Deadly Interpretations

by Andie Alexander

  No. It wasn’t good at all, especially for me. I had no idea I even had pens with paper inside. No wonder they didn’t write very well. Now I’d have to buy some new pens.

  Chapter 9

  I stared at the papers and pens on my bed in disbelief. “What did I do?”

  “Nothing, but it’s not looking good for you. Did you know those papers were in there?”

  “No. Why would a pen have papers in it? That makes no sense.” I looked down at the bed again. “Why would someone put papers in a fat pen like that?”

  “To pass codes without anyone else knowing it. Someone has access to your purse and you don’t even know it.”

  I stared back at his face. “Like whom?”

  “I have my suspicions, but I’m not saying anything. Just remember Queen Eva, the witch.”

  I could only imagine what the lady looked like.

  Chris entered the room wearing gloves. He nodded and winked at me.

  “Just do your job, studly,” Jim muttered. “Those papers need to go to the lab, along with all this other stuff.” He pointed to the pens on the bed and added a few things from his pocket. “I want it all analyzed for anything.”

  “Where did it all come from?” Chris asked.

  “Dieter. Just tell them that. I also have a diary with tons of contact names for them, and will hand that over myself after I read it.”

  “You’re going to read my diary?” I asked.

  “Yep. Cover to cover. That’s going to be my job, and I hope to have it done tomorrow before the big boys demand it.”

  “You’re going to hand it over? It’s personal.”

  “We don’t care. You might have more in there than you think. It seems unlikely, but you may have been chosen for this job for a reason. I bet one of those people in that book knows more about you than you think and may be watching you as we speak.”

  “What a scary thought.” I couldn’t believe it. I was innocent, right? I knew none of this, yet felt guilty for some reason.

  Someone knocked on the front door and I jumped. Jim may be right, and I was officially spooked.

  “Answer it and get rid of the person,” Jim whispered to me. He took my arm and walked with me through the living room to the outer door.

  I glanced out the peephole. “It’s Billy.”

  “You’re done with him,” Jim whispered. “You’re with me now.”

  “No, I’m not. He’s an innocent bystander and I’m not going to dump him. This is my life and you’re the intruder. Don’t forget that,” I whispered with a hiss.

  He knew I was mad, because his eyebrows rose and he started to laugh. “Yes, ma’am. I’m with you. You’re not going to be alone. If anyone realizes we have those papers, your life’s in danger.”

  “Fine. Who are you then?”

  Billy knocked again. “Harley, I know you’re home. I have to talk to you.”

  “I’m a friend of your brother’s,” Jim whispered.

  I eyed him up and down. “You’re kind of old to be Scotty’s friend. What are you, a child molester?”

  “No, I’m his mentor or something. Now answer the door and keep it brief.”

  I unlocked the door and stared at Billy.

  “Where have you been?” He glanced around the corner and saw Jim standing beside me. “Who’s this clown?”

  “A bozo and now a clown, huh?” Jim stuck out his arm and shook Billy’s hand. “The name’s Jim Manford. I’m a mentor for Scotty. It seems that someone’s been supplying him with cigars and teaching him how to smoke them.”

  “Uh, about that…” Billy said.

  “You gave a twelve-year-old cigars?” I asked. “Are you insane?” I crossed my arms and stared at Jim. “You’re right. I’m done with this.”

  “Wait. Are you dumping me?” Billy asked.

  I clenched my jaw, staring at the jerk. “You’re not worthy, if you ask me. You’re not a good influence on my brother, either.”

  Billy leaned over closer to me. “But Harley, our deal.”

  “Tough.”

  “Who’s at the door?” Scotty asked from behind me.

  Jim took my arm and we walked out into the hallway, partially closing the door behind me.

  “I can change,” Billy said. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  Jim crossed his arms, looking smug. “That’s interesting. You went to a strip club and picked up two women tonight. Is that the way you want to hold onto Harley?”

  “You what?” I exclaimed. “Is that the pressing engagement you had tonight?”

  Billy stared at his feet. “Well, you can’t go out unless you have someone to watch Scotty, and I wanted to do something fun. I figured you wouldn’t like it—”

  “You’re right about that.”

  Billy turned toward Jim. “How did you know I was there?”

  “I have my ways.” He picked a piece of pink boa feather off Billy’s shirt. “It’s pretty obvious, too.”

  “Are you dating Harley?” Billy asked him.

  “It’s none of your business. Now go find your two bimbos and leave Harley alone.”

  “I’ll call you,” Billy said to me. He leaned in for a kiss, but I backed away, my arms still crossed. I turned and opened the door. Jim and I walked back inside and then closed it behind us.

  “I love you,” Billy exclaimed from the other side of the door.

  “Yeah, right,” I murmured, and then turned to Jim. “He’s a loser.”

  “He’s also not gone yet. What was that comment about your deal?”

  I couldn’t tell anything, or I was sure the entire government would be on my doorstep. “Nothing. He’s delusional.”

  But from his expression, he wasn’t convinced. “I think not. Something’s going on and I’m going to find out what it is.”

  I shook my head, thinking of a way to divert his attention. “It’s nothing and he’s gone.”

  “He’ll be back, because now he has a competitor. Me.”

  “Wonderful. Would I be justified in shooting him?”

  Jim smiled. “No. Now, do you want to watch a chick flick with me?”

  I turned up my nose. I wasn’t a chick flick type of girl. Give me blood, guts, and adventure and I’m a happy camper. “Sure, but make sure it’s a chick flick you like.”

  “What? You don’t like chick flicks?”

  “No, but they seem to be your thing, so you decide what you want to see. Make some popcorn and we can do your nails and hair later.” I turned from him and walked toward the kitchen.

  “You’re more complex than I thought.” He joined me, checked his watch, and took a box from the counter. He ripped open the nicotine patches and stuck one on my arm. “Ready for bed then?”

  I stared at the thing sticking to my arm, certain it wouldn’t work. “Sure, but alone.”

  “No. There aren’t enough beds in this place and I’m your right hand man.” He steered me into the bedroom. “You need to get your sleep so tomorrow we can get Scotty on his way and you and I can be alone.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that,” I muttered.

  He stopped me near the bed, spun me toward him, and put his hands on my shoulders, looking serious and extremely sexy. “I’m here to protect you and I mean that. I didn’t like the way Boris talked to you or how he considered me an annoyance tonight. He has some type of ulterior motive and I’m going to find out what it is. I’m also going to read that diary and find out why you’re such a hot item right now—to more than just every man who meets you.”

  I had to ignore that comment. “Are you going to be the Arabic interpreter tomorrow?”

  He smiled, his eyes lighting up my heart, for some reason. I had a tough time keeping it in control, but he was absolutely charming. “Until they find someone else, I’m the guy. Kent was happy with my work. If you know the language, it’s not that bad a job.”

  “I thought you were going back into medicine?”

  “No. That was for the people on the other end of
the listening devices. I like my job too much. There’s never a dull moment and I don’t have to hang around sick people. That job was a drag—sick, sad people all day long wasn’t fun.” He glanced into the hallway. “Get ready for bed, and I’ll be back. I have to talk to my men.” He walked out of the room.

  So I got ready for bed and slid between the sheets. I lay there, looking at the white ceiling and wondering about my life. Why was Jim so endearing to me? Was it because he could save me in more than one way? And, why was I being targeted to do the dirty work of the Chinese and Russians? Why did they need me? I was sure there were other interpreters around the world who could do what they wanted. They may not have been in the United States, but they could’ve flown them to New York. I didn’t volunteer for this situation and never would. And what was up with that pen? Pieces of paper? It looked like numbers and letters on them. Weird. Definitely weird. I’d never leave my purse out of my sight again, even in my office. And no more pens in my purse. Pencils were sounding better and better.

  Chapter 10

  After a few minutes, Jim returned, dressed in blue shorts and a white t-shirt. He crawled in beside me, pulling the covers over him as he lay on the pillow.

  “Comfy bed,” he said. “And a queen-size. Why did you buy such a big bed?”

  “When I came back from Switzerland, Scotty was a scared kid. Mom and Dad had just died in that horrible car accident, so I bought a bed that would be big enough for both of us, in case he got scared. I would’ve used their bed at their house, but Harold was borrowing it for a while. Anyway, Scotty ran in here a few times, but eventually, he stayed in his room.”

  Jim leaned up and kissed my cheek. “I’m glad you did that. Otherwise, I’d be on the floor.”

  “You might be anyway, if you don’t keep your hands to yourself.”

  He moved his hand to my side and massaged my stomach. “You say that with your head, but you really feel otherwise, deep down. I know that.”

  I held onto his hand and slid it off. “Do you think Elizabeth will be in that meeting with Boris and me?”

  He moved both of his hands to mine with a grin. “No, I don’t. I’ve been in close contact with MI6, and they’re tailing her almost as much as I’m tailing you. She’s been interpreting for Boris on a private level for weeks now, at least.”

  “So why do they need me if they have her?”

  “I’m worried about that, especially with the pen. From what I understand, Elizabeth wants out. She doesn’t want to do his interpreting any more, and they need someone who speaks both Chinese and Russian. Something happened between Boris and her, and MI6 won’t tell us what it was. We think it was something sexual, from various comments.”

  I couldn’t believe it. “Elizabeth? Are you sure? She’s very prim and proper.”

  “Not when she’s drunk. She’s a loose woman and will sleep with anyone.”

  “I had no idea. So was she sleeping with Boris, even though he’s married?”

  “I don’t know if it was Boris or one of his men, or even someone on that team.” He leaned up and gave me another kiss. “But whatever happened, it ended badly. MI6 wants to hide her, but she won’t let them because she’ scared.”

  So I was taking the job of a marked woman who wanted out. Did I really want to walk into a situation like that? I didn’t think I really had a choice.

  Jim moved his hands around me and nuzzled his lips against my neck, kissing me all over.

  I removed his hands and held them in the front. “What are you doing?”

  “Going to sleep. I like goodnight kisses.”

  “One goodnight kiss, then you keep your hands to yourself.”

  He pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around my back. “Do you mean like this?” His lips captured mine in a very sexy aggressive move, and I felt every nerve ending explode the whole way down my body. He was a take-charge kind of guy. I always wished Dieter would take charge in our relationship, but he was a pansy, compared to Jim. My next boyfriend, Claus, was worse, and Billy, non-existent. But Jim…he was generous, could almost read my mind, and chivalrous. If he just weren’t so nasty, he’d be a keeper.

  Jim pulled his mouth back from mine and blew out a breath.

  “You’re really hot,” he whispered. “Where did you learn to kiss like that?”

  “From you.”

  He laughed and gave me another kiss. “Sweet dreams for a sweetheart.” He cuddled up to me and threw his arm over my stomach. “I’ll be here if you have any nightmares.”

  “Thanks.” I pulled the covers up and closed my eyes. “Like I could move if I wanted to.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  ~~~~~

  “Harley.” I felt a kiss to my cheek and opened my eyes. Jim had showered and was fully dressed, so I closed my eyes and rolled over away from him.

  He pulled me to my back as he lay beside me. “No, it’s time to get up. You have to go to work today, remember?”

  “You go for me. You know Russian, so you do it.”

  “I can’t. Remember, I’m doing the Arabic. Now, get up or I’ll throw you onto the floor.”

  “You won’t. You love me, remember?”

  “I never said I loved you.” He pushed me off the side and I hit the floor with a thud, looking up at his eyes peering over the side as he grinned. “I said you were the type of woman I’d marry. Big difference.”

  “That hurt, you scum.” I rubbed my back. “How mean can you get, anyway?”

  “Pretty mean.” He laughed.

  “I don’t get it. You want to marry me, but don’t love me and want to hurt me? What kind of idiot do you think I am?”

  “Not an idiot at all. It takes time to fall in love with someone, but if I woke up next to you every morning, that would be a dream come true.”

  I sat up and continued to rub my back. “Psycho. Stupid doctor bedside manner, if you ask me. Doctors shouldn’t hurt people.”

  “Get up and get ready for work. Breakfast is waiting for you.”

  “I only have mint tea with a shot of vodka in the morning.”

  “Vodka?” He wagged his finger at me. “Oh, no. Not today. I don’t want a crabby person hanging around with me.”

  I stood up and stretched out my sore muscles. “Did you have to hog the bed last night?”

  “It wasn’t me. You were the one laying on top of me.”

  “I doubt that. I stay in one spot.”

  “Not last night.” He took my hand and directed me to the bathroom. “Now, get ready for work.”

  “But I need clothes and a cigarette.”

  “No cigarettes and I’ll get your clothes for you. You need someone to take care of you.”

  I shook my head, threw my hair back from my face, and crossed my arms. “No, I don’t.”

  “Yes, you do, and I’m just the guy.” He leaned closer. “That’s the only way people are going to buy that I have to stick by your side.”

  “I’m independent and don’t need a daddy figure taking care of me. I’m nothing like that.”

  “You are now.” He pushed me into the bathroom and shut the door. I undressed, turned on the shower and stepped inside, then heard the bathroom door open and close again. I looked out from behind the curtain and saw some clothes lying on a pile, but he wasn’t there. Nice of him, but extremely controlling. Maybe I had to rethink this idea that controlling was good. He was so pushy, I had to thwart his advances somehow, the rat.

  How did this all happen? I was happily dealing with my life when this guy conveniently wandered into my cubicle. It suddenly hit me. Did Billy go to the strip joint on his own, or was it orchestrated so Jim could walk in and pick up the pieces? I bet Billy was given a discount to go, too, because he’d be stupid enough to fall for it. That Jim—what a scummy man. No man was going to rule me, whether I felt sorry for him or not.

  I finished my shower and got dressed in the white blouse and blue slacks with hose and high heels he’d brought into the bathroom, more determine
d than ever to take care of this problem and kick him and his thugs out of my life.

  Just as I entered the kitchen to give Jim a piece of my mind, the phone rang.

  I grabbed it with a scowl and bellowed into the mouthpiece. “Hello.” My voice was surly and I wasn’t a happy camper.

  Jim raised his eyebrows from where he was drinking his coffee at the dining room table and reading the diary. “Moody…much?”

  “Will you accept the charges from Harold Black?” a woman over the phone asked.

  “Yes.” I seethed at Jim’s comment, shooting him a dirty look. He laughed, but I was ready to haul off and whack him across the head.

  “Harley, it’s Squirt. You had an emergency?”

  I turned back to the phone. “Yes. I need you to take Scotty,” I said in a hushed tone. “I’m kind of in danger here.”

  Scotty ran up behind me. “What kind of danger? I can take them all on.”

  Jim stood up from the table and approached Scotty. He put his arm over the teen’s shoulder and took him back into the living room, having a quiet conversation the entire time.

  “Was that Scotty?” Squirt asked.

  “Yes, it was. He doesn’t know what this is about, but I’m in trouble because of my job. I have to get Scotty out of harm’s way and keep him hidden. Can you take him for a little bit?”

  “I can take him forever.” I was sure he was smiling. “I can teach him all about communing with nature and feeling free in your own skin without the confines of clothing. You know, summer’s the best for that type of thing and since it’s almost May, it’s warm enough.”

  What was I doing, sending my younger brother into that situation? “I want him to stay clothed. Got it? I’ll bring him back as soon as I’m out of trouble.”

  “Not a problem,” Squirt said. “Can you bring him up here?”

  “About that…I was hoping you could come here. If I drive up there, the Feds might—”