The director of Enigma wasn’t sure if all the changes had anything to do with the Grass Valley woman. Most of those events could be explained one way or another.
The biggest change had been in his team leader, Captain Hunter. Whatever ongoing relationship brewed between them was speculation at this point. The man everyone looked to in a crisis had always been quick to pull the trigger. Charging into dangerous situations compelled other men to follow him without question. He’d become cynical and bitter over the terror he’d witnessed.
Escaping China after his missionary parents were killed by the Red Guard, losing his sister to a drug overdose, then his grandmother in the Twin Towers, created a calloused and hardened fighter on the battlefield. The strain had begun eating away at any humanity left in him when Tessa stumbled haphazardly into his life.
Even before he could see his face, Ben knew the approaching shadow belonged to the captain. He walked with purpose, all the while looking cautiously to any open doorways shrouded in candlelight or fading flashlights.
Feeling Tessa’s shoulder pull back beneath his hand in some kind of bravery, the director felt her begin to stand awkwardly. By putting his hand on her elbow she stood with enough grace to hide the weakness she probably experienced after giving the president her blood. He stole a look at her face as the captain came into their light. Her blue eyes appeared to spark before a blush started up her neck.
Smiling at her clumsy attempt at strength, Chase stopped in front of the group. “The president regained consciousness as he got on the bird, Tessa. Wanted you to know he was in your debt.”
Tessa cocked her head, relieved at the news. “He’s going to be okay, isn’t he?”
“I think so. Thanks to you. I don’t know what we would’ve done without you here tonight,” Chase bragged. “As always, you’re amazing.”
Ari cleared his throat to get their attention. “Do you two want to be alone or can we get on with the business at hand?”
Hero worship gleamed in her eyes, Ben noticed. She needed to manage that a little better.
Turning back to the prime minister as the smile vanished, Tessa blurted out. “Who are you working with, Mr. Prime Minister? I doubt it’s the United States government. And who has my uncle?” Her knees began to weaken as he answered.
Chapter 24
C hase cut his eyes to the director. “Did you know the Egyptians were negotiating with Israel, Ben?”
Ben shook his head. “Not until earlier tonight, after the president was shot.” He nodded toward his brother. “He told me then. Those men you killed in the alley last night were former secret police. Of course, the Egyptian Embassy is denying any knowledge of them or why they would be here.” His harsh glare refocused on his brother. “But now we know that isn’t true. Right, Mr. Prime Minister?” The tone came across as condescending. “There’s someone on the inside of the embassy feeding you information. When the two henchmen didn’t return with Jake Wakefield the other night it was soon discovered they’d been eliminated.”
“Yes. I was contacted and sent my own people out to find him. It wasn’t that difficult. He was sloppy. He spent the night at the Israeli Embassy as my guest.”
Tessa blurted an angry retort. “There’s no way my uncle would stay with you on his own accord. You kidnapped him and implied I was working with the government against everything he stood for. That must have been when you filled in the blanks about my connection with Enigma and the injuries I sustained a year ago. No wonder he didn’t trust me.” She could feel her heart rate escalate and her face turning red. “You made me look like I was betraying him.”
Gilad took a deep breath. “Israel needs closure on this USS Liberty matter. Someone in my confidence could see that in order for the United States to continue their generous aid package several things needed to occur. Our relationship with your country has been rocky until President Austin took office. There had been a great deal of damage to our reputation.”
Shifting his weight to one leg, Chase folded his arms across his chest before speaking. “You suspected Americans weren’t happy with giving money to a nation like Egypt. It wouldn’t be too difficult in raising Israel’s status, even if it meant admitting to some pretty powerful mistakes.”
Gilad nodded before looking to his brother. “Unlike you, my brother, I want what is best for Israel. This president, unlike the last one, has a soft spot for the land of his Jesus. Admitting to our transgressions will not sit well at first, but with the honoring of those men left from the Liberty and me standing by the president’s side, I believe a new kind of respect will emerge for my nation.”
Tessa’s bewildered expression could not be masked. She looked to the director, hoping he’d fill in the blanks so she wouldn’t sound foolish.
“I find it hard to believe the Egyptian government would try and kill the president and vice president. Who is behind this?” The director’s voice, although even toned, came through gritted teeth as he glared at his brother. “When this gets out, Americans will insist on funding being withdrawn from Egypt and you know it.”
“That’s what I thought,” Gilad confessed. “However, I think I’ve been played. My source is either feeding me wrong information or he’s playing both sides to see which one comes out on top.”
“There’s another option,” Ben snapped. “Israel really is behind the assassination attempts. You make it look like Egypt has blood on its hands.”
Gilad’s face reddened. “Israel is the best friend you have in the Middle East. Why would we do such a thing?”
“You probably wanted to threaten rather than injure. That way Egypt could easily be implicated especially since you have someone on the inside. The Liberty hearings move forward, all is forgiven, no crimes against humanity for Israel because everyone is so outraged over the president being shot.”
“You listen to me, Benjamin. We had nothing to do with this. After all, I was the one who let your Secret Service know about the threat. I’m sure the CIA has already followed up on all that information.”
Tessa’s head was moving back and forth as if watching a tennis match. She rubbed an oncoming headache as their voices escalated. “Stop it,” she snapped as her hand pressed against her forehead. Her voice softened as she looked up at the two brothers. “Please.”
Chase reached to slip an arm around her waist. “Come on. I’ll get you some water. You need to get hydrated.” Ari blocked his path. He looked up into the giant’s face and snarled. “Get out of my way.”
Ari smirked, comfortable with his intimidation factor. He stepped aside and let them pass. He then went back to standing at attention near the prime minister.
After walking into an empty kitchen where only one candle still burned, he located another bottle of water. Before handing it to her he twisted the cap off. She took a quick sip only to have him force another one. When he reached for the bottle to repeat the action Tessa stepped away, jerking the bottle out of his reach.
“Stop it. I’m not a child and I know what to do. You just have to force your will on me, don’t you?”
She wasn’t aware that her voice cracked or that her eyelids were batting rapidly. The next big gulp choked her, forcing a spew of water down her chest and up her nose. The coughing started as embarrassment washed over her.
Chase leaned against a counter. Watching with apathy, he tried to hide the amusement playing at the corners of his black eyes. “If you didn’t want the water you should have just said so,” he offered off-handedly. “Spitting at me is a little undignified, don’t you think?”
Frowning, she pulled off several paper towels to pat her chest and face. “Very funny.”
This time when she lifted the bottle to her lips for short sips she eyed Chase with caution. She couldn’t see much of his face, only the white of his teeth and the creases around his eyes.
He must think I’m a bumbling idiot, she thought with regret. She sat the empty bottle down and heard it roll off the table to the floor. I am
a bumbling idiot. What have I gotten myself into?
“Feeling better? I probably can find some aspirin or…”
“I’m good. Thanks.” Tessa diverted her eyes to the floor and pretended to search for the plastic bottle with the toe of her shoe.
Both stood in silence for several minutes before Chase pushed off the counter and came to stand in front of her. “We need to talk about your uncle, Tessa.”
She cocked her head and eyed him with what looked like a reprimand waiting to explode. As her chin dropped, her lips pursed to be argumentative.
“Did Jake actually say he was working with the Israelis?” Chase spoke in a whisper as if he didn’t want others to hear their conversation.
“Implied more than anything. He did, however, say the Israelis brought in his gun. I think he was planning on taking a shot at the prime minister too. But when he saw those men storm in at the same time the president came through those doors…” Tessa caught her breath as if choking on the flashback. She filled him in on the man in the dumpster too.
Chase waited for her to finish, allowing time to caress her face with his eyes. The rapid blinking stopped and her breathing was trying to catch up with her recovery. The paleness of her skin appeared to be returning to that peaches and cream complexion he found so tempting to touch. In spite of her disheveled appearance the flickering candle light failed to hide Tessa’s wholesome kind of beauty.
It was almost a reflex now to jerk her chin up in stubbornness when she thought Chase was questioning her truthfulness or loyalty. “At this point, I have to believe my uncle planned to take out the president.” The tone in her voice sounded hopeless. “He wanted to save his friends from the USS Liberty. He didn’t want them to die another kind of death by deception. It weighed on him. Coming here for the hearings…” She swallowed hard. “This was to be closure for those men. Finally, someone wanted to listen to their story. My uncle was a hero on that day. He saved lives and never received his Medal of Honor because it would bring too much attention to a botched attack on an American vessel.”
Chase nodded in agreement. “Let’s find him, Tess.” He lowered his head enough to force her to look up. “The truth, good or bad should be told for the sake of those men. They’re heroes and Israel needs to come clean about the whole affair.”
~~~
Aware how close Chase had come to her made the warmth in the room intensify. Her eyes focused on the way his lips moved when he spoke, the deep throaty sound of his voice and the way his chest rose and fell as he breathed. His ethnic heritage made him appear darker in candle light. The scent of gunpowder and sweat reached her nose, making her nostrils flare. He unconsciously raised a finger and rubbed a spot over his heart like she’d seen him do many times.
The black tie had been removed and his exposed throat was visible from two open buttons. Tessa let her eyes slide down to his neck then back up to his black hair. She noticed the scar near his ear and wanted desperately to touch it, feel it throb beneath her fingertips. A need to press her lips against the spot flooded her senses. Did the memory of that scar haunt him when he looked in the mirror?
“Tessa, I want,” Chase stepped so close his body nearly touched hers. This time she didn’t retreat in panic at his obvious desire to have her. He stared at her mouth creating a heady sensation to rise deep inside her. Words failed as they stared into the other’s eyes, trying to make sense of the confused passion rising up between them when…
“Captain?” It was Samantha Cordova. Her eyes went to him then Tessa before leveling a dangerous glare back at what she perceived as the competition. She lifted a cell phone. “It’s Tessa’s husband.” She emphasized ‘husband’ as she handed him the phone. “Nice looking,” she cooed. “Athletic too I bet. He’s called several times.”
Chase stepped back before tossing the phone to Tessa. She nearly dropped it as her face began to redden with embarrassment. “Yes, Robert?” Her voice sounded anxious even as she watched the captain leave the room, but not before he nodded for Sam to remain.
“Hi, Honey. Just checking in. Is the storm still pounding you guys?”
The activated speaker made her nervous. Tessa met Sam’s eyes boldly and refused to look away in intimidation. “The eye passed over about an hour ago. It’s starting to look ugly again. Any news?”
“The Weather Channel says another few hours then just some bands of rain. By morning you should be in the clear. All the major network channels are covering the president’s assassination. No word on if he’ll make it or how it happened. I guess they’ve got the vice president in a safe place. Reports there say he might be dead. Donno. What a mess,” he moaned. “Tessa?”
She noted a voice tone change. “Yes.”
“I want you to know how much I love you.” Robert’s voice sounded warm and familiar, safe and comforting.
Tessa’s eyes shifted to Sam who arched an eyebrow in amusement. “I love you too, Robert. I absolutely do,” she insisted as a feeling of guilt washed over her.
“I mean I really do, Sweetheart. Knowing you’re there in a hurricane, the government is going crazy, not knowing about the president…”
“I’m okay, Robert. Really.”
“Reports say people are dancing in the streets in Gaza. Embassies are on lockdown all over the world. Americans are advised to be careful and have an escape plan if they’re abroad. I talked to our financial advisor a bit ago.”
Tessa switched the phone to the other ear. “Why?”
“Thought this would affect our nest egg investments. The stock market will be closed for a few days so nothing will happen.” He sighed. “I’d feel better if you were home.”
“The kids okay?” Tessa wondered if he’d just had enough being a single parent.
“Yeah. They’re in bed. Heather needed three bedtime stories tonight. I left work early and took them swimming for a few hours then fed them that fettuccine you left us. That stuff is coma food. No arguments about bedtime. It was delicious, by the way.”
“Oh, Robert. I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Being so…”
“Wonderful? I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
Tessa closed her eyes and turned her back on Sam who had begun to smirk. “I better go, Robert. My battery is almost gone. I’ll try to call you tomorrow if electricity is restored.”
They clicked off and Sam grabbed the phone to see how much charge was left. She tossed it back after realizing the phone wouldn’t last long. “That was touching. Does your husband know about your little flirtatious attempts at seducing the captain?” Samantha’s voice had gone to the pit bull growl she used to alarm Tessa.
“I’m not flirting and if you weren’t so obviously in love with him you wouldn’t let your jealous insecurities show,” Tessa bristled.
“You better take care of that husband of yours or someone might just turn his head enough to get a little action on the side.” Sam watched Tessa’s frown deepen. “From what I hear he has an eye for the ladies.”
Tessa tried to push past her. “And how would you know that?”
“Remember that little piece of Irish trash that was supposed to be protecting your family a year ago while you were tramping through the woods with our captain?”
“How could I forget? She was a terrorist that couldn’t make up her mind what side to be on.”
“According to her, your Robert put the moves on her there at the end. Seems the two of you had a tiff before separating for vacation. He wanted a consolation prize for being with the kids.”
Tessa didn’t believe her, but it grated on her nonetheless. “You’re not only insecure you’re a liar, Sam.” She felt a hand on her arm just before being jerked around to have Sam push her face into hers.
“Stay away from Chase or so help me I’ll make it my mission to screw with your happy little life. You got that?” She pushed Tessa away and stormed out of the room.
When this is over, I’m so out of here and done wit
h these crazy people, Tessa proclaimed silently to herself. I want my dull, boring life back, including Robert. It beats having Satan’s spawn up in my face all the time
Chapter 25
B efore slipping out of the kitchen to find a restroom, Tessa grabbed Chase’s jacket. The revealing dress kept her tugging at the bodice. Since her bladder felt like it would explode any minute, covering most of her body made her feel presentable. She nodded to one of the wounded Secret Service agents that sported a bloody bandage around his head. Whispering “restroom,” he nodded, pointing her toward the back of the room where the interrogation of the girl with the piercings took place.
The restroom, bathed in darkness, created a slight hesitation in her. Glancing back toward the entrance she relaxed. The spill of bright light given off by an LCD fusion lantern sitting on the floor gave her confidence to move forward. Her long shadow grew like some kind of ominous guard. Going into a dark room, in a strange place, gave her an uncomfortable foreboding, but her bladder insisted she take the risk.
Heat from the washers and driers still filled the room. She once again pulled off Chase’s jacket and draped it over her arm, careful not to lose the cell phone she’d shoved inside the pocket.
Slipping into the restroom, Tessa made quick about the business she’d come to do. After washing her hands, she splashed some tepid water over her face. She tried to see herself in the mirror. Even though she’d removed one shoe and left it to prop the door open, the small restroom was too dark to estimate the damage to her appearance. The dangerous thought of how Chase had devoured her with his eyes before dinner sprang up again.
The Enigma Series Boxed Set Page 62
