Tessa felt the tension in her shoulders and tried to move them back to appear relaxed. “Rich? How so?”
“He owns a catering business in Bethesda. Jeff works here to make contacts, pass out a few cards to the customers. Thought maybe I’d get on his good side. You never know when a girl could fall in love.” The girl eyed Tessa with amusement. “What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal is the note your boyfriend threw on the floor. Did he write it?”
“I don’t have to say jack. I know my rights.”
Tessa forced a weak smile and looked back to see Carter leave. A moment of panic rose inside her. What was she supposed to do? Clearly the girl was about as intimidated by the interrogation as Tessa would be of a melted stick of butter.
“The note. Was it inside when you got there?”
The girl stared at Tessa with a smug grin. “Go to hell.”
Tessa slid off the table and moved toward the girl. “Was the note inside the refrigerator when you entered? I need you to talk to me.” A sudden irritation began welling up inside her.
“Make me, you stupid cow.”
Before Tessa could stop herself, she jammed her six-inch black heel into the girl’s foot.
Even when the girl screamed and started to rock in the chair to escape, Tessa didn’t step back. Tears burst forth from the young woman before she withdrew her heel. Grabbing the young face with one hand, she squeezed.
“Do you know who I am?” Tessa whispered as she heard Carter run back into the room.
“Police?” she sniffed.
Tessa gritted a smile and pinched tighter. “No. I’m a junior high teacher that is sick and tired of self-absorbed brats oblivious to the meaning of respect and appreciation.” Her hand continued to tighten. “Do you have any idea how frustrating that is?”
The girl shook her head violently and managed to free herself. “You can’t do this to me.”
“Tessa!” Carter warned.
She slapped the girl with surprising force. “Of course, I can. I’m not the police, the Secret Service or anything else. I’m just an underpaid teacher who wants a little payback.”
The girl started to cry and looked to Carter for assistance. Tessa couldn’t see him shrug away the young woman’s rising fears.
“Now.” Tessa forced her voice to soften. She leaned her head in closer. “What did you call me a minute ago?”
“I’m sorry,” she screamed.
Tessa felt something inside her snap out of control. What was happening to her? This kind of violence went against everything she believed in. Show kindness and kindness will be returned. Be generous and blessings will follow. Biblical teachings tried to crowd into her psych. She pushed them out. The life of her uncle hung in the balance. Finding him before Enigma or the Secret Service was paramount.
“The note,” she snarled. “Don’t insult me, give me ‘my rights’ crap because if you do I’m going to reach in that ugly mouth of yours and rip out that tongue stud. Then I’ll ram it up your nose. Are we clear?”
The girl burst into tears again and nodded. Through gulps of air she spoke. “Some old guy was leaving when we walked in.” She sniffed several times. “When he shut the door air pushed it up.”
“Then what happened?” Tessa kept her body close and threatening.
Snot drizzled down across the girls lips mingled with mascaraed tears. Tessa thought the girl looked like something in a vampire cartoon. She shrugged one shoulder almost shyly before looking up with pleading eyes at Tessa.
“Jeff grabbed it then read it to me. That’s all.” Her voice sounded a little pathetic now.
Tessa shifted her eyes to Carter who motioned for her to continue. The feeling of absolute power surged through her. The gentle side of her experienced surprise at the unexplored emotional monster brewing inside her. Her heartbeat quickened as she became tipsy with euphoria.
So, this is why they do it, she reasoned. Another kind of drug created a sense of invincibility and strength. The knowledge that someone at Enigma recognized a thirst for control in her formulated the possibility her virtue was in question. Was it the director or Chase?
“Tell me about the man leaving the refrigerator.”
“Donno,” she whimpered.
Tessa took a deep breath. “I’m not going to hurt you. Think. What did he look like? Was there anything that stood out? Something different?”
“Well he was old. Older than you or that guy over there.” She raised her chin toward Carter.
There was probably an insult in the remark, but she decided to ignore it. “Good. Was he dressed like you?”
“Yes. No. Actually he had on different pants.”
The girl wore black pants and a white jacket with a mandarin collar just like the other waiters. “Do you mean jeans?”
“Cargo pants. The kind with pockets on the front and side.”
“Build?”
“What?” The girl was starting to regain some control. The rebellion started to surface.
“Short, tall, skinny, fat? Build.”
“Taller than you but shorter than that idiot over there that keeps checking out your ass,” she quipped.
Tessa turned to look at Carter puckering his lips up in a frown, something Tessa wasn’t used to seeing. His eyes met hers as he lifted an eyebrow.
“Who is he anyway? Some dumb Fed?”
“My handler. He’s here to make sure I don’t lose control. I have a few anger issues. The shrink keeps saying I’ll get better,” Tessa smiled wickedly as the girl’s face paled. “But the shrink isn’t here and I’ve been off my meds for a few days. I’m feeling pretty confident right now.” She rolled her head as if loosening up neck muscles. “The hurricane seems to have thrown my emotions into overdrive.” A sigh escaped her lips as she nonchalantly continued. “The pants. Did they look empty? Was he stealing?”
“Now that you mention it they were a little bumpy. I don’t know. When can I go? Is this about us getting it on in the fridge or some old guy?”
“Did he say anything?”
“No. He just looked silly and left.”
“Silly?”
“He pulled down a ball cap over his eyes and slithered out, all creepy like. We just laughed at him.”
“Did you see him put anything into his pockets?”
“No. Now can I go?” The girl pleaded.
Tessa remembered just a year ago how she’d begged to be released from the clutches of Enigma agents. All requests were denied.
She turned, walking toward Carter who took a few steps back through the door where they could be alone.
“Someone must have left him what he needed for tonight.” Carter sounded concerned.
Agent John Elliott, Secret Service joined them and put his hands on his hips. Tessa grew aware of his shoulder holster when his black suit coat pushed back. “This guy says they were in there for a little slap and tickle. Teenagers,” he growled with disgust. “Really focused on her not wearing any panties, not much else.”
Carter relayed the information Tessa squeezed out of the girl. “They don’t know anything else,” the agent snapped. “Just a couple of stupid kids. We’ll keep them here until the president leaves just to make sure though.”
Someone pushed the boy past them and into the room with the girl. Derogatory remarks spewed at the agent. Tessa fought the urge to go back in to make the girl apologize but the agent withdrew as quickly as he’d entered.
“Carter you and your partner split off from us. Head upstairs. I’ve got the area sealed off but you can go up the exit. My men checked in five minutes ago and said there was no sign of Mr. Wakefield. I told them you were on your way.” The Secret Service agent narrowed his eyes as they skimmed over Tessa. “Are you carrying a weapon, Agent Scott?”
“Does it look like she could carry a weapon?” Carter said as he led her out into the long hall where the president entered earlier. “I’m not sure where he thinks you’d put a gun in that dress?” he said fli
ppantly. “I think this exit leads upstairs.” The Secret Service agent at the door stepped aside for the two.
“Anything?” Carter asked the bulky agent.
“No. Quiet. No in or out this way. The other guys are at the bottom of the stairs at the far end of the balcony. The door is secured. Here.” The agent handed Carter a key. “You’ll need this.”
Nodding, Carter opened a steel door and turned to see Tessa frozen in place. The anxiousness on her face and the nervous hand movements told him she wasn’t quite up to Enigma Intimidation 101.
He extended his hand not realizing his usual boyish grin now morphed into a stern reprimand. “Stop second guessing yourself. You did well in there.”
“I’m not cut out for this life.”
Releasing her hand Carter pulled out a Beretta from inside his suit coat then nodded toward the stairs. “None of us are. We do what we have to do. Now get your act together in case we run into your uncle. If you’re not calm he won’t be. Just this once, Tessa, do this for your country and not some misplaced family loyalty. If you want your uncle to stay alive we need you on your game.”
“You’ll let me talk to him first if…”
The sound of a closing door above them whispered a whoosh.
Slamming their bodies against the cool concrete wall along the steps, their gazes went upward. The lights flickered when a clap of thunder rattled the building. Stimulated senses forced them to creep up to the first landing then on to the top of the stairs. He touched his earwig but there was no immediate response.
Carter tried the door. It was unlocked.
Cracking the door open enough to take a quick look, he saw nothing. Something wasn’t right.
“Shouldn’t the door be locked?” Tessa whispered.
He nodded without taking his eyes off the empty entrance to the balcony. Motioning for Tessa to follow, they slipped inside.
The thunderous applause of the audience below covered the rage of a hurricane slamming into the D.C. area. A short documentary film on the effects of global warming presented by a National Geographic sponsor sounded epic as the lights dimmed. The deep penetrating voice of a well-known celebrity began narrating the presentation. The music sounded sweeping, laced with ominous warning. Tessa couldn’t help but think the background music made for great drama considering they were looking for her uncle who planned an assassination attempt on the president.
Most of the time, the plush carpeted balcony hosted extra seating for conference goers and banquets. Tonight the Secret Service demanded it be closed to protect the president from a shooter. Running lights around the baseboards, although dim, provided enough clear sight for the two Enigma agents.
Stopping, Carter touched his earwig. With a slight nod of his head, he indicated Tessa needed to stay close. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he moved forward to look over the railing.
“This area was cleared not more than five minutes ago. Someone forgot to lock the door we came through. Screw up. The storm caused a slight delay in answering me. They’re at the other end, at the bottom of the stairs. No in or out without their eyes on target.”
Tessa tried not to take offense at the use of the word ‘target’. Gingerly she looked over the railing. Heights gave her trouble. Feeling her heart pound a little harder, she convinced herself it was nothing like the time Chase grabbed her while she dangled off a bridge.
“Are you alright?” Carter looked around anxiously thinking something had spooked her. “Did you see something?”
Shaking her head Tessa’s voice came out in a hoarse whisper. “Seems like I get into trouble where heights and Enigma are concerned.”
A mischievous grin appeared on his face. Tessa felt a little comforted by the expression; making the situation more about a rascal ready to make a move on her than pitching forward over the railing because of a stray bullet.
“You certainly got yourself in a lot of trouble a year ago.”
Jerking her chin up, she narrowed her eyes. “Really? Is that how you remember it, because I recall that your boss was the cause of everything that went horribly wrong in my life that week?”
Carter continued to smirk as he lowered his weapon and eyed Tessa. “And here you are again, up to your pretty little eyeballs in another conspiracy. Correct me if I’m wrong but you kept saying it was divine intervention that brought you to us.”
Swallowing an angry retort, Tessa had to admit it certainly felt that way a year ago. Now she wasn’t so sure. God didn’t strike her as a practical joker. What in her life would cause God to toy with her sanity again? “That was then. This is now.”
Leaning in to whisper, Carter couldn’t help but chuckle. “Nice come back. You’re such an innocent, Tessa. It’s no wonder our captain feels…”
Suddenly he straightened and peered across the vast empty space over to the darkness on the other side of the balcony. Something moved.
Still annoyed by Carter’s lack of empathy, Tessa huffed, following his stare. She saw the shadow too as her body grew paralyzed with fear. Just as she shifted her gaze at Carter, something slammed into his forehead propelling him back against the wall.
Chapter 16
T he prime minister of Israel waited impatiently with the president in a small room just off the conference hall. The smell of steak and chicken still clung to the air with a hint of smoke from those who requested well done meat. The soft clink of china being cleared, failed to cover the self-serving tone of the Hollywood narrator in the documentary. Speculating that the voice did not match the brain in terms of intelligence, Gilad rolled his eyes upward in apathy. His steely demeanor created a false sense of calm in front of his companion, Samantha Cordova.
Watching her stand prim and proper in her black silk suit, he found the thought of her wearing something black and lacy underneath a welcome distraction. Knowing she brought the Kimber Ultra Carry he’d given her as a gift just this morning for taking such good care of him, he felt confident she would take down any threat against him. A mental note to thank his brother for reconsidering to let Samantha continue to be his escort meant he probably would be in Ben’s debt.
Taking a deep breath, he exhaled then glanced at his watch. The sound of fury outside the hotel appeared to be intensifying. Rooms had been reserved in case the hurricane prevented them from leaving after the speech. This could be a hell of a night if things didn’t go as planned. It didn’t make much difference where he stayed. Chances were no one would be getting any sleep.
The scent of some exotic spice Samantha bathed in earlier, drifted to his senses. Realizing his disappointment of not being able to explore the possible options of another night wrapped in her control, he leaned into her and whispered. “Come back to Israel with me, Dr. Cordova. You and I are good together.”
Samantha never flinched as she continued her vigil of surveying the room. The prime minister’s bodyguards stood close. There shouldn’t have been a need to worry. “You would quickly tire of me, Sir.”
The prime minister chuckled lightly. “Perhaps after the first twenty or thirty years, but by that time I will be dead.” Her slanted cat eyes turned on him with affection. “Unless I die tonight of course.”
“We won’t let that happen, sir. Security is tight. Between the Secret Service and Enigma, not even a cockroach could get in. Be a good boy.” A seductive smile appeared before she turned her eyes away. “I have plans for you later.”
“Hmm,” he said between clenched teeth. “Whatever my little brother is paying you I will triple. Think about that.”
Sam took a step away. “Yes, sir. I’ll do that.”
~~~
This effect on men gave Sam an edge others resented. There weren’t many women agents at Enigma. Most of them worked in the technology or strategic planning offices. Women instructors, moles and couriers held positions, but the ones capable of being agents often stayed with the CIA or FBI. Career paths were clearer with those agencies. Blurred lines rather than stiff protocol and regula
tions suited her style. The few women she encountered at Enigma navigated away from her. Then Tessa Scott ruined everything.
Clenching her teeth, the thought of the woman from Grass Valley momentarily blinded her with rage. Without her help a year ago, a serious terrorist threat would have jeopardized the medical community as well as the nation’s food supply. Captain Hunter protected her like she was the Holy Grail.
Rejecting the idea, the captain held affection for the bumbling idiot nauseated her. The whole team appeared to have fallen for the save-me-I’m-so-helpless façade Tessa displayed. The fact remained, the captain never looked at her the same way he did at that trouble maker from Northern California who stumbled into their lives.
Earlier she’d heard from Director Clark, Tessa had been selected as a temporary agent until this Jake Wakefield mess cleared. The thought occurred to her this could be another distraction that need terminating. Whoever said competition was a good thing didn’t understand her vindictive nature.
A movement near the door caught her eye when she realized Chase listened to something on his earwig. With his head down thoughtfully, Sam could tell his concern reached beyond the assassin. Was he thinking of that little twit from Grass Valley?
“Something wrong, Chase?” Sam moved to his side.
He lifted his eyes toward the president. “I’m going to check on Carter.”
Sam laid a firm hand on his arm. “He’s fine. He’s not going to move on Betty Crocker when he’s working.” She understood Carter only pretended to be interested in Tessa to unnerve Chase.
“I know. Stay close to them.” He nodded toward the president and the prime minister. “Just going to have a look around. Thought I heard something.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“I’d feel better with you watching them. Sounds like the Hollywood part is over. The prime minister is up first.” Chase eyed Sam. “What’s the problem?”
“Why wasn’t I consulted on Tessa joining the Enigma team?”
When her frosty glare continued to bore into Chase he spoke through gritted teeth. “It wasn’t my decision to bring Tessa in. Get over yourself.”
The Enigma Series Boxed Set Page 53
