THREE
Excellent. Agent Bishop glanced at Chief Harrison and exchanged a nod. Josh tugged at the collar of his shirt. Welcome to Operation: Marriage.
Uh, dont you mean Operation: Undercover Marriage? Josh asked, earning himself one of Serenas annoyed, you-think-youre-so-funny looks.
Bishop chuckled. Right you are, Marshal McCall. He clasped Joshs hand in a firm grip. Glad to have you on board. He released Josh to take Serenas hand. Im looking forward to working with you.
Bishop held on a little too long to Serenas hand. Joshs gaze narrowed. The soft smile she gave the agent pierced Josh with a spear of jealousy that both shocked and scared him. Daniel had made Josh promise that if anything ever happened to him, Josh would watch out for Serena. No way should he be feeling anything like jealousyor anything else, for that mattertoward his partner.
Wife.
Pretend wife.
Daniels sister!
Get a grip, McCall. This was just his job. A part to be played for the sake of a lot of kids safety, on behalf of justice. Nothing more.
Giving himself a mental shake, he turned to the chief. When do we start this charade?
Immediately, the chief answered.
Ill have a house set up for you within the hour, Bishop said.
Where will the house be located? Serena asked. If were posing as a wealthy couple looking to adopt a child at any price, were going to need to be set up in one of the more affluent neighborhoods.
On it, Bishop said. I have an agent securing a home in the Compton Heights neighborhood. You will also need a high-end vehicle appropriate for your cover as a bank executive. Stop by the BMW dealership on South Hanley Road. Ask for Dirk. Hes expecting you.
Josh whistled between his teeth. Wow, well get to see how the other half lives.
A car and a home in Compton Heights. The posh neighborhood was located on the near south side of the city in the shadow of the great water tower of Reservoir Park. The nationally historic neighborhood sported gated and tree-lined streets and houses that were mostly of the Victorian era with lavish yards.
A world unto itself with the convenience of being ten minutes from everywhere. A lifestyle Josh would never be able to afford on a marshals salary. But he didnt regret the choice he made to join the U.S. Marshals Service. He wouldnt allow money to hold the same appeal to him as it had to his father. Josh had strived too hard in the course of his life to be the opposite of the man whod broken not only his mothers heart but also Joshs.
Will we have operational support? Serena asked.
You will, the chief stated. You both remember Linda Maitland?
Serena shook her head. I dont.
I do. Josh remembered Linda well. Shed served as the administrative officer when hed joined the St. Louis district office. Shed retired not long after.
Shell be coming on board as your support. Her cover will be an aunt whos living with you. Harrison exchanged a glance with Bishop. We wanted someone we were sure wasnt the leak but who would be familiar with our protocols.
There will also be an agent posing as the groundskeeper to provide additional support, Bishop said. His pocket beeped. He withdrew a cell phone. Excuse me. He moved to the corner of the room and stood with his back to them while he took his call.
Will we be able to pack clothing from home? Serena asked.
Harrison regarded her kindly. As Mrs. Andrews, youll be expected to dress the part.
Serena blinked. I better go shopping.
Turn your receipts in to Linda and shell make sure youre reimbursed. Harrison turned to Josh. Your suits should be fine, though you should try to change your appearance as much as you can. Youll need to leave each morning like youre going to work. Agent Bishop will arrange for an office in the bank headquarters on the executive floor where you can continue with your investigation into Munders and the adoption agency.
Serena frowned. What about me?
Youll be the devoted stay-at-home wife waiting to adopt a child, Harrison explained. You will definitely need to change your appearance. Work with Linda on that.
Serenas mouth pressed tight. She didnt like the idea, which didnt surprise Josh. She wasnt the stay-at-home type. She was one of the most ambitious women he knew. A trait that would take her far. Her work ethic was one of the qualities that he admired about her.
Bishop clicked off his call and rejoined them. Actually, Marshal Summers, there is a family in the neighborhood with several adopted children. We dont know if theyve dealt with Perfect Family or not. Wed like you to establish a connection.
Okay, I can do that, Serena said with certainty ringing in her tone.
This Josh had to see. Serenas no-nonsense, practical and professional demeanor worked in the field, but would it work in an affluent suburban neighborhood?
Good. That call was from my agent in the field. The house is ready. Bishop wrote an address on a sheet of paper and handed it to Josh. Ms. Maitland will meet you there. He handed them each a business card. If you need anything, my numbers are on here. He shook hands with the chief before exiting out the door.
Okay, the chief said. You have your marching orders. Do us proud and get the goods on Munders.
We will, sir, Josh assured him and filed out of the chiefs office behind Serena.
Burke Trier was the first to pounce with curiosity. So what was that about?
Are you two really being pulled off the Munders case? Bud Hollingsworth asked. That doesnt make sense. You two have been the one constant.
Yep, were pulled, Serena stated with an exaggerated sigh. Its not fair. Weve worked so hard to be taken out now.
Burke gave her a funny look.
Josh stifled a groan. If this overdone display was any indication of Serenas acting abilities, they were in trouble.
Were being reassigned to a FBI task force here in town, Josh said, offering the cover story.
For what? Bud asked.
Josh shrugged. Dont know yet. Were leaving now.
Bud clapped him on the back. Tough break. That must be why Harrison called me in.
Must be. Josh gathered his things. You ready, partner?
Serena met his gaze. Yes, partner.
They left the building. In the parking garage, they decided to take Joshs sedan and leave Serenas compact. Driving through downtown St. Louis traffic, Josh said, We should discuss the Andrewses backstory. Where we met. Why we cant have children. What lengths wed go to for a child.
Serena slanted him a glance. According to this, we met in college.
Okay. Where?
She opened the file folder. This says youre transferring to St. Louis from Alaska. She wrinkled her nose. I cant imagine living in Alaska. But first we met in Seattle at the University of Washington. You went to work for the bank right out of college and then we were moved to Alaska and now St. Louis.
Okay. Once we get settled in the house, we contact the adoption agency and tell them we want a child right away. Josh drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. What kind of person adopts a baby who seemingly appears overnight?
Desperate ones, Serena said.
If people want to adopt, they should use a reputable and legal agency that is regulated by the state they live in.
I would imagine the families that have adopted through Perfect Family Adoption Agency thought it was a legitimate agency. If the Munderses werent so good at hiding the illegal aspects of their agency, wed have shut them down long before now, she reminded him.
True. But I still dont get why anyone would not be suspicious if a baby was produced quickly without meeting the birth mother. Someone cant just show up to an adoption agency and expect to have an infant in their arms within a short amount of time. We already know that Munderss organization, working in Mexico, coerced Vanessa Martinez into giving up her baby, Isabella.
Four months ago U.S. marshal Colton Phillips had been assigned to protect the thug whod promised information on the illegal baby-buying scheme. In the process, Colton and FBI agent Lisette Sutton had stopped the illegal transfer of a baby they dubbed Baby C. The infant was eventually reunited with her mother. A win for the marshals.
Its not our place to judge what others do. People have to walk their own paths.
Thats very magnanimous of you, he stated, a bit surprised by her soft attitude. It made him wonder what lay beneath the tough exterior she so valiantly exuded.
She shrugged. If a couple had tried everything to have their own child and then were forced to wait months and months or even years to adopt through the state-run agencies, I could see how theyd turn to agencies that might be a bit questionable.
It sounds like youve given the subject some thought. Did she long for a child of her own? Her unrelenting professionalism made him wonder what type of mother shed be.
What type of wife?
The fact that he wanted to find out made him shift uncomfortably in his seat. He had no business letting his mind wander down such a dangerous path.
Dont be ridiculous, she snapped. Im just hypothesizing.
No maternal pangs?
From the corner of his eye he saw her jaw clench.
There was a moment of hesitation before she said, No. But I do know what its like to desperately wish for something that you cant have.
She wasnt referring to children or the case but rather to her wish that Daniel were still alive. He had the same desperate, useless desire. But Daniel was gone. His absence left a gaping hole in Joshs life. The hole was even bigger in Serenas life.
Daniel would like this undercover idea, Josh stated softly.
Yes, hed have relished playing the role of wealthy Jack Andrews, Serena replied and turned to look out the passenger window.
Josh gave a quiet laugh. Yeah, but Id never be able to pull off the doting wife bit. My ankles give me away every time.
She shook her head, but he saw the slight smile. A part of her clearly appreciated his attempt at levity, but she was obviously still too raw, still hurting from the loss of her brother, to laugh too much.
His chest caved in on itself under the heavy weight of guilt.
He pulled up outside his apartment building. I know this charade of pretending to be my wife is going to be hard for you, Serena.
She jerked her gaze to him. Whats that supposed to mean?
As professionals we need to put our personal feelings aside. Daniel wouldnt want to be the reason we didnt crack this case.
Her brown eyes hardened. Ill do my job, Josh.
The tone of her voice suggested that he wouldnt do his. He bristled with offense. Old fears that hed be like his father rose to taunt him. Are you questioning my work ethic?
You werent there for Daniel when he needed you.
Josh flinched; her words were a blow to the gut. He knew she blamed him for Daniels death. Having that bit of gut-clenching knowledge confirmed tore a jagged hole through him. I had taken a personal day. Daniel understood.
But he called you right before he Her voice caught. And yet you werent there for him.
Joshs heart contracted painfully in his chest. Yes, he called me. I didnt pick up.
Daniels cell phone had been in his pocket when the police found his body. The last call had been to Josh. Josh still had the saved message on his voice mail. He didnt have the heart to erase the message, but he also couldnt listen to the sound of Daniels voice again.
Hed heard the message once, right after being informed of Daniels murder. Daniel had caught a call on a lead that might be something big and had wanted Josh to get off his duff and go with him. Daniel hadnt said where or why.
Josh ran a hand through his hair. Dont you think I regret that every minute of every day?
He had been wallowing, nursing his bruised ego, trying to come to terms with the breakup and Lexis accusations, and he had let the call go to voice mail.
What would Serena say if she knew Lexi had been convinced he had feelings, romantic feelings, for her?
He had no intention of ever telling Serena, because doing so would only be painful for them both.
I dont know. Do you? she shot back, her voice filled with anger that matched the flames in her eyes.
Of course I do. He stared at her, not believing her implication. Daniel wasnt just my coworker but my best friend. Id have gladly given my life for his.
He felt her doubts and silent accusations like a thousand serrated knives carving him up inside. It was like facing his childhood all over again. He popped open the door, needing air and space. What kind of unfeeling monster do you think I am?
He stalked away. He didnt need to hear her response. He already knew her answer.
* * *
Serena sat there watching Josh walk toward his ground-floor apartment. Shed hurt him with her words. Regret squeezed her in a forceful grip.
She couldnt control herself where Josh was concerned. Her anger and grief made her tongue sharp, even though she knew better. Working with him these past few months had been excruciating. Every waking moment she struggled to curb her desire to lash out at him for her brothers death.
Logically she knew whomever had hit her brother over the head was responsible for the murder, and she prayed that God would somehow, someday, bring the perp to justice.
But that didnt stop Serena from heaping blame on Josh. Hed admitted to not picking up when Daniel called him for backup. Serena had no idea what Josh had been doing on his day off. For all she knew, his cell phone had been dead. She didnt care.
Josh hadnt been there for Daniel, his partner, her brother.
Now she couldnt trust Josh to be there for her, not when it really counted. No matter how well she and Josh worked together, she could never count on him to have her back.
So what if a voice inside her head whispered she wasnt being fair? So what if everyone deserved a day off? So what if Josh had had her back more times than she could count these past six months?
She couldntdidnttrust him.
But she couldnt ignore the fact that they were about to embark on an undercover mission that would require them to at least be civil with each other in private and madly in love in public. Her stomach clenched.
She wasnt sure how shed pull off the adoring-wife role.
She didnt even know what that looked like. Not on a personal level.