Burke shrugged. Were stalled out. Without the evidence McIntyre promised were going nowhere real fast.
Not his fault the thumb drive containing the evidence went missing while in our custody, Josh shot back.
Yeah, well, if there was anything on it to begin with, Burke stated. Maybe McIntyre lifted it while we had our backs turned.
Joshs fingers curled. Dylan McIntyre was trying to do the right thing. He wouldnt
Any leads on the missing Baby Kay or her mother? Serena interjected. Thats what we need to keep focused on.
Joshs gut twisted. Leave it to Serena to use the one thing that would defuse the situation. A few months back a woman named Emma Bullock had been found beaten and unconscious in Minneapolis. When she awoke, she couldnt remember who she was or whod hurt her. However, she remembered being in possession of a baby at the time of the attack. But the baby was nowhere to be found.
Apparently a young woman named Lonnie had asked Emma to safeguard her child while she ran an errand but had never returned. The marshals were called in because of the illegal adoption ring they were on the cusp of busting. Josh was sure the kidnapping of Baby Kay had something to do with Munders and the Perfect Family Adoption Agency. The police and the Marshals Service were still searching for the baby and the young mother.
Burke shook his head. Unfortunately, no. The Minneapolis P.D. is staying on top of the search and will keep us informed if anything develops.
Josh let out a frustrated grunt for a reply. He prayed the young mother and baby were still alive.
Burke, what do you hear from Hunter? Serena asked. She rested her elbows on the desktop and steepled her hands as she waited for an answer.
Hunter Davis had been their team leader until hed taken an extended leave of absence. Hed fallen in love with a witness hed been protecting. But he was still consulting on the baby-smuggling case via telephone from time to time.
He and Annie got married. Didnt invite any of us. The disgruntled note in Burkes voice was understandable. He and Hunter had been roommates before Hunter met Annie. Shed entered the witness protection program to testify against the men whod killed her husband and tried to kidnap her daughter.
Good for them, Serena said.
Josh stared at her. Had he just seen a flash of longing? She met his gaze and immediately her dark brown eyes cooled before she turned her attention to the file in front of her. Nah. Hed been dreaming. The only thing in her eyes was pure steel.
Good morning, children. A booming voice echoed through the offices as recently retired U.S. marshal Bud Hollingsworth approached, bearing a box of treats from a local bakery. Tall with a potbelly, the sixty-something veteran was having a hard time adjusting to retirement, if his frequent appearances at the office were any indication. I understand you two had some trouble over in Houston.
Does everyone know? Josh asked. How did you hear?
Bud shrugged and lifted the lid on the box to offer Josh a pastry. The chief. He asked me to come in and consult on this development. Im going to liaison with the Houston P.D. to try to catch these guys. We cant have our witness compromised.
Joshs defenses rose. He wasnt. There were no labels on anything. No way anyone could find out where the McIntyre family has been relocated to.
Josh. Serena, Chief U.S. Marshal Wendell Harrison called from the doorway of his office. In his fifties, lean and wiry, Wendell exuded energy without trying. A word, please.
Exchanging a curious glance with Serena, Josh pushed out of his chair and stood. He followed Serena into the chiefs office. The chief sat behind his desk. Another man wearing a gray pin-striped suit rose as they entered. About five foot five, muscular, with a chiseled jaw and swept-back blond hair, the man oozed fed.
Marshal McCall and Marshal Summers, you know FBI Special Agent Todd Bishop, Harrison said.
Bishop shook Joshs hand, then Serenas. Marshals, Bishop said. You two have been doing good work.
Thank you, Serena said, looking pleased. She was a woman who liked to be praised for her work. Compliments about anything else were met with a silent stare.
Without preamble, the chief said in a loud booming voice, In light of last nights development and close call, Im taking you two off the Munders case and reassigning you to a new case. Well be coordinating with Agent Bishop.
The air rushed from Joshs lungs as if hed been socked in the stomach. Six months ago when he and Serena had been assigned to this special operation, hed welcomed the chance to coordinate with the FBI in tracking down and apprehending criminals connected to the illegal adoption ring.
Anything to distract himself from the anguish of his best friends murder. Though investigating wasnt within the scope of the Marshals Service, Josh had done what he could to find Daniels killer as well as monitored the local police and federal investigation, but they, too, had hit dead ends at every turn.
Now to be taken off the special operation theyd toiled at for so many months chafed.
What? No. Serenas protest drew the attention of everyone in the outer offices. Weve worked too hard on this case to be taken off now.
Harrison held up a hand. Please. I understand youre upset. But this is for your protection.
Josh tucked in his chin. Our protection? Were doing fine. We have each others back.
Harrison regarded them steadily with steely blue eyes. Shut the door and take a seat.
Serena pushed the door closed. Id rather stand.
Josh took the seat opposite his boss. Special Agent Bishop moved to hitch a hip onto the edge of the desk.
The chiefs expression was grim, but there was something else in his assessing eyes that made Josh guess there was more to this. Sir? Whats really going on?
Harrisons mouth twitched. You are a perceptive man, McCall.
I try, sir.
Serena, close the blinds, please, Harrison instructed.
Once the blinds were closed, Serena stood behind the empty chair next to Josh, her hands gripping the back.
Harrison leaned forward. Im not taking you off the Munders case, he said, his voice low, intense. That bit was for show. I dont want whoever our leak is to know what youre actually going to be doing.
Which is? Josh prompted, anxious.
Youre going undercover, Agent Bishop stated.
Surprise washed through Josh. Isnt that something the FBI should be doing? A few months ago, FBI agent Lisette Sutton had gone undercover in a fertility clinic. The Marshals Service had provided support in the form of U.S. marshal Colton Phillips.
Normally, yes, Bishop said. But these are special circumstances that will require you to wear the mantle of investigator. We have every confidence in the two of you.
Josh wasnt sure he shared Bishops certainty. They hadnt been successful yet in plugging the department leak or apprehending the man known as Mr. Big.
We need hard evidence against Munders and the Perfect Family Adoption Agency to take to the state attorney general, the chief said. I want you two to get it.
Where are we going undercover and as what? Serena asked in a tone mixed with equal parts excitement and apprehension. Josh felt that same mix in his gut. He waited for the chiefs answer.
Harrison sat back. Before I go into the details, bring Agent Bishop up to speed on where we are in the investigation.
Ive read the reports, but Id like to hear your observations, Agent Bishop said.
Josh looked to Serena. Her gaze slid to meet his. Her eyebrows inched up in question. Josh nodded, indicating for her to speak.
Six months ago a routine court witness protection detail went south, she said, addressing Agent Bishop. We apprehended a suspect who had tried to take out the witness and offered him protection in exchange for information regarding human trafficking. Babies, to be exact. The thug was working for someone dubbed Mr. Big. We have yet to find this man.
However, following the lead the suspect provided, we ascertained that there is indeed an illegal ring of baby smugglers operating out of the U.S. We believe the headquarters are here in St. Louis. We discovered a connection between Mexico and a law firm here, Munders and Moore.
We believe the law firm is arranging for infants to be brought across the border and sold to American families through an adoption agency.
The Perfect Family Adoption Agency, Harrison murmured. Why there?
The agency is owned and operated by Matilda Munders, wife of Fred Munders. Fred has been implicated in witness tampering, several kidnappings and murder.
The chief stroked his chin. Its imperative we bring these criminals to justice. Are you two prepared to do what it takes?
Josh blinked at the ominous words. He glanced at Special Agent Bishop. The man stared back at him with sharp eyes, reminding Josh of a shark.
Yes, sir, Serena answered quickly.
Josh? Harrison eyed him with an intensity that made Josh want to squirm.
But Josh held himself still. Of course, sir.
Good. Agent Bishop handed each of them a file folder. Inside this dossier you will find everything you need for your cover. Publically you will be reassigned to work on a fugitive task force coordinating with the FBI.
Josh opened the dossier and scanned the overview sheet. His heart beat in his throat. He slanted a glance at Serena. She stood frozen in place, her gaze trained on the papers in her hand. Slowly she lifted her gaze to meet his. Shock and denial swirled in the depths of her chocolate-brown eyes.
Swiftly she jerked her gaze away from Josh to address the chief. No. I cant. I wont.
Joshs fingers tightened around the folder. Hed never known Serena to back away from a challenge. And this would be challenging.
The chief stared back at her unflinchingly. This is too dangerous a task to give to a civilian. You and McCall are the perfect choices.
She sputtered. But...but...posing as husband and wife?
Its the perfect cover, Bishop said. Youll be Mr. and Mrs. Andrews from Alaska, recently relocated to St. Louis because of Mr. Andrewss promotion to bank executive at First National. You are desperate to have a child. Youve tried everything and are at your wits end.
I could never pull this off, Serena declared, her voice rising slightly, betraying her upset.
Josh had only seen her lose her cool once, when shed heard the news of her brothers death. For her to show this much of a reaction spoke volumes. Was it the undercover work she objected to, or was it that he would be playing her husband?
Serena, think of all the innocent families who have been affected by this case. Josh held her gaze. He needed to take this assignment. They needed to take this assignment. Theyd worked too hard over the past six months to back down now.
The fact that going undercover with Serena would mean theyd be in constant contact with few breaks strung his nerves tight, but he couldnt let that deter him. We need to do this. We need to bring the ringleaders to justice before more hearts are brokenor anyone else is killed.
A ripple of pain crossed Serenas face before she narrowed her gaze on him. Youre okay with this? You and me posing as husband and wife?
If that is what is required of us, then yes. I would think youd want to do whatever it took to bring down Munders and the adoption agency. Even posing as my wife.
The thought of pretending to be married to Serenaaka Susan Andrewswould present all sorts of difficulties. Not the least of which was the attraction he fought on a daily basis, and despite the fact that they had reached an uneasy truce these past few months, he could never forget that she blamed him for Daniels death. Nor could he ignore his own guilt, which made working with Serena so painful.
Playing the part of Jack Andrews would necessitate Joshs tapping into his latent acting skills. In high school hed had the lead role of Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest, to much acclaim.
Though a part of him doubted hed have much trouble giving a convincing act as Susans husband. Not with Serena playing Susan to his Jack.
But the question that knocked at his mind was: once this charade was finished, would they be able to go back to being partners?
* * *
Serena barely held on to her composure as three sets of eyes watched her. She forced her expression to remain neutral. She hated that shed had a momentary lapse in poise when she initially realized what they were being asked to do.
Pose as husband and wife?
Her and Josh.
A loving couple wanting to adopt a child.
The thought of pretending to be Joshs adoring wife sent her heart rate spiking and stirred up old feelings shed long ago squashed. When shed first met her brothers friend, she thought Josh handsome and charming. It didnt hurt that Daniel had loved Josh like a brother. But Josh had been taken. And Serena had a strict policy to never poach another womans man. Not that she had wanted to date Josh. Well, okay, maybe a little, even though hed treated her like a sister and kept a proper distance between them. Shed admired his faithfulness to his girlfriend. There had been a lot about Josh Serena had admired and respected.
But that was before Daniels murder.
Now she tolerated Joshs presence because she had to, not because she held on to some silly crush.
She dropped her gaze to the file in her hand. The dossier held a minimal biography of the fictional Susan Andrews as well as a birth certificate and a social security number. Both documents looked completely legit. Everything shed need for a Missouri ID.
Even though this identity was temporary and would be used only for the purpose of bringing down criminals, a surreal feeling of loss of self invaded her.
This must be what witnesses felt when they were given their new identities.
The silence stretched as the men waited for her to say something. She thought about the children whod been torn away from their mothers and sold off to couples desperate enough to purchase a baby through questionable sources.
Those little lives demanded she put aside her personal issues and do what was necessary to make sure no more families were torn apart.
Im in. She slanted a glance to her husband, then quickly jerked her gaze away when her heart jumped.
Shed better learn to compartmentalize ASAP or their cover would be blown before it ever got off the ground.
THREE
Excellent. Agent Bishop glanced at Chief Harrison and exchanged a nod. Josh tugged at the collar of his shirt. Welcome to Operation: Marriage.