~~~
The front door of Tessa’s house sounded like a portal to paradise by the time she reached Grass Valley. Sam had relieved Ken Montgomery of the car and headed back to the warehouse in Sacramento where she’d filled her in on the story she’d fabricated. By the time Sam finished, Tessa was too tired to ask many questions and fully expected her husband to retell about the chance meeting with Dr. Samantha Cordova. Having Sam run interference explained why he hadn’t tried to call her all day. Maybe.
“Thanks, Sam. I appreciate you coming up here to check on the kids and deal with Robert,” Tessa said climbing into her own car. Sam had bought her a change of clothes: jeans and a sweater plus a denim jacket. The snow boots were too big, but fur lined so she didn’t care.
Sam only raised her chin in acknowledgment and climbed into the car with Carter, Zoric, and Martin.
Chase lowered his head into her repaired car and eyed her, as if by doing so he might discover some bruise or scrape that would lead to Robert asking too many questions.
“You’ve got the doll?” he asked in a dry voice.
Tessa focused out the windshield to avoid staring into his face. “Yes. I’ll take good care of it.” She sighed and faced Chase. “You know, Handsome could have let Reeva kill us and take the diamond. Obviously, he doesn’t trust her with the information. He lied to protect us.”
“He lied to protect the Kifaru, Tessa. You mean nothing to him. He’s using you. If what you told us on the way back is true, then we need to find out who the real owner of the diamond is. For all we know, Handsome plans to take the diamond and promote himself to dictator of Botswana. We need to find the rightful heir to the Kifaru, if there really is one, which I doubt. But Handsome is pretty proficient at spinning a tale to convince people of noble intentions.”
He meant her. They all thought she got into trouble because of some do-gooder mentality. She didn’t care. Thinking the best about people sure helped her sleep at night.
“Will the Kifaru be safe with me tonight? I can bring it in tomorrow after the kids go to school.”
Chase grinned as his eyes slid over her hair and face. “Sure. We have some local cops who owe us a favor who will be watching over you tonight in case someone makes contact. If Handsome shows up, it would be best if the diamond is in your possession. Just don’t go anywhere with him.”
“I believe him, you know,” she said flatly. “Which is exactly what he wants, and I’m good with you believing his crap. You let him keep imagining you with wings and a halo and we’ll do the rest.”
“You are so condescending,” Tessa fumed, frowning up at him.
Chase grinned the way he did when laughter might spill out from deep in his throat. “You do realize because of you, we may be able to stop chaos from engulfing another African country.” He reached in and ruffled her hair like she was a rowdy ten-year-old boy. She jerked away from his touch. He laughed.
“So now you don’t want me to touch you,” he mused. “A few hours ago—”
“You are not to ever mention undressing me,” she warned. “The whole story will be misinterpreted. I’ll never live it down.”
He pounded lightly on the roof of the car with his fist then added a final word. “Just so you know—I can’t imagine life without you, either.”
The devilish smile made his high cheekbones hard and tight as he shut the door. He walked away, only to join Sam in the back seat of the waiting car.
~~~
“It’s about time,” Robert called from the family room. “I was getting worried.”
Tessa strolled in and dropped her purse on the breakfast bar separating the two rooms. So much for the portal to paradise. “What’s in the bag?” he asked, clicking off the television.
She carried the canvas bag Sam had brought with her clothes. The doll was inside. “Oh.” She lifted it up in the air then spun away. “There was a little secondhand shop across from the repair shop. Since I had to wait, I thought I’d check it out.”
“We need more junk,” he quipped. “I’m fine, by the way,” he added.
Tessa tucked the bag into a drawer then filled a cup with water and set it in the microwave. “What?”
“I’ve been sick as a dog all day.”
“All day?” she said pushing the start button.
“Well, half the day. Oh. Your drop-dead gorgeous friend came by with donuts for the kids and let me know you weren’t coming home.”
Tessa took a deep breath. “Sorry about that. She called to say you decided to stay home. Kids asleep?”
“Yes. Went to bed about an hour ago. Where have you been hiding her? Your friend, I mean. She suggested we all get together sometime.”
“I bet,” Tessa mumbled.
“What?” Tessa hadn’t noticed until Robert stood up he had dressed for bed. “Very sweet woman,” he continued.
Tessa arched an eyebrow and purred. “Yes. She certainly is. So, you were sick?”
“Yeah. Your friend makes coffee to perfection. Unfortunately, after the first cup I didn’t feel so good.”
Tessa removed her cup from the microwave and dunked a tea bag several times. She suspected what had happened, and this time it actually sounded pretty funny to her. “Did the kids meet her?”
“Yeah. Sean Patrick tripped over his tongue when he saw her.”
“Are you sure we aren’t talking about you?” Tessa tried to sound jealous, although she could care less.
Robert joined her and set her tea on the counter before hugging her. “She can’t hold a candle to you.”
She smiled and kissed him on the mouth, a little longer than she had intended. “Right answer.”
“Ready for bed?” he said stroking her arms.
Tessa needed something. There remained a lot of pent-up emotion or energy stewing inside her. A guilty conscience also needed to be quieted. What better way to do that than to make her husband happy. He was a good man. She didn’t deserve him.
“I’ll turn out the lights. See you upstairs in a minute.”
When the coast was clear, she took the doll and stared at it for the longest time. Then, carefully, she removed the head and shook it. She ran her finger inside.
The Kifaru diamond was gone.
Chapter 26
“G one?” Chase stood with his legs apart and folded his arms across his chest. He needed to do something to hide his rising irritation. He listened to her explain again she’d last seen the diamond before the first avalanche. “So, while we tried to stay alive, Handsome removed the diamond.
“I’m sick about this,” she admitted. “I trusted him.” She walked to her office window overlooking the university campus. “I’m sorry. I made so many mistakes. Again.”
Chase dropped his arms to his sides. “I think you’re underestimating Handsome. Taking the diamond into Africa would tip off the wrong people if caught. He didn’t seem to be on friendly terms with Reeva. He only wanted her connections to get out of the country. I can’t imagine he’d trust her enough to take the diamond too far.”
“So, now what?”
“We wait until we hear from Handsome. He thinks you are going to help him, no matter what. I don’t think we’ve heard the last from him.”
Tessa walked out from behind the desk then sat on the edge and braced her hands on the surface. “Somehow, I feel I let him down.”
“Dig deeper and see what is going on. Our benefactors for Enigma aren’t happy about what is going on over there,” Chase ordered.
“And, honestly, why should we care about this, except from a humanitarian point of view, of course?”
“Money laundering isn’t good for America, especially when it might involve a ruthless dictator or terrorists. Africa has Al-Shabab, Al-Qaeda, and the one you hear about in the news, Boko Haram. Those guys are a plane ride away, not to mention anyone can slip across our borders if they really want to. We need to make sure these guys aren’t funded with US money in any way.” He couldn’t help remembering how Han
dsome warned him if Tessa didn’t help him, then her family would pay the price. “I suspect he’ll reach out to you. But, this time, don’t leave me out of the loop, no matter what he says.”
Silence rose between them until it became awkward. She eased off the desk then circled back to sit down, wheeling the chair up close. Stacking colored folders then thumbing through some graded papers, she threw herself into the role of disinterested professor until Chase reached over and laid his hand on hers. She jerked her hand back as if bitten by a spider, but Chase left his palm on her stack of papers.
“What?” she snapped. “Is there when I get a lecture on being rogue, stupid, inexperienced, or too trusting?”
He dropped the other hand on the desk and bent farther over the desk so he could be eye level. There was a chance this move may have triggered memories of Afghanistan, but he thought she was working through all those nightmares. Apologizing wasn’t going to change the fear following her around like a shadow.
“Why are you so nervous?” he asked. “I don’t blame you for any of this. You’re an agent, and you’re going to find yourself in situations where you have to make decisions. My only problem with what you did was I don’t trust Handsome, and I certainly don’t trust him with someone as inexperienced and trusting as you. Fortunately, he really did want your help. But what if it was something else?”
Tessa sighed and diverted her eyes. Was she thinking about Afghanistan or the tribesman who kidnapped her and forced her into a relationship she still found difficult to escape mentally? She remained prim and proper around him except for a few instances where he imposed his will on her, like at the cabin.
“About me undressing you.” When she narrowed her blue eyes back at him, he rubbed at the familiar pain in his chest.
She followed his movement then frowned. “What about it?” she bristled. “You did what you had to do. I understand. I just don’t want to be kidded about it or be reminded of having your almost-completely naked body smashed up against me to save my life.”
He straightened then rolled his shoulders. “Guess I better retract the memo to the team that nothing happened.” The effort it took to keep a solemn face when horror leaped to her eyes caused him to pivot and head for the door. “I better go take care of it.”
The phone rang. She glanced down at the caller ID and frowned. “I need to take this. Heather wasn’t feeling well this morning.”
Chase grinned and left her. As he shut the door, he touched his earpiece to plug into her office. He stopped in his tracks when he heard Tessa answer the call.
“Handsome. Yes. I’m fine. Where are you?”
~~~
Robert skipped lunch two days in a row, came in early, and stayed late to reclaim time lost the day he stayed home. By the time he drove to Grass Valley well after dark each night and ate some leftovers from the refrigerator, there wasn’t much time to catch up with his family. Something seemed to be eating at his wife.
Did she still suspect him of cheating with that South African woman? What about the FBI? Had they contacted her? What a nightmare. Was Reeva actually still alive? The woman in the jewelry shop could have passed for her twin. And why did Agent Martin show up at the same place? Nothing about this made sense. Several times he’d thought someone was following him on his commute home.
“Rough day?” Tessa sat down on the couch and curled her feet beneath her.
Even in sweat pants and a tee shirt, Tessa managed to pull off relaxed elegance. “Yes. I need to catch up is all. You?”
“Met with the kids’ school to put the finishing touches on the spring festival. Should be a good moneymaker. I invited some people from the university to offer their services.” She shrugged and took a sip of her evening cup of decaf tea. “Something different this time.”
Robert rubbed his eyes. He didn’t care. The FBI had him in the crosshairs of ruin.
“You and I are going to work the cookie booth. I volunteered to make twenty-five dozen chocolate chip cookies. I’m not the only one, of course…”
Robert stopped listening. Cookies? Why did he have to help? He hated this kind of thing. His mind returned to work as he fixed an interested gaze on Tessa’s mouth moving while he solved real problems, like billable hours, new clients, making partner, and, of course, what to do with those diamonds he’d paid Reeva for at the hotel. Were they traceable?
“Sam said to tell you hello.” Tessa smiled over the rim of her cup.
His attention diverted to his wife. “Oh. Nice. She one of them helping at the festival?” Maybe this school thing wouldn’t be a total bust after all.
“Funny. She wanted to know if you’d be helping, too. Guess you guys hit it off. She hasn’t committed yet. I doubt it, though. Sam doesn’t really do those kinds of events.”
“Maybe she could have a booth to sell her book,” Robert offered enthusiastically.
“Hmm. Maybe. An economics book seems pretty dry reading for a spring festival. Probably wouldn’t sell much, and she’d have to be willing to donate the profits.”
Robert could imagine her standing at a booth all dolled up in a sequined dog collar and leather, selling her book. Then he pictured a line of fathers leading out the door and down the block. “Worth a try.”
“I’ll see what she says. Oh, have you gotten any packages at work in the last day or so?” Tessa set her cup down in a chipped saucer. I had something sent to your office so Heather wouldn’t find it. I got her a handmade doll I found on Etsy for her birthday.”
Robert rubbed his eyes then squinted, trying to remember. “Maybe. Left it on my desk. Thought it was office supplies I ordered. You know I don’t like you sending things to my office, Tessa.” This had an immediate effect on her. She stuck out her bottom lip and diverted her eyes. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so snippy. Been a rough week or so at work and, of course, the conference before that.”
Tessa picked up her cup again. “You never told me about the conference. Meet anyone interesting, I mean besides that woman who hit on you?”
“Nope. Boring stuff. Boring people.”
Tessa’s expression sharpened, and he steeled himself for further interrogation, but she uncurled her legs and went to the kitchen to warm her tea in the microwave. Maybe this would be a good time to come clean with the rest of the truth concerning his little conference nightmare.
“Tessa, we need to talk, honey.” Robert loosened his tie then ran his hand through his hair and found an escaped gray strand. Maybe he should buy the stuff he saw advertised on television to make men appear younger.
“I’m all ears,” she said standing next to him as he pushed himself out of the recliner. “What’s up?”
“When I went to San Francisco… Is someone at the door?”
Tessa headed in to the door and peeked out the curtain. He joined her and pulled her back so he could see. His swallow echoed in his ears as he unbolted the door and swung it open.
“Hello, Robert.”
“Special Agent Martin. Kind of late, isn’t it?”
Tessa extended her hand, and the agent quickly grabbed it. “I’m Tessa. Special Agent? FBI?”
“Yes, ma’am. We don’t really go by Special Agent. Can I come in?”
“Do you have some ID?” she quizzed.
“It’s all right, Tessa. I know this man.” Robert felt like he was about to be marched to the gallows. “Can you make us some coffee, please?”
~~~
While Agent Martin and Robert were chatting, Tessa brewed coffee and opened up her laptop to check the status of the package supposedly on her husband’s desk. If she could track it, then so could someone else. It wasn’t her idea to send it to the office, and she’d told Handsome as much. She carried a small metal tray into the kitchen with a pot of coffee, cups, and a small plate of cookies. The men sat on the edge of their seats, chatting like old friends.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Scott. I brought someone with me who is waiting out in the car.” Agent Martin raised his
eyebrows and held her gaze. “I bet he’d like a cup, too.”
“Sure,” she said eagerly. “Is this a private conversation or can I sit in?”
“Sorry, honey, it has to do with work.” Robert’s smile created an almost-wax museum image.
“Rats. Sounded juicy. I’ll take the coffee out in a disposable cup.”
“Thanks.” He nodded.
Tessa pulled on a light jacket before she headed out the door with the coffee. When she got to the car, the window on the driver’s side was already down. She passed the drink to the driver.
“Chase.” She drummed her fingers on the doorframe. “Don’t you have a date with one of your brainy bimbos or something?”
“Don’t you have something to share with me?” he asked sarcastically.
She pulled a listening device from her jacket pocket. “Here. This is for you. I know you listened to my conversation yesterday with Handsome and then traced the call. Why didn’t you confront me? Was it another test of loyalty?”
At his dark, intense stare, she stopped drumming and gripped the door handle. “You really do need a good spanking, you know?” His words didn’t hold the usual playful insinuations.
“When you think you can,” she said flippantly. “Anyway, we have a problem. There’s a package in Robert’s office from Handsome. You need to get it because the UPS people have a tracking number attached, and if I can read it, so can hackers.” She handed him a keycard. “This will get you inside the building.” Next, she pulled out a regular key. “This is to his office. You’ll find another doll and the diamond. I’m afraid if we wait until tomorrow, something will happen to it.”
“Thanks. I had Vernon take down building security for us. I’m glad you called earlier to let me know what to expect.” He returned the keycard. “We already took care of it, Tess.”
“Then why are you here?” Tessa observed how he rubbed his chest then reached out the window and grabbed her arm.
The Enigma Series Boxed Set Page 122
