The story of his life; too little, too late. That was going to change as of today.
Not only because he wanted what other men had, a wife and family, a home and a place where he felt special and needed, but because he was tired of the danger he’d been surrounded by for years.
Mind you, yesterday had been the first time the menace had seeped into his private space. Usually, it remained in the region where the story took place, or with the people involved in an exposé.
Last night, when he’d arrived back at his hotel room, he’d found it ransacked… trashed. All his belongings vandalized; his suitcase ripped open and his laptop missing. Since he didn’t keep his work files on that particular machine, it wasn’t such a huge problem, but he’d paid good money for the top-rated beauty and hated to think he’d lost it because some creep had decided his work needed to be squelched.
Thankfully, living in some of the worst areas in the world, knowing the limits people will go to in order to stop a story from being released, he’d left his working machine with the hotel manager to be secured in their office safe. Thank God. All those months of digging and taking chances, having to protect others involved, he needed to finish the story as soon as possible and hand it in.
With that in mind, he’d gotten a new room, retrieved his possession and spent most of the night tying up the loose ends so he could pass his work over to his FBI buddy, Frank Valls, today. His Times editorial had been polished and sent to the paper with the directions that the story had to be suppressed until the FBI gave them the all-clear.
He’d already heard back from the paper’s boss, begging him to let them go ahead as soon as possible, and he’d linked him with Frank who had the ultimate authority.
In case someone was following him, though he hadn’t noticed anyone who looked like a tail, this morning he’d spent the better part of an hour leading a wild goose chase through the city streets until he was certain he was in the clear.
Hesitating to go to Emma’s today, in case any danger could slide over to her and Teddy, he’d taken extra precautions. He knew her predicament. Knew she relied on him to be there for her. And for the first time since forever, he’d made up his mind he wouldn’t screw up his chances. He’d show up. No way did he want to hurt her business or upset her in any way. Or, more important, be prevented from being a part of Teddy’s life.
So, he’d made arrangements to have protection until he’d gotten rid of his package and the report aired on the news. By then, it would be too late for anyone to stop the inevitable. Charges would be filed, the guilty people would be indicted, and their mischief stopped.
In the meantime, his FBI security people stayed hidden, but he knew they were there. He’d even arranged for them to follow Emma today just in case the criminals had linked them together yesterday. He wasn’t taking any chances.
With his mind tied up with so much suspense, when he’d arrived and found her and Teddy in such a normal predicament, he’d relaxed and remembered the real world didn’t have the same kinds of conflicts he’d just dealt with. Struggles were happening – just different in nature.
Once he took in Emma’s quandary, his interest in the beautiful woman gave way to affection. Seeing her so vulnerable, yet so gentle, the hysterical baby hadn’t brought out any anger… only worry. Only caring. Only the need to make it all better… for him. A person with a heart so kind and giving was one he could spend the rest of his life loving.
After she’d fed Teddy and gotten him dressed, with Joel’s help, he took him into the living room to give her the privacy she needed to get herself ready for her important appointment. When she appeared with briefcase in hand, he was stunned. Gone was the distraught new mother with wild hair, blotchy eyes and an exhausted demeanor.
She’d been replaced by a stunning beauty. A woman who had the world by the tail, shoulders back, head held high and a composure that would give anyone the impression that here stood a person one could trust. Displaying confidence that her experience and knowledge would be enough to have her client willing to trust her to work on his behalf, she amazed him.
No wonder her firm was considered to be elite, among the top picks in the world of real estate in Manhattan. She’d kept it small on purpose, succeeded through client satisfaction and word of mouth and it had worked for her.
She approached. “Are you sure you have everything you need? I can always stop on the way home.”
“I’m thinking we’ll be just fine. If there’s anything, I’ll call. I have your cell number.”
“Good, I’ll make sure it’s turned on.”
“Honey, we’re fine. You can go do your thing. Look, Teddy’s already sleeping again. His crying jag tired him out.” Joel pointed to Teddy who he’d laid down on the couch as soon as he’d seen the boy’s eyelids flutter, fighting a losing battle.
He walked her to the door where she turned to have a last look at Teddy. Then she looked his way, her eyes still filled with love. He couldn’t help himself. He took her gently into his arms and kissed her, whispering, “Good luck today. I hope you snag your fish, Emma, hook him and reel him in.”
Laughing, she pulled back and searched his eyes, hers now filled with questions. Whatever she saw made her relax and send him a sweet smile. “How can I lose with such a powerful blessing? See you soon.”
Chapter Eleven
Complacent, sitting beside Teddy who slept so innocently, he began reading his latest messages on his phone and organizing his emails. Almost an hour later, it rang, and he jumped.
“Joel, it’s Frank. Take the baby and get out of the apartment now.”
“What the…? Are you serious?”
“Yes. Get out. Head for the subway around the corner. I’ll have someone there to pick you up. Go now. I just got a call that my officer stationed outside your building was found out cold in his vehicle. Looks like someone tazed the poor man almost to death. I’ll catch up with you as soon as I can. Go now.”
Having had experiences before where one had to move out of danger quickly, Joel grabbed the baby’s bag from the floor where Emma had left it and tossed in the prepared bottle and clothes she’d organized for him, ones she’d spread over the bed. A blanket lay folded and he grabbed that so he could wrap the baby up to carry him easier. Then he scooped up the still sleepy child and quickly made his way to the door.
Checking both directions in the hallway, he took to the stairs and began running down as fast as he could. His heart had revved up the minute he’d heard Frank’s voice, but now, it bumped around in his chest making breathing painful and clear thinking impossible. He hadn’t seen anyone that worried him until around the fourth floor when a woman joined him in the stairwell.
“I see you like to get exercise too,” she said pleasantly.
“Ahh… yes.”
The fact that she didn’t wear any exercise clothes made him wonder, but when she sped up and passed him, waving and adding, “Have a nice day,” his heart settled back into just triple time, and he relaxed his hold on Teddy. The boy, probably sensing the tension, lay awake and grinning up at his uncle.
Taking a few seconds to try and soothe him so he didn’t cry, Joel spoke, “Hey, little guy. Feel like a drive in a police car?”
Teddy’s open-mouth grin curled his heartstrings. He hugged the boy tenderly but didn’t slow down. Frank wasn’t provoked easily. If he felt there could be danger nearby, Joel needed to listen. Once he’d arrived at the apartment lobby exit, he opened the door and stood under cover, surveying the large area.
Two couples crowded around, talking and laughing together as if they had plans for the day. Others were meandering through the side exit from the restaurant next door. A group of three men in suits stood near the entrance. They had a serious discussion and two headed to the elevators leaving one hovering near the entrance. He had his phone open as if he was reading messages, but his eyes wandered continuously, surveying the area.
Oh, oh. Not good.
Joel didn�
��t like the looks of the guy. His over-active pulse sent signals to his brain. Nope. Not that way.
Instead, he flashed past the plants for cover and waited until the group left, making it impossible for the guard at the door to see him. Then he slid through the side exit and into the restaurant full of wonderful Italian food odors.
Heading for the garden area where they had tables set up on a beautiful patio, he hurried along. He’d seen the place when he’d arrived, thinking how lucky Emma was to have a restaurant situated next door to her building. He’d made a note of how they could eat there, bring Teddy with them, and have a nice outing. Now he just thanked God for the escape route.
Walking next to a waiter, he pretended to ask questions while he used the man for cover. When he was close to the sidewalk, he shimmied through low hedges and took off up the sidewalk where there were scads of folks, all in a hurry.
Relying on the pedestrian traffic to shelter him from the snoops who would do him harm, he searched for any sign of danger.
Teddy’s arms had snaked around his neck and the boy held on, peering over his shoulder, happy at the adventure and seeing all the people. Out of the corner of his eye, Joel saw one of the men from the apartment building hurrying after him. Winding his way between as many folks as he could for cover, he sped up. Only a block away from the subway station now.
Suddenly, a car pulled to the sidewalk and a man leaned out the window, flashed a badge, and spoke tersely. “Get in.”
Knowing his follower had gained on him, Joel was never so happy to see a friendly face. He whipped open the back-passenger door and swooped inside moments before they hurled back into the traffic and to safety.
Chapter Twelve
Emma arrived at her office before her client. Boots looking particularly colorful today, was already hard at work at her computer. “Hey, boss. I’m so happy to see you. Did you find a babysitter for Teddy?”
“You won’t believe what happened yesterday.” Emma proceeded to tell her the jist of the story about Joel appearing, and how he’d stepped up and helped her with his nephew.
“You say he’s taking a job as a night editor for the Times? He can be Teddy’s daytime nanny until you find someone else, someone who hasn’t got a record." She grinned. “I mean, that could work, right?”
“Don’t worry, Boots. I won’t come begging for you to look after Teddy.” Calming her P.A. ranked high in importance. Ever since it came to pass that Emma would be adopting Teddy, Barb had been unusually hyper, constantly referring to her role in the office and maintaining her dislike of little kids, especially babies.
Emma figured everyone had an Achilles heel, and if this was Barb’s, she was allowed. Considering her unbeatable skills as her P.A., Emma needed to keep the secretary happy.
Boots read out a list of calls and messages she’d handled and then picked up a folder of glossy photos and passed them to Emma. “We staged the apartment on Chambers street and it’s ready to show. Bobby snagged that listing. I just got a call from a neighbor of those same clients who’d asked to be allowed to see Bobby’s work, and they want to list their place with him too. I set up an appointment for tomorrow in the morning. Bobby will be available then, and he promised to look after it.”
“Wow! Good work, Boots. I’m thinking we need to bring in another agent, especially while I’m tied up with Teddy for the next little while.”
“Uh… yeah! You work ridiculously long hours. Now that you’re a mom, that’s got to stop. I warned you about that when you first mentioned adopting a baby.”
“I know. And you were right. I’ll need to start a list—”
“Already done.” Barb handed her a piece of paper with names and criteria next to them. “I made a short list and added the names in order of the best. Figured you’d need to move on it when the light dawned.”
Laughing, Emma rushed around the desk to give Barb a hug. “See, what would I do without you. I promise, I’ll never foist Teddy on you – ever.”
Beaming, Barb grinned. “Good. Now about the newbie. Want me to set up interviews?”
“Sure. Go ahead and make them for when you have time. I’ll accept your two ultimate choices and then step in to make the decision.”
“See, that’s why I love working for you, boss. You know how to delegate.” Barb teasingly rubbed Emma’s arm and made a goofy grin.
Emma laughed at her foolishness. “I already said you could, so no need to soap the boss, brat.”
Seconds later, her client arrived. Maybe it was the way her day had started – when Joel had arrived in time to save her from a complete collapse – who knew, but Emma couldn’t believe her luck. Not only was Mr. Adams friendlier than she’d expected, he’d thawed enough to let her call him by his first name… Basil.
After a bit of discussion, she organized another viewing of the property he wanted to purchase. The owners, sensing a pending sale, agreed and made arrangements to be away that morning. Which left her and Basil time to really survey the place, see all the possibilities and take note that anyone would love to live in such a gracious abode in a beautiful neighborhood.
Soon, they’d returned to her office so she could finish filling in the many documents for his bid. They’d agreed on a fair price and Emma hoped the prospective seller would accept it. No sooner had she sent off the documents, they’d gotten a positive response from the owner’s agent. Their cash offer had been accepted, and the sale would go through.
She’d worked with monied clients before, but this deal was by far her best one yet. Accepting Basil’s request that she join him for a celebratory lunch, she called Joel to confirm that it would work for him, and that he and Teddy were fine.
“Hi, Emma. Is the news good?”
She crowed and couldn’t help it. “Yes. We have a bit more paperwork to deal with, and then I’ve been asked to share a celebratory lunch. Is that okay? If not, I can cancel.” Her voice changed, “Are you in a car?”
“Uh, yeah. A friend called to see if we could spend some time with him. So, Teddy and I are heading to the… ahh, park for some fresh air and to meet up with my old pal Frank.”
“How lovely! I bet Teddy’s in his glory. He adores being outside.”
“Yep. He’s a happy little man right now. Go and enjoy your lunch and congratulations. See you later.”
Chapter Thirteen
The minute Joel hung up the phone, he knew he’d made a big mistake. He’d lied to Emma. And being that she was Teddy’s mom, she didn’t deserve that kind of treatment. He just didn’t know how to go about making explanations over the phone when he knew what her reaction would be. Heck, what anyone’s reaction would be.
He’d make it up to her. Go to her office to meet her… confess everything. But that couldn’t happen until Frank got the all-clear from his associates in Guam.
They’d arrived at the FBI office and he followed Frank through the mishmash of workstations to get to a small office in the back. As they passed by a lot of the desks, Teddy got so much attention, it slowed them down. Not only were the female agents oohing and ahhing, a few of the males grabbed their mugs to make a coffee trip in order to get closer to the tiny boy who performed like he’d been on stage since birth.
What a little actor! Grinning his two-tooth beauties, Joel watched him goo and giggle, managing to win everyone’s attention. Until a hard-faced man stepped out of one of the main offices and put a stop to their shenanigans without having to say a word.
Sitting by Frank’s desk, watching him take calls on his phone and interact with an associate over his laptop, he watched as Frank’s face lit up and his shoulders relaxed. Holding his phone against his chest, the agent turned to Joel, forcing his attention away from Teddy, and he crowed, “They caught the kingpin in Chinese customs before he’d entered the country. Extradition papers are being sent now, and they’ll deport him back to the States by this time tomorrow.”
“That’s everyone. They’re all in custody. Right? We’re safe?”
Once the news broke, as it was tentatively scheduled to do in today’s edition, there would be no reason for anyone to come after him.
“You can call the boss at the Times. Tell him to go ahead with the story and to quit bugging me every fifteen minutes.” Frank laughed along with Joel.
Now that the FBI had agreed to release their restraints on Joel’s Times editorial, he felt himself relax. No doubt it would be Breaking News on all the national television stations later that day and that would mean the gig was up for those involved. No reason to come after him now.
Joel grinned at Frank. “It’s been good working with you.” He knew that having a rising FBI person as someone he could turn to during his editorial career was a good thing… a very good thing.
Before he could say anything along those lines, Teddy decided he’d had enough of being the adorable good boy and let the men know he needed food.
Chapter Fourteen
Emma answered Joel’s earlier text, saying she had to return to the office for one more chore to complete Mr. Adams’ file, and then she’d be on her way home. His reply that they’d pick her up stymied her. She’d have thought their walk in the park would be finished long ago. That Joel would have Teddy back at the apartment by now. But, since she trusted him implicitly, she sent a smiley face and added, Okay. See you soon.
Sweet and Sassy Baby Love Page 26
