Somehow he had to move past all of that in order to adequately protect her. In order to finish his assignment successfully and come away unscathed.
Yeah, right.
After all these years of playing a part when working undercover, he should have enough practice at keeping his emotions in check. He should be able to harden his heart—and he was at the freezing point until Casey walked into his life, and unfortunately, smack into the middle of a cash-smuggling crime ring.
Why, God?
Would he get an answer? Probably not.
Did he deserve one? No.
He tugged back the long, heavy drapes that covered the expansive window, and peered out. His nerves were stretched taut, given the threats on Casey’s life today.
Everything would go down tomorrow night, and he still had more than his share of work to be prepared for the takedown. He massaged the back of his neck, growing more impatient by the minute. He should never have kept her here so long. Then again, he doubted there would be another attempt on her life tonight.
What was taking her so long to pack?
His cell rang. McCoffey.
“Yeah,” Jesse answered, regretting his venomous tone.
“Finally found where the call came from.”
“Great.” Four hours later. “Helms Ice.”
“Figures.”
“And the tire had evidence of tampering.”
Well, that was record time. Did it even matter anymore? He already knew someone wanted her dead. A dull ache started in Jesse’s temple. “Is that it?”
“No, it’s not. Just one more night, Jesse. Are you going to be able to hold it together that long? Or am I going to have to pull you from this case, too?”
“I’ve got it,” Jesse said, gritting his teeth. What did the man think? All his previous failures rushed through his mind in a flash—a man beaten within an inch of his life while Jesse watched, drug dealers suspecting he wasn’t one of them. All of that getting him pulled from an assignment before he got himself killed. The pressure slamming against his temples.
Everything came down to tomorrow night—every detail had to play out exactly as planned.
“One more thing. We think someone else is running the money, not Helms himself.”
“Interesting.” Jesse glanced around the room to make sure Casey wasn’t in earshot.
“Where are you now?”
“I’m in the house.”
“Can you—”
Jesse heard a noise and whirled around to see Casey glaring at him, a satchel over her shoulder and luggage at her side.
“No, I can’t.” Jesse hung up. He’d given them the thumb drive he’d found; there wasn’t anything else lying around in plain sight.
Casey rushed by him to the garage door. He drew in a breath, wanting to explain.
“I don’t even want to hear it,” she said, and opened the door to the garage, where she obviously expected to see her car.
“What are you doing? My Jeep is in the drive.”
Casey stopped, but kept her back to him.
“Your car is still at the hotel,” he said.
She sagged against the door. “I was going to take it over to Tessa’s. There’s no need for you to drive me. I’m a big girl.”
“Look, Casey, I’m sorry about everything. I know you don’t believe me…” But now wasn’t the time. “I need to make sure you’re safe. Let me at least see you to your friend’s house. Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”
“Take me to my car, Jesse. It will seem strange if you drop me off there. I’ve already called Tessa, and she said I could stay. Besides, I need my car to go to work in the morning.”
Casey’s tone was aloof, calloused. But Jesse could hear the strain. It was costing her.
Just one more night and the sting operation would be over. Just one more night and he wouldn’t have to worry about keeping Casey safe from Carlos.
“All right, Casey. You win.” To his deepest regret, she could be out of his life forever. But maybe that was for the best.
* * *
Casey slid into her car after Jesse looked it over, both inside and out. It crossed her mind to start the engine, leave the parking lot and just keep driving. She could drive right down Main Street and keep going, eventually hitting the freeway. But she was beyond tired and had no place to go except back to Oregon.
Jesse sat in his Jeep, and through his windshield, she could see him staring at her. She knew he was waiting for her to leave the parking lot so he could follow her to Tessa’s house where some unseen agent would supposedly watch over her.
She’d seen how that worked.
Oh, Jesse…
She did as he expected, knowing there was nothing else she could do. Pulling onto the street, she accelerated and watched in her rearview mirror the Jeep’s headlights as Jesse tailed her. Hopefully, that was all she would see. She’d had enough drama to last a lifetime.
Following the directions Tessa had given her, Casey finally arrived at 2127 Lone Palm Drive. She encouraged her little green car into the driveway and parked behind Tessa’s Honda Civic. No matter, they could leave at the same time in the morning.
Casey climbed out and glanced around. She’d lost Jesse’s tail at some point, but he probably wanted to be invisible like the other agent.
Her throat constricted. Had she actually stumbled into a sting operation? Man, if her life weren’t on the line, what she wouldn’t give to get that story. To think her instincts had told her something was up from the start. She’d effectively ignored them.
Yanking her satchel, purse and luggage from the car, she slammed the door and made her way to the small front porch.
Tessa stood in the doorway, smiling. “What took you so long?”
“Jesse dropped me off to get my car. I forgot I left it at the hotel.”
“Hmm, that sounds interesting.” She grabbed Casey’s luggage as Casey followed her into the house.
“Don’t even go there. It’s not like that.” A pang shot through her heart. “I was there for the sculpture competition, remember?”
“That’s too bad,” Tessa said. “I thought you two had something going.”
Casey sighed, too tired to explain.
“I’ll show you the extra bedroom and then you can tell me why you needed a place to stay.”
Stepping into the small but neat little room, Casey skimmed the contents. A country quilt on a queen-size mattress. She remembered how comfortable the bed was at her aunt’s house and doubted Tessa would have expended that much money on a mattress. Still, she was grateful to be here.
Tessa set her luggage on the bed and Casey followed her lead, laying the rest of her things on the mattress, as well. “I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay on such short notice.”
“No problem. I could use the company. Had a blind date tonight. It didn’t work out, at least for me. Get unpacked, and I’ll make some popcorn.”
Casey slumped onto the bed. She so didn’t want to eat popcorn and stay up all night with girl talk. How safe was she at Tessa’s home, anyway? Had she brought harm to her coworker and friend by coming here?
“Tessa, you’ve got an alarm system, right?”
The woman paused in the door and studied Casey. “Things are that bad, huh?”
Behind her eyes, Casey detected a smile, and she grinned. “Yep.”
“Well, let’s go make sure it’s set. I only remember to arm the thing half the time. I grew up in a very small town. We left the keys in our cars, never locked the doors, that sort of thing.”
Casey followed her down the hallway and into the kitchen, where Tessa set her alarm by the back door.
She glanced at Casey and stuck popcorn into the microwave. “There, feel better?”
Sliding into a kitchen chair, Casey laid her forehead against her arms on the table. “What have I gotten you into?”
Tessa laughed. “I should be the one asking you what you’ve gotten me into, shouldn’t I?
”
The aroma of popcorn permeated the kitchen. Casey couldn’t think how to answer.
“I can tell you’re about to crash. Forget the popcorn. Just go to bed.”
Casey rose. “I can’t thank you enough for your help.”
“Oh, you will, girl, you will. I want to know all about your mystery man.”
In response, Casey offered a weak smile and nodded as she plodded out of the kitchen. In the guest room, she readied for bed. She didn’t think she could sleep but she had to try. She had every intention of finishing the ice sculpture and competition article for Danny tomorrow. Though she might not be a lot of things, she was a professional. After she explained everything that had happened, he had to understand and pay her for the article, although—to her chagrin—he might simply put the money toward the camera she’d lost.
Even if he did pay her, it wouldn’t be much, but maybe enough to allow her to skip town for a couple of nights until it was all over. Until Aunt Leann was back in town and then what? She wasn’t sure.
Maybe Tannin’s threat would have died a silent death by then, as well. Casey slid between the sheets, relishing the comfort of a warm bed. Though she didn’t know Tessa that well, her actions were that of a friend.
Casey closed her eyes, but her mind was spinning with the events of the day. Twice, she almost died. Twice Jesse saved her.
Jesse…
He had told her he loved her. She’d dreamed and hoped he would feel that way about her. And there it was, but the circumstances in which he’d confessed his love didn’t work for her.
Had it been Jesse the agent or Jesse the man who loved her, that had saved her today?
She rolled over to face the other wall. How could she know if Jesse loved her or not? She couldn’t believe a man who worked undercover, especially considering all the time he spent with her, pretending to be someone else. And he had an ulterior motive for wanting to be close to her.
Some investigative reporter she’d turned out to be. Although, to be honest, she had resolved not to probe when her reporter senses picked up on the strange vibes at the ice company. She’d been true to that resolution—but now she was paying for it. She’d told Jesse that she was going to investigate to prove her uncle’s innocence, but she’d been angry and hurt.
If her uncle was involved, Casey would do what she could to find out the truth—but only after Jesse’s mission was complete. She couldn’t have his blood on her hands.
Or hers, for that matter.
* * *
Everything was set.
Jesse had given the other players—his superiors and team members—the information about the time and place of the money drop and they, along with local agencies, would be ready to rain down on the ice-and-trucking company.
Tonight was the night that arrests would be made.
All on Jesse’s signal. His chest ached with the weight of it.
As Jesse paced the parking lot near his Jeep at the ice company, he tried once again to get through to Casey. Forget her cell, he called information and got the newspaper’s number.
“Orange Crossings Times,” a smooth voice answered.
Jesse was momentarily impressed to hear an actual person, rather than a computerized message center, take his call. “Casey Wilkes…er…Carson Williams, please.”
“May I tell her who is calling?”
He cringed. Giving his name might reduce the chances she’d answer. “Jesse Dufour.”
“One moment, please.”
As Jesse paced, waiting for Casey to respond, he spotted Carlos driving through the parking lot in his little red truck, heading back to the loading dock. He hadn’t seen the man since yesterday. Pure rage shot through Jesse and, still pacing, he squeezed his free fist.
He took several long breaths, knowing he couldn’t let his anger blow things for tonight.
“I’m sorry, sir, she’s in a meeting. Can I take a message?”
“Yes.” Jesse seethed and relayed for Casey to return his call. He had no doubt that she was avoiding him.
Casey, please don’t go forward with your threat to prove your uncle’s innocence. Just stay away tonight.
He marched around the side of the building, preparing to face off with Carlos.
Warning sirens wailed in his head. He squeezed his fists and relaxed them repeatedly until he finally made the entrance. No truck was backed up to the loading dock, waiting. Instead the large opening yawned like a dark cave.
Footsteps resounded from somewhere in the shadows, then Miguel came into the light. “Jesse! My man.” He held his hand out to assist Jesse up the ledge. Jesse ignored his hand and hopped up without Miguel’s help.
He pressed past Miguel. “I’m looking for Carlos.”
Miguel grabbed his shoulder. “Leave it, Jesse.”
“I don’t think so.”
Carlos stepped from behind a large box, legs spread wide and hands on his hips. “Did I hear you say you were looking for me?”
Though Jesse still saw respect in Carlos’s eyes, he also saw agitation. Jesse moved into Carlos’s space, pressing his face inches from Carlos and grabbing his shirt in his fists. “You stay away from Casey, do you hear me?”
The man’s face turned red with his scowl. Jesse prepared to receive blows. Instead, Carlos threw his hands up, holding them out flat.
Jesse tensed at Carlos’s unexpected reaction. “Do you hear me?”
Miguel stood at Jesse’s back. “Let him go, Jesse.”
“He could have killed Casey.” Jesse considered he could blow the mission if he pressed further, except his actions were how the game was played. He, too, knew they wouldn’t get another delivery boy just because he confronted Carlos.
He had to be tough. They would know something was off if he wasn’t.
Carlos pressed his hands against the wall, showing his unwillingness to engage. His non-action sucked the steam from Jesse’s train and he eased up, but only slightly.
“I swear I didn’t touch her. Miguel told me you were with her.”
Miguel squeezed Jesse’s shoulder, the familiar action coaxing Jesse to ease off. “You’re our brother now, Jesse. Carlos might not like your girlfriend, but I assured him, because of you, she wasn’t a threat.”
Jesse struggled to breathe. “Then…who?”
Miguel shrugged. “I found this.”
A knife? Jesse immediately recognized it. “The guy in the parking lot. He’s not working for you?”
Laughter exploded from Carlos. “You think I would stick that dog on your girlfriend? You think I would stir up trouble for us here so the police would come again?”
He had a point.
“I don’t know who he is, Jesse,” Carlos said.
Jesse looked at Miguel and saw confirmation. Miguel had stuck by Jesse, trusting him, making sure Casey was safe, at least from any harm Carlos could do. Acid burned Jesse’s gut.
Tonight, Miguel would find out Jesse’s true identity. He swiped a hand down his face. If it wasn’t Carlos who had tried to harm her…
“Casey…” he said, her name a whisper on his lips. “I’ve got to go.”
Jesse jogged away from his new brothers and hopped from the loading-dock ledge. Once inside his Jeep, he sped out of the parking lot and headed to the newspaper. He called his contact in Oregon.
The call went to voice mail. “Jon, I need to know Will Tannin’s status.” And he needed to know who the man was talking to, but that required warrants, and this situation was completely out of their jurisdiction. McCoffey would have a fit if he knew Jesse had been working this.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Casey sat at the desk in her cubicle at the Orange Crossings Times and allowed her head to roll forward. She pressed her palms against her forehead and pulled at her hair, feeling the tension in her scalp.
What was I thinking?
When she’d come in this morning after tossing and turning all night, she’d looked forward to the distraction of completing this
article for the newspaper. Her plans were to finish, proving she was the consummate professional even in the face of complicated circumstances.
Complicated wasn’t the right word. It didn’t come close to describing what she was going through now.
Pathetic. She was a journalist unable to think of the right word.
She stared at the story on the computer’s screen. Images of yesterday’s trauma scorched through her mind. Heaviness pressed against her, weighting her head and neck, the emotional and mental damage a struggle to bear.
Releasing a deep sigh, she knew, too, that she needed to speak with Danny about the camera. Right now, she had no images to go with yesterday’s competition, or rather she had no images that she had taken.
Plenty had flooded into the local news station with her picture via cell phones and other digital media—images of the fallen sculpture with the headline Frozen Space Needle Almost Kills.
She didn’t even want to consider that if someone had caught everything on video it could be available on the internet.
Her image could be all over the television. Jesse had convinced her that Knife Guy, as he called him, was connected to the crime ring and that the loading-dock man thought Casey had overheard an important conversation and now he wanted her to die from an accident.
Then why stick her in a freezer and lock the door? Could that look like an accident? Things weren’t tracking but her brain was so muddled at the moment, she couldn’t sort things through.
One thing she knew to be true. If Tannin hadn’t found where she was hiding before the ice-sculpture debacle, he would now.
Maybe she should have kept driving last night. Why hadn’t she?
Danny had scolded her for coming in today, and he didn’t even know the half of her troubles. Still, the sooner she completed this story, the sooner—
“At least there’s some good news,” Danny said from behind, startling her.
Already on edge, she jumped in the chair and whirled it around to face him. He dangled the camera by the strap. “We have the camera back,” he said.
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