Covert Alliance. Linda O. Johnston
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around here to gain her cooperation. It was something he would never do, even if, as a last resort, he had to make her think he would.
He didn’t take his eyes off her. She remained standing beside his table, but he could see her body tense as she squeezed the hand not holding her notepad into a fist. He figured she wanted to slug him or run. Or both.
But, smart lady that she was, she kept all emotion inside except for those few reactions he was watching for.
Beautiful lady, too. A lady who could probably use some support—emotional, and maybe also physical, since she appeared to sway just a little.
But then she seemed to get a hold of herself. “Hey, great idea.” She smiled sexily at him as she leaned down and kept her voice somewhat low—although those around them might be able to hear it if they tried. “I’m new to this town and have lots of questions about it that I’m dying to ask a longer-time resident. I’m off in ten minutes. When and where should we meet?”
* * *
Kelly hated to play things this way, but it was part of the training pounded into her while changing her identity. Play along with things as much as possible if put into a compromising position. Never admit anything about yourself or your past.
Stay alert and always be smart.
So was this smart?
It was now seven fifteen. Sighing, wishing she could go the other direction, she instead pulled out of the Haven’s small parking area for staff that was behind the restaurant. She headed carefully onto the wide city street, busy even at this hour. That was Blue Haven, with its active residents.
The car she drove had been given to her as part of her cover: a ten-year-old dull red domestic sedan that desperately needed a new paint job. Fortunately, it had survived its cross-country trip. She was a waitress not only here, but also where she had been placed by the Identity Division, in Baltimore. Restaurant servers didn’t make much money, so an aging car, and as tiny and cheap an apartment as possible in this California beach town, helped her hide her real identity. Truth was, she actually didn’t have much money except for her salary, even though the ID Division had provided her with an initial stipend to get her started.
Oh, the money she had saved while living here in Blue Haven and working in its best elementary school as a teacher was still hers. But it was in accounts under Shereen Alsop’s name, and Kelly would dare to try using it again only as a last resort. What if Stan knew about those accounts and had paid their administrators off to let him know if Shereen tried to get into them?
Now, glad she had changed clothes before leaving, she drove only a few blocks in the opposite direction from the elite little town’s civic center to the local bar that Alan had told her about, where they would meet, ostensibly for a date. He’d offered to drive her himself, but she wanted her own vehicle close by in case she felt most comfortable fleeing—after giving a good excuse, of course, like she was getting ill.
Which she might be, upon considering the impending meeting.
She had frequented Tony’s Lounge now and then when she had been old enough after growing up in Blue Haven. Going there just added to her hurdles of potentially running into someone who might recognize her. Despite the chummy name, it was a lounge of renown around here, where many local politicos and businesspeople met after hours to toast deals they’d made that day with pricey drinks. Even elementary school teachers frequented it occasionally—especially one whose sister, a real estate broker, was married to a city council member.
Kelly pulled her car down the familiar driveway between Tony’s and the Haven Liquor Locker beside it. Both were owned by one family, and Andi had been in the same high school class as the son, Tony Jr. Kelly knew him, but not nearly as well as her sister had, so she wasn’t worried about him recognizing her.
The parking lot behind the bar was busy, but she quickly found a space.
Before she got out of her car, Alan was beside the driver’s door, waiting for her.
She swallowed. Years ago, she had occasionally been on stage in high school plays. She knew how to act—and her acting abilities had been enhanced by the Transformation Unit instructors while her identity was changed.
It was time. She grabbed her purse from the floor in front of the passenger’s seat.
When Alan opened the door for her, she smiled broadly and said, “Well, fancy seeing you here. Let’s go get a drink.”
* * *
Kelly had changed her clothing a bit from the garb she wore as a server, Alan noted while she matched her pace to his as they entered through the bar’s back door. She still wore the same white blouse and somewhat uncomfortable-looking shoes, but she’d donned a longer skirt.
Theoretically, he supposed, that should make her appear less sexy.
It didn’t. Kelly Ladd was one hot lady, no matter what she wore.
And despite himself, he couldn’t help imagining how sexy she’d be wearing nothing...
She’s become part of your assignment here, he reminded himself unnecessarily and shrugged off any inappropriate trains of thought.
He hadn’t changed from his official uniform here—a suit. That was fine. He’d had his job with the CIU long enough to feel comfortably chameleon-like in what he wore, depending on the situation.
He hadn’t been at Tony’s often, but it always seemed crowded. And dark. And noisy.
Hopefully it was a good public place for the conversation they were about to have. One in which he intended to ensure that, no matter who the lovely woman with him was, or wanted people to think she was, they would work together for their common purpose.
“How about over there.” Kelly pointed to one of the room’s few empty tables. It was way off in a corner. There were plenty of other people around it, but there was something remote and impersonal and—well, promising about it.
“Looks good,” he agreed, and used the excuse of maneuvering through the crowd in the darkness to take her arm.
The moment he touched her, she looked up at him, her eyes wide and wary. And then she grinned. “I have a feeling this evening is about to get interesting,” she said.
“You got it,” he agreed and, not letting go of her, moved in front so he could be the one to steer them through the crowd.
In a minute, they were at the small, square table. He did his gentlemanly thing again and pulled out the chair.
He took his seat across from her and pushed one of the menus in the table’s center toward her, keeping one for himself.
“Let the games begin,” said Kelly, her smile this time appearing to challenge him.
“And may the best person win,” he agreed.
“So what would you like to drink tonight?” Alan looked across the table at Kelly with an expression that suggested he might want to drink her. Her shiver indicated both nervousness...and pleasure.
Under other circumstances, she might even enjoy flirting with a man like him.
But now, caution had to win out over any sexual interest. He was most likely playing her.
Well, she could do the same to him.
“Something nice and smooth and...tasty.” She smiled at him in a way she hoped suggested she might want to taste him.
“Sounds good to me.”
Their server came over. He wore a T-shirt and jeans and acted enthused enough that he was clearly hoping for a big tip. Kelly knew the type but had no problem with that, especially since Alan was apparently treating. She ordered a rich-sounding zinfandel, while Alan asked for an imported German beer. He also requested chips and salsa so they could nibble while