with a seventh? Go pick something else.”

  “Okay.” He took off as fast as he showed up.

  “You have a son?”

  She smiled and nodded her head. “I guess I never did watch carefully enough. I wasn’t ready for him either, but I wasn’t going through…you know…again. I haven’t regretted having him for a minute. Makes me wish…” She looked away and bit her bottom lip like she was fighting tears. Hunt pulled her into his chest for a hug and she wrapped her arms around him.