by Spear, Terry
When Jenny entered the restroom, Beasley joined Allan.
“Nothing to worry about,” Beasley said. “Crowlston found a male teen sneaking a peek at a girl dining with her family inside. The parents won’t let the boy date her because they say he’s too wild.”
Allan nodded, smiling. “All right. Better to be safe.”
“Sure thing. You folks about ready to go?”
“No, she’s still eating.”
“I’ll get a cup of coffee then.”
Allan nodded. “Let the boss know she’s starting to remember things. Nothing significant, but it’s a good sign.”
“I’ll say it is. I’ll call it in.” Beasley headed back to his seat as Jenny stepped out of the bathroom.
Slipping her arm through Allan’s, they walked back to the table. “I sure feel a lot better.”
Glad she was feeling better, he still worried what she would expect from him next.
“So have you taken me shopping here already?”
“No. Not yet.”
They took their seats, then she speared a shrimp. “Do you know where they might have the kind of lingerie I’m interested in?”
“There’s a hotel that has a shop and a plaza that has several more. More shops are down the road from that. I’m not sure anything’s open this late, come to think of it.”
“Ah, Allan.” Jenny stared at her food for a moment, poking her fork into the white sauce soaked noodles. “That’s okay. I’m sure we can make do.” She rested her fork on the plate. “I’m ready to go.”
He was sure he didn’t want her to find a slinky nightie, or show him what else she had in mind.
After paying the bill, he led her back outside. Already half past eight, the sun hadn’t gone down yet in the lazy summer month of August. Just stepping outside in the heat made a dribble of sweat tickle his brow.
Before they reached the car, the sound of mewing caught their ear. Jenny headed toward the dumpsters located at the back of the restaurant, pulling Allan behind her.
“What—”
“Don’t you hear a kitten crying?”
“Jenny—”
“Over here.” She rushed into the dark with Allan fingering the phone at his waist.
His stomach clenched as he tried to maintain some kind of cover with her. But he grew worried they might expose themselves to more danger.
Furthermore, had his partners seen them make the detour?
***
Jenny lifted a small tabby kitten from next to a green metal dumpster and nuzzled her cheek against the feline. “Isn’t she sweet?”
“I’m not sure…”
She carried the kitten out of the shadows and smiled. “Our first baby. We’ll call her…” She studied the kitten’s four paws, all white. “Boots.”
“We can’t take her home with us.”
Jenny frowned at him. “We’ve got to get her a litter box, some food, a water and food dish.” She headed back to his car.
“But Jenny—”
“They’re easy to take care of. I took care of dozens of them…at…at…” She groaned. “I nearly had it.” She hated how the images came and went, like photoflashes projected on the screen, then ripped off before the viewer had time to focus.
He studied her, his forehead creased, then nodded. “All right.”
“Don’t you like kittens?” she asked, as he opened the car door for her. She wasn’t giving up her charge no matter what. He’d grow used to their new baby, she was certain.
“We won’t be able to get her back to the U.S., honey, is what I’m worried about. And you’ll be upset.”
“We’ll take care of her and find a home for her before we leave.”
He watched her with such intensity, she finally said, “What, Allan? You don’t think I’ll grow too fond of Boots, and you’ll lose my affections, do you?”
He smiled, then shut her door, and climbed into the driver’s seat. When he shoved the key in the ignition, he shook his head.
A few minutes later, they stopped at a grocery store. Jenny patted his leg. “Do you want to hold onto Boots while I run in and get what we need, or do you want to run in and do it?”
He seemed indecisive.
“I can give you a list of the items we need, if you’re not comfortable with the kitten.”
“It’s not that, Jenny. I can’t let you go in alone. And I don’t want you sitting out here, alone, either.”
“Oh.” He was worried about the mugger again. She’d forgotten all about him. “Maybe Boots will be all right by herself, don’t you think?”
“And if she has an accident?”
Jenny smiled. “I’ll clean it up.”
His sturdy jaw remained taut, and he didn’t seem pleased with the idea.
“Oh, shoot, come to think of it, even though it’s evening, it might be too hot in the car. Come on. You stand by the store’s door with the kitten, and I’ll run in.” She grabbed her car door.
Allan glanced at a red mustang, then turned his attention back to Jenny. He handed her five twenties. “Okay, but make it quick. If you don’t come out in fifteen minutes, I’m letting the kitten fend for itself, and I’m coming in after you.”
She smiled. “I sure like having a knight for my husband.” She handed him the kitten. When he held it away from his body, she pushed his hands in, forcing him to cuddle Boots next to his chest. “She’ll feel better knowing you’re not going to drop her.”
After giving Allan a peck on the cheek, she hurried inside the store.
She glanced back to see a man with a dark brown crew cut, grin at Allan, then step into the store.
It didn’t take her long to gather everything they needed for the kitten. When she was done, she wheeled the basket outside. Allan quickly handed the kitten to her, and took hold of the grocery cart.
“You’re not allergic to cats, are you, Allan? I should have asked first.”
“No. I don’t seem to be.”
“Never had one?”
“Nope. A Labrador retriever once. Friendly old slob.”
After getting back in the car, they drove toward the shopping district. No cars were parked on the street. Security lights illuminated the stores, but everything appeared shut down for the night.
She sighed deeply. “Guess we’ll have to try shopping tomorrow.” She glanced at Allan, whose gaze shifted to the rearview mirror. She stroked Boots’s soft, fine fur as the kitten purred in her lap, its tiny motor humming. “She’s so sweet.”
Allan’s neck muscles tightened. His hands gripped the steering wheel harder. The signal light turned yellow, but Allan didn’t slow his speed. In fact, he gassed the engine.
The light turned red halfway through the intersection. Again, his gaze shifted to the rearview mirror. His tense posture didn’t relax, and he turned a corner suddenly.
“Is something wrong?” Jenny grabbed the seat, holding the kitten securely against her lap as she feared the worst.
“Yeah, we’re being followed.”
***
Allan hadn’t wanted to worry Jenny. But he wasn’t lying to her about this. If Wilson’s men had found out she was here, her life was in extreme danger.
And right now a vehicle he didn’t recognize, some kind of a black foreign job, tailed them. He’d lost both Crowlston and Beasley somewhere between the grocery store and the downtown area. When he skimmed through the yellow light, the other car bulldozed through the red light. Not that some didn’t do such things, but when Allan turned right at the next street, the suckerfish clung to his movements, move for move.
Allan pulled out his phone and punched the numbers for Crowlston. No answer. He did the same for Beasley. Again, no response.
Sweat dribbled down his back. He took a deep breath trying to massage his raw nerves. He couldn’t let Wilson get hold of her.
Punching in new buttons, he finally reached Dale. “Lost the other two. Got a tail.”
“Where are you?”
“Thir
d Street, two blocks south of Main.”
There was a rustling of paper, then Dale said, “Turn left on the next street, head directly east to second signal, then turn right on the next street. It’s a direct shot here after that.”
“Gotcha.” Allan hung up the phone and wheeled the car down the street to the left.
His throat was dry as he reached into the console and pulled out a gun. He glanced at Jenny, her green eyes watched him, but she didn’t say a word. He had a hell of a lot of explaining to do. Damn his orders.
“What government Agency are you with, Allan?”
“A.T.A.”
She was quick. Obviously, she’d realized there was a lot more to the story than he’d been letting on. Only she’d trusted him completely so hadn’t suspected a thing, and all at once he felt like the king of rats all over again.
She rubbed her temple. “A.T.A.” Her voice was between a whisper and a breath of air.
“Anti-terrorism Agency.”
“And we’re here on our honeymoon? Now somebody’s trying to kill you? I mean, both of us? Because of someone you’ve caught? A terrorist?”
“Thurman Wilson.”
“You…you said he wanted to marry me. He’s a terrorist?”
“Yeah, Jenny.”
“But we got married instead and now he’s angry?”
“No.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Thurman’s thugs nearly killed you. We had to bring you to our safe house.”
“Dale and…and Samuel and Cameron…they’re all with this A.T.A.?”
“Yeah.”
“And you.” She didn’t pose a question, just thought out loud, her voice hollow and unsure. “But we’re here on our honeymoon. I mean, we’re newlyweds and he…he came after us.” Her voice shook, on the verge of tears, the sound clawing at his heart. She was coming to the realization that he didn’t mean any more to her than a glorified bodyguard. Worse than that, one who lied to her, big time.
“I had to act as your husband, Jenny. To keep you safe. It was the job.” In the back of his mind, he hoped to hell she would be able to forgive him. It didn’t matter that it was a job, that he was a professional. How she felt about their relationship was all that was important to him now.
“I see,” she whispered, choking back the tears. “Stop here.”
“I can’t, Jenny. We’re being tailed.”
“I’m going to be sick. Stop the car!”
“I can’t. They’ll kill you if they get hold of you. Throw up in the car if you have to, but we can’t stop.” He couldn’t help the harshness of his words. He’d always thought of himself as one of the good guys. Not this time around. But with the killers on his tail, there was no way he was going to jeopardize her life further by stopping the car.
When the next light turned red, no cross traffic waited, so he barreled straight through it. The car behind him had vanished, but the driver would know where he was headed. The next stretch of road was dark, most of the businesses closed for the night, and only dim security lights illuminated them. He drove twenty miles over the speed limit, hoping no cop would be waiting to catch him. Then two vehicles drove out of the dark, like panthers targeting the same prey.
Chapter 7
Allan breathed a sigh of relief when he finally recognized the two vehicles as belonging to the Agency, driven by Samuel and Dale.
He peeled into the condo parking area and slammed on the brakes. “Stay put.”
But Jenny ignored him and jerked the door open. After jumping out of the car with the kitten hugged tightly to her breast, she promptly threw up on the asphalt.
Allan darted around the car and grabbed her arm. His heart thundered as he worried she might be taken from them at any moment.
“Let go of me, you…you, imposter!” She attempted to jerk free, but he gripped her tighter. If she ran off, he would never be able to ensure her safety.
He ignored her protests and ran her to the safety of the condo. Dale peeled his brakes in the parking area when Allan unlocked the condo. Then he hurried her inside.
Dale was dogging their footsteps when Cameron met them in the stairwell.
Cameron said, “Got a call from Beasley. They shot out his tires, he crashed into a telephone pole, and was knocked out temporarily.”
“And Crowlston?”
“No word yet. The police are bringing Beasley here. We’ve got a flight booked for now. Police escort. I’ve grabbed a few things for Jenny. We’ll be on our way as soon as the police arrive.”
“All right.” Allan ran Jenny up the stairs, not realizing she was sobbing until he reached the landing. Shoving the door open to the condo, he pulled her inside.
He should have let her go. He should have given her the space she needed. But he couldn’t. Gathering her in his arms, he held her tightly, trying to avoid squishing the kitten she cuddled. “I tried to tell you, Jenny. Several times I wanted to break my cover. I didn’t want to pretend I was your husband. I told my boss that.”
She shook her head, but she didn’t try to squirm loose. The color had vanished from her face; she seemed numb.
“Jenny,” he said, moving her to the couch. The living room lamps illuminated the room in a soft warm glow. “Are you going to be all right? Are you still sick to your stomach?” He feared she was ready to pass out.
“I made such a fool of myself,” she sobbed.
Sitting down with her on the couch, he held her close. “I was married nine years before my wife and I divorced. I’ve been divorced only for six months, but there’d been no love between us for years.” Her breathing still erratic, she grew quiet in his arms. “For the first time, a woman comes into my life that stirred longings I haven’t felt in years.”
He gave her a squeeze, desiring so much more. “I’ve never wanted to make love to a woman like I’ve wanted to with you. But I knew I couldn’t. Not when I pretended to be something I wasn’t. You don’t know how much I wanted things to be different between us.”
“But it’s just a job,” she said, her voice tear-filled.
Yeah, it was. And now he had a new role. No longer the newly-wedded husband, he was her around-the-clock bodyguard. But their relationship was to change once again, if she agreed. Still, after all she’d been through, there wasn’t any way he was proposing the next scenario to her until she’d had a chance to absorb this news.
“Once you found your memories, I was to serve as your bodyguard.” He paused. It was her right to ask for someone else to watch over her, one of the other team members, if she wanted. “But if this isn’t acceptable…”
She looked up at him, her eyes still watery and threatening to spill fresh tears. “I’m sure your boss knows best,” she snapped.
“I told him he was making a mistake about the marriage deal.” Though asking her to marry him was next on the agenda, he was certain that was going to cause even further problems, not solve them as the Agency honchos claimed it would.
Dale knocked at the door, then peeked in. “Cars are ready to go. Crowlston was at the hospital with a broken nose. The police are bringing him to the airport pronto.”
Jenny swallowed hard. “What about Boots?”
Dale raised his brows.
Allan said, “Have one of the police take the cat. Make sure they find it a home.”
“Sure thing.” Dale took the kitten from her. “Everything else all right?”
“Yeah, we’re ready.” Allan led Jenny out of the condo to one of the waiting cars. She seemed like a limp rag doll, the whole ordeal too much for her to handle all at once. He never considered himself a soft touch, but this business with Jenny sure gave him a wagonload of guilt heaped on top of an already tough assignment. He still had a lot of explaining to do.
They climbed into the backseat of one of the cars, while Dale and Cameron rode up front. Beasley and Samuel rode in one of the police cars, while two more led the caravan.
Bodyguards served only to protect. Allan had gone
beyond that duty already. He couldn’t break free of the notion that he was now only her bodyguard, as much as that’s how he’d wanted to serve initially. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. She trembled, and immediately, he worried she was going into shock.
“Dale, hand me your jacket.”
“What’s wrong?” He handed it over the seat.
“I’m afraid Jenny’s going into mild shock. Turn on the overhead light, will you?”
When the light turned on, he examined her eyes. The pupils were dilated, and she stared ahead, not focusing on anything. “Jenny?” She didn’t respond.
He unbuckled his seatbelt and laid her on her back on the seat. After wrapping her in the jacket, he moved to the other side of the car and rested her feet on his lap, allowing the blood to flow to her head. “Jenny, everything’s going to be just fine.” He pulled off her sandals and rubbed her feet to warm them. He turned to Dale. “You can turn off the overhead light.”
“Is she going to be all right?”
“Yeah, she’s a trooper.”
“I didn’t think you were gay,” she whispered.
He sucked in his breath, glad she knew the truth about him. But nothing was settled, not really, not yet. “Where are we headed next?” he asked Dale.
“South Padre Island. Since Jenny’s starting to regain her memories, he’s going to have her friend, Roxie Adams, meet her there. He thought Roxie might be able to jog some more of her memories.”
A cell phone rang in the front seat, and Dale lifted it to his ear. “Yeah?” A pause followed. “On our way to the airport now.” He glanced over his shoulder. “She’s in mild shock…yeah…Allan had to tell her.” He didn’t speak for a moment, then shook his head. “I don’t think this is the time to bring that up…yes, sir.” Dale handed the phone back to Allan.
Allan knew what the boss was going to say before he said it, and already his neck muscles twitched with annoyance. “Thompson, here.”
Allan took an exasperated breath as his boss began to speak into the phone. Hell, couldn’t he let it wait? They were on their way to the airport under police escort, for God’s sake.