Mark opened the door and followed her. She handed him the key to lock up, and he pocketed it—all part of the plan for later when he would return. He strolled beside her with his hand resting on the small of her back. “In case I forgot to mention it, I’m sorry about tonight. I was looking forward to our evening together.” He spoke softly as he pulled the passenger door open to his car and waited for her to buckle up before closing it.
Moments later they were on Beaver Drive. Mark’s hands gripped the steering wheel hard. “How’re you doing?”
“Fine. Do you think they were watching?”
“Not likely. But you did a great job. Anyone would’ve believed we were heading out on a date.”
For the first time she noted he wore a suit and tie. “You clean up nice.”
He grinned and kept his eyes on the road. “Thanks. I appreciate your going along with this and being so understanding.”
“Catch them. That’s all I ask.”
“We’ll do our best, but tips don’t always deliver the desired results.”
She heard the warning and tucked it away. Would tonight be a total waste? “There’s one part of the plan I don’t understand. If the bad guys were watching us leave, and they see you and Spencer go back so soon, won’t they suspect something is up?”
He shrugged. “It’s possible. But that’s why we moved the timeline up a little. With any luck, Spencer and I will be back to your place long before anything happens.”
She shuddered. “I can’t believe they’re planning to rob the house right next door. That’s way too close for comfort!”
“Like I said, tips aren’t always reliable. The stakeout may turn up nothing.”
She pursed her lips—he could be right—but it also might turn up a couple of thieves. She gazed out the passenger window barely noticing the landscape of trees and shrubs.
“Nicole?”
“Hmm?”
“Tonight would be a good time to pray.”
She swallowed the lump that suddenly formed and nodded. Was he worried? Should she be worried? How much danger would Mark and Spencer be in? “I imagine Spencer is thankful to have you as a partner.”
He glanced her way. “He’s not my partner.”
“Okay.” She wondered at the firmness of his tone and if it had anything to do with what had happened to his last partner.
Mark pulled into his driveway and killed the engine. After a long moment, he sighed and turned toward her. “I’m sorry for snapping, but I told myself I’d never work with a partner again. I’m only backup.”
Sounded like the definition of a partner to her, but she wouldn’t argue. She got out without waiting for Mark to open her door and eyed his modest rental. It was a typical Sunriver home, probably dating back to the seventies.
She followed him inside. The house had vaulted ceilings with skylights that illuminated a ceiling fan in the center of the room. All the blinds were closed. Someone moved in the dimly lit room, and Nicole jumped.
“It’s only me.” Spencer walked toward them.
Mark flipped on a light.
Nicole’s eyes widened, and she touched her hand to her mouth, suppressing a giggle. Spencer wore a dress surprisingly similar to hers along with a blond wig. She turned to Mark. “You’re abandoning me for her?”
Mark grinned and slapped Spencer on the back. “Yeah, she has a great personality.”
Nicole held back a laugh. “Ah, don’t worry. When I’m finished with your makeup and hair, any man, at least from a distance, won’t care a hoot about your personality.”
Spencer groaned. “Let’s get this over with.”
Mark chuckled. “This I’ve got to see.” He pulled out a wooden chair from the table and sat.
Nicole studied her project. “I’ll need to fix your hair if you want to be believable.” She fingered the wig. “It’s a good thing you’re about my height and have a similar build.”
Mark guffawed.
Spencer glared at them. “For the record, I’m bigger, but not enough anyone at a distance would notice.” He lumbered to the kitchen counter and sat on a bar stool with his back to them.
Nicole pulled the band from her hair letting it fall past her shoulders, then carefully pulled the wig into a low ponytail. Last, she applied a light coat of makeup to his eyes and cheeks, just enough to give him a feminine look that clashed with his five o’clock shadow. “There.” She stepped back and admired the effect. “Keep your head down when you go inside. Even someone with impaired vision would be able to tell you’re not me if they get a look at that mug. You could’ve shaved.”
Spencer ran his hand over his chin. “I shaved this morning.”
“There’s one thing to be thankful for,” Mark said.
“What’s that?” Spencer glared.
“Even in drag you don’t look like a woman.” Mark checked his watch. “I have an unopened disposable razor in the bathroom drawer. Hurry up and shave. We need to roll.”
Spencer mumbled something as he left the room.
Mark turned to Nicole. “You’ll be okay here?”
“I think so.”
Sadie stood and stretched, then moved from her bed in the corner over to them, her tail wagging so fast it created a breeze.
“Sadie and I will be fine. You two stay safe.”
“Always.” He winked with a smile. As soon as Spencer joined them again, Mark motioned her behind the door so she wouldn’t be seen when they left. A moment later the lock snapped into place. She checked out Mark’s living room, then slipped the thriller she had yet to finish from her bag and snuggled into the worn brown leather couch facing the fireplace. Sadie laid down at her feet, resting her head on her paws.
Lord, it’s been a long time, but if You’re listening, please keep Mark and Spencer safe.
Mark carried a can of soda over to the window where Spencer sat holding binoculars and peering through a slight crack. The wig and dress were now tucked away in a bag, and he’d changed into jeans and a T-shirt.
Mark loosened his tie and handed Spencer the soda. “Anything yet?”
“Nope.” He set the can on the floor. “Nicole seems nice.”
“She is. You fishing?”
“Yep.” Spencer kept his attention focused on the house next door.
“Not taking the bait.” He hoped Spencer noticed the edge in his voice. Nicole was not open for discussion. He liked her. He didn’t enjoy using her like this, but at least she was safe at his place.
“Fine, but it could be a long night.”
Mark sighed. He’d been on more than his share of stakeouts, and they were never fun. But being inside Nicole’s house beat sitting in a car or on a park bench.
“Anything to eat around here? I’m starved.”
“You didn’t pack provisions? How many stakeouts have you been on anyway?”
“This is my first.”
Mark tucked the information away and stood. “I keep emergency food stashed in my trunk. Be right back.” He went to his car that he’d parked in the garage. The bag he kept stocked sat in the usual spot.
Nicole wasn’t kidding about living in a quiet area. It made sense that the burglars would hit a neighborhood that was rarely occupied. The houses were all on the older side but well maintained, and he suspected they had the usual inventory thieves wanted.
He reached for the door that led into the kitchen and pushed it open. “Prepare your mouth for a feast of junk food. I have chips, trail mix, candy, bottled water and bottled coffee.”
“Interesting emergency pack.”
“Don’t diss the grub. This is sacred food. Be glad I came prepared.” He ripped open a bag of chips. “You want water or coffee?”
Spencer made a face. “No more soda?”
“I’ll check the fridge.” Mark opened the refrigerator, pulled out a can of Pepsi, and tossed it to him.
“Really? How am I supposed to open this now? It’ll make a mess.”
“What? You don’t want to
wear soda?” Chuckling, Mark walked over and handed him the last can. “You owe Nicole.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Spencer popped the drink open and took a long draw then turned back to the window. “Someone’s coming!”
“Really?” Mark moved over to the window facing the house next door. Maybe this tip would pay off after all.
The next morning, shortly after sunup, Mark stumbled into his home, bleary-eyed and grouchy. Sadie greeted him with a whine, clearly ready for breakfast. He set two large coffees on the counter then quickly fed her. “Brr.” He looked around, trying to find the source of the cold. The place looked exactly as he’d left it, except the high desert night air had cooled it off to the temperature of an icebox. He noticed a window slightly cracked open in the kitchen and closed it. Nicole must be warm blooded.
A moan sounded from the couch. He turned and discovered Nicole cuddled in a ball on the man-sized couch. She stretched like a cat then sat up rubbing her eyes. He knew the moment she spotted him because she caught her breath, and her hand instantly shot to her tangled hair.
“Hey. How’d it go?” She sat up and tucked her feet beneath her.
He sat on the couch where her feet had been and handed her a coffee. “The only person we saw all night was a guy working on a hot tub. Looks like the intel was either bad, or they were tipped off.”
Her lips turned down. “Why was someone working on a hot tub at night at a vacant house?”
“Good question, but we kept a close eye on him and no one else went in or out of the place.”
Her shoulders drooped. “I really thought this would be over.”
“Hey, don’t give up hope. We’ll get them sooner or later.”
She still wore the black dress from last night, but the sandals were on the floor beside her. “Thanks.” She took a sip and shivered.
“You cold?”
“Yeah.” Her soft voice sounded like dinner music after listening to Spencer’s rough bass all night.
Though tempted to scoot close and pull her into his arms to warm her, he chose the safer route and stood. “Be right back.” He made a right around the corner to the hall where the linens were stored and pulled out a soft black and white checked blanket. When he came back into the room, she was running her fingers through her hair.
She spotted him watching and stopped midway down and put her hands in her lap.
“Your hair is fine.” Mark wrapped a blanket around Nicole’s shoulders.
Pink tinged her cheeks, and she ducked her head a little. “Thanks.” She cradled the warm cup between her hands.
He motioned to the coffee. “I don’t know how you like it so I grabbed a handful of stuff.” He pulled French vanilla and plain creamer cups, along with packets of sugar and artificial sweeteners from his pocket, and placed them on the oversized ottoman that matched the couch.
“That was nice of you. This is perfect. When I make coffee I use French vanilla creamer.”
Her pleased look made him glad he’d stopped for the brew. He took a long draw from his cup and rested his head against the couch cushions. He’d hoped the stakeout would have turned out differently, but right now all he wanted to do was sleep.
“Tell me about last night.”
“Spencer talked my ear off, and I have a pounding headache.”
She cringed. “Sorry about the headache. I’ll get out of your hair.” She moved to stand.
He stopped her with a wave of his hand. “No. Stay and drink your coffee. I have to work in an hour. I’ll run you home on my way if that’s all right.”
“How are you supposed to stay up all night and ride all day?”
“Didn’t you know cops are like doctors? We can go for days without sleep.” He yawned. “But I admit it was easier when I was in my twenties.”
She chuckled. “How old are you anyway?”
“Thirty-two.”
“You’re an old man!”
The lightness in her voice made him smile. “And how old are you?”
She shook her head. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you not to ask a woman her age?”
“Sure, but you’re just a kid.” He kept a straight face. “So it doesn’t count.”
She reached behind her back, grabbed the pillow then tossed it at his head.
He easily dodged it. “See what I mean?” He raised a brow.
Nicole smirked. “I’m twenty-eight.”
“I’m only four years older than you. Guess you better enjoy your youth while it lasts. You’ll be an old woman before you know it.” He winked and stood. “I’m going to clean up, then I’ll run you home.”
“That works. You hungry? I could whip up scrambled eggs—if you have any eggs.”
“Perfect. While you’re at it, will you let Sadie out?”
“Sure.”
He drained the last of his coffee and tossed the cup in the kitchen trash before heading to his bedroom. He looked in the mirror and realized he was still smiling. The woman was full of surprises. Before he brought her over last night, he’d Googled her and discovered she didn’t do the whole social networking thing, but he was able to determine she graduated with honors from Oregon State University. She had a clean record too, not even a parking ticket. Surprising considering how many times he could have ticketed her since they’d met.
He yawned. They’d better solve this case soon or he’d be falling asleep on the job, and that couldn’t happen. Maybe he should run Nicole home then call in sick. No. If Spencer could work, so could he. He yawned again—this was going to be a long day. He prayed it’d be uneventful.
Chapter Twelve
Nicole sat at her kitchen table beside Bailey who explained her design proposal, her enthusiasm contagious. “I really like the bedframe. I never would have thought I’d like that bold of a design, but the white color lightens it up.”
“Exactly. And we will add pops of color with the accessories. That makes the furniture very versatile.”
“What about the wall color?” Nicole couldn’t believe how much she was getting into this, considering it wasn’t even her home, but she’d caught Bailey’s passion for designing and couldn’t help getting excited about the final product.
“I brought samples with me.” She pulled a color-wheel style paint sample from her bag.
“Uh, that’s more than a few.”
Bailey laughed. “We are only looking at these.” She manipulated the wheel to show two strips of colors.
“Oh. Is that a gray or blue?”
Bailey held the sample up to the light. “Gray-blue. Is that the one you like best?”
“I think so. What about you?”
“I like it. We can add sparkle with the chandelier.” She pressed a button and pulled up pictures of lighting.
Nicole grinned. “I should have become a designer. This is fun.” She pointed to her favorites. They continued like this for the next hour, with Bailey showing her samples and Nicole noting her favorites.
Bailey closed her laptop. “Well, that does it. I’ll order everything we need. My crew will be here next week to haul out the old stuff. Make sure you get all your personal belongings moved into the guest room before Monday morning. They will be here bright and early to get started.”
“How long will it take?”
“I need to talk budget with Mona. It really depends on how extensive a remodel we do in the bathroom. It could take a few days if we only do cosmetic stuff to a couple of weeks if we start ripping things out and find hidden issues like dry rot.”
“Good to know.” She pushed back and stood. “I suppose you get this kind of job all the time.”
Bailey raised a manicured brow. “If you mean makeovers, yes. But if you mean a situation like yours, this is a first for me.” Her eyes sparkled as she smiled.
“I’m here for the summer and don’t know a lot of people. Maybe we could have coffee sometime. I kind of get sick of myself.” Nicole chuckled.
“That sounds like fun. Mona keeps me on a pretty tight
leash, but if we call it a design meeting and mix business with pleasure, I think that would be very doable. In fact,” she pulled out her phone and pressed the screen. “How about we plan to meet on Friday morning at nine. I’ll know the scope of the project by then, and you can give final approval on the project details.”
“Perfect. Where do you want to meet? I’ve only been to the Merchant Trader at the lodge.”
“That works for me. I’ll see you then.” Bailey saw herself out.
Nicole slid on flip-flops and strolled out to her deck. Warmth wrapped its soothing arms around her, and the smell of pine tickled her nose. She sneezed. Maybe sitting outside wasn’t the best idea considering her allergies, but she refused to be confined indoors.
She loved listening to the sound of children laughing and people talking as they rode or strolled past on the nearby bike path. What she really enjoyed, though, was hanging out poolside. And Sarah had asked her to check up on Connor at the North pool. She’d bring a book and soak up some rays, but this time she’d be sure to apply sunblock first. It was nice that anyone staying in Sunriver could use the swimming pool as long as they had a pass or paid a fee to get in.
She quickly readied herself then drove to the North swimming pool. Her flip-flops smacked against her heels as she walked across the street.
She spotted Connor lounging by the pool and stopped at the fence. “Hey, Connor!” She waved to get his attention.
He waved back and jogged across the grass to her. “What’s up?”
“Not much.”
“You going to come in and swim, or read?” He pointed to her bag with a book sticking out the top. A knowing look lit his eyes.
“I thought I might take a dip to cool off and then read. Are you here with friends?”
He nodded and pointed to a couple of boys competing to see whose cannonball made the biggest splash. “Yeah. Sit far away from them if you don’t want to get wet.”
“Good advice. Thanks.” She strolled to the office and handed her pass to the attendant. A minute later she pulled a lounge chair out of the splash zone and settled in for a good read.
Shouting drew her from her book. She looked in the direction of the commotion, jumped up and darted over to where Connor and another boy were throwing punches. “Hey! Knock it off!” She stepped between the kids and received a fist in the gut courtesy of the other kid. She doubled over.
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