The Enigma Series Boxed Set

by Tierney James

  Tessa had no illusions of privacy. Chase appeared to be intent on the baseball game, tossing his ball in the air and catching it over and over again without so much as looking at it. But Tessa knew the captain would not miss a word.

  “Robert?” Tessa clasped the phone like a romantic embrace. “How are you?”

  “Great. Let me just say how much I love and miss you, sweetheart.”

  Tessa could hear snippets of kids asking for more marshmallows. She guessed they were making s’mores. She also heard another woman’s voice talking to the children.

  Although the volume was low, Tessa knew the speaker phone could be heard over the ballgame. “I miss you too, sweetie. How are the kids? They okay? Do they miss me?”

  Robert’s warm laugh helped relieve Tessa without him ever knowing it. “The kids are great and yes they miss you.”

  “Are you guys staying safe?” Tessa just had to ask as her eyes cut to Chase who appeared to be ignoring her.

  “Well, actually we had a near miss this morning, babe. Now don’t get crazy on me before you hear the whole story.”

  Robert retold the incident about the Ponderosa breakfast in detail, trying to remain calm, even though talking about it unnerved him more than he’d expected. When Tessa didn’t say a word Robert anticipated a meltdown at the other end of the phone line. But instead he heard a calm, rational voice.

  “Let me talk to them, Robert.”

  Robert felt uneasy at Tessa’s acceptance of the story. The children were soon chatting away with their mother telling about the Ponderosa and how much they liked their new friend, Honey. Soon they scooted off to finish the s’mores and left the talking to their father.

  “You’re lucky she was there, Robert,” Tessa said carefully. “What’s she like?”

  “I donno. Young.”

  “Attractive too, I bet.” Tessa already knew she was more than attractive. Usually her husband fell all over himself for a pretty woman, trying to impress them with his wit and charm.

  “Yeah, in an outdoorsy kind of way.”

  “Honey has your s’mores, Dad. Better come eat it,” called Daniel.

  Tessa felt a wave of panic knowing a known killer was near her family. “She’s there now?” Tessa hadn’t meant to sound alarmed. Looking over at Chase, she noticed the ball had stopped flipping into the air.

  “We took her out to dinner for saving the day then the kids invited her back for s’mores.” Chase cleared his throat. “You know I was thinking about coming back tomorrow to get you.”

  Tessa smiled and switched the phone to the other ear. “Oh? Why is that?”

  “I miss your cold feet,” he laughed.

  Chase began tossing the ball up a little higher this time.

  “And I want to show you how much I love you,” he said sincerely. “I’m such a jerk.” He paused before going on. “But, this has been amazing, Tessa. You’ve done a great job with these kids and I’ve just let them slip away.”

  “Can you survive a few more days?” Tessa said hopefully.

  “Sure. I’m getting the hang of this now. And I’ll keep them away from cougars, bears and convicts.”

  “Don’t forget terrorists and assassins,” she said feeling a cold shiver creep up her spine.

  Chapter 22

  “E xcuse me, kids! I’ve got to take this call.” Honey stepped off the deck and walked further into the yard out of earshot. Darkness had fallen, stars scattered recklessly across the sky with brilliance and the air had cooled to the point of needing a jacket. She let the darkness swallow her so that her observant eyes could follow the Scott family activities without notice. Honey smiled when she’d seen Captain Chase Hunter’s picture appear on her phone. She let it ring longer than she needed before answering.

  “Ahh, the mighty Captain Hunter. What do I owe the pleasure?”

  “Mrs. Scott wants to speak with you. She knows all about you, Honey so don’t play games.”

  Chase would put her on speaker phone. “Only with you, baby.” Remembering fondly his preoccupation to detail, she knew he would listen to every word. “Put her on,” she said somewhat amused. There could be no doubt Chase intended to manage both women at the same time. She blew him a kiss just as he handed the phone to Tessa Scott.

  Honey frowned seeing Robert’s wife for the first time. Tessa Scott wasn’t what she’d anticipated. Although the day’s events had left her exhausted and her eyes were puffy from either allergies or crying, Robert’s wife was pretty. Maybe wholesome was a better description, with her shoulder length blonde hair, piercing blue eyes and pale smooth skin. She looked like a cosmetic ad, Honey decided. That could be the reason why her husband hadn’t been tempted to stray from the marital nest, what with having an angel-type looking wife.

  “Mrs. Scott.” It was not a greeting; more of a declaration.

  Tessa smiled weakly Did she notice the woman guarding her family was more than a little attractive. “Honey?”

  Honey’s eyes smiled but her mouth remained unmoving. “Yes.”

  “What you did for my boys today…” Tessa seem to strangle on her words. “I’m indebted to you. If I can ever return the favor…”

  “Tessa,” she cut in, “if I may call you that.”

  “Of course,” Tessa answered.

  “Let’s not pretend here. You’re never going to help someone like me.”

  Tessa looked bewildered. “Why? Because…” Tessa let the words fall.

  “Because I’m not exactly one of your typical book club members.”

  “Well, thank goodness for that,” Tessa chuckled noticing a look of disbelief spring to Honey’s eyes as she cocked her head sideways. “I’ve got plenty of those friends, Honey. But thank you for being the hero for my kids. Sounds like they adore you. They’re a pretty good judge of character.”

  Honey watched Chase move up behind Tessa and stare over her shoulder into the phone with critical appraisal. She arched an eyebrow and looked up at the deck where Tessa’s family laughed and sang songs.

  Suddenly a lurch of loneliness washed over her. Honey fought back the sudden feeling of isolation. “Your husband is a pretty good judge of character too,” she smiled wickedly.

  Tessa had no way of knowing that Chase frowned over her shoulder or that he’d given Honey the ‘let’s wrap this up’ sign. She had to hand it to the wife with what looked like terrified eyes, she swallowed any threatening retort and smiled sweetly. “You’re absolutely correct, Honey. That’s why I trust you completely. Thanks again.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Handing the phone to Chase, Tessa grabbed her bag and pointed to the bathroom for her turn at the shower. Chase nodded and pointed that he’d be outside talking to Honey. Closing the door behind him, he saw Zoric come around the back of the Hummer. Honey waited patiently while Chase found his spot, leaning against the hood of the car.

  “Got a message from Ben,” he said looking sternly into the phone.

  “How is the old stick in the mud?” she said flippantly.

  “He’s beginning to wonder what side you’re on, Honey.”

  Chase’s growl of disapproval would irritate Honey. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

  “He wants to know what the hell you’ve done with Dr. Haskin’s boys.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Honey realized Robert watched watch her slink out of the darkness then shove her phone in her pants’ pocket. She was livid with Chase. Would Robert be able to tell? The cool exterior she wore like Kevlar, made Honey hard to read. She bet Tessa, on the other hand, read like a book and wore her feelings on her sleeve. Women like that alerted their husbands to trouble even by the way they walked across the floor to a problem.

  “You okay?” He patted Daniel on the head as he motioned for Sean Patrick to go inside. The kids were so tired they volunteered to go to bed on their own.

  Heather wouldn’t let her father pick her up, but instead raised her chubby little arms up to Honey. She lifted the little girl up and felt a
strange sensation as Heather laid her curly head on Honey’s shoulder. Heather’s little hand patted Honey’s face and then she felt a wet kiss on her cheek. “I’m sleepy.”

  Honey hugged the little girl and surprised herself by returning the kiss. Robert picked up Daniel who circled his father’s neck and mumbled sleepily that he wanted a bedtime story. “Not tonight, buddy. Let’s get you dressed for bed. Okay?” Daniel nodded.

  After helping Heather with her pajamas, Honey tucked her in beneath a thin quilt. “There. All ready for bed. Your daddy will be in shortly to say goodnight.”

  Heather gave her a sleepy smile. “I want to be just like you.”

  Honey stood up tall and looked down at the little girl, and tried to remember such a time of innocence in her own life. “Why is that? You want to be a park ranger?”

  Heather closed her eyes and shook her head ‘no’. “Cuz you’re nice.”

  That depiction rarely was used in describing Honey Lynch, she realized. Suddenly she felt claustrophobic, a little panicked and a lot guilty. Honey patted Heather’s head and returned to wait for Robert by the enclosed fire on the deck. She stacked up their paper plates and threw them in the fire, closed the box of graham crackers and poured some water on the fire.

  “Thanks for your help.” She barely smiled and made no eye contact as Robert softly closed the screen door. “Your call, is there a problem? You seem a little upset.”

  Honey dusted some crumbs from her hands and moved toward the steps. “No. Just a guy I know.”

  “Boyfriend?” Robert asked with some interest.

  “Not anymore.”

  Lights faded in the Scott cabin two hours later as Honey waited in the cover of darkness. Another beautiful night, Honey thought as her eyes searched the heavens splashed with starlight. A gentle breeze initiated her tug on the hood of a sweatshirt she’d slipped on after leaving the Scott family. She could smell the smoldering fire where she’d made chocolate s’mores with the kids a few hours earlier. Their laughter still raced in her head.

  But nothing haunted Honey more than Heather’s words: “I want to be like you cuz you’re nice.”

  She smirked at that comparison. Robert appeared to be unaffected by her charms. That definitely was a first. Maybe he really did love that plain-Jane-of-a-wife; why else would he not take the hint? There existed the possibility he just didn’t find her attractive. Other happily married men had strayed to her from time to time. They paid dearly for that mistake. No matter. It would soon be over. Honey took out her weapon holstered at her waist. She moved toward the cabin. Orders were orders. Playing both sides against the middle was starting to take a toll on her. Maybe this would be the last time.

  ~ ~ ~

  Mansur frowned at the Haskins twins sleeping on the floor. Their gags had been removed, but their hands remained bound with flex ties. He’d fixed a simple meal of tomato soup earlier in the evening, pouring it into chipped Fiesta ware cups. The boys cautiously drank the liquid, always conscience of what Mansur did next.

  His bulky form seem to lumber from one simple task to another as night fell around the three room structure that was more of a shack than a cabin. The windows were open to let the night breezes cool the musty smelling room. A camping stove hissed as Mansur brewed some coffee. His thick fingers looked awkward handling the utensils needed to make soup and coffee. His curly hair needed washing and his beard trimmed, but there had been too much to do the last few days to worry about personal hygiene.

  Honey had managed to take care of herself, often complaining that Mansur smelled like a pig and why didn’t he take more after his brother. Mansur ignored her, knowing his appearance both irritated and repulsed her sensibilities. It had been the only way to tolerate her overbearing insults and provocative body language.

  Moody and unpredictable were not qualities he liked in a woman, but confidence and beauty were and Honey Lynch possessed more than her fair share of all those characteristics. He hated and admired her. Longing to strangle her very tan neck and caress it passionately kept Mansur a little off balance. It was better to keep his mouth shut and follow orders than to ponder the possibilities with the volatile assassin.

  He lumbered to the window when the sound of gravel crushing beneath tires reached his ears. The headlights of Honey’s truck swung in off the road and stopped at the edge of the small porch. Moving away to the stove he stopped long enough to rap on the bedroom door with his knuckles. Jamaal timidly joined him waiting for Honey to enter the cabin. He looked to Mansur for some kind of signal, a message, anything that would let him know everything was okay with the world again. Mansur just shrugged and smirked, knowing Jamaal was terrified of Honey and dreaded this encounter.

  “I thought I smelled pig grease,” Honey said casually, knowing the reference insulted his Muslim upbringing. She held a blood splattered ranger shirt and hoody in her hand which she tossed on a nearby wooden chair. Her purple camisole, tight and damp, left little to the imagination. Mansur diverted his eyes when Honey started to stretch but Jamaal couldn’t tear his eyes away from her breasts that showed through the flimsy garment.

  When she’d finished, Honey let her hands fall to her hips. Their eyes locked at that moment and Jamaal dropped his head and slithered away to sit at the unsteady table.

  “Creep!” she fumed as the bedroom door swung open and a self-assured Essid walked into the room. His clothing, jeans and a red polo shirt made him look more like a golf pro than a Libyan terrorist. He devoured Honey with his eyes, letting them linger on his favorite parts. Frozen in his gaze, Honey waited for the light skinned Libyan to speak.

  Essid spied the blood splattered clothing on the chair then extended his hand. Honey removed her weapon from its holster and handed to him. Sniffing carefully, Essid caught the scent of gunpowder. Smiling, he checked the chamber and decided four rounds had been fired. He walked to the stone fireplace and laid the gun on the mantle before turning to face the still frozen Honey. Opening his arms he continued to smile at his enchanting assassin.

  “I have missed you,” he said nodding to her.

  Without a moment’s hesitation Honey ran to Essid and jumped into his arms, circling his hips with her legs. She found his mouth, kissing him passionately. As he began to pull away, Honey sunk her teeth gently into his bottom lip and pulled as her own smile spread across her face. “Send them away,” she moaned into his ear as her feet touched the floor. “Now.”

  Essid motioned toward the door with his eyes making Mansur and Jamaal quickly leave. He looked at the boys curled up on the floor and knew with the drugs he’d given them they would not hear anything from the bedroom.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Still no answer,” Tessa sighed as she handed Chase the phone he’d dialed for her. “They must not be getting a signal. I wonder what they’re doing.”

  Tessa verbalized her thoughts out loud. Chase continued to drive silently, keeping an eye on his rear view mirror. She turned to look at the two men in the backseat; Mr. Crawley who looked much better today, and Zoric who also kept a cautious eye on the surroundings.

  When Zoric shifted his eyes suddenly to meet Tessa’s, he narrowed them and smiled, almost impishly like he knew a secret. Her sudden turn to face the front drew a small chuckle from the backseat. He thinks I slept with Chase! The truth of the matter, she actually had slept with Chase Hunter. Tessa started pulling her hair up into a ponytail as memories of the night before came flooding back.

  Exiting the bathroom, Tessa had found Chase propped on the bed again grumbling about how the Cardinals had beaten his team. “Well they are the first place team in their division,” Tessa smirked with a shrug. “And they’ve beaten the Giants the last three times at home. What’d you expect? They choked, just like always.”

  Chase pushed a button on the remote to turn the television off. “You’re a baseball fan?”

  “Only if it involves the Cardinals. My dad took me to a few games when we visited my Aunt Marie in St. Louis.”


  Chase boldly eyed her standing there in front of him, dressed in a pair of cut off pajamas and a long sleeve tee shirt that wasn’t really meant to be slept in. She’d made sure all the important parts were covered and started to fidget under his appreciative gaze. Her lazy blonde curls damp from the shower and her face scrubbed clean, gave her a youthful appearance. The scent of soap clung to the air as the remaining steam escaped the bathroom.

  “I’m tired. Can we go to bed now?” As soon as the words had spilled from her mouth, a blush bloomed on her face. “I mean…” the stutter forced her to move to the other side of the bed.

  Chase reached over as if to turn out the light. “I thought you’d never ask,” he grinned mischievously, knowing that Tessa Scott was so mortified that she’d probably stutter the rest of her life.

  “No. I meant…”

  Chase paused before darkening the room. “Relax, Tessa.” Again that smile: “I know what you meant. Which side do you want?”

  “Side? Side?” she said nervously. “You don’t honestly think I’m going to sleep in the same bed with you?”

  He jumped off the bed and went to the closet, pulling out another blanket and pillow before throwing it at Tessa. “Suit yourself. I paid for the room so I’m sleeping on the bed,” he said off handedly as he flopped back onto the bed.

  The lights went out. “Will you be reimbursed?”

  “Probably,” came a yawn response.

  “Then as a taxpayer, I also paid for the room.” No comment. “Fine!” Tessa pulled up the faded wingback chair and wiggled into place, propping her feet on the bed.

  Two hours passed and Tessa still couldn’t fall asleep. She tried to curl to the side, scrunch down, take her legs down and lean back, but nothing worked. Chase hadn’t moved after conquering the bed and a soft snore started soon after.