by Sharon Kleve
Revealed by Angela Ford
Mystery
CHAPTER ONE
Dublin, Ireland—Present Day
“Promise me, Maya, you’ll live your life to the fullest, for both of us.”
She remembered those words as she played with the pendant that hung around her neck. Her sister’s cross. She hadn’t taken it off since the day her sister died. The same day she made that promise to her sister. Marie’s last words burned in her memory. Now she feared her life would end. She didn’t want to die. But someone wanted her dead.
Dammit Blue! Why aren’t you answering?
Common sense told her why. If her identity had been jeopardized, it was possible that his had. He’d been her only friend in quite some time. Her only contact. Then again, who was he? She only knew him as Blue. And to him, she’d only been known as Red. Maya looked at her device once more and then tossed it in the garbage can as she passed through the crowded park. She’d held on to it longer than she should have. She should have ditched it the day before when she sent the message. But hope made her hold on to it for the past twenty-four hours. Hope she’d hear from Blue. She didn’t look back. Her only friend hadn’t contacted her. Maya feared the worst, but hoped for the best. Maybe he’d gotten away like she did. Now she had to survive on her own. She had to get out of Ireland alive and return to the States as Maya Delcort.
Berkeley campus, California—October 2008
“Maya, come help me.”
She heard her sister call out and then turned to find Marieʼs arms full of decorations. Octoberfest had been well under way. Marie Delcort had been involved with it all. Maya wondered how her twin found time for her studies. Last year had been somewhat easier, being their first year at Berkeley. But this year they’d announced their majors. Maya knew it was time to settle down from their partying days and be responsible. Not Marie. Her smile could light up an entire room. She was filled with more spirit than Maya could imagine. She’d always been that way. She was more like their mother than Maya. Their mom embraced every holiday with such enthusiasm. Marie had been Maya’s strength through their parents’ tragic accident the year before.
“You told me to meet you here. You need my help to decorate?”
It had been the last thing on her mind but Marie dropped the decorations into her arms.
“Yep. You need a break from studying.”
“No, I don’t,” Maya announced sternly. “Marie, need I remind you we just announced our majors? We should be hitting the books.”
Marie rolled her eyes and let out a big sigh.
“C’mon, sis. Where’s your spark for a little fun? You’ve missed most of Octoberfest. The least you can do for yourself is come to the Halloween bash.”
Marie reached for the costumes on the table beside her as if they’d entice her sister.
“Twin scary but sexy nurses?” She raised an eyebrow and awaited Maya’s response.
“Seriously? You want me to show that much cleavage and leg and then get drunk with a bunch of crazy college kids?”
Marie blew a puff of air from her nostrils.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I expect. We are college students.”
She tossed the costumes back on the table and stood with her hands on her hips.
Maya knew she’d never win the argument. She picked up the red scarf that went with the costume. “Fine. I surrender.” She waved the scarf in the air. Marie jumped up and down with a little hoot and hooray. Maya laughed but then demanded they study the next day.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Marie humored her sister and then ordered her to get to work.
“We only have two hours to decorate. Get your butt in gear girl!”
Present day…
Maya wondered why that memory, that day, struck her after she’d dumped her device. Without it, she had no way to contact Blue. She prayed for his safety along with her own. The only thing she could do was to get to her safe zone. The one that held her passport and cash to get back to the States. A few steps later she stopped. It hit her. That night of the Halloween bash had been the first night she’d discovered passion. Wil Harris.
The man of her dreams. Well the man in her dreams, so-to-speak. She knew Wil from her behavioral psych class. He’d offered to be her lab partner. Their first experiment had been dream analysis. She’d had feelings for him since the first day of classes. His eyes hit her first. A dark chocolate brown that held her stare. Her eyes locked onto his. She couldn’t shake it and held the look longer than she should have. His eyes pulled her deep into his soul. She felt a gentle calmness flow through her from just one look. But Maya had always been shy and he made her nervous. She’d never felt strongly about any guy. She dated in high school but only to please her sister who had to attend every single prom. Maya had no choice after her sister set her up with prom dates. Besides those nights, Maya had spent her high school years buried in her books. Marie, on the other hand, was the social butterfly and made Maya join every committee with her.
Why? Why am I thinking about parties and passion, and Wil?
Maya questioned her thoughts and then summed it all up to her life flashing before her eyes. It must be that. My life could end today. I’m just reliving memories. She continued to stroll along the pathway thinking about Wil. But reaching out to him after all these years could be more difficult than the first day of classes when she couldn’t even get out a “Hello”. Maya crushed his heart with her decision to leave the life she’d known and him. But her sister’s death changed her. Besides the promise to her sister she had to keep.
CHAPTER TWO
Two months earlier…
Maya surrendered her identity. She handed over her passport. The only thing left that tied her to the life she once knew. Not that she had one anymore. She’d lost her family and left the man she loved because of it. She kept her promise to her dying sister; to live for them both. Maya had taken that promise to the extreme.
“There’ll be a stash of cash in here with your passport.”
Maya nodded.
Agent Ken Edwards turned briefly to remind her. “If anything goes wrong—”
Maya interrupted, “Yes. I know the drill.”
Ken chuckled and then slid the safety deposit box back in its place. He handed the key to Maya. “Keep this safe.”
She’d just accepted her first covert operations assignment with the CIA. Her majors in criminology and political science only enhanced her never-ending focus on martial arts. Originally, she’d planned to attend law school after Berkley, but instead she’d partied and lived off her parents’ estate. Then she met Ken Edwards. Maya saved Ken and his wife from being mugged one night by thugs. She hardly blinked before they were out cold on the pavement. Ken told her he was impressed and handed her his business card. He said she’d make a great agent. She figured he’d meant FBI. The thought stayed with her for a few days and then she called him. When she discovered he wanted her in the CIA, she was even more thrilled. Her life had become a mixture of hard work and celebrating as promised to her sister. A little danger only made it the perfect mix to make her adrenaline flow. Maya Delcort had taken a three-sixty degree turn in the past few years.
Maya’s appearance changed as well. A brunette her entire life, she now sported a classic engine-red sleek bob. Maya no longer looked like the girl next door. After her sister’s death, she joined every committee in college. She took on her sister’s spirit and then some. Maya promised to live for them both. Luckily her grades never suffered her new liberation. She’d always been a straight ‘A’ student with a perfect score on her SATs. Maya didn’t need to study as much as she had, she just enjoyed it.
“Don’t forget Maya, you’ll now only be known by your code name–Red.”
Maya acknowledged his reminder. Ken had taught her so much the past year. She was more than ready to be a covert operations agent. She was smart, sexy, and had no emotional connections.
“I won’t.”
She smi
led as Ken left the bank the same way he’d entered—through a back entrance. She picked up her purse and opened it. Inside, she found her lipstick and tested it once more. After applying it, she turned the end which opened a secret compartment for the small key to the safety deposit box. She remembered what Ken told her. Only her fingerprint activated it. She then reached for her blush and applied a stroke across each cheek. Her fingerprint also activated the compartment as a small digital device. One that would allow her to talk to Blue, her only contact. Her orders were to contact him once she landed the job. She closed the case.
Maya blew out a puff of air. “This is it,” she whispered, and then walked through the bank alone. Her dark skirt and blazer were perfect for the interview. Heads turned with every step she took. Her driver awaited outside and held the door open for her. She slid into the black limo.
Maya had been educated on the man and his business for months. She was ready to win him over and land the opening position to be at his side. Quinn O’Neill owned most of Dublin. His assistant recently resigned after her wedding. The perfect opportunity arose for the CIA to get inside his operation. Ken assigned Maya to land the job as O’Neill’s assistant. Her resume portrayed an orphaned girl with a large inheritance, raised by nuns and educated abroad.
“Mr. O’Neill will see you now.” A tall, broad gentleman suddenly appeared. Maya stood and then followed his lead. He opened the door and motioned for her entry.
“Ms. Shana Redmond,” Mr. O’Neill read her name from the paper in his hand. He placed it on his desk and then stood. “Please, come in.”
His picture hadn’t done him justice. Not one bit, Maya thought. A man of beauty stood before her. She swallowed hard. She knew she could do this. No matter how strikingly handsome he appeared or how powerful he’d become, he was corrupt. She was here to take him down.
“Mr. O’Neill, thank you for seeing me.”
He walked around to meet her. Each stride he took made her pulse beat faster. Quinn O’Neill stopped within an inch and extended his hand. She placed hers in his. His eyes hadn’t left hers. “Please, sit.” He motioned to the seating area to the right. Maya took notice of the exquisite leather furniture. A cozy sofa and two chairs. She quickly chose a chair. He took the chair beside her. At least there was a small table between them for some distance. No man had ever made her feel this uncomfortable. The combination of his good looks, his power, and the dangerous ways of his world made it hard to focus on her assignment. She took a deep breath and decided to use her uneasiness she knew he sensed.
“I’m sorry, Mr. O’Neill, I’m usually more confident in an interview, and with my work performance.”
His hearty chuckle told her he had a huge ego.
“Not to worry, I seem to have that effect on people. Especially, the ladies.”
His words confirmed her recent thought. He reached for the folder on the table and sat back farther. Quinn opened the folder, and then met her eyes. She squirmed slightly. His eyes were like crystals, surrounded by dark lashes. The grey taking over his hair only enhanced them. Maya had never been entranced with someone’s stare until now. She struggled with focus.
“You’ve been educated in England, but born an American.”
Maya wondered if he’d questioned her or made a statement. She answered anyway.
“Yes, my parents died when I was little. The only living relative I had was a great aunt in London.” Maya thought of her parents once she answered. She missed them, and Marie.
“And you didn’t return to America once you were an adult?”
She knew he’d read her resume thoroughly. It stated where she went to school and then worked. None of which were in the States. His interview seemed to be nothing but a confirmation of what had been stated on her resume.
“Only to visit where I’d been born. There’s no one there for me.”
That part was true. She had no one. Ken told her it would be exactly what O’Neill wanted; someone with no personal connections. His next few questions followed her resume and qualifications, and then he began to ask how she’d handle certain situations. Maya confidently answered each scenario and could tell by his expression that her answers impressed him. She was certain he’d make an offer.
Quinn stood and extended his hand. She accepted and took his hand to assist her from the chair. Maya thanked him politely.
“It’s been a pleasure. I think we are a perfect fit.”
Maya raised an eyebrow in question.
“Is that an offer?”
He agreed. “Yes. I expect you here tomorrow at seven o’clock. I like an early start.”
He walked past her toward his desk. Maya spun around. That’s it. He sat at his desk and then picked up his phone.
“You will be escorted to our human resource department for the paperwork to complete. Please close the door behind you.”
Maya nodded. She figured no further words were required. The job was hers.
Her driver had waited outside. She asked him to take her home before he closed her door. Maya opened her purse. She activated the blush case and then typed Start tomorrow 7:00 a.m. Her first message to a man she never met, and only knew as Blue.
Perfect. Keep me posted.
That was it. Such few words on a message from the man, who was supposed to have her back.
Maya decided to soak in a warm bath before she hit the books. She wanted to review everything she had on Quinn O’Neill. That part of Maya had never died. She still loved to read, study, and research. She sank beneath the bubbles. Excitement soared through her. Danger only enhanced her new way of life. She then thought of Quinn. He hadn’t been what she’d expected. Those eyes and the way he moved raced through her thoughts.
No, Maya, stop it! He’s your assignment. A corrupt man that needs to be taken down.
She pulled herself out of the warm bath into the cooler air. For a moment, she stood naked. After her shivers got the best of her, she reached for her robe. Its warmth soothed the coolness she’d felt. The punishment she’d given herself for even thinking of him that way. Maya wiped the foggy mirror and looked at herself. Don’t screw this up. You’ll end up dead, girl!
She took a deep breath and walked into her kitchen. Food and research were all she expected to remain on her mind.
CHAPTER THREE
Red???
She read the message that had been sent a few hours before the panicked one of her name, followed by endless question marks.
Doesn’t he realize I’m working!
She knew no contact worried Blue. But when he left more than one question mark, it angered her. It wasn’t like she could take a break anytime she felt a vibration. Maya typed a quick message to relieve his anxiety.
Fine, busy, and no updates.
She typed a short message, and then tossed her device back in her purse. She left the bathroom.
She’d been with Quinn O’Neill for three weeks. All she had accomplished was aching feet from being in heels fifteen hours a day. This wasn’t the excitement she’d hoped for. A trained covert operations agent wasn’t a glorified secretary. For that’s all she’d been the past few weeks. It was time to search his office after he left for the night.
A few minutes past seven o’clock, he opened his door.
“I’m done for the day. This memo needs to be sent tonight.”
Quinn tossed the memory card in his hand onto her desk.
Maya smiled. “Yes, Mr. O’Neill. Would you like a copy sent to you first?”
He shook his head. “I have dinner reservations for eight o’clock and will be offline most of the evening. I trust you to send it on my behalf.”
Maya wondered if half a smile had formed on his stern look. Or maybe he had gas. She chuckled silently at her humour. What else was she to do? He never thanked her. Not once since she’d started working for him. Within minutes he was out of sight. At least she had an excuse to stay late. His memos usually required about ten minutes. A quick check, and then she’
d search his office. Maya already checked the books. She had full access to the accounting package for O’Neill’s business. From what she could tell, there wasn’t one figure that hadn’t been accounted for and everything came across as legit. Whatever would incriminate him, had to be in his private files.
She stepped outside the glass doors that encased her area and O’Neill’s office. Maya took a quick look up and down the hall. Not a soul in sight. She knew Marcus would be with the boss. That man never left O’Neill’s side. Maya reached for the memory card on her desk. She knew once she’d finished a memo, to place it on his desk. She checked the drawers to his filing cabinet behind his desk. Nothing stood out different than copies of what she had in her cabinets. Maya sat in his chair and stared out the window. An absolute stunning view of Dublin lay before her. She swung the chair around to face his desk and noticed his laptop. He always took it with him.
Slowly she opened it and then heard the echo of the elevator door open in the distance. Maya shut the laptop, and then moved quickly from Quinn’s chair. She picked up the memory card and moved quickly around to the front of his desk. Maya took a deep breath as she reached across his desk.
“Ms. Redmond.”
She heard Quinn’s voice behind her. Maya set the memory card on his desk, and then turned.
“Mr. O’Neill, I didn’t expect to see you again tonight.”
Her tone remained calm. He’d never know her heart rate had increased with the thought of getting caught on his laptop.
He stepped farther into his office.
“Forgot my laptop.” Quinn stopped beside Maya and set his briefcase on his desk. He reached for his laptop and placed it inside.