He shrugged his shoulders and in a low voice said, “You should have started the conversation then.”
Her face fell. There was no retort for that. He had a point.
“Unfortunately, nowhere with it yet, and it’s not for a lack of trying. I will keep on it.”
The line went silent and Sara realized that Sean was leaving this up to her. If she wanted them to work for Tasty Beans, she’d have to get it arranged.
“There’s something else we need your help with,” she began.
“Anything.”
She hesitated, only briefly. “We need you to get us jobs at Tasty Beans.”
“Jobs? I am hearing you right?”
“You are. It’s the only way we can get close enough to figure out what’s going on.”
“I assume you met Casey and he didn’t offer much?”
“Your assumption’s correct. It doesn’t seem I wield as much power as a blonde.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“Adam,” Sean blurted out.
“Sorry, Mr. McKinley. I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just that—”
“I understand. So, can you get us in? Not that I really want in.” He whispered the last part to Sara.
“Jobs at Tasty Beans? I’ll see what I can do. I assume you’d ideally like to be near Casey Park and on his shift.”
“Yes, ideally.”
“All right, I’ll see what I can do.”
“One more thing.”
“Yes, Sean.”
Sean sliced a glance to Sara but spoke to Adam. “If we’re going to be working there, we’ll need to know how the company operates, the manufacturing processes involved in flavoring beans and shipping them out.”
“You got it.”
“I’ll pass that task to Helen if you don’t mind, and I’ll keep on the money transfers and getting you employment.”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
Sara witnessed the reflection in Sean’s eyes. He had another revelation but was debating whether or not to verbalize it. Seconds later, he did.
“Make sure you get us in different departments so we can get a good feel for everything and are able to talk to more people.”
“Anything else?”
“Two things, our names are Gwen and Stephan Levine.” Sean spoke over Adam’s laughter. “And get Jimmy down here.”
“What?” Sara mouthed as she touched Sean’s arm. “And Levine? I guess we’re sticking with the music industry theme.”
Sean smiled at her. “Get him a job, too. Make it in the shipping department. We don’t know at what point the poison is being added to the beans. We’re assuming it’s Casey in flavoring, but we need to cover all angles.”
“I’ll see what I can do on that, but I’ll tell him to get his bags packed.”
“Good job. As soon as we get settled into a hotel, we’ll let you know where we are. I’ll call the pilot once we hang up here. Tell Jimmy to be ready for a seven o’clock flight. We’ll also get him a room.”
“You got it.”
Sean ended the call. “I hope you’re happy, Sara.”
“What did I do?”
“You are dragging poor Jimmy down here.”
“Hey, that part was all you. Besides, a little hard work never hurt anyone. And Jimmy’s good at talking people up. If anyone can get drivers to talk, it’s him. Still, I have a feeling you might regret this.”
He turned the car on, put it into gear, and reached for her hand. “You don’t have to have a feeling about it, I already do. But, while we’re in Virginia, let’s make the best of it, shall we, darling.”
“And your mind’s in the gutter again.”
“What do you mean again?” He winked at her.
-
Chapter 24
CHECKING IN
SEAN TRACKED DOWN A NICE hotel and they secured two rooms—one for them and one for Jimmy. At first, the people at the front desk treated them like riffraff, but when the platinum plastic came out and their identification was confirmed, the hotel staff was eager to please.
“Mr. and Mrs. McKinley, we are honored you are staying at our hotel.” The hotel manager’s eyes assessed their appearances. The introductions had already been made. His name was Ruben Holloway. “I must say you both look quite different than you do on TV. You must be undercover for a case. That’s it, isn’t it? This is exciting.”
Sean tucked a few hundred-dollar bills into the man’s hand. “We need you and your staff’s discretion. You are right, we’re on a case, but we need you to keep it quiet.”
He shook his mitt full of money at Sean. “You got it. Anything else I can do, Mr. McKinley, let me know personally. Day or night. The front desk has ways of reaching me.”
Sean let his eyes drift to Ruben’s hand, insinuating the cash he’d just given him should earn them direct access.
“Oh, oh. Yes, of course.” Ruben reached inside his suit jacket and pulled out a business card. From the left breast pocket of his shirt, he pulled out a pen. He scribbled on the back of the card and then extended it to Sean. “That is my cell number.”
While he was handing the information to Sean, his eyes diverted to Sara. “If it’s not improper to say, Mrs. McKinley, blond suits you.”
“That’s kind of you. Thank you,” she said.
“Don’t mention it. Now, Leo will get your bags and take them to your room.” Ruben snapped his fingers and a man in his early twenties came running.
“Yes, boss.”
“Be sure to see these two fine people to their room.”
Leo looked at Sean and Sara, his eyes tracing down Sean’s bell-bottoms and then Sara’s skirt.
“Leo?” The manager snapped his fingers again.
“Yes, right this way.”
It was refreshing that Leo seemed to have no idea who they were. Apparently their true identities meant nothing among the twenty-year-old demographic. All this guy noticed was what he could physically see before him and nothing beyond that. He was probably wondering how a couple who dressed as they did could afford the nightly rate at this hotel.
-
Chapter 25
MAGNUM’S OFF THE TABLE
SEAN CALLED ADAM FROM THEIR room to let him know where they were and that Jimmy would just need to show his ID at the front desk. “There’s no need for him to see us when he gets here. Tell him there’s a morning breakfast buffet and we’ll meet him in the restaurant around seven.”
“Will do. Have a good night.”
“You too.” Sean put his phone on the nightstand. “There we have it, darling. All alone for the night. In Virginia. The place for lovers.”
Sara laughed. “Would you cut it out? You’re wearing that one out.”
“Fine then.” He pretended his ego was bruised, but it would take a lot more than that.
They got to work taking off all the layers that had identified them with their alter egos, Gwen and Stephan, except Sean left the mustache in place.
Dinner was brought to the room, and afterward they got on the bed to talk as the chairs at the table were not designed for comfort. Neither was the couch, which was surprising for the cost of the room.
Sean grabbed his mustache as if grooming it and then curled back his top lip until it touched his nose. “So, darling, are you sure I can’t keep it?”
She put her fingertip to his lips. Her eyes softened as she let her gaze linger on his mouth. He was moving in for a kiss when she pulled back and shot up her hand up between them. “Ah, no, not if you want to kiss me.”
“That solves that then. I’m over the thing.” He tugged a corner of it and ripped it off with a single swipe. Tears filled his eyes. His nose started to run. He let out a yelp—delayed but nonetheless sincere. That didn’t go anything like he’d seen it in his mind. It was s
upposed to come off effortlessly and fly across the room. Then he was going to capture his wife in his arms and make love to her.
“Oh, Sean.” Sara positioned herself on her knees and touched the top of his lip that was now bare but likely a glowing red.
“Please, don’t—” Even the subtle brush of her fingertips caused another wave of agony to surge through him.
She dropped her hands. “Sorry.”
He shook his head. He was in too much pain to form words just yet. Seconds ticked by, maybe an entire minute, before the stinging receded enough to gather his voice.
“I don’t think I’ll be getting that back on tomorrow.”
She cupped his cheek in her hand, sticking to the outside of his face and away from his nose. “We can just say you shaved it off if Casey notices.”
“We’re going to have to.”
“So if you get to lose the ’stache, can I drop the wig?”
“No way.”
Her eyes narrowed. “That’s hardly fair.”
“Seems to me your wig came off without taking flesh with it so it’s not exactly the same thing.”
“Speaking of.”
“What?”
“Your lip looks so raw now, but there’s no blood.”
“Thank heaven for small miracles.”
She smirked and angled her head to the left. “If it’s still red in the morning, we’ll have to say that you had an allergic reaction to a new shaving gel you tried.”
“Shaving gel? That works for me.” He moved up the bed and positioned himself with his back against the headboard. Sara moved with him, but she stayed on her side and let her legs go out toward the middle.
“Do you think Casey is behind this?”
“It’s looking good for him.”
“It is. And all those apples. What single person needs that many? I mean he’s either on an apple diet or he’s using the seeds for the cyanide.”
“Dee Dee said it would take a lot of them for there to be any effect.”
“And you don’t consider a large bowl and a crisper full to be a lot?”
“I never said that.” He let his thoughts drift. The throbbing in his lip continued on, but the discomfort had died down enough for him to focus his thoughts elsewhere. “Adam told us Casey’s in the flavoring department at Tasty Beans. It’s quite possible he’s behind the poisoning.”
“Corporate sabotage.” Sara shook her head. “It’s just sad that so many are going to have to pay because of greed.”
Sean put his arm up, signaling for Sara to come under it and snuggle into him. She followed the cue and, once settled there, put her hand on his chest.
“That’s just one reason why I love you, you know.”
“What’s that, Sean?”
He kissed her forehead. “You care so much about people.”
-
Chapter 26
UNDERCOVER MISHAP
JIMMY WAS ALREADY ON TO HIS second plate of bacon and eggs when he spotted Sean and Sara entering the restaurant—a version of them anyway. As good as it was to see them, he wasn’t really looking forward to sharing all of the news he had to convey.
“Good morning, Jimmy.” Sara sat across from him.
“How was your flight?” Sean asked.
“Everything was great.” He could say that about the travel, even though he hadn’t been so fond of getting on the plane at first. It brought back some bad memories, but he had the McKinleys’ stewardess bring him a nice glass of Scotch, and his nerves relaxed. There were some things he needed to tell Sean and he had a feeling he wouldn’t see them as great. “Hey, what happened to the mustache?”
Sean took a seat across from Jimmy while Sara excused herself to get a cup of coffee.
“Don’t even ask.”
Jimmy wanted to respond with too late for that, but let it go. “So, Sara’s still drinking the stuff, I see.” Jimmy gestured toward Sara, who was filling her mug with the dark brew.
“I think it would take a little more than poison to make her stop—unfortunately. She claims that it’s because the woman drank flavored. Apparently that’s where everything went wrong.” Sean fiddled with his knife and fork, which sat on a napkin in front of him. “Isn’t that coffee?” He pointed to Jimmy’s cup.
“Nope, not until we get this case solved. This is Earl Grey tea.”
“I never saw you as the type.”
“This old man still has some new tricks.”
Sara returned with two mugs and set one in front of Sean. “Here you go, darling.”
“It’s obviously not stopping you,” Jimmy pointed out.
“There’s no need for paranoia.”
Jimmy leaned across the table, passing a furtive glance left and right. “Speaking of, what’s to say that only the dark cherry almond flavor was poisoned?”
Sean responded. “Nothing really. It is possible others were.”
“Adam’s done more digging on the company, and its online feedback forum is getting more complaints about people associating their feeling unwell to the coffee.”
“Sean, this is out of hand. How many more will end up like poor Mrs. Sparks?” She was in the process of lifting her cup for a sip but put it back on the table. “Maybe I’ll try to go without until I know the company who sold the hotel these beans.”
Sean flagged down a busboy who was removing dirty plates from a seating that had just left.
“You want me?” the boy asked.
“Would you know where you get your coffee? It’s wonderful.”
“I can find out.” He threw the last few remaining pieces of cutlery from the table into his bin and walked off.
“You don’t have the strips with you?” Sara asked Sean.
“Not that we could use them, in here, in front of everyone.”
“After we hear back from the kid, I’ll fill you in on everything,” Jimmy said.
“The process of how the beans are flavored would be useful before we start our jobs. Adam did get us jobs right?” Sara asked.
“He did.” Jimmy dropped his fork and balled up his napkin.
“What is it?” She cocked her head, adding emphasis to her inquiry.
Sometimes he wished the woman was a little less intuitive, but she had this ability to almost read minds at times. Times like now, specifically.
“We all have jobs.”
“Excuse me.” The busboy was back, and the three of them turned to him.
He kept his eyes on Sean when he spoke, although his gaze drifted to Sara. She could probably dye her hair a bright purple and still attract men.
“They get their beans from Tasty Beans. It’s a local company. Enjoy.” With that the kid left them.
“Well, that does it for me.” Sean pushed his mug away.
“Me too.” Sara followed suit.
She leaned on the table, clasping her hands, her eyes wide with excitement. “Tell us about our jobs.”
It was only seven o’clock in the morning. It had to be noon somewhere in the world.
“What is it, Jimmy? You look like you’re going to be sick.” Sara seemed concerned, the way her facial expression softened, and Sean watched him as if expecting bad news.
“The good part is that the place is large enough that new hires can slip in under the radar. They do their hiring through an employment company. You know, the kind that filter out prospective employees and position temps and the like. Well, Adam was able to hack into their system. We all start on the afternoon shift.”
“Wonderful.”
Sean shimmied toward Sara. “I’m not sure why you’re so excited about having a job.”
“It’s not that, Sean. It’s the fact that we’re in and that’s the only way we’re going to get anywhere with this case. It’s the only way we can stop the poisoning a
nd have the killer brought to justice.”
“You’re right, darling.” Sean put his arm around the back of Sara’s chair. “Tell us about our jobs.”
“Sara’s in the flavoring department with Casey. We figured that if anyone could charm the truth out of him it would be her.”
Jimmy watched as the first part settled in with Sean.
“So, my wife’s working side by side with the killer.”
“We don’t know that yet, Sean. And you know I can take care of myself.”
“You’re right. You can.” Sean turned back to Jimmy. “And you and I, what are we doing?”
Jimmy wiped his mouth with the napkin. It was a pitiable delay tactic, but whatever worked. He wasn’t sure why he dreaded delivering this message when he should have found some pleasure in it. After all, this was the man who’d sent him to speak to Needham—of all people—a couple days ago.
“You’re a janitor, and I’m a driver, just like you asked Adam to arrange.”
“I’m a what?”
Sara snickered.
“Why am I a janitor?”
Sara’s laughter was somewhat contagious, but the scowl on Sean’s face made him restrain himself.
“You asked Adam to put me in as a driver. They only had one other position open.”
“A janitor?”
“Yes, Sean.”
Sara appeared close to crying from hysteria. Jimmy couldn’t fight it anymore and chuckled too.
“I’m glad you two find it so amusing,” Sean sulked.
“Come on, darling. You’ll be so cute, hauling that mop and bucket along behind you, especially with that nice ponytail of yours.”
“I can already picture it,” Jimmy managed to get out.
Sean stood. “I’m going to get myself a piece of toast and an egg.”
-
Chapter 27
WITHDRAWAL JITTERS
AFTER BREAKFAST, THE THREE OF them went up to Sean and Sara’s room to go over everything in more detail. Jimmy was briefing them on how beans were flavored, and providing them with an idea of how Tasty Beans was organized.
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