by Lisa Harris
“It’s over, Gwen. I’ve moved on and, honestly, once I got over the shock of how I misread her, I realized I was better off without her. So can we forget about Cammie? Because I can think of a dozen things I’d much rather be talking about right now. So many things I want to show you—like this.”
They stepped into the clearing. Tall grass surrounded the large mountain pond, while white clouds billowed above them. Memories surfaced of him and his brothers fishing in the summers and skating on the ice in the winter.
I want to make memories with you now, Gwen…
“Wow…this is so beautiful,” she said.
Like you.
Gwen stood next to him, taking in the view of the trees reflecting in the water and the mountains in the distance. “And I agree. There are plenty of other things we can be talking about. Like you and your father’s idea. If you could come up with a solid business proposition, I have a lot of contacts—”
“I was thinking of something more…personal.”
“Personal?”
He took a step toward her. Surely she was feeling what he was. “Something that has to do with you and me. Because I’m not wanting a business partner right now. I want you.”
She looked up at him with those wide blue eyes that left him stumbling over his words.
“These—these last couple months of getting to know you made realize that I want you in my life as more than just a friend.” He drew in a deep breath, wishing the words didn’t sound so awkward. “I’m in love with you, Gwen.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you feel the same way. That talking to me over the past few months hasn’t been just about our shared experience, but because you feel the same things that I do.” He tried to read her expression. “And now that you know that truth about Cammie…”
“I know I’ve been pushing you away because I was so afraid you’d walk out on me like you did to Cammie.”
“And I was afraid to trust you. But I have no intention of walking out on you. And unless I’m totally off base about us and what’s going on…”
She hesitated before reaching up and putting her arms around his neck, then she kissed him.
His mind spun, as if she was bringing light to the broken crevices of his heart for the first time. The healing they both needed.
She pulled away a few inches from him, smiling. “Does that clear things up for you a little bit? Because I’m in love with you too, Caden O’Callaghan.”
“A lot, actually, because I was so afraid of what your reaction would be.”
“That could have made a very awkward weekend together, which I would hate.” She sounded breathless as she looked up at him. “Do I need to prove it to you again?”
“You might have to.”
“What about your family?” she asked, brushing her lips against his. “What are they going to think about me? I’m sure they’ve heard the story of Cammie and the things I said to you. They probably have some reservations about me.”
He pulled her back against him. “For one, I never told my family all the details, but I’m not really thinking about my family right now.”
Her smile widened. “Then what are you thinking about?”
“I’m thinking about the two of us starting something more…permanent together.”
His pulse raced as she looked up at him.
“I think I like the sound of that, Caden O’Callaghan.”
He pulled her closer. “Good. Because I’ve finally found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Read on for an extract from UNTRACEABLE EVIDENCE by Sharee Stover.
Untraceable Evidence
by Sharee Stover
ONE
ATF special agent Miranda Jareau had her eyes target-locked on Ace Steele, her Glock ready as she watched for possible threats. The man whistled along to whatever tune played in the earbuds peeking from beneath his mass of dark curls, oblivious to the covert security detail.
Randee had backed her vehicle into the space to protect Steele as she readied for her undercover assignment. She sat strategically positioned to ensure unhindered visibility of PrimeRight Laboratory’s underground parking garage. Her early reconnaissance allowed her to account for the other vehicles while awaiting Steele’s arrival.
She studied the attractive scientist, comparing his appearance against her case file again. She’d anticipated a gawky member of the intelligentsia. Instead, Ace Steele resembled a GQ model. The only consistent and accurate similarity to the file was the man’s dark-framed glasses. Either he wasn’t photogenic, or his surveillance pictures did him no justice.
Though the October morning was considerably warmer than usual for this time of year, Steele wore a buttoned tweed sports coat straining across his broad shoulders and brown Dockers emphasizing his trim waist. The unique silver metal briefcase, containing the specifications for the top secret 3-D printer gun, code named Ghost, swung casually from his hand.
Her phone vibrated, and she glanced down to read the text from her commanding officer, Special Agent in Charge Sergio Vargas. Advise status.
Target approaching lab. Randee responded.
Check in at 10:30.
10-4.
The ATF had vetted all fifty PrimeRight employees prior to the Project Ghost agreement. Only five, including Randee, had clearance to the main area and prototype. Randee’s team suspected Titus Malte would be their greatest enemy. Malte’s criminal career included avid support and connection with a local militia.
The ATF’s surveillance had uncovered communication between an unidentified party at PrimeRight and Malte. Another reason for her undercover assignment. None of the PrimeRight personnel had traceable connections to Malte; however, surveillance had determined a mole existed within the company.
Voice-altering software disguised the callers’ identities in every communication, creating an additional obstacle for her team’s technical expert, Ishi Haramoto. But Randee had no doubt she would identify them. In the meantime, Sergio had wanted an insider to ferret out the spy and keep an eye on all the parties involved.
The partners were the obvious suspects since they’d have the most to gain, but that was too easy. “The butler did it” type of thinking. If the spy was a trusted member of the PrimeRight employees, he or she was a traitor and didn’t deserve to breathe free air.
With one final survey of the garage, Randee concealed her department-issued weapon inside her oversize tote. She contemplated leaving the bag unzipped for quick retrieval, but she couldn’t chance Steele seeing the gun.
Annoyance at the pencil skirt and matching blazer she had to wear for this assignment threatened to put her on edge again, but she shoved it down. She’d conduct her mission with the same professionalism and excellence she did everything, even if the wardrobe didn’t allow for her shoulder holster.
A grin tugged at her painted lips. Truthfully, she’d have a hard time explaining why Randee Jones—her alias as PrimeRight’s newest accountant—brought a gun on her first day, but she’d find a way to keep the weapon close. Just another necessary accommodation in protecting the top secret prototype.
Randee stepped out of her vehicle, hefting the tote onto her shoulder, then reached in, grabbed her steaming vanilla chai latte and trailed behind Steele. She increased her pace, wobbling slightly on her black leather pumps and splashing a little of the coffee on her wrist.
She winced and slowed down, heels clicking against the cement floor. What she’d give for her comfortable combat boots.
Special Agent in Charge Vargas had recruited her for the PrimeRight case, and Randee hoped it was because of her unblemished employment history. After all, she had a box full of awards and accolades as confirmation of her outstanding performance.
A decade ago, Randee soared to the top of her class by exceeding
the performance of some of the toughest men she’d ever encountered and risen up the ATF ranks with the goal of being promoted to bureau chief before she turned forty. She’d joined the academy at twenty-nine—making her one of the oldest recruits with eight years as a Nebraska State Patrol trooper under her belt. A lofty ambition at that time. Nearly impossible now since it left a year to accomplish her dream.
However, there was a greater likelihood Sergio chose her because she was the only member of the team with previous accounting experience. No matter. She’d jumped on the opportunity to pose as PrimeRight’s accountant while guarding Project Ghost. But seven months of grueling physical agility training had failed to prepare her for the downside of this mission—the required business formal dress code.
Randee hadn’t admitted she’d last worn pantyhose at her academy graduation, and her accounting experience occurred before her trooper days. She’d be dragging terms and procedures out from the recesses of her mind for sure. Sergio had teased her about the eight-to-five schedule. Compared to the extensive overtime she normally worked, the office routine would be a vacation.
The rumble of an engine diverted her attention to the garage entrance. A black utility van approached, morning sunlight beaming off the chrome grill. Randee turned and spotted Steele sauntering toward the door of the adjoining laboratory catwalk. Still oblivious to her and his surroundings.
She increased her speed, her gaze bouncing between the van and Steele. Overreacting would blow her cover—a definite negative on day one.
The vehicle advanced at a normal pace. Randee scurried over to the opposite side of the garage, closing the distance between her and Steele, prepared to intervene.
With a roar, the van sped past her and screeched to a halt, blocking her path to the scientist.
Randee dropped the latte, splashing hot liquid onto her legs. She bolted ahead, tote bouncing against her hip, and rounded the rear of the vehicle as two hooded men—dressed entirely in black—leaped from the open side door.
She lunged, and her bag slipped off her shoulder, then flopped to the floor. Snagging the closest of the assailants, she caught him off guard. With her hand around his chin she yanked him backward, driving her palm into the back of his head in a classic occipital stun maneuver. The latest training technique worked, and the man slumped to the ground.
Randee’s gaze flew to Steele, who was swinging his oversize briefcase at the second attacker, and nearly smacked Randee. She ducked as the assailant latched onto the briefcase, tugging it from Steele’s hands.
The hooded man faced her with triumph in his eyes until Randee’s foot connected with his knee, hyperextending the appendage.
He screamed and dropped to the ground, clutching his injured leg as the briefcase skidded across the concrete.
Steele reached for the case, but the man lurched upward, tugging Steele down to him. The men rolled on the cement in a flurry of punches and kicks.
Randee scanned the area for her tote, spotting the brown-and-pink print several feet away. An unexpected tackle from behind shoved her down. The attacker ran over her—literally, stomping on her back as he sprinted for the briefcase beside Steele and his adversary.
Randee rolled and swept the attacker’s legs out from under him. He bounced against the floor, then growled before delivering a sharp blow to her stomach, knocking the wind out of her.
He drew back his arm, preparing for a second hit. Randee blocked the punch, regaining her momentum, and allowed her training to shift her into autopilot. She wrapped her ankle around the man’s leg, inverting herself over him, then drove her fists into his ample gut and jaw. She jumped to her feet, ignoring the pain in her hands, and lunged for her bag.
“Forget it! Let’s go!” the driver behind her yelled.
Randee spun to see the wounded men retreating into the van. She spotted the briefcase lying beneath a parked sedan as the screech of tires reverberated in the garage, announcing the men’s hasty retreat.
Steele rushed to her side. “Ma’am, are you okay?”
Randee glanced up. “Physically, yes, but this isn’t the impression I hoped to make on my first day of work here.” Assessing her clothing, she frowned at her ripped skirt and the large run in the left leg of her pantyhose.
“You must be Randee Jones. Our new accountant.”
“Yes, sir.” She walked past the pool of vanilla latte oozing caramel liquid onto the ground.
“Combat skills aren’t part of your job description, but you’ve got those in spades.”
Randee swallowed and shrugged. Great. Now what? She snatched the coffee cup with two fingers and dropped it into the closest trash bin. “Self-defense class at the YMCA,” she blurted.
He quirked a dark brow over the rim of his glasses, disbelief in his expression. “Ace Steele. My partner, Fritz Nelson, and I own PrimeRight Laboratories, although I’m technically the senior scientist. Not sure if that means I’m old or at the top of the proverbial career ladder.” He held out his hand and gave her a firm handshake. Definitely a positive in her book.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Steele. Here, let me help.” She walked to the briefcase, lifted it and passed it to him. “Wow, do you carry an anvil in there?”
“Ace, please.” Mahogany curls peppered with silver highlights framed his face and strong jaw. The man appeared unfazed by the attack, but reservation in his royal blue irises spoke more. Ace Steele was nothing like she’d expected.
“Since we were attacked, I’m hoping I won’t be in trouble for my tardiness this morning?” Randee joked.
“I’d say you have a good reason for the delay. Hopefully, the lab’s security cameras caught the license plate.” He pointed at a silver camera hanging in the corner.
She’d have Sergio pull the footage immediately. “That was crazy. Are these types of occurrences normal around here?” Randee worked to sound curious while masking her interrogator skills. “Got any idea who those men were?”
Steele frowned. “The beginning of the end.”
Ace Steele never planned to be a murderer, but that wouldn’t matter if the contracted plans for the ATF’s top secret 3-D printer ghost gun and bullets, named Project Ghost, landed in the wrong hands. He would bear the burden of and responsibility for numerous deaths. Every life-stealing, disintegrating bullet forever branding him as a killer.
He led Randee into the PrimeRight Laboratory offices while his mind raced in multiple directions. “You’ll want to meet with Yolanda to finish your paperwork,” he said in a half-hearted introduction to the office manager.
“Good morning.” Yolanda stood and greeted Randee, curiosity etched in her expression at the woman’s appearance.
Ace gestured toward the phone on Yolanda’s desk. “Police are on their way. We were attacked in the garage. Call me when they arrive. I need to talk to Fritz.”
Yolanda’s hand flew to her mouth.
“Ma’am, are you sure you’re all right?” he asked Randee, studying the pretty brunette. Even with her long, disheveled curls and the disrepair to her clothing, she was stunning.
“I’m fine. Thanks, Mr. Steele.”
Her wide doe eyes met his, sending a strange jolt through his chest. Ace spun on his heel and murmured, “I’ll be back.” Then hurried down the hallway determined to aim his cantankerous mood at his partner.
He never should’ve agreed to the ATF’s conditions, but the increase of illegal ghost guns available to criminals at the touch of a 3-D printer was alarming. Anyone with internet had access to download the specifications for printing the external components. The inner workings had not yet been developed or released. Ace was tasked with inventing an entirely printable gun including disintegrating bullets before the criminals beat him to it. The ATF assured him his efforts would be spearheading legislation regarding printer guns while giving the authorities a head start in protective efforts. Which was a
nice way of saying, once he finished his portion, the rest was classified and none of his business.
Randee and Ace could’ve been killed this morning. Although the extensive security embedded inside the briefcase acted like a portable armory, increasing the weight while protecting Project Ghost’s plans and latest—functional but not perfected—prototype. At least the attackers hadn’t stolen the briefcase. Small consolation since they’d also gotten away.
Randee Jones was nothing like he’d expected of an accountant. She’d been so composed and confident, fighting back against the assailants. The woman intrigued him.
Once more he considered the petite brunette’s amazing combat skills. If the YMCA taught that kind of self-defense, he’d recommend them to everyone he knew. But something in his gut said that wasn’t where she’d learned to fight.
If only his sister, Cara, had known how to defend herself. If he’d been braver and responded to her murderer the way he’d done today, she’d be alive. And he wouldn’t live smothered under the weight of his mistakes. The familiar cloud of guilt he’d befriended after her death hovered close again.
His life wasn’t the only one at risk. Randee had been in danger, too, proving he’d made the biggest mistake of his career by agreeing to Ghost’s development. And he intended to fix that immediately.
Agitation building with each step, Ace stormed into Fritz’s immaculate suite and blurted, “My office. Now.”
His partner flashed his million-dollar smile, phone pressed against his ear, and signaled Ace to give him a minute. Fritz procured contracts for intricate project development, and Ghost was PrimeRight’s first government deal. He’d hoped to move the laboratory in that direction permanently. He was probably committing Ace to another wretched top secret, stressful project.
Spinning on his heel, Ace walked to his adjacent office and sank onto his desk chair, head in his hands. “Lord, I never meant for it to happen this way.”
Did God listen to murderers? Doubtful. What did it matter, anyway? He’d never be forgiven.