Wanting her to come again, he shifted his hips so that he could slide his hand between them, fingering her clit as his cock moved deep inside. Her entire body quivered as her sex clutched his cock, and with a moan, his orgasm pulsed from his body into hers. Shuddering, he forced his eyes to stay open so that he could watch every nuance of their shared orgasm on her face. Her beauty stunned and humbled him as she lifted her hands and cupped his face.
He continued to thrust gently as her orgasm milked him, and when he thought his arms could hold him no longer, he fell to the side so as not to crush her, his chest heaving in powerful gasps.
Entangled, they lay as their bodies cooled from their shared passion. Keeping his eyes on her, he brushed her damp tendrils from her forehead before leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss there.
Terrified of ruining what they just experienced, he bit back the words that had been longing to come forth. Words of care and concern. Words of heart and emotion. Words of love.
Instead of words, he tried to show her with his actions. Keeping his arms wrapped tightly around her, he kissed her gently, providing a safe harbor as she fell asleep.
Hours later, Julie woke, wrapped in the warmth and protection of Walker’s arms, memories of their lovemaking bringing a smile to her face. She had wanted to declare her love for him, but fear had kept her quiet. Fear he might not feel the same. Fear that it might not be the right time. Fear of what those words would mean to their future and the decisions that would have to be made.
Staring at his face, illuminated by the moonlight, she smiled softly. She knew what her heart felt, and the fear slid away.
“I love you, Walker,” she whispered, emboldened by his sleeping state, allowing the words to come easily. “I don’t know what that means for us, but I want to be with you. Maybe that’s crazy…we’ve only known each other for such a short time. A short, crazy time. I don’t even know if you feel the same or if you want to be with me. But if you do, I’m here.” Moving just a whisper away from his lips, she repeated, “I love you.”
Closing her eyes, she settled once more, allowing sleep to ease over her. She never saw his eyes open. She never saw them roam over her face. She did not see his lips curved into a gentle smile. Nor did she hear him whisper into the night, “I love you, too.”
38
Julie and Babs walked toward the massive, white granite museum, the neoclassical architecture of the columns giving the building a stately and elegant appearance. East and West wings surrounded them, creating a courtyard as they climbed the steps to the front door. Once inside, they moved to the reception desk where they paid the entrance fee and received maps of the various exhibits.
Julie felt Babs’ eyes on her and glanced to the side. “Before you ask…yes, I’m nervous.”
Babs linked her arm through Julie’s, and they walked across the massive, multi-storied entrance hall toward the first exhibit room. “Just remember that we’re two friends deciding to enjoy a day at the museum.”
Julie nodded, having been drilled for the past twenty-four hours in what was going to happen. After the Keepers had gone back to their secret lair, as she called it, they had come back upstairs and met with her. Walker had begun the explanation, telling her that when Drew made the call to Joseph, the conversation had quickly come to the point where Joseph had asked about the woman Drew had rescued and hoped all was well. Knowing Joseph had asked about her sent a shiver down her spine, but she was more determined than ever to help.
She had wondered how Drew was able to set things up, but Walker would only tell her that Drew was the consummate professional who managed to drop enough hints that Joseph would’ve been able to find out where and when she was going to be without it seeming as though Drew was setting him up.
Now, she was in the beautiful museum filled with exhibits of paintings, sculptures, antiquities, and yet, could not focus on the exquisite works of art.
Babs gave a slight tug on her arm and said, “Stop looking around like you’re looking for someone. Remember, we’re just strolling through the museum, enjoying our afternoon.”
“I hope I don’t see him,” she admitted. “I’m not sure I can hide the emotions on my face.”
“Don’t worry about him. You know the plan…we’re under constant surveillance. The Keepers are stationed everywhere.”
Her forehead crinkled, and she whispered, “I don’t see how you can have that many big, handsome men hanging around a museum and not look suspicious.”
Babs snorted and replied, “I know you’re right about them being handsome, but because I work with them every day, I guess I’m immune.”
Coming to a stop, she turned and said, “Immune? How could you be immune to that?”
“You forget that I’m around them all the time. You should smell them when they come out of the gym. That’s one of those times I definitely don’t think about them being attractive.”
Julie tried to stifle her giggle, not wanting to make too much noise in the quiet museum. Sobering, she cast a slanted gaze toward Babs and asked, “Does that immunity go for Drew as well?”
Wincing, Babs quipped, “No, I notice. I just don’t let myself go down that particular rabbit hole. No sense in wanting something you can never have.”
About to retort, Julie’s words halted in her throat as Babs stopped one of the guards moving past a large group of tourists that were gathered around a guide. In a loud voice, she asked, “Can you tell us where the Mayan exhibit is?”
The guard smiled widely at the two of them, then promptly pointed them in the right direction. Thanking him, they turned and moved toward the wide staircase heading to the second floor of the East wing.
“I have to admit,” Julie said as they walked up the staircase, “there are a lot more people here than I thought.”
“When I knew we were coming, I looked up some information on this museum,” Babs said. “It has one of the most comprehensive art collections in America. The West wing was added less than ten years ago.”
“When I was reading about the Mayan artifacts exhibit, I saw where the new renovation brought in work from South and Central America,” Julie said as they rounded the top of the staircase and made their way toward the exhibit.
As they stepped through the entryway, Julie smiled at the works of art displayed. There were decorative pieces of pottery with detailed scenes painted on them. Another case contained gold and jade stonework. A large portrait mask that would have been of an important figure, possibly a ruler, was displayed in the next case. She forced herself to stand in front of each display, pretending to read the information about the object while being terrified that Joseph was suddenly going to appear next to her.
As though reading her mind, Babs whispered, “You’re doing great. If it makes you feel better, I can tell you that Blake is in the room with us, and Bray is just on the other side of the doorway.”
She wished that Walker could be with her or that he would be near, but Mace had insisted that he and Drew stay out of sight. They were the two that Joseph would recognize and give away their presence.
The next display definitely captured her attention as it was an intricately carved incense burner top. The details included the rendering of a human head with wide, circular ear flares and a large headdress. It was so similar to the many carvings she saw on the pyramids and temples. It had only been a couple of weeks, but right now Mexico seemed very far away. Closing her eyes for an instant, she tried to remember the feelings she had when she saw the wonderful Mayan cities, but her eyes jerked open at the memory of seeing Joseph with the gun in his hand. Swallowing deeply, she allowed Babs to lead her around as she forced her thoughts back to the task at hand. More cases of painted vases decorated with Mayan gods, dishes, and jewelry were displayed.
In the farthest case was a U-shaped yoke to be worn around the waist of the ballplayers. She instantly remembered Hernando leading her and the girls around the ball courts at the various cities. A slight smile curved
her lips at that memory, and she vowed that one day she would be able to think of her trip to Mexico and remember the many wonderful things that she had experienced.
She heard a soft whisper and glanced to the side, seeing Babs speaking into her hidden radio. Tate had set her up with an undetectable earpiece and microphone. Looking at her, Babs then said, “No one has spotted him. Let’s keep moving around.”
As they made their way into the jewelry exhibit, a large group of high school students was pushing by them, causing both women to be jostled apart. Julie felt a sudden onslaught of panic, breathing easier when Babs grabbed her hand and pulled them back together. “I can’t believe how crowded the museum is today,” she complained. “All these people make it hard for me to see who’s coming up on us.”
Shaking her head, Babs said, “No, it’s really better. Joseph would feel more secure in making a move when there are lots of people around. It’s the best way to draw him out.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she muttered.
Babs grinned and assured, “Don’t worry.”
They walked past the exhibits of Egyptian beaded, broad collar necklaces and breastplates, ancient Greek golden earrings, inlaid Persian earrings, and fifth-century Korean necklaces. Vowing to come back to the museum at a time when she could relax and appreciate the exhibits, Julie was glad when Babs said, “I’m hungry. Let’s hit the museum cafeteria before it gets too crowded.”
Making their way to the basement, they discovered that other people had the same idea. The teenagers had not made it down yet, but a large group of Japanese tourists was placing their orders, their guides trying to handle the money exchange. There was even a crowd near the soda dispensers.
“Why don’t we just get something to drink?” Julie suggested, looking at the long line near the food.
“Agreed!” Babs responded.
After standing in line, they paid for two sodas and proceeded to a table, sliding into the plastic seats, placing their order number where it could be seen. A young female server, a tired smile on her face, walked over with a tray containing their sodas.
“Is it like this every day?” Julie asked.
“I’ve only been working here for a few months as part of my work-study scholarship,” the server replied. “I was told that the last weeks of summer are the busiest, and I have to admit it’s true. We’ve been swamped for the past three weeks. I make it back to the counter and the next order is ready for me to deliver.”
Handing her a generous tip, they looked at each other and grinned, glad to be sitting after walking around the museum for the past two hours. Glancing around surreptitiously, Julie whispered, “Are we still under surveillance?”
Babs laughed and nodded. “The only place we’re not is in the ladies’ room, but even there, we’ll stick together.”
Taking a sip of her soda, Babs scrunched her face and gave her head a shake. “I didn’t order a diet drink. Did I get yours by mistake?”
“No, I ordered two regular sodas.”
Taking another sip, Babs said, “Ugh. It must be flat.”
Julie slurped some of hers through the straw and said, “Mine is fine. It’s not flat at all.”
Taking another large sip, Babs made another face before pushing it away. “Damn, I thought I could drink it because I’m thirsty, but that’s nasty.”
Scooting her drink to the other side of the table, Julie said, “Here. Have some of mine. I don’t need to drink the whole thing anyway.”
“Thanks,” Babs said and reached her hand across the table for the cup. Her hand began to shake, then flopped palm up on the table.
Julie watched Babs’ face go slack, her mouth falling open before she slumped forward. “Babs! Babs! Oh, my God! Babs!” She had no idea which Keeper would be close, but she screamed, “Help!”
Almost instantly Rank appeared at her side, gently lowering Babs to the floor as he radioed for assistance. Bray rushed into the cafeteria, making his way to them. Julie scrambled to the side so that they could see to Babs, who was lying unconscious on the floor. He was here! That drink must’ve been meant for me! She stared in horror as her fears for Babs intensified.
39
Mace had assigned Walker and Drew to the outside surveillance, not wanting to take a chance that Joseph would recognize either of them. For the last several hours they had monitored the women’s progress as they moved through the museum, coordinating the movements of the Keepers inside.
At the first sound of a scream, Walker’s heart jolted, and he jumped up from his seat in the back of their van. Thinking Joseph had gotten to Julie, he barely registered as Rank’s voice announced that Babs was down. He and Drew rushed from the van, parked on the side of the building, both intent on seeing firsthand what had happened. Almost immediately Bray’s voice came across the radio, calling for an ambulance for Babs to get to the cafeteria. Tate was still in the van, and Walker knew that he would take care of the emergency call.
Just as Drew was bolting toward the front door of the museum, Walker called out, “I’m going to the back cafeteria entrance. If that’s where he was, that’s where he’s coming out.”
Drew hesitated for a second and Walker saw the anguish on his friend’s face. “Go. Go to Babs.”
They separated, and Walker ran around the building, calling out his position so the other Keepers would know where he was. Rounding the corner, the back of the museum extended for two city blocks. A bread delivery truck was near a back entrance, and as he neared, a man came running out, jerking a white coat off his body, tossing it to the side.
Not close, he still was able to recognize Joseph’s grey, military haircut and stocky build. His feet pounded the pavement as he raced forward. Joseph, obviously hearing the approaching, running footsteps, turned and looked behind him before running in the opposite direction.
Radioing his pursuit, he continued pounding the pavement, each step eating up more distance between him and Joseph. The race was on, and Walker knew he was going to win. He was younger. More fit. Faster. And fuckin’ pissed.
Aware of his surroundings, he noticed when Mace darted around the other end of the building, cutting off any chance that Joseph would be able to get away. Joseph stumbled slightly just as Walker kicked in an extra spurt of speed. Seeing the older man reach toward his pocket for a possible weapon, Walker leaped into the air, tackling him to the ground.
The force knocked the wind out of Joseph’s lungs, and Walker took advantage with his fists landing against Joseph’s jaw.
Blake came up from behind, having come through the museum cafeteria. Walker reared back, ready to throw another punch, when Mace ordered, “Stand down.”
His chest heaving, Walker felt the rage flow through every fiber of his being and held the position of raised fist for a moment, until Mace’s words slowly penetrated the red filling his vision.
Hands zip-tied behind his back, Joseph was hauled to his feet by Mace and Blake. Blood was coming from his mouth and nose, but he grinned nonetheless.
“You have nothing on me. No proof. Nothing that will stick,” Joseph said, then spit saliva and blood at Walker’s feet.
A white van came driving around from the side, parking next to them. The door opened and Mace shoved Joseph inside. Moving to the back door, Walker growled, “Don’t think you’re getting off so easy, old man. Where you’re going, you’ll get what’s coming to you.”
“You can’t get away with this!” Joseph argued.
In the driver’s seat, Tate turned around and grinned. “Clay took care of us. Video cameras wiped. Security cameras wiped. Traffic cameras wiped.”
Walker looked down at Joseph’s stunned face and said, “It’s like we weren’t even here, asshole.”
Blake climbed into the van, and Mace moved around to the side. Stopping before he climbed in as well, he turned to Walker and said, “We’ve got him. Just got radio notice that the ambulance has arrived for Babs, but according to Bray, she’ll be fine. You go see to y
our girl.”
Without hesitation, he turned and ran toward the back cafeteria door that Joseph had run out of. Pushing his way through surprised food service workers, he weaved his way between counters and ovens until he raced into the large cafeteria.
The paramedics were loading Babs onto a gurney, Drew hovering nearby, his face full of anguish. Rank had his arm around Julie but loosened his hold as soon as he saw Walker running toward them. She looked over, a trail of tears on her cheeks, and threw open her arms in time for their bodies to slam together, his arms circled tightly around her.
With his lips pressed against the top of her head, he mumbled against her hair, “It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re okay. I’ve got you now.”
She leaned her head back and looked up, her eyes searching his face. “There must’ve been something in the drink. I think it was supposed to be for me, but I never saw him—”
“Shhh,” he hushed, cupping the back of her head with his large hand. “It’s okay. We got him.”
Eyes wide, she gasped. “You got him?”
“He must have followed you to the cafeteria and made his way over to the drinks. When the server was distracted, he easily poured something in your drink.”
“Where is he?” she asked, her voice tinged with panic.
His jaw hardened, but he forced his voice to be easy. “You don’t have to worry about anything, Julie. Where Joseph’s going, there will be no escape.”
She sighed heavily in relief, pressing her cheek against his steady heartbeat once again. He sucked in a ragged breath, letting it out slowly, reveling in the feeling of her safely tucked in his arms. Yeah, where Joseph’s going, there’s no coming back.
“I want to go to the hospital with Babs,” she said, twisting her head to look toward the door where paramedics rolled Babs out.
Walker: Lighthouse Security Investigations Page 22