“Nice, dad. That’s wonderful.”
“It’s nothing.”
Carla looked at Dr. Brownlee and blinked without expression.
“They give these every year,” he said. “I’ve always passed them over. I just couldn’t duck this year. And Riverton thinks we should keep up with our normal routine, so I wasn’t going to go, but now think we should. We should all go.”
Cooper was glad they were following the police detective’s orders.
Wait a minute? Go to a dinner? An awards dinner?
“Honey,” Carla began, “We want to have you and Cooper here go with us tonight. As our guests.”
“No, mom. I don’t really want to—“
“It would mean a lot to your dad,” her mother insisted.
Dr. Brownlee rolled his eyes and looked right at Cooper, who had been successfully avoiding him again. The doctor’s eyes locked him in place and wouldn’t let go.
Of course he has to know I’ve been fucking his daughter. Cooper had personally kissed every square inch of her lovely body. He decided to do the right thing.
“Libby,” Cooper said as he laid a palm against her back and stroked her up and down. “I think your parents are right. Probably better to show that this creep hasn’t interrupted any of your normal activities as a family.”
“Going to this dinner isn’t anything like normal—” she said firmly. But when their eyes met he could see she softened.
“I’d like to accompany you to your father’s important dinner. Please.” He smiled, then watched her search her parent’s faces. He squeezed the top of her shoulders and neck. “Okay, honey?”
Cooper saw Brownlee flinch, but remain controlled. He was actually enjoying making the doctor squirm. But, like it or not, it was still the right thing to do to go to the dinner.
“Well, seems like I’m outnumbered. I’ll have to get some things from the house,” Libby said.
“I don’t think that’s wise, Libby.”
“I can take her, sir, if she has to get some things. I don’t mind.”
“Thank you, Cooper,” Dr. Brownlee said. “Glad we got that settled. Now there is something else I need to discuss.”
Cooper had no idea what was coming up next.
“Last night, you said you had some recommendations about making our home safer. I understand you have spent some time with our boys in Quantico and have some special training on surveillance.”
“Yes, sir, I have.”
“I could hire someone to help us out here, but I don’t know where to start. Thought maybe you could help me find someone. Someone good.”
“Just what did you have in mind?”
Brownlee scratched the back of his head, taking a quick glance at Carla before continuing. Coop could see he was extremely nervous.
“I don’t have to tell you I think this guy isn’t going to give up. Everything he’s done has had some connection to our house: Libby’s cat, our swimming pool, my office, the letters in the mailbox.”
“Okay, I’ll grant you that.”
“I think he’ll be back.”
Carla dropped her fork on her plate as everyone at the table jumped.
“Austin, I thought you said—“
“Now, please, hear me out. I’ve had some time to think about it. He’d be dumb to do anything here,” he waved at the Hotel in the background and the crowds of tourists milling about on the beach. “He thinks he has free access to the house. He doesn’t know what we are planning to do, but I’ll bet he’s noted we’re away for a few days.”
“You’re not thinking of moving back into that house, are you, Austin? You can’t be thinking that?” Carla had thrown her napkin on her half-finished omelet.
“No. Not yet. I was thinking Cooper could wire it up, help us monitor it. Then we could move back in and—“
“No. You didn’t discuss this with me.”
“Carla, the police have no leads. It’s the only way to help catch this guy.”
“Using us as bait?” she said. Her words fell like boulders all around them.
Cooper could only describe Carla’s look to her husband as murderous. No one said a further word. Cooper appraised Brownlee and saw for the first time the man was not a coward. A coward runs away, and Cooper could see Brownlee wouldn’t do that. He was an idiot to think he could catch the guy without the police, of course. He was an idiot to think he could pick the guy out from a group of strangers, or that a personality profile would yield any secrets if someone was adept at conning the system.
But Brownlee was no coward.
Libby searched his face, placing her hand over his arm. All three of them were looking at him.
“I’ll need equipment. Take me a couple of days to put it together,” he said.
“Anything you need, we’ll pay for.”
“We’ll pay you for your time, too.” Carla said.
“Not allowed, ma’am. Thanks, but that’s not something I can do.”
“Cooper, I think it might be a good idea if you moved into the house.” Brownlee looked at Libby. “Alone, of course.”
Cooper thought it was funny. He wondered what Bay would think of living in such a huge place. And then he realized that might be a problem. “Dr. Brownlee, I do have a dog, and he would have to come with me.”
“He’s a really nice dog. Very well behaved,” Libby offered.
“I’ll bet.” Brownlee scrunched up his mouth and then shrugged it off. “Cooper, the dog can stay too.”
Brownlee extended his hand and the two men shook.
“Now, if you will excuse me, I am almost late for my first appointment, and we have a dinner to prepare for tonight.” He stood. “Carla, buy some new things. I don’t want you going back to the house just yet, okay?”
“That’s not necessary, Austin. I have everything I need here. Besides, Cooper can take me,” she protested.
Brownlee shook his head. “I can never figure out women. You give them the opportunity to do what they love to do, and they come up with reasons why they shouldn’t.” He leaned down, held her chin tenderly in his fingers and planted a kiss there. Carla’s cheeks flushed and Cooper knew he was right. She was a hot one, all right.
And she was keeping Brownlee sane through all of this.
Chapter 29
Cooper had to get back to his Team and let them know what he was up to. He left Libby and her mother to go shopping in downtown San Diego while he rode his scooter over to Fredo’s apartment.
He knocked twice on the front door and didn’t wait for an answer before he tried to open it. It was locked.
“Fredo?” he knocked louder. The SEAL’s truck was in the parking lot, so he knew the Team guy was home.
Fredo appeared at the doorway in his shorts and a sleeveless tank top. The security chain was still affixed so the door was only open a few inches.
“You picked a helluva time to come showing up at my door.” Fredo whispered.
“Why, you getting a nooner? I thought you dated—“
The door slammed, then Fredo walked outside and closed the metal door behind him. A pair of shiny silver handcuffs dangled from one wrist. “Asshole, I’m paying by the hour, get my drift?”
Cooper shook his head with renewed respect for his buddy. He had been wondering lately, with Fredo’s luck with women, how he was handling his needs, not that it made any real difference.
“So what the fuck’s so important you couldn’t just leave me a message?” Fredo asked.
A string of high pitched Spanish shot through the door, something to do with a frog and a whip. Cooper had never taken the time to learn proper Spanish to communicate with his best friend, except swear words and slang. They understood each other just fine.
“I gotta go, man. Sorry I couldn’t offer you better hospitality, or are you here to do your laundry again?”
“No. Sorry. Hey, Fredo. I need to borrow your truck for a day or two.”
“You’re leaving the red demon with me?”<
br />
“Yes I am.”
“Boy this must be serious. What you up to?”
“I gotta help Libby’s parents with some surveillance, and I need something big enough to transport my stuff. You okay with this?”
“I’m not washing your scooter, and I can’t be responsible for any scratches—“
“Just don’t wreck it, okay, Fredo?”
“Holy shit, this is serious. Don’t start any wars without me, com-pren-day?”
“No worries. No improvised explosive devices, although, come to think of it, that might be a pretty good idea.”
“Just a minute, I’ll go get my keys.”
Fredo disappeared behind the door. Cooper heard him laugh and heard a woman’s voice squeal. When the door opened, a woman’s soft-looking hand with long, deep-red fingernails slipped out, holding Fredo’s keys in its palm.
Cooper took the keys, replacing them with his scooter keys and the hand retracted, followed by a slam of the door.
Cooper tossed the keys into the air several times as he whistled and walked down the stairs to the parking lot. He started the salvage vehicle up and, after he put it into reverse, it backfired before sputtering out of the parking lot in a cloud of smoke.
Libby swung the motel room door open, eyeing all six-foot-seven inches of Cooper standing in the hallway. She inhaled his lemony aftershave. Just the sight of Coop’s square jaw and clear blue eyes made her swoon. It had been only a few hours since they’d last been together, and now just being so close made it hard to think straight. Images of muscles of steel lurking beneath his dark blue suit made her weak at the knees. He’d never worn anything but cargo pants or jeans with tee shirts.
Or nothing at all. She blushed.
Libby wobbled on her new three-inch heels, and then took a step back. It didn’t help. Her heart was rattling around like a runaway freight train inside her ribcage. The force of its thumping threatened to knock her onto her rear.
“You look pretty amazing,” he whispered.
Libby was so glad they had found this deep blue satin gown with the plunging neckline. She wore pearls.
Coop did what he always did. He coolly reached forward and placed his long fingers and palm against the small of her back, and held her so she wouldn’t fall.
Then he smiled that crooked half smile that exposed the one dimple on his left cheek.
“You’re beautiful.” he said.
Kiss me. Shut up and kiss me. Her well-developed common sense dribbled to the floor. “I’d forgotten how handsome you were. And wow, look at you in that suit.” What was it she wanted to say?
Cooper released her without drawing her toward him. He raised his right hand and brushed her right cheekbone with the backs of his fingers, his warm thumb smoothing over her lips. “I could never forget you,” he whispered.
It was all the invitation she needed. She pressed herself against his torso, flipping her arms up, holding hands with herself behind his neck. “I hope you never have to.”
Cooper frowned just before she bridged the gap between them, planting a kiss onto lips that she coaxed open. He softened, melded into the heat of her body, and brought both arms around the back of her waist. He drew her against his prominent arousal.
“Ahem.” Libby heard her father’s throat clearing a few feet behind. When she turned, he was staring at the two of them without expression. Cooper quickly dropped his arms to his sides. But his long thigh was pressed against hers. The electricity between them gave her courage. She wound an arm around the back of Coop’s jacket. Her palm pressed against his shoulders, rubbing. She heard him gasp with a little intake of air.
She was going to die until she could get this man naked and kissing every square inch of her again.
Carla Brownlee bustled to the entryway. She was dressed in a form-fitting black low-cut sheath and silver wrap they’d chosen together this afternoon. Her silver eye shadow shimmered in tandem with her new multiple-karat diamond teardrop earrings that Libby’s father had given her. Libby realized that on anyone else the huge earrings would look like too much cheap bling. On her mother, they matched her personality perfectly.
The four of them went downstairs, through the lobby, and out to the valet parking attendant who waited beside the Brownlees’ S600 black Mercedes sedan. Libby and Cooper took the rear seat, and Dr. Brownlee drove towards the ballroom gala. Libby flipped on the heated seats in the rear and watched as Cooper realized what she’d done. She pressed the toggle for gentle rolling seat vibration. It drew a chuckle from the big SEAL.
“How many quarters do you have to use to get it to do this?” he said with a grin.
Libby leaned over, planted a soft kiss on his lips. “Oh, it’ll cost you.”
Cooper squeezed her hand and adjusted himself on the groaning leather seat.
Libby noticed her father staring her down in the rear view mirror with a scowl. “Just try to concentrate on the crowd, Coop. I know my daughter is distractingly beautiful, but you wouldn’t be here with us tonight if I didn’t need those well-trained eyes and ears.”
“And instincts,” Carla added. She smiled at her husband. Libby noted the beautiful profile of the strongest woman she’d ever known. Her parents were a match for each other, in every way.
Dr. Brownlee nodded in deference to his wife and returned her a polite smile.
“Sir,” Coop began, “You can rest assured, I will be on high alert. I think this is the perfect cover. You just need to be yourself. Let the perp come to you. If he’s here, I’ve got you covered.” Coop was all business.
Libby’s father winced, one eye reduced to a small slit as he cocked his head. “I doubt he’ll be there. Too many people around. These types usually do their creepy things at night, in secret, when they can plan with their little devious minds.”
“So he’ll hide in plain sight, then,” Coop answered.
“Perhaps. But I think not.”
“The guy who wants to kill you usually tries to make hard eye contact with you first, sir. Just remember that.”
“Jesus, Coop. I have eye contact with most the people I talk to. I’d say this guy will be shifty. He won’t look at me.”
“I disagree. He’s going to want to see your fear. He lives for it. If he just wanted to kill you, he’d do it and get it over with. Move on. He wants to terrorize you first.”
Carla began to unravel in the front seat. Her earrings began to flutter wildly. Cooper leaned over and patted her shoulder. “Sorry, ma’am.”
This made Dr. Brownlee quiet and pensive. They rode the rest of the way to the dinner in silence.
Cooper sat back, slightly leaning against Libby in the rear seat. He was watching his thumb rubbing over the tops of Libby’s knuckles. Libby couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sight of their fingers entwined. With each gentle massage, she felt her anxiety and tension dissipate. She wished she and Cooper were heading off to a candlelit private dinner, not a banquet with a hundred other couples.
When they arrived, Cooper was out and around the car the second Dr. Brownlee stopped. He first opened Carla’s door and helped her out. Carla was blushing as she thanked him and then waited for her husband.
Coop opened Libby’s door next and extended his palm inside, holding onto her firmly and drawing her close. He tucked her at his side while he closed the car door and brought them beside her mom.
Dr. Brownlee stopped at a registration table and picked up a plastic name badge with several ribbons attached to the bottom side. He clipped Carla’s nametag to the neckline of her dress, gave her a peck on the cheek and handed Coop and Libby their plastic badges.
Inside the banquet hall a band was playing at one end of the long room. Round tables were arranged along the edge of a small dance floor in front of a dais with one long table holding court over all. They were shown to their seats at the head table, Dr. Brownlee being placed at the center near a podium. Her father waved to a few people in the lower audience whom he recognized. Cooper looked ove
r several couples dancing, and led Libby to join them.
The tempo was fast, but Libby and Coop danced slow. She noticed he didn’t seem to follow any rhythm. True to her ballroom lessons, she followed his lead and enjoyed the thrill of his hard torso pressed against her body. She wondered what it would feel like to dance with him in his full dress whites. In his arms, she felt like she could almost fly. He maneuvered her around the floor with no effort at all. His movements were panther-like, smooth and fluid. As they turned he surveyed the room, always able to maintain a partial view of Dr. and Mrs. Brownlee and anyone who came up to them.
Libby watched her mom and dad up on the dais. They seemed to be having a serious conversation, with her mom doing most of the talking. Her dad was nodding his head, while looking down at the crowd below, giving an occasional wave.
Libby recognized several faces in the crowd. People were munching on stuffed mushrooms and canapés presented on silver trays. Most drank wine. Within a few minutes Libby watched her father make his way, stopping at several tables and shaking hands along the way, to the bar to get his first drink. She was apprehensive what this would bode for the evening.
“Libby, you need to help me a little,” Cooper whispered, not taking his eyes off Dr. Brownlee’s trajectory.
“Sure. What do you want me to do?”
“Just tell me if something’s out of whack. Something that doesn’t make sense, okay?”
“You were trained for this?”
“Yes. Six months on an intelligence deployment. They taught me to mind read.”
Libby looked up at him and saw Coop grinning. She’d completely fallen for his little joke and loved him for it.
“Not quite, but it’s profiling. Israelis do it much better than we do,” he added. They continued to dance, although the music had stopped. A slow tune began.
“You mean I’m supposed to look for socks that don’t match or if someone is packing something bulky around their middle?” she wondered.
“Very funny. I’d say look for someone who is way too interested in your dad, or your mom.” He suddenly stopped. No smile. He looked directly into her face. “Or you.”
Fallen SEAL Legacy Page 21
