Living in Shadow

by Georgia Florey-Evans

  He looked at his watch. He’d have to hurry if he were going to be on board the private jet leaving O’Hare. He would soon be headed for New York, where he would transfer flights. Bryan Grimes had a whole new life waiting for him overseas. And he was leaving his daughter happily and safely ensconced in hers. The Janitor was finished.

  Beau and Haley Davis were sitting in the living room of their farmhouse watching the evening news when a special report came on. They were shocked to hear that Ted Dohner and two others believed to be his top men had been gunned down on the steps of the courthouse as they entered for the fifth day in appellate court.

  In fact, they were so shocked neither of them paid any attention to the report of an airplane crash. A small private jet leaving O’Hare and bound for New York had crashed just outside the Chicago area. There were no survivors.

  Read about Callie and Elliott’s first meeting in this award-winning short story.

  Gotcha!

  by Georgia Florey-Evans

  Elliott Lawrence shook his head in disbelief. The most beautiful woman to grace the earth was standing a few yards away from him . . . and he had to arrest her.

  Maybe a seasoned FSA agent would take this in stride. As a rookie, he found it difficult to believe he was looking at “Sally.” How could the fresh-faced woman with shades of brunette locks cascading over her shoulders and big brown eyes be a major drug trafficker?

  That had to be her, though. “Kirby Tyson” was supposed to meet her on the veranda in precisely three minutes. Since the party was in full swing, and she was the only other person out there, he was certain she was Sally.

  He softly closed the door and approached her.

  “Do you have what I need?” It was a line he’d rehearsed repeatedly, to sound natural.

  The woman swung around to face him, her eyes wide with disbelief. “What did you say?”

  Elliott turned on his most charming smile. “Come on, honey. You know what I’m here for.”

  He barely saw her arm move before her hand connected soundly with the side of his face.

  “Listen here, you Brad Pitt wannabe.” Sally stood facing him, her eyes blazing with fury. “If you think that just because I’m standing out here by myself, I’m fair game, you’d better think again. You may bat those baby blues at other women and have your way, but it’s not going to work this time.”

  “I’m here to meet you.” He’d try again.

  A very unladylike snort erupted from her lovely face. “Sure, you are! How many women have you used that pathetic pick-up line on?”

  Something wasn’t right. “That wasn’t a p—“

  “I wouldn’t even be at this stupid party if my mom hadn’t forced me to come!” Her voice rose as she spoke. “It’s not that I don’t think it’s for a worthy charity; it’s just that I hate getting dressed up and hobnobbing with idiots like you!”

  Oh, no. "Sally?”

  Her eyes widened. “How do you know my name?”

  Elliott was growing more confused. “I’m Kirby Tyson. I’m supposed to meet you.”

  Sally’s face was covered with dawning horror. “Oh, my gosh, you’re one of those stalkers, aren’t you? Did you see me in the parade last week and decide we were meant to be together? I saw that in a movie just the other day, and it didn’t end so well for the woman.”

  “I’m not a st—“

  “If you don’t leave right now, I’m going to scream!” She took several steps backward.

  Elliott glanced through the French doors, where it appeared that his companion’s rantings were starting to draw attention.

  “Listen, Sally, if you just give me what I need, I’ll be on my way.” His first undercover mission was not going as planned.

  “My father is a cop, and he’s right inside that door. If he comes out here, you’ll be sorry.”

  It seemed that she wasn’t finished threatening him. Wait a minute.

  “Is that why you’re not cooperating? Your dad will see?” His mind raced. “We can take a walk. Nobody will see us in the rose garden!”

  If anything, her eyes widened. “You are . . . ,I can’t believe you suggested that! Do I look like the kind of woman to take out into a flower garden and get busy with? I didn’t want to do this, but you’ve left me no choice.”

  Elliott watched in disbelief as she kicked off her high-heeled shoes and assumed a classic martial arts pose. He supposed she looked about as ferocious as possible for a barefooted woman in a formal dress.

  He bit back laughter. “Just show me what you have, and I’ll give you the money. There’s no need for this drama.”

  “Now you want to pay me?” Her left hand lowered a few inches before she resolutely brought it up and motioned in a “come and get it” signal.

  “You’ve seen too many movies, honey.” Elliott looked at the doors once more, and was horrified to discover they had acquired an audience. He couldn’t make a drug bust now. He raised his hands in surrender. “Okay. I’ll just leave.”

  As he turned away, Sally emitted a squealing sound and bounded over to stand in front of him once more.

  “So you can go after another unsuspecting woman?” she demanded. “One who can’t defend herself? I don’t think so!”

  “Look, Sally, I don’t know what your problem is, but if you step aside I’ll be on my way.” And his associates would never let him forget this fiasco.

  Before he could take a step, she attacked. Or he guessed that’s what she was doing. She looked more like a tightrope walker trying to maintain her balance.

  Hearing laughter from the onlookers and realizing his undercover mission had flopped, Elliott decided to salvage as much from the situation as he could. At least, maybe he’d be able to keep the persona of Kirby Tyson intact.

  After effortlessly dodging several kicks and punches, he decided to take matters into his own hands and end this once and for all. Since Sally seemed incapable of logical thought processes, and he wasn’t about to fight a woman, there was only one option left. He endured her blows long enough to lock his arms around her waist, and then he kissed her.

  Sally’s lips were like velvet-encased steel as her hands went to his chest and began to push. Elliott tightened his grip around her waist and increased his efforts. Just when he was about to release her, a tiny sound emitted from her throat. Before he could do anything else, her hands slid up over his shoulders and locked around his neck. Now she was the aggressor.

  Elliott was no longer aware of anything other than the woman in his arms. He was twenty-six years old; this wasn’t his first kiss. Yet none other had ever affected him like this. Their lips were meant to be together. Her mouth was designed for his.

  A sound gradually appeared in his consciousness, and suddenly, reality hit him square in the solar plexus. People were applauding. An FSA agent was locked in a passionate embrace with the very person he was there to arrest. His career was over before it had barely begun.

  Sally was persistent as he pulled his mouth away, moving with him to keep her lips on his. Just as he finally managed to grasp her head and hold it in one place, a deep voice boomed through the night.

  “Callandra Lynn Davis, what is the meaning of this?”

  Obviously startled, the woman dropped her arms and stepped away from Elliott. Her voice was breathless when she spoke. “I don’t know, Daddy. This guy just kissed me.”

  The older man, apparently Sally’s father, turned an accusatory glare toward Elliott. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  “Now, H.B., calm down.” The firm voice came from a lady with a remarkable resemblance to Sally. “I’m sure he has a very good reason for kissing Callie.”

  Did he? Elliott couldn’t very well explain to Sally’s—Wait a minute. “Callie? Did you say Callie?”

  “Do you mean to tell me that you kissed my daughter, and you don’t even know her name?” The older man was understandably irate. “You’d better explain yourself, or I’m going to arrest you for assault.”


  Arrest him? That’s right. Sally—Callie had mentioned that her father was a police officer. Maybe Elliott could straighten this out and salvage his mission yet. “If I can speak to you in private, I’m sure you’ll understand.”

  The other man frowned deeply as he looked from his daughter to Elliott. Then he turned to the crowd of onlookers. “Okay, folks, show’s over. Go on back inside.”

  Elliott couldn’t help but notice the grin on Agent Nick Mahaffey’s face before he winked and turned away. Wonderful. He would never be given an undercover assignment again.

  “Okay.” The deep voice of Callie’s father brought Elliott’s attention back to him. “We’re alone out here. You have sixty seconds to explain to me why I shouldn’t haul you in.”

  “I thought your daughter was somebody else.” Stick to the truth, as much as possible. “It’s simply a misunderstanding.”

  “What do you mean, you thought I was somebody else?” The beautiful woman—Callie—demanded. “You called me by name.”

  Elliott sighed. “I thought your name was Sally, not Callie.”

  Callie looked at the other woman, puzzlement in her eyes. “I don’t understand, Mom. Why is he saying he thought my name was Callie, but not Callie?”

  Her father answered in a loud voice. “He’s saying Sally, not Callie.” He grimaced at the young woman. “That swimmer’s ear is worse than we thought, isn’t it?”

  “Will somebody tell me what’s going on?” Callie was irate. “He saw me in the parade last week, Dad. He’s been following me ever since.”

  “That’s not true,” Elliott quickly assured the older man. "I’ve never seen your daughter before this evening.”

  “I don’t like this, H.B.," his wife proclaimed. “Something isn’t right.”

  H.B. nodded. “I agree.” His gaze didn’t waver as he looked at Elliott. “You and I are going to the station and get this sorted out. Do I have to cuff you, or are you coming peacefully?”

  “I can’t go to the station with you.” The words popped out before Elliott could stop them. “I mean, I haven’t done anything wrong. There’s no reason for you to take me in.”

  “Have it your way.” The officer reached under the back of his suit jacket and produced a pair of handcuffs. “Hold your arms out here.”

  Elliott looked at the determination on the other man’s face. “I can’t go with you.”

  “You know what else, Daddy?” Callie questioned her father. “He offered to pay me to visit the flower garden with him.”

  If the man hadn’t already been aggravated, he was now. “Sharon, go get Phil. It looks like I’m going to need some help.”

  “Wait.” Elliott couldn’t let this continue any further. He’d try Callie’s mother. “Let me show you something.”

  “I beg your pardon!” Sharon’s face was bright red.

  “Did you just hit on my mother?” Callie demanded. “What kind of pervert are you, anyway?”

  Elliott felt like he’d stepped into a horrible sitcom. “I’m not a pervert. Look, I’m with the FSA.” He reached into the pocket of his dress pants and pulled out—a handkerchief.

  A disbelieving laugh came from Callie. "What? Are you going to perform a trick and turn that into a badge?”

  “No. I don’t have my badge on me.” Elliott rushed to explain. “I’m here undercover.”

  “Well, son, no undercover agent I know would go around kissing strange women.” H.B. held the cuffs higher. “Sharon, go ahead and find Phil.”

  Okay. Elliott was breaking every rule in the book, but he had to put a stop to this fiasco. “I’m here undercover to buy drugs. I was supposed to meet a woman named Sally—right here. When I saw your daughter, I assumed she was Sally. She said that was her name.”

  “She can’t hear very well right now,” Sharon told him. “She probably thought you were saying Callie.”

  “You kissed me!” Callie seemed to have conveniently forgotten that she had been a willing participant. “Just because you look like Brad Pitt doesn’t give you the right to up and kiss a woman like that.”

  Elliott had been hearing about his resemblance to the famous actor since he was in high school. It was, in fact, the reason he had been chosen for this operation. Special Agent Harold Binkley had decided that Elliott’s looks would be beneficial in dealing with a young woman. Well, they weren’t helping him very much with this one.

  “I’m sorry.” But, somehow, he wasn’t. That had been the most incredible kiss he’d ever experienced. “She kind of got phys—wild, and too many people were paying attention. I couldn’t think of anything else to quiet her down.”

  “Wait a minute.” Callie’s father dropped his hand to his side. “Don’t tell me she went all martial arts on you.”

  “Callandra.” Her mother was obviously dismayed. “I’ve told you a million times how unladylike that is.”

  “Beau taught me to take care of myself,” the younger woman proclaimed.

  “Your brother said it wouldn’t matter how long he instructed you; you’d never have the strength to kick a fly off of your horse.” Her dad spoke bluntly.

  Elliott couldn’t keep the smile from his face as he pictured Callie’s futile efforts. He sobered as he once more addressed her father. “Listen, I’m sorry about this whole mess, but I promise, I’m an undercover agent. Your daughter misunderstood me, and she took offense. When she over . . . reacted, I had to stop her. All I could think to do was kiss her. That’s the truth.”

  H.B. gave Elliott an assessing look before he spoke. “That story’s too crazy not to be true. I believe you.”

  “Well, I don’t!” Callie marched over and stood toe to toe with Elliott. “I think you’re some sicko who wanted to get it on with the Pickle Queen. And, now that you’ve been caught, you’ve come up with this ridiculous story.”

  Elliott didn’t flinch. “I didn’t even know you were the Pickle Queen. For the last time, I’m an undercover agent.”

  Callie stood on her tiptoes and stuck her face as close to Elliott’s as she could get. “I don’t believe you!”

  Without another thought, Elliott closed the short distance between them and sought her lips with his. This time, she didn’t struggle; her arms wrapped snugly around his neck and she moved with him to deepen the kiss.

  A throat loudly clearing brought Elliott back to his senses. Callie calmly slid down to rest the side of her face against his chest. Elliott’s arms didn’t seem inclined to relax their hold on her.

  “I see.” H.B.’s voice was dry.

  Elliott was surprised by the smile on the other man’s face. “What’s that?”

  He noticed Callie’s parents exchange an amused look. Her father answered. “Nobody has ever calmed our daughter that quickly. What did you say your name is?”

  “Is everything okay out here, Lawrence?” Nick Mahaffey had appeared.

  Callie slid out of Elliott’s arms but didn’t move far from his side.

  “This is Callie . . .” He didn’t know her last name. “And her parents. She’s not the woman I was supposed to meet.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Nick’s dimples deepened as he smiled. “Looks like she’s exactly the woman you were supposed to meet.”

  “I’m Officer H.B. Davis and this is my wife, Sharon.” Callie’s father introduced himself. “The woman attached to your friend’s side is our daughter, Callie.”

  Nick flipped out his badge. “Nick Mahaffey—and my friend is Agent Elliott Lawrence, if he hasn’t already introduced himself.”

  “You’re really an FSA agent?” Callie’s eyes widened with despair as she stepped away from him. “You only kissed me to shut me up.”

  “Yes . . . No . . .” Elliott was at a loss for words. “I mean, yes, I’m an FSA agent, and the first time I kissed you was to calm you down, but that wasn’t why I kissed you just now.”

  “Why did you kiss me, then?” She was back in front of him.

  “Yes, Lawrence.” Laughter was evident i
n Nick’s voice. “Please, tell us all. Why did you kiss her?”

  “I wanted to.” The words were spoken before he thought twice. Now her parents were practically beaming, and a becoming shade of pink covered Callie’s face. He turned to his colleague. “What about the operation? I blew it big time.”

  “Oh, that.” Nick waved him away. “Sally was pulled over for a routine traffic stop, and she hadn’t hidden her stash very carefully. They caught her with enough merchandise to put her away for a long time.”

  To say Elliott was shocked would be putting it mildly. “When did that happen?”

  “I just received the call a short while ago.” The seasoned agent’s smile grew. “I was actually on my way out here to tell you when I found myself stuck in your audience.”

  “So, the FSA is active.” H.B. Davis had turned to ask Nick. “The department usually gives us a heads-up when you guys are around.”

  “Oh, let me tell you—” Nick’s voice faded as he led Callie’s parents through the door.

  There was a moment of awkward silence before Callie spoke. “How long have you been an agent?”

  Elliott smiled grimly. “This was my first assignment. It’s liable to be my last.”

  Callie appeared uncertain. “I’m sorry if I caused you any problems.”

  His eyes met hers. “I’m the one who should apologize. I said some pretty inappropriate things to you.”

  “How old are you?” The question came out of the blue, but Callie’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

  “Twenty-six.” Elliott thought he knew where this was going. “How old are you?” Please don’t tell him he had just kissed an older looking sixteen-year-old.

  Her smile brightened. “I’m almost twenty.”

  That wasn’t too young. “Are you in college?”

  “Nope.” She looked pretty pleased to provide that answer. “I was sick and missed an entire year of elementary school, so I just graduated high school last month.”