Southern Charm (Southern Desires Series Book 5)

by Jeannette Winters

  Randi had been sipping her beer at that time and almost spit it out. She didn’t know anything personal about Mark, and she was okay with keeping it that way. I think he would agree.

  “Oh, I saw those two getting married too. It’s a . . . talent I have.”

  Or luck. She wanted to change the subject, but Sissie wasn’t having it.

  “See, I just want you to know that when I see a couple together, I can tell if it’s a happily ever after or a just for now kinda thing. They ain’t the only references I have, you know. Kevin and Marina, Don and Bailey. And before you know it, I’ll be able to add you and Wyatt to my list.”

  Please, someone save me now. “We haven’t known each other very long. It’s–”

  “Time means nothing. I can tell even if you just met five minutes ago.”

  Sissie was so serious that it threw Randi for a loop. Great, Mark. You brought us all to Honeywell to spend time with a crazy woman who thinks she’s a matchmaker. What I need is a way to contact my friends at DHS, not find out if Wyatt and I are meant to be.

  Randi didn’t believe in such things; love and marriage were temporary arrangements. Once the excitement wears off, they leave.

  Randi and Maggie never knew who their father was and those words were all she could remember of her mother. Growing up in one foster home after another would’ve been much harder if she hadn’t had Maggie with her. Maggie had changed and seemed able to settle down and commit. Obviously, if she could become a Marine. No bailing out once you’re in.

  Randi would’ve said she wasn’t able to commit, but this six-year journey had proven otherwise. That was much different from being able to say I do to a person, but it was more than she thought she was capable of. I don’t know what I’m worried about. It’s not like I’m getting married anytime soon, if ever. She smiled at Sissie. No matter what she thinks she might see, Wyatt and I just aren’t that type.

  “You two seem to be getting along fine, but if you don’t mind, Sissie, we have some business to discuss,” Mark said.

  Wish you’d come about ten minutes earlier. “It was great talking with you, Sissie.”

  “Don’t you forget what I said. If you don’t believe me, just ask Mark. He’ll tell you.”

  As Sissie left, Mark sat down and asked, “Tell you what?”

  Randi rolled her eyes. “Please don’t get me started.”

  Mark laughed. It was out of character for him. “Oh, she’s at it again. Don’t forget to send me an invitation.”

  She shot Mark a warning look. “Oh, you’re really funny. Warn me the next time, will you?”

  “Okay, here is your warning.” Mark pointed to Sissie who was now sitting at the bar near Wyatt. “He’s next.”

  Randi started to get up to intervene. “I’ll be back.”

  “Don’t worry about her. She can take care of herself,” Mark said as he grabbed her arm.

  It’s not Sissie I’m worried about. Mark was right. Heading over there wasn’t going to do any good, and they had things to discuss. While everyone had been enjoying themselves, Mark had been absent. That meant he was doing some digging, and she wanted to know what he’d found.

  “What do you have?”

  Mark said, “I’m sure you remember Jeremy Talroy.”

  Don’t think any of us are going to forget that evil bastard. He’s right up there with General Floyd. Thankfully both are no longer walking the earth. “What about him?”

  “We have some correspondence from a woman. We believe she might be a sister he never spoke about.”

  “From what we know of him, does that surprise you? I mean if JT was my brother, I’m not sure I’d tell anyone we were related either.”

  “JT’s life seems to have been wiped out except for very basic information: date of birth, places he’s lived, and jobs he’s held. There’s nothing personal except this one note.”

  Mark handed her a photo. Flipping it over she could see it was faded and well-worn, but she could make out most of it. “JT, we will never see each other again, yet our bond can never be broken. Love CT.” It wasn’t much to go on, but it showed that sometime someone out there cared about the man.

  “And why do you think this is a sister?”

  “Kevin pulled this out of JT’s wallet after he was killed.”

  Mark slid a second photo to her. This one was much older. It looked like a teenaged JT with a girl about the same age. There was something oddly familiar about her. Since both she and JT were young in the photo it was possible they were siblings, but there was more. What am I missing?

  Randi covered JT so she could concentrate solely on the girl. Her eyes and the shape of her face. She knew her. Oh, my God. It’s Cindy.

  The pieces were coming together. Randi tried picturing her. She was in her late forties and withdrew from everyone on the team. That wasn’t all that unusual. Their jobs required working alone, spending hours listening and researching. Social skills weren’t a job requirement; they were actually a hindrance.

  “I know this woman! Here name is Cindy. Cindy Grim, I think. Maybe she’s married or changed her name, but Grim was how I knew her when I worked at DHS,” Randi said, still looking at the photo.

  “Are you sure?” Mark asked.

  “I can’t tell you if she’s still there, but she was when I was an agent.”

  She could see Mark processing the information. She already knew what needed to be done. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”

  Randi never spoke about what she knew about the many government officials who were being listened to. The CIA issued the orders, and it was her job to follow through without question. I’ve seen a lot of good people do things I never thought they’d do. I’ve always wondered if it was because of the information I’d been ordered to provide. Randi knew DHS held a lot of power most people didn’t understand. They were acting under the orders, but some of those orders were questionable. Sometimes unconstitutional. There had always been a fine line between doing what you were told and doing what you believed was right.

  “Mark, I need to get in there. You’ll never be able to access the system from the outside. If she’s the one monitoring the communication, she’ll shut everything down before any warrant is approved.”

  Mark arched a brow and asked, “How do you plan to do that since Mirranda is deceased?”

  Randi hated being reminded continuously of that. It was refreshing to have Wyatt call her by name and see her as Randi, not Maggie. But once again, she needed to embrace her false identity. “Master Sargent Margaret Graham might have just gotten a new assignment.” Randi had been forging false documents for years. That was how she’d been able to keep a close eye on Floyd and maintain a low profile.

  “Cindy knows what Mirranda looks like. I don’t believe she ever saw a picture of Maggie.” She’d fit right in at DHS; she hadn’t shared her personal life with any of them. “I’m going to need a makeover so she doesn’t recognize me.”

  “If anyone does, it’s over before we start. Hate to do this to you, but Sissie is the connection here. Anything you need, she’s the one who can make it happen.”

  “I was afraid you’d say that. It’s going to take me a day to make the documents look official.”

  “Until then, we stay here. Don’t communicate with anyone on the outside. Not even on our secure line. We have to assume they’re all being monitored. We’re officially off the grid.”

  That was easy for someone like her. She had very few people in her life. This was a rare occasion and she was actually out in a bar, enjoying a beer. Or trying to. Randi looked around. “We’re not doing a good job at hiding.”

  “This town is as close as a family. If the wind changes direction, they’ll know. Trust me, Graham, we’re safe here.”

  She did trust him. There was no way he’d put them in danger without being up front about the risk. “Do the others know?”

  “Only the lack of contact. Graham, we need to talk.”

  “I thought that
’s what we were doing,” Randi said sarcastically.

  “About McVeigh.”

  Randi had a feeling she knew what was coming next. The lecture about getting involved with Wyatt at a crucial time like this and how her actions could affect the entire mission. She didn’t want to hear it. She wanted to tell him her personal life was none of his business and she was a grown-ass woman who could do who and what she wanted whenever and wherever she wanted. That would be Maggie’s style. Me? Not so confrontational. “I know. It was stupid. It won’t happen again.”

  “It was stupid, but that’s not what I was going to say.”

  She met him square in the eyes. “If you’re doubting my ability–”

  “Graham, can you shut up long enough to hear what I have to say?” Mark snapped. He was talking to her like she was a member of his SEAL Team. In his way that was a compliment.

  “Okay. What is it you want to talk about?”

  “I want you to take him in with you.”

  “In where?”

  “DHS. I don’t want you inside alone. We don’t know who Cindy might have working with her.”

  “Hell no!” Her voice rose a bit, and she looked around to make sure she hadn’t drawn attention to them. Everyone in the bar was in their own little world. All but Wyatt, who was listening even if he appeared not to be. Randi needed to keep her voice low or he’d come over. That’s not what she wanted. What Mark was saying was not just crazy but impossible. “I can’t get him in. The Marines guard the place, not—”

  “You’re not a Marine. So don’t tell me you can’t forge two sets of documents.”

  Funny, I’m only a Marine when it’s convenient for you. “How do you know he’ll do it?”

  “Open your eyes, Graham. The man would walk through fire for you. If you won’t do this, I’m sure he’s going to find his own way, which might put him in prison. Your choice.”

  Mark was smooth. “Guess I have my work cut out for me.”

  “Roger that.” Mark got up from the table. “I’ll ask Sissie to make herself available to you.”

  Yay me. It just keeps getting better. “And Wyatt?”

  “You tell him this time.”

  This time? I didn’t know he was told the last time. Maybe she should turn the tables and interrogate Mark about exactly what he’d told Wyatt. It obviously wasn’t what she’d asked him to say. Great. Now I see whose side you’re on. And who do I get? Sissie.

  Although Wyatt wasn’t fond of being in Honeywell with Sissie watching his every move, he enjoyed being able to be out with Randi and not have to watch their backs. It was short-lived. They were back to business and in Washington, D.C., ready to implement another one of Randi’s crazy brilliant plans where she puts herself as the target. Each time it gets riskier. This has to stop before something goes wrong and I lose her, just like Nate lost Maggie.

  He had so much he wanted to tell her. All he could do now was promise himself that once this was done he wasn’t going to hold back any longer. Life is short, and whatever time I have I want to spend with Randi. If he thought it wouldn’t jeopardize the mission, he’d tell her now. I’m not even sure what I’d say. All I know is she means more to me than I can express.

  The gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach wouldn’t go away. He didn’t panic before a mission, but this wasn’t like anything he’d been on before. The only person in DHS who could or would protect her was him. The place was going to be filled with agents who would shoot first and ask questions later. They’d never know we’re the good guys.

  Wyatt didn’t like the plan one bit, but he was going in there with her. He double-checked his uniform. He’d served many years in the Army, so it felt strange wearing Marine dress blues. He picked up his paperwork and laughed. Randi had intentionally given him a lower rank than hers. Enjoy it now, but no matter what the paper says, I’m in charge.

  “Are you almost done in there?” he called out. She’d been getting ready for the last hour. He knew women took longer to get ready, but it wasn’t like she needed to pick out her outfit.

  The door finally opened, and she came out. Although he knew it was her, he couldn’t help but play along. “Randi?”

  “Master Sargent Graham to you. I believe this is when you salute,” Randi said in a teasing tone.

  Oh, yeah. She’s going to pay for this. Wyatt snapped to attention and saluted her. “Yes, Ma’am.”

  She laughed. “Are you ready?”

  “I was until I saw you. What did you do?”

  “Cindy would know Randi. I needed to change it up a bit.”

  Sissie had pulled it off. She’d provided Randi with everything required for a professional makeover. Wyatt wouldn’t guess they were sisters, never mind the same woman. Sissie is in the wrong line of work. I think she was meant to be working as a government spy. We need people like her. She’d drive me crazy, but she’d get the job done. “Okay, so you’re a brunette and look like you’re forty pounds heavier, a couple of years older. What else?”

  Randi slipped on wide-framed glasses. “How’s this?”

  He hated to admit it, but with this new look she might actually pull it off. Their lives depended on it. “I like you better as a blonde.” Glad it’s only a wig.

  Wyatt mumbled softly to himself. They didn’t need to flirt right before going into the DHS building. Besides, Mark was listening in on everything that was said. Not that I care, but the less the better, at least on Mark’s tape.

  He could tell by Randi’s expression that she heard and chose to ignore his comment. “When we get inside, follow my lead.”

  “And if something goes wrong, you follow mine,” Wyatt stated firmly. He was there to ensure she made it out alive. It wasn’t something Mark or Randi had to ask him to do. Hell, they couldn’t have stopped me if they’d wanted.

  “All I need is five minutes at one of the computers. I’ll be able to access the database and bring up all the original files. We’ll be able to see who else she is tracking too.”

  “Randi, if she’s tracking she’s working with or for someone.”

  “Wyatt, don’t think like a soldier. Think like a brother. If something happened to Nate, what would you do to make sure the people paid? Even though her brother was a very bad man, he was still her brother. We don’t know what she was thinking,” Randi said softly.

  Wyatt wasn’t buying it. He’d spoken to Mark about JT. He’d worked for FEMA, a subcomponent of DHS. That was a red flag for him already. He found out someone helped JT break out of jail. It’d been extremely well planned. That took time, money, and connections. Whoever that person was, they were also instrumental in the death of the guards. If Cindy was helping JT when he was alive, this wasn’t all about revenge. They really needed to know who was actually in charge. Was it JT or was it Cindy all along? Since the group never dissolved, Wyatt’s gut said Cindy held the power. She also held a position where she could obtain a hell of a lot of information illegally to blackmail key people.

  Randi wasn’t ready to see that yet. Wyatt knew it was only a matter of time before she also put those pieces together. She wants to see the best in someone. I don’t think she’s going to find any good in Cindy.

  “One step at a time. Let’s get inside first, then we’ll worry about what to do with her.” He knew she didn’t like that answer, but that was all she was going to get.

  They left the hotel and grabbed a cab. From there on in, it was all business. He wasn’t going to lose focus on the only thing that mattered to him. Randi.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Getting in was easier than Randi anticipated. It helped that Mark had connections everywhere, even with the Marines, who were securing the DHS building. She wasn’t sure what they knew, but Mark made it clear he was in contact with them, and they were going to provide backup if anything went down.

  When Wyatt pushed the subject, Mark reminded them of their actual military status—Wyatt was retired and Randi was one hell of an actress. If either of them were
caught impersonating a Marine in the DHS, they’d face prison time. It was best if they both got out before it all went down. If not, questions could arise that no one wanted to answer.

  Wyatt hadn’t been pleased to hear they were to obtain information and not engage the enemy unless provoked. Randi had a feeling it wasn’t going to take much to provoke Wyatt. He’d been on edge ever since she told him about this mission. This is why they have rules about fraternization. Good thing neither of us is really in the military.

  With her fake security access and the help of the real Marines on location, Randi was able to enter areas most couldn’t. That was good because Cindy had been promoted and now supervised a team of her own. I have no idea how you pulled this off Mark, but someday I need to find out who you know.

  “You must be Graham and McVeigh,” Cindy said as they approached.

  “Yes, ma’am. Would you like to see a copy of our orders?” Randi offered, hoping she’d say no.

  Cindy shook her head. “All you do is stand around and watch for nothing to happen. We’ve never been attacked. It’s a waste of your time, but orders are orders. All I ask is do not disturb my team. They are dealing with highly sensitive material and must focus.”

  “No problem, ma’am,” Wyatt answered before taking his place near the entrance.

  Looking over someone’s shoulder wasn’t going to do shit. Randi knew she needed to touch one of the computers and put a remote access program into an email so she could access the files from her phone. “Ms. Grim, I need to send a confirmation communication email to my commander. You know how they can be. Mine is worse than most. He won’t allow cell phone check-ins because he thinks they can be traced and put us at risk and all that mumbo jumbo. Really paranoid. Is there a computer I may use?”

  A phone was persistently ringing, distracting Cindy, but she rolled her eyes and didn’t budge.

  “Just let me know where I can sit, and you can go answer that. Seems real important.” Randi knew exactly who it was. Mark had arranged a call to buy them time. It wasn’t going to work unless Cindy actually picked up the phone.