Jenny was quiet for a moment. While she didn't like the idea of drugs, she felt a little odd in spying on neighbors and friends, trying to uncover anyone who might be growing the drug in their area.
'Tell me something about the people around here, the ones you know. Anyone you might suspect?' Kyle asked.
'No. Even Nate seems too genial most of the time, more of a good ol’ boy. I've never thought about it before, but I wouldn't have thought anyone I know could be involved. You're sure there's marijuana being grown around here?'
'Reasonably sure. Enough to have me assigned here. Anybody in town flashing money around when they shouldn't be? You know, recently come into wealth, buying expensive things with a small salary? That kind of thing?'
'No. There’re a few families in town that have a lot of money but have always had it. No one has come into money in the last few years that I know of.'
'Who's the town banker?'
'Mr. Bottoms. He's about a hundred and three and has been in charge of the bank as long as I can remember. He might be able to tell you if anyone is banking large sums of money. But not without a court order and that would blow your cover.'
'Not worth the risk. And I doubt anyone smart enough to pull this off would have an account is under their own name. If they're cautious, they won't be using this bank. Does Bottoms live in town?'
'Yes. Across the street from my mom and dad, as a matter of fact.'
'Why don't you live with them?'
'Who, my parents?'
'Yes.'
Jenny looked around her. 'This is my home. Why should I leave?'
'It must have sad memories.'
'I don't know. I was very unhappy when Johnny was killed, yet I found some solace in being in the home he'd bought for us. I wouldn't want to leave it.'
'Never?' Kyle asked softly.
'Certainly not to go back to live with my parents.' She sidestepped the question. 'I'm all grown up and on my own now.'
Kyle let his eyes roam down over what he could see, brought them back up to see the flush on her face as met the appraising look in his eyes. 'Very nicely grown up, I'd say,' he murmured provocatively.
She rose and took the dishes, trying to slow the rapid rate of her heartbeat. She was vaguely pleased by the comment, but hoped he couldn't see the heat she felt spreading on her cheeks. Odd how she was so very conscious around a man she knew very little about.
***
During the day that followed, Kyle spent hours questioning Jenny about the layout of the land around Palmer, the ranches and farms, the people who owned them.
Two mornings later he brought down a topographical map of the area, and he and Jenny pored over it, Jenny drawing lines indicating ranch boundaries as best she knew them. Kyle then questioned her on some of the more remote areas.
Jenny gave him thumbnail sketches of all the owners of the ranches and of the people she knew in town. When Kyle repeated verbatim what she'd told him, she was amazed at the amount he'd learned and could recite back.
'Do you have to have a photographic memory to be an agent?' she asked when he surprised her one time with the facts she had briefly mentioned a few days earlier.
'No, just a good memory. I don't know yet what I need to know and what I don't, so I'll try to keep it all. Once I get a line on something, I can forget about the rest of it.'
'Don't you have a line on it yet? I thought that was why you were here.'
'One small clue, but it's our only lead right now. I'm here to follow up on it,' Kyle said, seeing the skeptical look on Jenny's face.
'I can't believe anyone in Palmer could be involved,' she said again.
'They may not be. On the other hand dealers excel in appearing like anyone else. They don't have shifty eyes, skulk around dark alleys, or wear trench coats. That's what makes them so hard to catch, and so successful in their trade. They're just like you or me to look at.'
Jenny shivered. 'It's spooky to think someone I know might be a drug dealer. What was the clue?'
He smiled briefly and pointed to the map.
'Who lives here?'
They were off again on the map: Jenny trying to pinpoint where people lived, where the National Forest land began. She wished he would tell her more.
The next morning, after breakfast, Kyle disappeared into his room for a while, and then reappeared, asking, 'Can I borrow your jeep?'
'Can't I drive you where you want to go?'
'Don't you trust me with your car?'
'I don't know, are you a good driver?' She looked at him, amazed she was teasing.
He answered her smile, his warm brown eyes alight with amusement as he loomed over her.
'I'm a very good driver, never had a ticket. Do you want me to provide references?' he replied lazily.
Jenny wasn't prepared for the way his smile caused a meltdown within. She found it difficult to breathe. Did he have any idea the effect he was having on her?
'I suppose that if you wreck it, the DEA will reimburse me.'
'I won't wreck it.'
Jenny turned from the sink, dried her hands. 'If you want to go somewhere, I'll take you. Not because I think you'll wreck my car, but just to let you see where things are. Wouldn't that suit you?' She was still concerned about his physical stamina. His arm was in the sling, he still rested in the afternoons. Was he up to driving the stick shift jeep? Silly, she chided herself, those were all the right reasons, the real reason was that she wanted to spend time with him, see him in action.
'Fine. Get me up to speed on the roads, then I can go out on my own and not worry about getting lost.'
Jenny called for Shasta and the three of them were off.
As they drove towards town, Jenny pointed out driveways, unmarked roads they’d seen on the maps, houses visible from the highway, and connected names with the ones they had reviewed over the last week.
'I've been here before,' Kyle murmured, slanting an amused glance at Jenny. 'But it looked different after dark in the snow.'
'What were you doing here last winter? Surely you didn't expect to find any plants growing beneath the snow?'
Kyle was silent so long that Jenny turned to glance at him. He never answered many of her questions.
'I operate under the need-to-know principle,' he said slowly. 'I've found that's the safest way for me.'
'And I don't need to know, is that it?' Jenny said quickly. 'Darn it, I'm providing a cover for you. I'd think the least you could do is share some of information with me.'
'Do you? Why?'
'To satisfy my raging curiosity!' she snapped.
Her anger was perhaps a little unreasonable, but it was a culmination of the frustration of the last few days. He'd question her for hours, yet if she asked one question all she got was an evasive response, or one designed to match the cover story.
His chuckle surprised her. She threw him a dark look and turned back to her driving. He found it funny, did he?
The light brush of his fingers against her cheek caused her breath to catch. She looked over to him again, eyes widening in question.
'Just like a woman,' he murmured mockingly. 'Ever curious.'
That response did nothing to assuage her anger. They drove in silence, reaching the edge of town before Jenny spoke again.
'How did you get up here last winter?'
'I was dropped off. Thought I’d meet my ride long before I found your house. Didn’t work out. He thought I was dead until I called from Strawberry.'
Jenny remembered their first encounter. The parting in Strawberry. She was glad he’d found refuge from the storm and hadn’t perished.
Once in Palmer, they cruised up and down the cross streets, with Jenny again pointing out the families that lived in the homes, a brief sketch of the various stores and shops.
Kyle listened attentively, nodding, asking questions.
'There's the Sheriffs office.' She slowed down as they passed, looking over to Kyle questioningly. 'Do you want to stop in? Have
you already checked in with him?'
He shook his head. 'Until and unless I have more to go on, I'm strictly on my own.'
'Don't you co-operate with each other?'
'When it gets down to it, of course. Sometimes, however,' he hesitated, glanced out the window, 'the local law’s in on the take. Until we know for sure, we don't blow the deal.'
'Bob Marshall is as honest as the day is long! The thought of him being on the take is preposterous!' Jenny protested. Didn't he trust anyone? What kind of way was that to live?
'I hope if I ever need you that you'll come as quickly to my defense. I didn't say he was on the take, only that sometimes the local law is. Standard operating procedures dictate that until we scout out the situation more thoroughly, we don't tip our hand.'
Jenny remained quiet, but threw a quick glance at Kyle. The life of an agent was certainly a suspicious one.
Jenny turned into a graveled drive. Ahead was a large, rambling house, a big porch across the front. There were chairs, rockers and a swing on the porch. The front door was wide open behind the screen door. She stopped and looked at him.
Kyle cocked an eyebrow in question.
'This is my parents' home. I think you ought to meet them. Mom will wonder if I don't bring Johnny's cousin to see her, she knows your mother from the few visits she made over the years with Johnny’s parents. Edith Gruder, who’s supposed to be your mother.'
'Right. The one with three husbands. Does your mother keep up with Edith?'
'I don't know. I hope not, or she'll know Edith doesn't have a son who’s a university professor.'
'I hope not, too, for my sake.' Kyle opened his door and stepped out.
As they entered the spacious house, Jenny called out.
'In the back, darling. Come on through,' her mother called back.
When they reached the backyard, they found Jenny's mother weeding one of the flowerbeds bordering the house. She rocked back on her heels, smiling at her daughter. Seeing Kyle, she hastened to her feet, wiping her hands on the small towel hanging from her waist as she came to greet them.
Kyle knew exactly how Jenny would look in twenty years. Peggy O'Neil was still trim and pretty. Her light brown hair had little gray showing, her eyes still sparkled and her smile was warm in its welcome.
'Mom, I'd like you to meet Kyle Martin. He's a cousin of Johnny's. Kyle, this is my mother, Peggy O'Neil.'
'How do you do, Mrs. O'Neil? I'm happy to meet you.'
'Kyle Martin. Which cousin are you?'
'My mother is Johnny's Aunt Edith.'
A large smile broke across Peggy's face. 'Edith, she was a kick when she visited the Warwick’s. We were great friends then. Is she happy? I can't help thinking she must be, for all she marries all the time. Which husband is your father?'
'Number two.' Kyle and Jenny had worked that out already.
'I haven't seen or talked to Edith in years and years. Give her my best next time you see her. Tell her to come visit,' Peggy said.
'I'll do that.'
Jenny bit her lip to keep from laughing. Kyle looked so sincere! She felt she had to change the topic.
'Kyle had an accident, on his motorcycle. He wanted a place to convalesce, so he's staying with me a while.'
Her mother looked at Jenny, then back to Kyle, a small frown on her face. 'Are you okay?'
‘I will be. I appreciate being able to convalesce at Jenny’s. I had planned a tour of Germany this summer,’ he said, launching into the cover story.
Jenny turned away. She could just imagine the thoughts her mother would soon have. She had mentioned once or twice this spring that it wouldn’t be disloyal to Johnny to consider another husband. As if one went looking for a husband as one shopped for a car! Jenny was uncertain if she ever wanted to remarry. She had been so happy with Johnny. Despite her mother’s feelings, she did feel a certain disloyalty thinking of finding happiness with someone else. Not that Johnny would want her to grieve forever. And she was over the worst of missing him. But the thought of someone else taking his place was impossible to image.
If her mother even hinted at something like that again, Jenny would leave, just get up and walk away. Mothers could be trying at times!
'Let’s sit in the shade. I’m sure Palmer won’t compare with Germany, but it’s a nice community and the scenery here is spectacular. Once you feel up to it, you should have Jenny take you on some of the hikes she likes. Would you like some lemonade?'
'Thank you, that would sure be good, if it's not too much trouble.' Kyle smiled at her and moved to sit in one of the lawn chairs. Jenny looked at him closely; he was looking just a trifle white around his temples. Maybe the outing was too soon. How ill was he? She’d never found out why his arm was in the sling. She saw no trace of road burn, but if he’d been wearing a leather jacket and helmet, maybe he had been in a motorcycle accident.
'I'll get it, Mom. Be right back.'
Just as she went into the kitchen, she heard her mother ask, 'Are you a married man, Kyle?
CHAPTER FIVE
Jenny turned, wanting to hear the answer to that question. She met Kyle's amused glance, frowned and continued to the kitchen. As she got the glasses and ice for the lemonade, she fumed at the timing of her mother's question. Now she wouldn't know! And she couldn't ask her mother, she should already know the answer to that question.
How dumb. He would tell her what the cover story required–single assistant professor in ancient history. He could be married with a dozen children, and she’d never know the truth.
She wondered what it would be like to be married to Kyle Martin. Exciting was the first thought to spring to mind. He practically radiated sex appeal, was constantly keeping her on her toes, and had a genuine concern for other people. Yet there was much he refused to reveal—would he be more open with his wife? Or would he stick with his need-to-know philosophy? Then there was the worry of his job. The accident proved it wasn't always a safe and secure job. Was he already married? Was there a woman somewhere waiting to hear from him, worried for his safety?
Filling the glasses, she wondered if Kyle would ever tell her the truth. For now if she was asked by someone, her answer would match what her mother knew. They would have their stories straight–the way Kyle and Mr. Brownley had scripted it.
***
Kyle had seen Jenny turn to hear the answer to her mother’s question. Was Peggy matchmaking? Or just curious as to why he was staying with her daughter?
‘Still single.’
‘Where do you live, not with your mother surely,’ Peggy said.
‘Not likely. She’s on husband number three now. They like being a couple, no grown kids around.’
‘Especially making it more difficult for Edith to lie about her age with someone like you around,’ Peggy said with a smile. ‘So where’s home?’
Not easily deflected, Kyle mused. Time for more of the cover story.
‘I teach at San Francisco State University–Etruscan history.’
Peggy stared at him in surprise. ‘My, if I had to pick, I would have guessed PE. You don’t look like a history professor.’
Kyle shrugged. ‘Have you and your family lived here long?’
‘Heavens yes. My grandfather first came here way back when. My brother moved to Sacramento, but I feel in love with a local boy and never left.’
When Jenny came out of the house carrying the tray with three glasses on it, Kyle jumped up to help her.
‘I can manage,’ she said, smiling for the benefit of her mother, no doubt.
They did not linger after they'd finished the refreshing beverage. Kyle still wanted to see more of the town and neighborhoods. Jenny knew her mother wanted to finish her weeding. It was so rare that she was in the mood to do weeding that Peggy disliked being distracted from it.
Back in the jeep, they moved on, going east of the town.
'Are you sure you should be doing so much, so soon after getting out of the hospital?' she asked, glancing
at him.
'I'm doing my damnedest to get fit as quickly as I can. It's taking longer than I expected.' His voice was hoarse with impatience.
'Some things you just can't rush,' she said reasonably.
'This is important, though. I can't languish around forever.'
'You're hardly doing that. First, it's not forever, I think you're up much too early. Now you're out and about and, if I know you—and I'm starting to—you're probably up to something.'
'Not till I've seen the doctor again. I'm not foolish enough to rush in where permanent damage might be the result.'
'I'm surprised to hear that.' He seemed so macho. Jenny was a little surprised he was admitting to any limitation. When was he seeing a doctor? She asked.
'I need to go to Sacramento next week.'
'Dr. Bradley in town could see you.'
'Sure, and there goes the motorcycle story. Bullet wounds are somewhat distinctive,' he remarked drily.
Jenny frowned. She had not thought of that. ‘It sounds as if the gunshot story is true,’ she said.
‘I told you it was.’
‘It’s hard to know with you.’
He grinned at her.
'I can take you down to Sacramento, if you like.' A thought struck her. 'How else would you get there?'
'Brownley.'
Of course. Brownley had brought him to Jenny's. Kyle had no car; he needed some means to get around.
'Is he around here?'
'No, he's in Sacramento.'
'Well, the offer stands.'
Jenny resumed her narrative on the people and their residences, the boundaries of the ranches as they drove east. Circling around, she returned home in the early afternoon.
The telephone was ringing when they reached home. Jenny ran to answer, breathless by the time she reached it.
'Hello, Jenny?' The voice was vaguely familiar.
'Yes.'
'George Carlisle here. I've been out of town on business. Sorry I haven't called lately.'
'George, how nice to hear from you.' Jenny had gone out with him a couple of times since running into him in the early spring. He was older than she, moved in a different circle, but he was a pleasant companion. He took her to different places, always conscious of what might please her.
I'll Take Forever Kobo Page 6