by Amanda Tru
“That’s not true,” Sydney said defensively. “I only ever lie with purpose. In this case, it’s enough to say that I am occasionally employed by various government agencies.”
“The family knows enough not to ask Sydney what she does,” Israel filled in. “Though no one talks about it, we’ve all assumed she does some kind of secret government work. We just had no idea Camden did as well.”
“Camden has always worked with a cover company,” Sydney explained, “He’s had legitimate nongovernment work that he uses to mask his top-secret work. He ran into a snag when his picture was leaked through a security breach in an unrelated division. For the most part, even in the government, Camden is a ghost. His boss knows who he is, but his exact identity is closely guarded. His picture as a government agent with the security task force was compromised along with a few other agents. However, it was just the photo and didn’t contain a name or any other personal info other than a few of his assignments. Camden does quality work and has made enemies, even though no one knows his name. There are many who would seek to stop his work, extract information, and then kill him if only for revenge.”
“That’s why he was supposedly laid off,” Israel groaned, putting the pieces together.
“Yes, it was. It was too dangerous to keep Camden where he currently worked. He was sort of ordered into hiding, but in this case, his hiding place was his real identity. Any name he’d used when conducting government business had been fake, so his own name should have been safe. He could continue to do work, but only if he had a different, seemingly legitimate, cover and kept his face off the internet.”
“A cover?” Bailey whispered. “Do you mean the website? Camden has been using Betwixt Two Hearts to conduct his secret work?”
It has all been fake? Everything?
Camden held up his hand to stop Sydney from responding. “Please, Syd. You don’t even know what I’ve done on this project. She’s involved. At least let me answer her this.”
Sydney nodded.
“The website is legitimate,” Camden said, meeting Bailey’s gaze directly. “Everything we’ve done is very real. But also real is the fact that I agreed to do the website primarily because I recognized it as the perfect cover. Not only that, I used it as a tool in some of my government projects. My security investigations aren’t simply for the purpose of keeping clients safe. I also use them to search and identify those who the government might have a need to investigate.”
“You used our website?” Bailey asked, her tone hurt and disbelieving. “You used me?”
Camden looked her in the eye, his gaze unwavering. “Yes, I did. I wasn’t given the choice, but that doesn’t make the website or anything we’ve experienced any less real.”
Bailey wanted to be angry with him. She felt duped. She felt used. She felt stupid that she hadn’t figured it out.
Then, at the same time, she felt ashamed that she was even upset when he hadn’t been given a choice. Camden was a hero. He probably saved lives on a daily basis, and yet, she was offended about his untruthfulness and ulterior motives with their website.
“I’m sorry,” Camden said, coming close enough to reach down and take her unhurt hand. “I can’t even promise that I won’t do it again.”
“I can guarantee that he will,” Sydney assured. “The government isn’t going to let one attack compromise Camden’s work.”
One attack.
Bailey gasped, jerking her hand from his and covering it over her mouth. “It’s my fault!” she whispered, wide-eyed. “You said Camden’s picture had been leaked. I posted a picture of him on his public Betwixt profile. He didn’t know I’d taken the picture or that I submitted his info in an account. He’d explicitly told me not to do it.”
“Facial recognition?” Israel asked, concerned.
“Yes, certain people have very sophisticated technology that can search the web, doing facial recognition on anything that is posted to the internet. Passwords don’t even matter. If it’s posted to the web and not within a government security wall, it can be viewed.”
Camden explained, “I only have that level of security around the website’s payment information, and my government work is completely separate and stored elsewhere. That level of security is a hassle, and at the time, I saw no reason to heavily blockade pictures and profile information for a matchmaking website.”
“They found you because of me,” Bailey moaned, overwhelmed with regret.
“Bailey, you didn’t know,” Camden comforted.
“Why do I have to be such a rebel?” Bailey felt sobs rushing up to take control. “I should have done what you instructed instead of going behind your back to manipulate you.”
“Bailey, what’s done is done. The important thing is that you’re safe.”
“I wasn’t the one they wanted!” Bailey’s eyes blurred with tears. “They were after you! I compromised your real identity and put you at risk. I got in the way tonight, but you are the one in danger, not me!”
“Bailey, Camden will be fine,” Sydney spoke soothingly, coming closer to her bed. “Nothing you did is irreparable. In fact, because of you, we caught some really bad guys tonight. Those two thugs bribed the restaurant host to lead Camden Hutchins to the alley. Now that we arrested them, they will, in turn, lead us straight back to one of the criminals we have been after for years.”
“So, you’ll arrest him, and Camden will be safe? “Bailey asked, barely daring to hope.
“Not exactly,” Sydney stipulated. “The man we have in mind may not even be in the country right now, but we’ll still be able to amass evidence against him, ready to take him into custody as soon as the opportunity arises.”
“Aside from you adopting the role of permanent bodyguard, how do you plan to keep Camden safe?” Israel asked.
“We will kill off Camden’s face,” Sydney said with obvious enjoyment. “Nobody knows that the name attached to Camden on the Betwixt website was actually his real name. All we need to do is release an obituary with a fake name attached to Camden’s picture. This will be widely circulated on the web and state that you were killed after an attempted kidnapping. Camden can go back to work with the website and should be fine as long as he keeps his picture off the web.”
“By the way, Cam,” Sydney, said turning to look at him directly. “How do you feel about facial hair? It might serve as an extra precaution to make yourself a little more unrecognizable from the pretty picture Bailey posted on the website.”
Camden scowled in answer but didn’t outright refuse.
“Is his profile still up?” Bailey asked, suddenly panicking. “If so, I need to delete it right now!”
“We already took care of it,” Sydney assured, walking to the window to spread the blinds and take a peek out. “A few of Camden’s computer friends had the profile removed before we even located you. Thankfully, you didn’t list Camden’s location as Crossroads but as Brighton Falls. There should be a few Camden Hutchins to keep busy around here, even if Camden’s enemies decide to pursue it. We may even add a few fake Camden Hutchins’ social media profiles just to stir the pot.”
Camden groaned. “I hate it when I have to die.”
“You’ve had to do this before?” Bailey asked, aghast.
Camden shrugged. “Well, it usually isn’t my identity that dies, just a fake alias. But, yes, I’ve been erased from existence multiple times from multiple locations. Am I even listed as a college graduate at the university anymore?”
Sydney shrugged. “I doubt it. Being a ghost is a high-maintenance job. We need to make sure you stay dead.”
A knock sounded on the door, followed by Geneva poking her head in the room. “Everyone, cover up your secrets. I’m coming in.”
The room immediately fell silent as Geneva entered.
“Bailey, I have your medicine and your discharge papers,” she announced briskly.
Before she made it to Bailey’s bed, she stopped and glared at the others accusingly. “Yo
u made her cry!”
“It’s okay,” Bailey blubbered, unable to stop the flow of tears once they’d started. “They didn’t mean to.”
Even though Sydney assured her that Camden was safe, and it really did sound like everything was in control, Bailey couldn’t seem to stop the tears. She knew that she was likely suffering the overwhelming release of tension and adrenaline. As if to confirm her theory, her shoulder suddenly felt like it was on fire.
Geneva hurriedly got her the medicine and had her sign the papers while Camden perched on the bed beside her.
She really wished he wouldn’t look at her like that. It only made her feel worse to see concern for her in his eyes. What if he wasn’t safe? It certainly sounded like Camden would continue working a potentially dangerous job. Though she felt proud of him for his sacrificing work to keep others safe, she didn’t know that she could handle the danger he put himself in. She wanted him to stay safe.
Her mind spun images of tonight and mixed them with her imagination, creating horrifying scenarios where Camden was kidnapped, hurt, or tortured, and she wasn’t able to find him. A fresh wave of tears washed over her, but it wasn’t caused by the scary images. Instead, she realized that in each of her what-ifs, her heart was the victim.
With sudden clarity, her tear-blurred gaze swung to Camden, and she realized that even though he didn’t know it, her heart had forever stowed away with him. She cried because she knew that, after tonight, nothing would ever be the same. And she cried because she realized she completely, unquestionably, and irrevocably loved Camden Hutchins.
“Camden, I’m planning to disagree with you,” Bailey said.
“Since when do you give me notice?” Camden laughed, glancing over his shoulder to where she worked across the room on her own computer. Though her left arm and shoulder remained in a sling, that hadn’t slowed her down from working, even if she could use only one hand on the keyboard.
“I just wanted to warn you,” Bailey answered seriously. “I don’t want you to get too upset when you see what I’m about to do,” Bailey cautioned.
Now that sounded more serious. Abandoning his work, Camden immediately hopped up from his seat and hurried to look over her shoulder. The last time Bailey had taken matters into her own hands it had come with severe and dangerous consequences. Though he’d noticed her trying especially hard to be cautious and considerate the past two weeks, she was still Bailey. Her attempted kidnapping had in no way broken her, and Camden held his breath in both excitement and terror for the next adventure her natural spunk landed them in. In his mind, his top-secret work ranked as far less dangerous than spending a day with Bailey.
“Don’t push the red button,” Camden teased, nodding to the screen.
Bailey laughed. “It’s the blue ‘submit’ button I’m interested in. You’ve screwed these matches up so much, I’ve got to try to fix it before we lose clients.”
Camden scowled. She still had a knack for ruffling his feathers. “Exactly how have I screwed things up?” he asked.
Bailey brought up a profile picture and explained, “Mark has gone on several dates using algorithm matches, and they’ve all gone horribly. He even paid for the most expensive matchmaker version, but he chose to only use the algorithm. Now he requested a matchmaker, probably as a last-ditch effort before he gives up completely.”
“Who do you want to match him with, and why will that make me upset?” Camden asked, hoping to skip to the end of Bailey’s tale.
“I want to match him with her.” Bailey brought up a second profile and placed the two side-by-side on her screen. “Her name is Casey, and it looks like she’s had a very similar experience. She signed up for the algorithm match option and has gone on several dates, all of which ended terribly. She did the reviews to prove it. Now she requested a personal matchmaker. If we don’t provide her with a date that is at least mediocre, I know she will close her account.”
“Why would I be opposed to them as a match?” Camden asked cautiously. So far, nothing in this idea seemed objectionable, which begged the question why Bailey thought Camden wouldn’t approve.
Bailey sighed as if resigning herself to admitting the unpleasant details. “Well, Casey recently adjusted her search radius. She must be traveling and wants a date that is in a different area. The problem is that, according to your algorithm, she and Mark aren’t a good match.”
“What do you mean?” Camden pushed, well aware that when Bailey danced around an issue, she was trying to hide something. “What number are they for each other?”
“Um… well… let’s just say they’re quite a ways down.” Bailey clicked off the profiles and began checking her email as if no longer interested in the discussion.
“Bailey,” Camden groaned. Reaching over her shoulder, he placed his hand over hers on the mouse, maneuvered the cursor back to the profiles, and hovered over the button he wanted.
“One hundred!” Camden coughed as if literally choking on the number. “He’s number one hundred on her list! I didn’t even realize you knew how to expand the algorithm search down that far. The automated settings only provide you with ten!”
“I figured it out easy enough,” Bailey assured casually, though her eyes held a proud gleam. “Remember, her search area is expanded because of her travel. It’s really not that bad. She’s not as far down on his list.”
Camden didn’t trust her. She was trying to sell him on this, which meant she was all too eager to tell him what he wanted to hear.
Keeping her warm hand under his, he found the second list and clicked it. “Ninety-nine!” he gagged again. “She’s number ninety-nine on his list! Oh, yes! That’s much better!”
“Hmmm… I guess I didn’t remember it that well,” Bailey murmured distractedly. “I just knew it wasn’t as far down. Mark’s search radius must be wide, too. I think he lives in a rural area, so he’s probably fiddled with the radius some to try to include more urban areas as well.”
Camden released her hand and straightened, folding his arms in front of him. “Why is it you think they would be a good match when the algorithm results show at least ninety-eight to ninety-nine better matches out there?”
As if given permission to deliver a rousing closing argument, Bailey eagerly jumped in to explain. “Neither one of these people knows what they really want. In a way, it isn’t your fault. The algorithm must assume a client knows himself or herself. There’s no way to account for clients who consistently pick the wrong person. They think they know the type of person they are looking for but don’t realize that’s the exact problem. They want the person who is completely wrong for them. In this case, Casey thinks she wants a certain type of guy, so that’s who the algorithm matches give her. But it never works out. I want to give her someone who is the opposite of what she thinks she wants. Same for Mark.”
Camden looked at her thoughtfully, scratching at the five o’clock shadow turned stubbly beard he’d allowed to grow for a few days. “You’ve never seemed to let my opinion bother you before. If they requested a matchmaker and you want to make the match, do it. You don’t need my permission or approval.”
“But I want both,” Bailey said, looking up at him with big brown eyes that did strange things to his heart. “I know I don’t always act like it does, but your opinion really does matter to me. In this case, both your permission and your approval are important.”
“Then you have them,” Camden replied firmly. Placing his hands on the armrests on either side of her chair, he leaned forward. With his face inches from hers, he spoke, quietly studying her every slight change of expression. “You’re an excellent matchmaker, Bailey. If you believe these two people will make a good match, then I believe you. It doesn’t matter what my algorithm says. Click your little blue button.”
Seeming slightly troubled, Bailey’s gaze flickered down, breaking the eye contact.
He straightened as she swiveled back around. With a single click, the button disappeared, and Bailey approved
the match for client notification.
“Thank you, Camden,” Bailey said. Rising from her chair, she reached out and took his hand. “That means a lot.”
Her quick squeeze of his hand sent heat radiating from his palm.
As if feeling the sudden warmth, she immediately dropped the contact. She turned back around and busied herself organizing office supplies that really didn’t need organizing and then remarked brightly, “Today is the day, you know?”
Camden mentally fumbled, suddenly trying to remember what he’d forgotten. Two weeks since the incident and Bailey’s injury. Nothing on the calendar but work.
He was still drawing a blank when Bailey laughed. “You mean to tell me that you’ve already forgotten about your date? Today is the day we finally find out who wins the contest!”
Camden groaned, wishing she hadn’t reminded him. Immediately mounting a retreat, he returned to his desk and got busy, hoping she’d let the subject drop. A week ago, Bailey had approached Camden with the idea that they agree to set each other up with a date on the same night. Then, they could meet each other afterward and decide the contest results once and for all. Still riddled with guilt that Bailey had gotten hurt because of him, he’d agreed. If they did the dates the same night, then he could keep better watch on her anyway. To ensure no possibility of a repeat of their previous experience, they’d agreed to verify each of their matches with Sydney. If Sydney gave the okay, then they’d each arrange the date.
Unfortunately, their previous agreement declared tonight as doomsday.
“Everything approved on your end?” Bailey asked.
“Yes,” Camden replied stoically, his gaze holding steady on his screen. “Sydney approved, and I’ll give you the address of where to meet your date right before you leave. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
Bailey nodded. “Same here.”
“Then may the best matchmaker win,” Camden said, turning around in his chair and extending his hand out to shake Bailey’s. Unfortunately, he offered his left hand, and Bailey couldn’t shake since her corresponding left hand was currently tied up in a sling.
