Taste

by Cambria Hebert

  “Yes,” I said finally.

  He smiled deeply, two lickable dimples appearing in his cheeks. “They will be safe. I promise you.”

  “Okay.”

  Spencer looked at Walsh. “I’ll set it up.”

  Walsh regarded Spencer for a moment. “Yeah. Set it up.”

  Spencer stood. “I guess this means since I’m needed here, my assignment tonight is going to be covered by someone else?”

  Walsh cleared his throat and glanced at me.

  Apparently, the assignment and reason Spence couldn’t be around tonight was a busy job to keep him away from me.

  I gave Walsh a sweet smile.

  “Fine,” he muttered. He was defeated and he knew it.

  Spencer jolted forward, pressing a swift, hard kiss to my mouth before rushing from the room with his phone in hand to presumably make the arrangements.

  I pressed my lips together as he went, trying to hold on to the feeling of him on my skin just a little longer. Every eye in the room focused on me.

  I lifted my chin and stared back, almost daring them to say something. Gazes averted almost immediately.

  I hurried to scoop everything back into my bag, leaving it in a tangled heap at the bottom. I was anxious to get to my mom’s and see Jack. I wanted to hold him. Only then would everything in my world be right.

  Seconds later, Spence came in. “They can leave this afternoon.”

  “Are you sure about this?” I asked, worrying all over again. I hadn’t expected him to leave so soon.

  “Getting Jack out of here is the best thing,” Spencer said. “You will be able to think more clearly without worrying about him, and we can all move around a little more freely without having to worry about his safety. We can get this case solved quicker.”

  Well, I was all for ending this nightmare as quick as possible.

  “Okay.”

  “I need details, Waller,” Robert barked.

  “Of course, sir.” He inclined his head.

  “I’m going home,” I announced.

  No one tried to stop me, and I left before they changed their mind, escaping out into the hallway.

  “Bring your mom and Jack to the Smithsonian in two hours,” Spencer said, coming up behind me. “Pack light. Don’t draw attention with bags. Make it look like a fun afternoon. Wait near the bathroom by the back entrance. I’ll find you,” he said, taking my arm gently, and looked at me.

  I glanced around, noting we were alone. “Are you sure about this?” I asked, keeping my voice low.

  “Yeah, I am.” He reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

  I nodded. “Okay, then.”

  Spencer leaned down. I thought he was going to kiss me. He did, just in an unexpected place. His lips were soft and warm against my forehead when he brushed them there. Then he dropped another one in the same spot. I gripped his biceps, preventing him from pulling back so fast, and tilted back my head so it fell against the wall.

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured.

  “For what?” I said, thinking he was going to apologize for what happened with Jack.

  “For taking this long to do something about the way I feel about you.”

  My breath caught. “Spence,” I whispered.

  “I know,” he said softly. “My timing sucks. Just know that once this is over and you guys are safe…” His voice trailed off and he kissed my temple. “I’m pursuing you, Elle. And I always —always—get what I want.”

  A little shiver raced up my spine and a tiny noise escaped the back of my throat. I felt his smile against my forehead.

  “I’ll see you in a bit,” he said, releasing me, and gently steered me toward the stairs.

  I walked away in a daze, totally turned on by his words. Being pursued by Spencer was going to be thoroughly exciting.

  “Elle?”

  I turned when he called out to me.

  “Be careful,” he said. It was a small reminder that my life was filled with very big problems.

  Problems that needed solving immediately.

  14

  How did you explain to your mother that you were sending her and your son away because you were being threatened and blackmailed by unknown men to kill the president of the United States?

  You didn’t.

  You lied.

  Well, sort of.

  Truth was I wasn’t a good liar. She would smell it from a mile away, and the next thing I knew, I would be blubbering the complete truth to her and putting them in even more danger.

  It was the power of the “mom look.” Sometimes I practiced it in the mirror so I could use it on Jack, but it was elusive. I was no good at it.

  The best lies are seeded in truth. At least that’s what I heard on TV, so I decided to go with that theory.

  “There’s a breech in security at work,” I told her as I cradled Jack on the couch. I just couldn’t seem to put him down since I’d arrived at Mom’s house. “A lot of White House information—personal information—about the employees was taken. The security team there isn’t certain what kind of threat this poses, but it’s making me extremely nervous.”

  Mom’s eyes were wide and concerned. “You think that’s what today at the aquarium was about?”

  “I don’t know.” I lied and pushed on. “But I’ve arranged for you and Jack to go somewhere and stay for a while.”

  “And leave you behind?”

  “Yes. So no one will get suspicious. Routine as normal, work as normal.”

  “Elle.” I knew that tone. She was going to argue. She was going to shoot down this idea.

  I held up my hand. “Mom, please. This is for Jack’s safety. Don’t you want your grandson to be safe?”

  He face blanched. I had her. She couldn’t argue with me about Jack, especially not after earlier today. “Where will we go?”

  “It’s best if you just go there, see for yourself.” I waited for her to pick up on the fact I had no clue myself, but for once, she didn’t seem to notice.

  “How long?”

  “I’m not really sure,” I replied truthfully. “Hopefully, only a handful of days.”

  She studied me for a long time. I tried to avoid her gaze as much as I could, instead focusing on Jack and tickling his belly. Gah, his little laugh was the best sound on Earth.

  I wasn’t sure what I was going to say if she refused or demanded more information. I couldn’t tell her the truth.

  “I’ll go pack a bag,” she finally said.

  My shoulders slumped in relief. “Something very small and unassuming,” I called after her. Her footsteps faltered but then continued on.

  I went through Jack’s diaper bag. He had two changes of clothes, some diapers, and a couple little containers of snacks and some juice boxes. He would be fine until they got where they were going. I prayed it was somewhere they could get some groceries and necessary items. My throat grew thick just thinking about saying good-bye to him and watching him leave without me knowing where he was going.

  His little hands fisted in my hair and tugged on the ends, and I smiled, looking down at him. I ran my fingers over his light-brown, feather-soft hair and round, chubby cheeks. His lips were pink and his eyes were hazel with green flecks near the center. He was normal size for his age, but to me he was small. He probably always would be because he was my baby.

  He was wearing a blue romper with sailboats on the front and little blue Nikes that I couldn’t resist when I saw them in the store window. He grinned up at me, showing off some of the tiny teeth in his mouth. I kissed him on the head, holding him against me, but he didn’t want anything to do with it. He wiggled until I put him down, and he went over to the corner where there was a big basket of toys.

  Mom came back into the room, carrying an oversized tote bag that just looked like a large purse. I didn’t think it would draw too much attention if anyone was watching.

  Please let no one be watching.

  I glanced at the clock. It wasn’t long unti
l we had to meet Spencer. I took a deep breath and tried to bury the worst of my anxiety. After I got to my feet and announced we needed to go, Mom took hold of my arms and looked directly into my eyes.

  “Maybe once Jack and I get home, you can tell me what’s really going on.”

  My lower lip wobbled. I nodded but didn’t say anything else. She pulled me into a hug, and all I could think about was how horrible of a liar I was and that I was thankful she didn’t press me for the details I couldn’t give.

  When she pulled back, she gave me a watery smile. “Don’t you worry about Jack,” she said. “I promise I will keep him safe.”

  “I know you will,” I whispered and slung the diaper bag over my shoulder and went to retrieve Jack.

  The cab ride to the Smithsonian was quiet, and all I could think about was Spencer and what kind of arrangements he was making for my family.

  The inside of the museum was surprisingly busy for the afternoon on a weekday. Didn’t people work? Of course, D.C. was always filled with tourists, and I guess today was no exception. We didn’t rush through the museum to get to the bathroom near the back. Instead, we wandered through the first floor, looking at the exhibits. Jack liked the dinosaurs and the giant wooly mammoth on display.

  My stomach knotted the closer we got to the back. I didn’t tell Mom we were meeting anyone. I didn’t tell her anything. I just hoped she didn’t ask too many questions when Spencer showed up.

  “I need to use the restroom,” I said, hoisting Jack up into my arms when we arrived at the bathroom.

  “I’ll wait right here,” Mom said. She didn’t reach for Jack, and I was glad because I wanted to hold him while I had the chance.

  I went in the busy bathroom and swashed my hands and pretended to check my makeup. I didn’t really have to pee. I just wanted an excuse to be near the bathroom. When I stalled all I could, I carried Jack out into the hallway where people were shuffling all around. Mom was where I left her. She hadn’t moved.

  As soon as I stepped in place beside her, Spencer appeared.

  “Ladies,” he said, inclining his head at us. Both his hands were clasped behind him.

  Mom looked up, her eyes widening just a bit.

  “Mom, this is Spencer.” I began. “He—um…”

  “I’ll be driving you,” he said smoothly.

  Mom glanced at me, and I nodded. “You can trust him.”

  Jack’s eyes were fastened on Spencer. It was impossible not to see the way they lit up.

  “Jack, my man,” Spencer said, smiling. “How are ya?”

  Jack smiled and held his arms out for Spencer.

  My mother stared at me with an incredulous look on her face.

  “Jack likes him,” I muttered quietly.

  “I have something for you, Jack,” Spencer said, withdrawing his arms from behind his back to reveal a large green-colored sea turtle with large flippers.

  “That’s the turtle from the aquarium,” Mom said as Jack shrieked. His little arms changed direction from Spencer and toward the turtle.

  Spencer smiled and handed it over to him. Jack hugged it against his little body and tears sprang into my eyes for like the fiftieth time that day.

  Jack held it out to me. “Look!”

  “I love it!” I said, trying not to cry.

  Jack held his arms out for Spencer again.

  Spencer glanced at me, silently asking for permission. I nodded.

  Jack fit into Spencer’s arms with ease, him and the giant turtle. Jack grinned up at Spencer and kept his eyes trained on him like he was in awe. “What’s up, little man?” Spencer asked him.

  Jack held out the turtle and Spencer made the appropriate sounds of admiration.

  It actually kind of caused my heart to ache seeing them together. It’s what Jack should have had. That is if his biological father hadn’t been a complete asshole.

  “Jack,” I said, my voice breaking a little. “Say thank you.”

  “‘Sank you,” he said.

  “Anytime, buddy,” Spencer said, shifting the little boy just a little closer in his arms.

  I reached out for him, but he ducked his face into Spence’s neck, wanting to stay where he was. This look crossed behind Spencer’s eyes; I couldn’t really place it. But it sure did look like he was content to hold my son.

  “We should probably go,” Spencer said after a few seconds.

  Mom looked between the two of us with a calculating look in her eye. I knew when she got back, I was going to have to explain a lot more than just why I was really sending her away.

  Goody.

  We all walked quietly toward the back entrance. It wasn’t really for guests, but for employees, but Spencer didn’t seem to care. Out the glass of the door, I saw a large black 4x4 truck waiting nearby, and I glanced up at him.

  He nodded.

  “The car seat.” I gasped.

  “I took care of it,” Spencer said, running a palm over the back of my head.

  “Come here, bud,” I said, taking Jack into my arms. “Give Mommy a kiss.”

  Jack gave me a sloppy two-year-old kiss and made me smile. “You have fun with Nana,” I said. “I’ll miss you.” I couldn’t help the choked-up tone of my voice.

  “He’s going to be fine,” Spencer said, his voice totally confident.

  I glanced at my mom. She nodded and gave me a one-armed hug. “Call if you can,” she said into my ear.

  Before I was ready, Spencer took Jack (who went willingly) into his arms and said, “Wait a little bit before you leave.”

  I nodded, looking at Jack.

  They left through the side door moments later, and my son, looking totally content in Spencer’s arms, waved at me over his shoulder. I waved back, then turned away, not wanting him to see me cry.

  I hated the men who were threatening me like this. They were robbing me of time with my son and my feeling of safety. From here on out, I was going to focus on finding them and on making them pay.

  15

  It’s funny how things seemed worse in the dark.

  They seemed scarier, too.

  It had been hours since I said good-bye to Jack and my mom. Hours that I wondered where they were and if they were safe. I hoped I would get a call from Spencer or even Mr. Walsh to tell me they were okay.

  But no call came.

  The hour drew later and the sky outside turned black, giving me an even greater ominous feeling.

  I stared out the window again and again, trying to figure out where the unmarked car was the Secret Service put on my house. I never saw it. I never even saw a hint of protection out there.

  What if they were gone? What if they decided if I was dead, the threat to the president was as well?

  But it wouldn’t be. Those masked men would just find someone else to try and force. They were angry I hadn’t done what they wanted. They were anxious and annoyed with me. How much longer could I do nothing until they came for me? For Jack?

  Who could it be? Who could want the president dead? Who would gain the most from it? I had no idea. I didn’t think like a killer or a politician. I thought like a chef. I thought in cups and spoons, in chocolate and herbs.

  My stomach rumbled violently. I was beyond starving. Since I wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight, I might as well eat. Eating was better than staring out the window, looking for a person I would never see.

  In the kitchen, I looked inside the fridge, but nothing appealed to me. The apples, the vegetables, the salad and chicken… nothing. I didn’t feel like cooking either.

  I opened the freezer and saw the large container of Rocky Road ice cream. Bingo. I pulled it out, then reached back in the fridge for the container of hot fudge and the whipped cream. Sugar made everything better.

  I reached up into the cabinet for a large bowl and turned, stopping in my tracks.

  The handle on the back door was jiggling, like someone was trying to get in. My grip around the bowl tightened. If worse came to worse, I could clobber
them with it and hope it gave me time to run.

  I glanced at my cell lying right there on the counter and wondered if I should call the police or Mr. Walsh.

  I didn’t have time to do either because the door swung open. A dark figure stepped in and quickly shut the door behind him. The man was wearing jeans and a dark hooded sweatshirt. When he turned abruptly and pushed the hood off his head, he revealed familiar dirty-blond hair.

  I gasped. “Spencer!”

  “Hey,” he said, keeping his voice low. “Sorry to just let myself in. I didn’t have time to knock and wait for you to answer.”

  “You scared the shit out of me,” I said, setting the bowl on the counter.

  “I’m sorry, darlin’.”

  “You could have called,” I accused.

  “I don’t know who’s listening,” he replied, not angry at my accusation.

  My shoulders slumped. He was right. When it came to my son, then I would rather be scared than have any information about his whereabouts leak.

  “How’s Jack?” I asked, desperate for any kind of news.

  He strode across the room in two long strides and pulled me against his chest. He was warm and the steady beat of his heart made me believe everything was okay. “He’s good,” he said, a smile in his tone. “That boy is something else.”

  I pulled back to look at him. “He likes you.”

  “I like him, too,” he said fondly as he scrolled through his phone. He extended the screen to me, holding out a picture that he must have taken of Jack.

  He was smiling and still clutching the turtle Spencer gave him. He didn’t seem scared at all, and there were trees and flowers in the background of wherever he was.

  “He’s okay?” I said, relief making me weepy.

  “Yes. I promise.”

  “I’ve been worried,” I confessed.

  “I know.”

  “I was thinking,” I said, changing the subject. “The person from the aquarium, the one that said he was paid to take Jack? We should get a sketch artist to do a drawing, maybe whoever hired him is the person who wants to kill the president.”

  He smiled. “Already on it. The artist has been with him this evening.”