Sarah walked to the stove and flicked the switches off. "Everything's fine. For the moment. I think I'd like to…interrogate you upstairs."
"And I thought all along I was coming here for the cooking." He took her hand and pulled her against him. He gave her one swift, passionate kiss before leading her out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
* * *
SARAH GAVE Daniel a wink as he helped her carry her supplies and dishes into the enormous kitchen of Lucinda Watts's beautiful estate. Sarah stopped, almost causing Daniel to collide with her, as she saw the dimensions of the kitchen, the spotless black-and-white floors and what appeared to be miles of white counter space.
"I could cook a feast fit for a king here," Sarah said.
"I think that's exactly what you've done," Daniel said, edging past her with a heavy load and putting it on a countertop. "Lucinda must have an excellent money manager. She's had a few rich boyfriends, but I know they never supported her in this style."
"How do you know?" Sarah regretted the question. The more she was learning about the FBI, the less she liked it.
"Lucinda had the ear and, uh, other anatomical parts, of some very powerful men. We kept a close eye on her, and I'm not a bit ashamed of that fact."
"I wouldn't put it past you guys to have videotapes."
Daniel laughed softly. "I never got invited to a screening, if they did."
"That's not funny." But Sarah couldn't help but smile. Daniel was wearing a wig, a fake mustache, a chef's hat and apron. He was going to be her assistant. And he was going to learn the true meaning of kitchen labor.
"Is that a smile of appreciation for my handsome appearance?"
"A smile of delight at your outrageous mustache." She tweaked the end of it gently. "I'd kiss you but I'm afraid I'll end up wearing it."
"I'm an expert at disguise."
"And a few other things I could list."
"If you're going to talk like that…"
Sarah raised both hands in surrender. "You're right. We have work to do. Get that big box out of the car, please."
"Yes, Madame Chef."
Daniel disappeared out the door and came back in groaning under the weight of a box. He'd no sooner put it down than the lid flew open and a black blur leapt to Sarah's feet.
"Familiar?" She was astounded. "That cat is amazing. He has more tricks than Houdini."
"And he weighs a ton." Daniel bent down to pick Familiar up. He stroked his head while he held him in his arms. "I'm glad to see this guy. He was a big help at Idlewild. He might have saved your life, you know."
Sarah eyed the cat. "He's an amazing creature." There were a million questions she wanted to ask about the cat, but she knew there were no answers, at least none that Daniel could give, and Familiar wasn't talking. "All I can say is that he'd better skulk around here and lie low. I'm not sure Lucinda is an animal lover."
"Meow." Familiar leapt to the floor, turned a flip and then rubbed lovingly against her legs.
"He's telling you that he can win the hardest heart." Daniel was laughing as he bent to pick up the cat. "This guy is a rogue and a charmer. I'm going to take him over to this chair here and take some lessons from him."
"Excellent. I'm going to cook."
Eight hours later, Sarah was sitting on a stool and drinking a glass of iced tea. The hors d'oeuvres were prepared, the bar was set up and ready, the meal was in the last stages of preparation. Daniel was sitting across from her, his shoulders sagging and his head resting on his arms.
"This is hard work, Sarah. I'm beat."
"Me, too."
"Meow." Familiar sat on the table, his yellow-green eyes almost shut.
"I can't wait until this dinner is over. I think the first of the guests are arriving."
"Then I'd better hoist myself up and change uniforms."
Sarah gave him a quizzical look.
"I managed to wrangle— well, produce a near-perfect copy of— an invitation for both of us. I brought a tux for me and a little red dress for you."
"I can't— "
"Think of it, Sarah. A chance to mingle with the elite, to see your government at work in the places where it functions the best— secret deals made at cocktail parties and dinners."
She chuckled softly. It was tempting, but there was no way she could be in the kitchen and in the dining room.
"Just for cocktails? This isn't just a joke, you know. There's a chance you might spot someone among the guests that strikes a chord with you. Someone you've seen before, someone who doesn't really belong."
"Like us," she observed. "Okay." She felt impulsive and foolish, but everything was under control in the kitchen. What would it hurt to flit among the socially prominent for half an hour? There was little chance anyone would recognize her, except maybe Vincent Minton. The chances of her recognizing some evil-doer were slim, but it was better than doing nothing to help Daniel.
"I'll get our clothes."
Sarah went to check all of her pots one more time and give instructions to the serving staff as they shifted from kitchen to party with laden trays. She'd worked more than one party with them before, and she knew they could be trusted to do their jobs properly.
"What about you?" she asked the cat.
"Meow." Familiar closed his eyes and feigned sleep.
"Right. I'll believe that when this party is over." Familiar was not a cat to lie around and take it easy. The minute her back was turned, he'd be into something.
Daniel returned with the clothes. Sarah felt a shiver of anticipation when she saw the low-cut back of the beaded red dress. The chiffon skirt was full and sheer. It was one of the most feminine dresses she'd ever seen.
"You borrowed this from central casting down at the Bureau?"
"Actually, I bought it when I was running errands for you today."
"Daniel!"
"Well, I was hoping we'd have more than this one occasion for you to wear it. Maybe even down in Mississippi. I hear those magnolia-laden nights can be very romantic."
Sarah kissed his cheek as she took the dress. "You continue to surprise me. And delight me."
He picked up a strand of her blond hair and tugged it gently. "I try. Now, let's change and sashay out there to check out the crowd. I want to get an idea of who we're dealing with. Since I don't have access to the computer, I couldn't get the guest list, but I'll bet there are two dozen senators, maybe the vice president, a few members of the cabinet and some very influential business people. I hear there's been a plan afoot to locate some heavy-duty military business down in the Southern states. This could be the party where those plans are finalized."
"What if someone tries to…do something here?"
Daniel kissed her forehead and then her nose. "That's a possibility, and that's one reason I want to mingle with the crowd. If there are any strangers there, maybe we can tag them before anything happens. And Familiar will guard the kitchen."
"Thanks." Sarah kissed him gently, with a tenderness that made her eyes suddenly brim with emotion. Before she embarrassed herself, she took the dress into the bathroom and changed while Daniel did so in another bathroom. In ten minutes, with her hair pulled into a sophisticated chignon, she was ready to mingle.
"My, my, you sure do clean up nicely."
She laughed at the look on Daniel's face. "I thought you preferred that chef uniform."
"I did, but you know what they say. Variety is the spice of life. That red dress is pretty spicy."
Sarah took his arm and headed for the door. She turned back to give Familiar a warning look. "Stay in the kitchen."
He only blinked his eyes at her and pretended to sleep.
Daniel tugged her through the door and toward the sounds of laughter and a hot jazz band.
Neither Sarah nor Daniel saw the shadow that fell against the large kitchen window and then abruptly disappeared.
Chapter Fourteen
Sarah gave herself to the feel of Daniel's strong arms as the band riffed to
the end of a song.
"I'd better get back to the kitchen," she whispered to him. She'd had one-half glass of champagne and a wonderful dance. No one had stopped them or questioned them, and there had been no sign yet of Uncle Vince.
"I hate to let you go." Daniel gently pressed his hand into the exposed flesh of her back, his fingers caressing the skin and promising much, much more.
"I'd feel better if I was doing my job." Sarah watched the seventy or so laughing people as they sipped their drinks and sampled the goodies she'd created. It was gratifying.
"I'm going to mingle some more, make sure all is in order, eavesdrop on a few conversations and see if I can determine who is here from the FBI."
"You don't recognize them?"
"It isn't exactly a small club." Daniel laughed. "I know, we all wear the same shoes and underwear."
"And drive those dark sedans."
"Right." He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was the most beautiful woman in the room. Almost too beautiful. Several men had been watching her with obvious interest. It would be smart for her to return to the kitchen before she was approached.
"See you later." She forced her body to leave his side. She had work to do, and so did he. Only three feet from him, she balked. "Is that Jean-Claude?" She'd only caught a glimpse of a tall, elegantly dressed man disappearing from the room.
"I haven't seen him." Daniel studied the crowd. "I'll keep my eyes open."
"Thanks." Sarah ignored the unreasonable concern that touched her. It wouldn't be unusual for Jean-Claude to be at a party at Lucinda Watts's. "Back to the ovens for me."
The only change in the kitchen when she returned were the empty trays that had been returned for more delicacies. The party tidbits were being well received. Sarah took three minutes to change clothes, tying her apron as she reentered the kitchen only a little breathless. She stopped in the middle of the room. Lucinda Watts, in a dazzling gown of blue sequins and jet, was hovering over the opened oven.
"This smells delicious." Lucinda put down the spoon she'd been using and shut the oven door. "Everything is wonderful, so far."
"Thanks." Sarah had a genuine smile for her employer of the evening. The party was loaded with plenty of people who would give parties in the coming weeks. Sarah's reputation had received a big boost. "Thanks for giving me this chance."
Lucinda's blue eyes were shrewd. "I knew your father. He gave me more than one or two chances." Her smile was tight. "And I always repay my debts. One way or the other."
Surprised at the hint of unpleasantness in the words, Sarah kept the smile glued to her face. "That's an excellent policy."
"Cal was a straight arrow." Lucinda's eyebrows drew together. "He was a good man, as far as I knew. But that's all a dead issue now. The fact is, you're a good cook." Her face brightened. "Pork chops with corn bread stuffing, right?"
"That's what you requested, with all the trimmings, and gumbo as an appetizer."
"Just like the good old days when folks knew how to eat and didn't worry about calories or fat grams or any of that other foolishness. It might sound strange to a non-Southerner, but that's exactly what these men will love. There's more truth to the old saying that a man's stomach rules his heart— and his wallet."
Lucinda Watts was a wise woman who'd learned her lessons in the school of hard knocks. Sarah liked her frankness, but there was an edge to her. With her blue eye shadow, very subtly applied but there nonetheless, and her sequined dress that showed off her firm figure and long legs, Lucinda was what she'd once been and what she wanted to be. It was a combination of a woman who was earthy and yet socially skilled, someone who'd suffered but who had survived. Someone who went after what she wanted and didn't count the casualties that got in the way.
Lucinda's gaze swept over the room and settled on Familiar as he pushed open a closet door and came out. "I see you brought your own good-luck charm."
"I didn't realize he was in the car," Sarah admitted. "But he hasn't made any trouble." The cat was wobbly, as if he'd been sound asleep. And in the closet? Sarah felt a chill of concern.
"Well, I grew up with cats and dogs running around the house. Some of these fancy folks would have a fit if they thought there was a cat in the kitchen, but what they don't know won't hurt them. Just keep him out of sight. I'm working a deal in there that could mean my ultimate retirement to a life-style I admire— and desire." She laughed. "I don't want any deals queered by a black cat. This could be the most important dinner of my life."
"He'll stay with me," Sarah assured her.
Lucinda paused at the door. "By the way, you're a pretty good dancer." She walked out, letting the door close softly behind her.
Sarah felt a flush of guilt, but her overriding concern was for Familiar. As soon as she was certain Lucinda had departed for good, she hurried over to the cat. "What happened?" She stroked his head and was relieved to hear a purr. She gently ran her hands over his body. He gave no sign of discomfort or injury. As she inspected him, his vision seemed to clear and he meowed. Loudly. She was in the middle of trying to silence him with soft words and strokes when the door opened.
"Sarah, they'll be ready for the appetizer in ten minutes."
She looked up to find the headwaiter watching her. He was staring at Familiar. She stood. "Coming right up."
One eye on Familiar, she bent to the oven and started putting the finishing touches on the main dishes. A serving staff would take heaping platters to the seated diners. Sarah had everything ready for the first course when the waiters appeared.
"Working with you is like clockwork," one of the waiters said. "Always professional. And believe me, from the comments I'm hearing, this is going to pay off. You'll be busy for the rest of the holiday season."
"Thanks." Sarah nodded.
Thirty minutes later she was putting the main course on trays. Daniel had popped in twice to report that all was well at the party, and Familiar was pacing the kitchen, almost tripping her every time she took something from the oven. It wasn't like the black cat to be so aggravating. He was actually clawing up her pant leg and trying to get to the pork chops. Yet when she offered him a sample, he didn't want to eat any of it. Maybe he was coming down with some kitty illness. She'd have to find a really good vet in town.
"Okay." She nodded as the trays of pork chops were lifted and taken in to the dining room. She turned back to the stove, failing to notice that Familiar had followed right on the heels of the second waiter.
She'd drawn in her breath to give a sigh of relief— only dessert remained— when she heard the sound of breaking dishes and a low murmur of surprise that turned to…fear?
What in the world had happened? She went to the door to listen. If the waiters had dropped the dishes…but that was impossible. Those guys had never bungled a meal in their lives.
"Sarah Covington!" Lucinda Watts's voice was wild with anger. "Get in here and get this damn cat!"
"Familiar." Sarah's quick look around the kitchen told her the awful truth. Familiar was nowhere to be seen. She hurried into the dining room, her eyes unwilling to register the mayhem that appeared. Two platters of pork chops were on the floor, and Familiar stood beside them, hissing at anyone who tried to get near. Several women were clutching their throats in near hysteria while a couple of men had risen, ready for whatever action was necessary. There was a lull in the conversation, then a rush of noise.
"Get that damn cat out of my house before I kill him." Lucinda stood at her place at the table, hands braced on the beautiful linen cloth. She was trembling with fury.
"Familiar." Sarah spoke softly to the cat. "He must be sick," she said, realizing too late that such a statement would only make matters worse.
"Get that diseased cat out of here." Lucinda's voice rose to just below a shriek. "Take him to a veterinarian and have him confined. If he has some disease, I want to know. We may all have to have vaccinations or something." At the murmur of concern that flew around the table, Lucinda snapped h
er mouth shut.
"Maybe we should just shoot him." The man who sat at Lucinda's right stood. He signaled to two men who stood at parade rest near the dining room door. At his motion, they reached into their jackets and started forward.
"Don't you dare touch him." Sarah's concern for the cat finally overrode her horror at the scene. "I'll take care of him." She scooped Familiar into her arms and hurried back to the kitchen with him. She had to get him to her car before some other bozo got the bright idea of killing him.
"Give him to me." Daniel appeared at her side and she passed the cat off to him. "I was standing outside the dining room, pretending to be Senator Beaumont's aide. Familiar literally flew across the room and tackled the waiter. When he'd knocked one down, he went after the other."
Sarah felt tears building. It was so stupid, but she was furious, therefore she was ready to cry. "They were going to kill him."
"Let's get out of here."
Sarah nodded. "First, let me clean up some of that mess. I can't just leave my food all over the floor like that. It's humiliating." In the kitchen she found several large plastic bags. Dreading every step, she returned to the dining room where the guests were still seated at the table in shock.
"I hope you're satisfied." Lucinda almost hissed at her. "All of my plans, ruined. My very future put in jeopardy. You'll pay for this, young woman."
Sarah was so startled by the expression of pure hatred on Lucinda's face that she stopped, plastic bag in hand, frozen beside the two unfortunate heaps of pork chops. The two waiters, chagrin evident in their faces, had backed up against the wall.
"Lucinda, there's no need to upset yourself further." Vincent Minton appeared at her side and gently put an arm around her, pulling her against him. The look he gave Sarah was filled with understanding and disappointment. Guiding Lucinda, he turned her away and led her from the room.
"Let me give you a hand." The headwaiter appeared beside Sarah and bent to assist her in cleaning up the pork chops.
"Don't touch them," she said woodenly. She couldn't believe what had happened. Familiar had never behaved in such a fashion. Something was wrong with him. But what? What would make him attack two waiters and ruin an elegant party? She didn't even question that he had done it deliberately. As the waiter reached toward the food, Sarah blocked him. "Really, don't touch them."
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