"You were kicked out of the neighborhood of the blindly loyal followers?"
"Right,"
"How about the female friend?"
"Vivian? We split up. She stayed with the project, but after a few months, I moved back to the settlement. Not long after that, though, my mother called me to come home."
* * * *
Peggy waited for more. When Jeff turned his head, his face looked hard in the half-light, but his voice told Peggy that he wasn't able to relate the rest of the story with complete, cold-blooded calm.
He said, “My father'd had a heart attack at work, and she was hysterical. I went to help, of course. And I ended up staying with my family for a few weeks. But father didn't last. He hated the thought of prolonging his life with machines. So he came home."
"Oh, Jeff."
He shook his head, clearly not wanting to dwell on the emotional aspects of the story. “It all happened so very quickly. He had another heart attack while just sitting there and watching a sports game on the television viewing screen. There was nothing I could do. In those last few minutes together, we made our peace with each other. And then he asked me to do something for him."
Half afraid to hear the answer, Peggy asked, “What was that?"
"He said that after he was dead, I wasn't to call the ambulance for two hours. And he gave me his pass card to the lab."
"What kind of pass card?"
"For the building security system. Every employee was issued one for access to the lab at any time. Dad knew the government would cancel his security code as soon as they found out he was dead, so I had to move fast."
"You broke in?"
"Yes. It was a holiday night, and I figured the place would be deserted. I knew the setup and had his pass card, so it was easy. I opened my father's safe and went through his files. I stole his formulas. He'd been working on some special projects and had even reached the prototype stage."
"What does that mean?"
"In the safe, I found vials of the mass-murder products he'd been testing. I stole them along with the formulas. I still have them, in fact."
Startled, Peggy demanded, “Why? For crying out loud, if you'd get rid of the evidence you could never be prosecuted! Jeff, you'd be safe if—"
"That's just it, Peggy. I can't just dump the vials or bury them. I can't even destroy these chemicals. Not without some very sophisticated laboratory equipment. Even a drop of the stuff could pollute the entire Great Lakes region for decades. My father knew that. But others didn't believe how dangerous it is. He didn't want to risk the chemicals getting loose. Or being taken lightly by his colleagues. So I had to take the vials."
"Where are they?"
"Here. I've packed them as carefully as I know how and hidden them."
Peggy decided she didn't want to know where. “Can anyone prove that you were the thief? Did you leave fingerprints? Did someone see you?"
"Yes, to both questions. I did leave fingerprints, though I thought I was being careful. I'd be a terrible spy. And someone did find me in the lab that night, but she didn't turn me in."
Peggy tensed. “She?"
"Yes. It was Vivian."
Again, Jeff looked away. “She was the one who found me."
Peggy could scarcely draw a breath. “What did she do?"
"Nothing.” Jeff shook his head. “That's just it. Vivian opened the door and stood there looking at me. Her face showed nothing. But I could guess the turmoil she was feeling at that moment. I was in my father's private office with a flashlight and his open safe. She must have stood in the doorway for two full minutes. She didn't speak, just watched me work. Then, she left. Just turned around and left me alone to finish the job."
"Did she call Homeland Security?"
Jeff's mouth was a grim line. “No. And later, when the investigating team questioned her, she never said a word about me. But she wasn't a convincing liar."
"What do you mean?"
"They knew she wasn't telling the truth. So, they concocted a charge against her. Something about trading secrets that jeopardized the entire government."
"That's treason."
"Right. It was supposed to blackmail Vivian into revealing me. If only I had known! I heard all about this only through my mother. And only several months after it all happened."
With a quiver of anger in his voice, Jeff then said, “If I'd known what was going on, I would have turned myself in. I had no idea that Vivian was trying to protect me."
"What happened to her?"
Jeff rubbed his shoulder as if it had started to ache again. His face reflected pain, too, but a different kind. “She was sent to Guantanamo Bay."
"My God!"
"Not for treason. They couldn't prove that. It was a lesser charge. But Vivian was in the female facility there in that awful place for nearly a year."
Bitterly, Jeff continued, “It was the same year I had been a fugitive. Running all over the country with my gloriously noble cause. I finally settled down here. And my mother was able to make contact with me. She told me what had happened. By that time, Vivian had served her time, somehow survived, and had been released."
"Did you try to get in touch with her?"
"Right away. I left these islands and made my way to a small town in her county. In case they were tracing all of the calls that came into her house, I used someone else's cell phone."
"What did she say?"
"Nothing. Vivian hung up on me as soon as she recognized my voice.” Jeff ran his hand through his hair. “I've tried several times, but her response has always been the same."
"Her phones are probably tapped and monitored."
"Probably. I wrote to her. Charlie has sent the letters to various members of his family around the country. He asked them to mail them so the postmarks wouldn't lead the security agents here. I can't risk giving Vivian an address, so she isn't able to write back. I can't imagine what she feels about everything that happened to us."
"She must be trying to get on with her own life."
"I suppose. My mother and I have rigged up a complicated system so we can communicate without getting caught. And she told me last year that Vivian was getting married."
"I see."
Jeff heard her tone of voice and smiled grimly. “I wasn't heartbroken when I heard that. Our relationship had been over before the whole mess started. We both knew that and had managed to find a comfortable friendship. But I felt—well, I cheated a good friend out of a year of her life. I can't forgive myself for that."
Peggy touched his arm. “I'm sure she has."
Jeff's jaw was tight. “I did a terrible thing to her, Peggy. It should have been my business. And she shouldn't have been involved. I just—I hope I can apologize to her someday."
"You will. And you'll get out of this mess, Jeff. I know you will. I want to help. So does Charlie."
He shook his head. “No."
"Jeff, don't be an idiot!” Peggy seized his hand. “We can—"
"Dammit, Peggy, use your brain! I can't allow anyone else to get mixed up in this. What happened to Vivian could take place all over again!"
"We'll be careful!"
"You'll have to be. I've told you everything, and that's danger enough. But I won't let you—"
"For heavens’ sake, I can help! I've got connections! We'll go directly to Washington, DC and—"
"No.” Jeff's face looked terribly dangerous for a moment, and he had to choke out the words. “Peggy, this isn't New York! We here in the middle of Lake Superior don't have the same Miranda Act protections you enjoy in your metropolis. I'm not going anywhere. I never intended to stay here forever, but it's safe for the moment. Don't you see? As long as I stay here, no one else gets hurt."
Peggy was silent. She allowed Jeff time to calm down. “We've got to get rid of the evidence, you know. The vials, I mean. You still have them, right?"
"Yes.” Then, sounding tired, he said, “But I wasn't joking before. They're practically
impossible to destroy. I can't just wander into the nearest tavern and light a stove to get rid of these compounds. I'm talking about high-tech chemistry, the kind of facilities that only exist in two or three other countries.
"And believe me; even those places don't take kindly to visitors. Besides, even if I do destroy the prototypes, there's still the matter of the formulas themselves."
"You can burn those!
"Don't you think I haven't done that already? Trouble is, they're still here.” Jeff tapped his own head. “I helped create the formulas. I know them."
"Yes, but—no one's going to torture you!"
He scoffed at the thought.
"Jeff, this is now! Nobody is going to stick you with a needle and make you talk.” Seeing his expression, she hesitated. “Are they?"
Then, deadly serious, Jeff said, “You don't know what's all at stake, Peggy. We're talking about chemical compounds that have cost my government billions of money to create. And there are our leaders, who truly believe that they are the answer to world conquest, power, control, and peace. Just the way some politicians believe the balance of nuclear weapons of mass destruction will save us all from annihilation."
"That's what you meant when you said the lives of so many others depended on you staying here."
"Yes. Do you understand now? There's absolutely nothing that I can do."
The wheels began to turn in Peggy's mind. She shook her head. “I don't believe in stalemates."
Jeff laughed shortly. “I can see that. But this situation is mine, not yours. Until I come up with a perfect plan, I'm staying right here."
Peggy turned away, folded her arms, and brooded. For her, there was no such thing as a no-win situation.
"You're making me nervous.” Jeff sounded sounding amused. “That expression of yours is positively frightening."
She turned when he brushed her shoulder. Then Jeff touched her cheek, and Peggy glanced up at him, trying to hide her thoughts. If he knew the magnitude of the plan she had already come up with, he'd run screaming for the cabin.
So, Peggy said, “My face always gives me away."
Softly, he replied, “It's a very nice face."
At the change in tone of his voice, Peggy felt herself get warm inside. Her toes and fingertips began to tingle. It wasn't just his voice that affected her, he had finally trusted her. At long last, she didn't feel like his enemy.
That realization meant more than any compliment he could ever give. Standing there in shafts of the moonlight, looking up at Jeff, she wondered if she'd ever felt happier.
Caressing her cheek, Jeff leaned closer. “A very, very nice face."
His lips brushed hers. It was hardly a kiss, but it packed a wallop just the same, sending sparks of pleasure directly into Peggy's brain, before easing downward into the moistening region of her body. Jeff brushed his nose against hers, and then slowly traced the shape of her cheek, her chin.
Quietly, he said, “You're a tough girl, Peggy. I admire your spirit. But this is my problem, not yours. You've got to respect that."
"Yes...” Peggy felt her body grow sluggish, as if gently intoxicated by his touch. She closed her eyes and tried to pinpoint exactly how he made her feel. She wanted to memorize the sensation.
He sighed. “I tried not to confide in you, Peggy. But there's something about you that makes me—"
"Weak."
He laughed. “I was going to say talkative."
Her eyes flew open. “No, no, I meant that you make me feel weak. I can't help it, I just—"
Jeff was smiling at her, and his eyes were filled with a gentle haziness. “I feel weak, too. We should go back inside before we're both overcome by weakness."
"Yes..."
A moment ticked by.
"I can't seem to make myself do it.” Jeff curled one arm around her waist and pulled Peggy closer. Worshipfully, he went on skimming her features with his nose, all the while watching her eyes. His own face was suddenly alive with pure desire.
"Wait,” Peggy whispered, turning her face away from his lips.
"Wait for what?” he murmured, nuzzling her ear.
"I don't know.” Peggy braced her hands against his good shoulder. She was shaking “I'm just—I was afraid."
"Afraid?"
"That we might do something stupid."
"Like what?"
"Like kiss or something."
"That's stupid?"
"Well, sure.” Peggy's voice lowered to an infuriating whisper. “I mean, things are complicated enough already."
"Is one more kiss going to make a difference?"
"It ... it might."
With every passing heartbeat, Jeff was pulling her closer to him again. “Why?"
"Because one kiss would lead to another,” she insisted, “and another, and then we'd—why, we'd want to make love, and then we'd want to—"
"To do other things?"
"And say other things. Things that we might regret."
"Like what?"
Like, I love you. The words were ringing in Peggy's head. She knew that they were true. But if they burbled out of her mouth, everything would be ruined. She was in love with him. Head-over-heels. Madly and passionately. And especially after hearing his story about his former lover and how he regretted hurting her so badly.
Peggy knew what Jeff's reaction would be if she told him what she was feeling. He might throw her off the island without even a goodbye. And she knew that she couldn't bear to be parted from him.
Jeff had both arms around her waist, and his right hand moving up her back, as if memorizing every vertebra in her spine. It made her feel wild. She wanted more. She wanted to feel his fingertips on her bare skin.
As if reading her thoughts, Jeff asked, “What other things would you like to do, Peggy?"
"This, for one.” She slid her arms around his neck. “And this."
She merged her body with his, relishing the contact with the hardening bulge between his thighs, and below his taut belly. Her breasts felt electrified by pressing against his powerful chest. It was making her even wilder, too.
She couldn't think, for all the blood that was pounding in her head.
A laugh shook Jeff's voice. “What else?"
She began to press kiss after kiss up the length of his face. “Then I might ask you to reach into my hip pocket."
"Oh, yeah? What's in there?"
He needn't have asked, because he was already gently pressing into the pocket to locate the treasure that she had secreted there. He brought the small, carved object out into the moonlight, and then abruptly loosened his embrace as he held it up for a better look.
"What the hell is this?"
"Can't you tell? I know what it is.” Peggy slid out of his arms completely. “It's an Indian magical love charm. I know it's always given to someone you're about to have sex with. They say it gives off a mystical force for both of the lovers."
Jeff was laughing in earnest by that time. But he caught her hand and pulled her back against his body. “You're a resourceful little woman, aren't you? Where'd you find this on a deserted island? The new administration has forbidden such things."
"I didn't exactly find it.” Peggy felt absurdly shy suddenly. “Can you stand another confession?"
Jeff attempted to look stern. “Where did this come from, young lady?"
"I stole it. From Charlie. This morning."
When Jeff began to laugh again, Peggy begged, “You won't tell him, will you? Please, Jeff, I'm embarrassed enough as it is, but—"
Jeff silenced her by taking Peggy into the circle of his arm again. He swooped down and pressed a warm kiss to her lips. “I don't kiss and tell, as you East Coasters like to say, Peggy. And for once, I'm glad for your larcenous little heart. Come with me. I know a perfect spot under the trees where we can make delicious use of the magical powers of this little Native American item."
He began to pull her into the shadows. But Peggy resisted. “Hold back your hormone
s, Doctor."
"Peggy! You aren't going to deny a wounded man, are you?
Peggy made a severe look up at him. “You bet your bandages, Jeff. You've been badly hurt. Heavens, you've lost blood! In your weakened condition, you might—"
"I won't die from making love."
"What if the bear comes back? I might have wounded him, and he'll—"
Jeff grinned. “We'll scare him off with all of the noises we're going to make."
Peggy blushed. “Forget it. Besides, I want you in perfect condition when we ... when we—"
"Make love."
"Yes, right. Until you can—"
"Say the words for me, Peggy."
Startled, she looked up at his face. “What words?"
"Making love. Come on, I want to hear it from your lips. Not any crude euphemisms, either. Tell me what you want to do. Say it for me."
"Okay.” She couldn't meet his eyes, though. She had to look away. “I'd like—I want to make love with you."
He touched her chin with the point of his finger, and tipped Peggy's face until her gaze unavoidably met his own.
Softly, he said, “Again, please."
Peggy could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Inside, other parts of her body began to tremble, too. She was longing for his touch, suddenly aching to feel his hands on her swelling breasts, his clever lips and tongue on her bare skin.
His eyes were dark pools of desire, and Peggy realized that she was melting to dive in. She wet her lips and summoned her voice. “Jeff, I do want to make love with you."
He kissed her then, slowly tilting her chin and lowering his own mouth, until he hovered just centimeters from her lips. For an achingly long instant, he prolonged the wait, and then he pressed deeply into her mouth with his own.
He slipped his hands into her hair and held her head, gyrating his lips until Peggy's mouth opened and her tongue melted with sweet sensations. She moaned and felt her heart tear out of control.
Before she knew what she was doing, her own hands were sliding along the muscles of his arms, down the knifelike cut of his waist and hips, gliding to the coarse fabric of his jeans. He felt so wonderful—so hard and so gentle at the same time. She'd never before wanted a man as much as she wanted him then. Never.
She arched into his body, breathing raggedly, murmuring nonsense, too delirious to make sense of reality. She wanted to drink in his manliness. Nibbling his lips, searching his tongue with her own, she longed to claim him as he had claimed her before.
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