Tangled Web
by Sarah & Lanie
Chapter 3
July 4, 1999
Cameron pushed himself harder as he ran up the hill. He felt just like he did his first day in Bay City. . . . .a man trying to outrun his demons. Amanda's love had helped him get rid of those demons, but he still could not outrun them. Wherever he went they were always there. It exasperated him beyond words.
Cameron stopped at the top of the hill, catching his breath. He looked at the city below him. Had it only been a little over a year ago that he had come to this place? Cameron closed his eyes and thought back to that time.
Cabin in the
Catskills
March 1998
Cameron paced impatiently. He felt like a caged animal. The cabin was cozy, but it was small. Cameron's eyes rested on the bed by the fireplace. Hawk was sleeping. He was covered in blankets, but Cameron could tell that he was shivering. Cameron looked at the I. V.'s pumping fluids and medicine into Hawk's weakened body. It was almost more than he could stand to see this man seriously ill. Trying to remove the image from his mind was difficult, but he looked into the fire as it crackled hoping the dancing flames would hold the solution.
"Are you leaving tonight?"
Cameron spun around, startled by the sound of Hawk's voice. "Yeah, they want me to check out the area before I go talk to Hutchins."
Hawk motioned for Cameron to come closer. Cameron did as he bade. Cameron sat gently on the side of the bed and looked at Hawk.
"Be careful with Hutchins," he warned. "He doesn't play by the rules," Hawk finished in a whisper.
Hawk looked over Cameron's shoulder as Scout entered the room. He looked back at Cameron.
"There's something else that I want you to do while you're in Bay City."
"As if you have to ask," Cameron told Hawk with a nod, clearly understanding without words what Hawk wanted him to do.
"What kind of promises are you making this guy, Cam? Or should we be calling you 'Frank' so you'll get used to it? Are you sure that you're up to all of this?" Scout asked.
"I'll be fine. This is no big deal."
"Have you thought about what you're going to do when you come face to face with your brother?"
"It's not going to happen," Cameron said with confidence.
"It's been my experience that Murphy's Law is proven over and over again," Scout told him.
"Not this time. I'm focused and I'm motivated."
"Good. This is a life and death situation."
"This isn't anything that I haven't handled before," Cameron reminded him.
Scout nodded, then looked at Hawk where he lay in the bed. He patted Cameron on the back.
"I know you'll do your best, Mav."
Cameron stepped in front of the man who had trained him. He picked up on Scout's concern. They were all worried about Hawk. They had almost lost him this time.
"I know you wanted to go, Scout."
"But I can't," he said with a heavy sigh. "Are you all right with working with Josie? Are you going to be able to keep up this act with her?"
"We made it through 'training' at Quantico together, didn't we? She didn't suspect a thing."
Scout laughed, a deep infectious sound. "That was a good one. I still can't believe that Kane let you play with her like that so she'd buy your act. I've never seen an agent throw himself into a case like you do. Nothing ever rattles you."
Cameron looked away, uncomfortable with the compliments. He had no reason not to throw himself into his work. He had no family. . .no one cared if he lived or died. Wasn't that the reason he had been hand-picked by the FBI? Wasn't that why he had taken on numerous suicide missions over the years? Wasn't that the reason he was risking discovery to go to Bay City and save whomever was on Hutchins' hit list?
The two men in this cabin had watched out for him all these years. Scout had trained him, and together, he and Hawk had made Cameron their personal project. They had mentored him and turned him into the man he was today. Hawk was always the father he had never had. Scout was the levelheaded brother who had shown Cameron how to channel his anger into something positive.
Tonight he would go to Bay City, Illinois. His mission was to find a killer. It was no coincidence that he had been chosen for this mission. He was the only one they trusted to infiltrate the Cory mansion and find the killer. There was nothing personal in it, and it would be like a hundred other missions for him. He would go in, find the hitman, and leave. They would barely remember him. He would walk away and never look back. Never.
Cameron blinked, bringing himself back to the present. He smiled wryly. How things had changed! Amanda had knocked him flat that night when he had first seen her. She had been doing that over and over again ever since. Now everything was for Amanda and their life together. He had to break his ties with these people. He had promised Amanda there would be no more lies, yet here he was deceiving her again. He would find a way to get out of this.
Devlin's presence rattled him. He did not want her near Amanda let alone working with her. Cameron understood the necessity of it, but he did not want Amanda or anyone else in his family involved in this. After this mission, he was going straight to Kane and have it out with him. He would demand to be debriefed and cut loose all ties with them. He had earned his freedom, had he not? What about Hawk and Scout? How did they earn their freedom? Sure they were not plucked from prison like him, but their prison was of a different kind. All of them had made sacrifices that few could understand.
Cameron spun around quickly when he felt someone staring at him. He narrowed his eyes and frowned when he saw who else was on the hill with him.
"What the hell are you doing here? . . . What? Are you spying on me now?" Cameron demanded as he took a menacing step forward.
Tess continued to stare at him, unaffected by his tone. The only indication that she even heard him was the arch of her left eyebrow.
"Good morning to you, Cameron," she said in an even tone. Her calm demeanor was rewarded with a snarl from Cameron. Her lips twitched as she watched him twist with anger. "Haven't you noticed that it's 90 degrees outside? It's not exactly the time to be jogging. We can't have you getting sick on us."
Cameron walked to her so that they were nose to nose. "What I do on my own time is none of your business. Don't think that I'm buying your phony concern."
Tess threw her head back and laughed further infuriating Cameron. He grabbed her arms and squeezed tightly. The laughter died but the smile still played around her lips.
"You're just so easy sometimes, Mav," Tess said thoroughly enjoying pushing Cameron's buttons.
Cameron shoved her away from him and turned his back as he walked away.
"As usual, you haven't answered my question," Cameron stated in a disgusted tone as he once again looked at her.
Tess walked forward. "Ah, you want to know why I'm here. Can't it just be that I want to spend some quality time with you?"
Cameron dipped his head and glared at her. "No, it can't."
"I'd forgotten how grouchy you are in the morning. Okay, I wanted to make sure we are on the same page regarding this picnic today."
"I don't know what page you're on but my page says that you're calling in sick."
Tess smiled. "Really? You know this presents the perfect opportunity for me. I get to schmooze with my new co-workers, meet the Cory clan, and, oh yes, I get to spend some time with my favorite partner."
"I don't want you there."
"That is obvious, but you really have no say in this. This is a part of my cover whether you like it or not."
"Well, I don't like it, ConTessa," Cameron spat.
Tess narrowed her eyes at him, then smiled. "I'll see you there, Mav. I can't wait!"
With that said, Tess turned and disappeared onto the path down the hill. Cameron glared at the spot where she had stood for a moment. It was starting again. All of the crap was starting again. This time it would end differently. This time he would walk away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cameron walked out onto the terrace. He was dressed in a hunter green polo shirt and khaki trousers. He watched Amanda as she gave the caterers last minute instructions. She looked so beautiful in her watercolor striped sundress in shades of turquoise and chartreuse. Cameron smiled as he watched her in "full tilt business mode". He was transfixed, enjoying watching her in action.
"Hey, Cameron," Matt said as he walked up beside him.
"Hi, Matt. That was a quick trip," Cameron observed as he and Matt shook hands.
"I just got in this morning. I'm feeling a little jet lagged, but I wouldn't miss this party for anything."
"Amanda and Rachel have been running around here all morning. There will be hell to pay if this party doesn't go off without a hitch. . . . . By the way, we've been spoiling Jasmine while you've been gone."
"I wish that I hadn't had to take that short trip and be away from Jasmine for a moment. I know when Lila and Cass get back that I'll have to arrange visitation and everything is not going to be nice and neat," Matt remarked with an irritated frown.
"That's tough. She's a little heartbreaker already," Cameron told him with a small smile.
"Ah, she's been working on you, I see," Matt said with a grin.
"Amanda volunteered to feed her last night, then she got a phone call. So I stepped in while she was on the phone. Next thing I know I have strained peas in the middle of my forehead. Jasmine laughed like nothing I've ever heard. I forgot all about the peas when I heard that. It was amazing."
"That laughter of hers is infectious. You should have one," Matt stated.
"One what?" Cameron asked, confused by the statement.
"A baby. It'll change your life."
Cameron looked at Amanda. Feeling his eyes on her, Amanda turned and smiled at him. Yeah, they definitely needed to work on that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rachel and Carl strolled together through the gathering of family, friends, and Cory employees. They paused as they looked at the crowd, greeting those close by.
"Look at all of this. What a beautiful celebration!"
"I'm glad you suggested it, darling," Carl stated as he gazed deeply into Rachel's eyes.
"Having you here is the most beautiful gift, Carl. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate all the wonderful things that have happened in our lives in the last month," Rachel said, then looked at their family members. "Look at Joe, Paulina and Remy. They look so natural together. . . .like they have always been together. Amanda and Cameron can't keep their eyes off each other. They are so incredibly happy. But Matthew. . . ."
"Matthew will be happy again someday, love," Carl interjected.
"He's so heartbroken now. And when Lila and Cass come take Jasmine. . . .," Rachel said with a sigh. "It will break his heart all over again."
Carl pulled her around to face him. "Things have a way of working themselves out. Mark my words. Matthew will find the happiness that has eluded him thus far," Carl told her, then placed a kiss on her cheek. He looked at the group. "The leadership of Cory has passed to the next generation."
"I'm very happy that you are entrusting the daily operations of Cory to Matthew and Amanda. It means so much."
"It is as Mac would want it to be."
Rachel smiled and hugged him tightly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Vicky and Jake drove up in their newly purchased mini-van. Jake glanced at Vicky as they pulled up in the drive in front of the Cory Mansion.
"I can't believe we're driving one of these things," Jake told her.
"Our family keeps growing and growing, Jake. You knew we would have to give up our youth someday."
"Speak for yourself. I plan on fighting this grown-up stuff kicking and screaming all the way."
"Too late, McKinnon," Vicky began, then patted her rounding belly. "When the first one of these girls calls you 'Daddy', it will hit you like a ton of bricks."
Jake hopped out of the van. The boys, Sean, Kirkland, and Steven, had already slid the door open and were now running around the side of the house.
"Hey, wait on us!" Jake yelled, but they were already gone. He shook his head in irritation as he strode around to the passenger side of the van. "Madame," he said with a smirk as he helped Vicky from the van.
"It's going to be so great to see Carl," Vicky said as her blue eyes danced with happiness.
"Well, if we're actually gonna see him, then you better start moving that pretty little butt of yours."
Vicky slapped him on the shoulder. Jake feigned injury. He turned to the parking attendant. "Be gentle," Jake told him as he threw the attendant the keys.
Jake and Vicky's laughter filled the air as they walked away. The parking attendant stared after them for a long time before he jumped into the van.
"All right who wants to get their butts kicked in a game of volleyball? Boys against girls?" Matthew challenged with an impish grin. His eyes sparkled.
"Matty. . ." Joe said warningly.
"You're on!" Paulina yelled as she pulled off her shoes. "Come on, ladies, let's show them how it's done."
Paulina, Remy, Amanda, Alli, Toni, Marley and Josie lined up on one side of the net, while Matthew, Joe, Cameron, Gary, Chris, Tyrone and Sean lined up on the other side.
"Wait for me!" Vicky yelled as she ran to the girls' side.
"Vicky!" Jake yelled. "No way! You're not doing this."
"I believe the man is chicken. Pock pock!" Vicky taunted him, flapping her arms like a chicken. "Afraid that male ego is going to get damaged, McKinnon?"
Chris laughed beside Jake. "You heard the lady," he said as he tried unsuccessfully to hide a smile. Jake glared in response.
"What are we waiting on? Let's go. Come on, Matt. Throw me the ball," Jake spat as he grabbed the ball from Matt's hands.
Jake served the ball, sending it sailing through the air. Marley gingerly hit the ball and Paulina returned it to the other side. The game heated up as the score went back and forth, which caused tempers to flare. The mini-disputes started, causing an arbitrator to be appointed. Nick was reluctantly drafted since he was sitting on the sidelines with a sprained ankle. First off, the girls wanted Tyrone disqualified because of his height. Next the guys accused the girls of distracting them, thus cheating. Later on the guys protested because they felt Nick was not impartial because his two sisters and his girlfriend were swaying his decisions. Then the girls disagreed with his call. Their reason. . ."HE'S A MAN!!!!!"
Tess Richardson paused in the terrace doorway. She was dressed in a long, flowing sleeveless dress with daisies in white and yellow scattered across a black background. Her auburn tresses hung loosely around her shoulders. She nodded at a waiter as he presented her with a tray of hors d'oeuvres. She continued out onto the terrace. Tess watched the volleyball game with some amusement. They seemed to be having fun, though it was hard to tell with all that yelling. She spotted Carl and Rachel right away.
So that is the infamous Carl Hutchins. He intrigued her. It was not every day that a man came back from the dead…and this man had accomplished that feat more than once. Tess grabbed a glass of lemonade from a passing waiter. She took a small sip as she studied Hutchins over the rim of the glass. It was at that moment that both Cameron and Amanda noticed her. Cameron nodded slightly in recognition. Amanda waved boldly and motioned for Tess to join in. Tess shook her head in response.
Amanda leaned close to Paulina. "Do you see that woman over there in the black dress?"
Paulina looked in Tess's direction.
"Don't make it obvious!" Amanda told her in a loud whisper.
Paulina shot her an irritated look, then nonchalantly glanced at Tess. "What about her?"
"I hired her at Cory. I think she will be perfect for Matt."
"Are we talking business or personal?"
"Both. I think it's our sisterly duty to play matchmaker."
"You don't have to twist my arm," Paulina said with a smile.
"Then you're in."
"Oh, I'm in."
"Hey, are we talking here or playing?" Matt asked, bringing his sisters' attention back to the game.
Tess watched the game as it continued to progress. She decided that Amanda would be occupied for a while longer so she would take it upon herself to introduce herself to Carl and Rachel Hutchins. She set her glass on a nearby table and began walking along the side of the pool toward Carl and Rachel.
Meanwhile, the game continued. Matthew served the ball and Alli promptly returned it. It went back and forth several times before Josie volleyed the ball hard. Matthew moved backwards determined to save the ball.
"I got it!" he yelled and waved the others off. "I got it!"
Matthew kept moving backwards until he bumped into a solid object. His face fell when he heard the splash from the pool and felt the spray of water on his skin. He turned quickly and kneeled at the side of the pool, waiting for the person to surface.
Tess pushed herself to the surface of the water, sputtering as she gasped for air. She pushed the hair from her face. The water stung her eyes as she tried to open them. She looked up at Matthew with her eyebrows knitted in anger.
"Of all the. . ." she spat, still trying to get her bearings. Everyone was staring. She closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry. Please let me help you," Matthew said as he offered her a hand.
Cameron watched from a few feet away. He took one glimpse at Tess, then dissolved into a coughing fit as he tried to suppress his laughter. Gary was not fooled by Cameron's fake cough and gave him an admonishing look.
"Come on, man," Gary whispered low. "That's not nice."
Cameron continued to cough. He took a deep breath, "I know but. . . ." he choked, managing a wide smile. "I'll go get her a robe from the pool house."
As Tess glared at Matthew's offered hand, she had heard Cameron's poorly masked laughter, and it infuriated her even further. Tess finally put her hand in his, and Matthew pulled her out of the pool. She stood there thoroughly humiliated as everyone continued to focus on her.
"I'm really sorry. I'll do anything to make this up to you," Matthew told her, unsure of what to do.
Tess was soaked. A puddle was forming on the ground at her feet. Amanda stepped forward.
"Oh, Tess. . .I'm sorry," Amanda told her.
"It's okay, Amanda. If you don't mind, I think I'll be on my way."
Cameron walked up to them with a terry cloth robe and towel. He shoved them at Tess.
Amanda smiled at him. "That was sweet."
Cameron said nothing in response. Amanda looked back at Tess. Tess was dabbing at her face with the towel, then slipped on the robe.
"I really should be going."
"Wait," Matthew said. "I'm sorry this happened, and I don't even know your name."
Tess lifted her chin in a gesture of barely restrained fury. She leveled her eyes on Matthew.
"Matthew, this is Tess Richardson," Amanda said, hoping introductions would change the icy atmosphere.
Matthew sighed heavily and closed his eyes. "I guess I've made a lasting first impression," Matthew joked.
"To say the least," Tess responded with the chill of the Arctic regions very evident in her tone.
Matthew was taken aback by her. She was beautiful. The touch of her hand in his still tingled in his palm. The demeanor might be cold, but he could sense something within her. He was not sure what that was, but he fully intended to find out.
"Tess, I hope you'll stay," Amanda told her. "I'm sure that I've got something that you can wear."
"Amanda, I. . ."
"Let us make this up to you," Amanda pleaded.
Tess nodded, then smiled slightly. "I've actually got a change of clothes out in the car."
"Then it's settled. You can use our room."
Tess and Amanda walked away together. Matthew shook his head.
"I blew that one!"
"It was an accident, darling," Rachel soothed him as she slipped an arm around his shoulders. "She will come around."
"You apparently weren't standing where I was," Matthew said as his eyes remained riveted on the back of one Tess Richardson.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tess stood in her black bra and half-slip at the sink in Amanda and Cameron's bathroom. Even though she was completely dry now, her temper was still flaring. As she tried to repair the damage, she silently raged at Matthew Cory. She had a feeling. . . .call it a premonition. . . . that he was going to cause her nothing but trouble. She did not have the time to worry about Matthew Cory. She was here to do a job, then she would move on to the next one. That is the way it worked. There was no time for personal considerations. She did not need them. Her job was everything.
Tess snarled at her hair in disgust. The water had returned her hair to its natural state. . .a mass of unruly corkscrew curls.
"This is great!" she railed as she threw her hair pick on the sink. She turned around quickly as the bathroom door opened and closed. Tess glared at Cameron. "Do you mind?"
Cameron completely ignored her outraged tone. He touched the dress, which was hanging on the hook on the door. It was red with tiny white flowers scattered across the short skirt and bodice. "Wow! I didn't know you had anything in your wardrobe that wasn't black."
Tess turned back at the mirror, frowning in response to his observation. "There's a lot of things you don't know, Sinclair."
Cameron continued to ignore her prickly demeanor. He walked to the large sink and hopped up on the empty counter. Tess looked at him for a moment, then went back to repairing her makeup.
"So do you want to tell me why I just saw Hawk carrying what appeared to be pate around on a tray?"
Without blinking an eye, Tess said, "It's his cover. He blends in quite well as a member of the catering staff, don't you think?"
"Should I even ask where Scout is?"
"Parking cars, of course."
"Of course," Cameron echoed as he rolled his eyes. "So tell me about this stakeout of yours. Did you learn anything?"
"Won't your wife be looking for you?"
Cameron shrugged. "She and her sister had their heads together. I figured it was going to be a while."
"To answer your question, the stakeout was a complete waste of time. There was absolutely no movement at the Logan stronghold last night."
"Then it sounds to me like you need to pack it all up and go home. Oh, I forgot, you don't have a home."
Tess pinned him with her blue-green eyes, saying volumes without uttering a word. "Don't be stupid, Maverick. Our information about Logan is reliable."
"So tell me what this has to do with the exhumation of Grant Harrison's body."
"We know something has Logan unsettled. The man in Harrison's grave may have nothing to do with it. But then again. . . ."
Tess walked to the door, removed the dress from its hanger, then pulled it over her head. She looked at Cameron expectantly when the zipper got stuck halfway up her back. With a deep sigh, Cameron jumped off the sink and walked to her. He grabbed the zipper as she held her hair to the side. Cameron zipped the dress, then walked away.
"When will the autopsy results be back from D. C.?" Cameron asked.
"Tomorrow, if we're lucky. They're running it through forensics, DNA, etceteras. . .all the tests they will need to determine the identity of the body."
"So what happens if Grant Harrison is alive?"
"We find him."
"Do you want to tell me again why we're investigating Logan in connection with Harrison? Is there some evidence of a connection?"
Tess shrugged. "We've got a file on Harrison five inches thick. He had his fingers in things that the people of this burg know nothing about. Why wouldn't he have a connection to Logan given the things we know?"
Cameron looked upward, distracted. Then he asked as he pointed, "What are you going to do with that?"
"With what?"
"Your hair."
Tess narrowed her eyes, then looked at the rebellious curls. She reached for a ponytail holder in her purse.
"Wait. Here," Cameron said as he shoved a clip in her hand. "Use this."
Tess looked down at the silver clip, then twisted her hair up on top of her head. A few curls framed her face making her look young and sophisticated.
"Cameron, you've become domesticated. Who would have thought?"
Cameron rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Yeah."
Both jumped when someone knocked on the door. Cameron looked at Tess with wide eyes.
"Tess, is everything all right in there? Are you talking to someone?"
Tess tensed at the sound of Amanda's voice. She motioned furiously for Cameron to hide.
"I'm fine, Amanda. I'll be down in just a moment."
"Okay, do you need anything?"
"No, no, I'm almost finished, thank you."
"All right. I'll see you downstairs."
When Tess heard the outside door close, she exhaled not even realizing that she had been holding her breath. Cameron emerged from his hiding place in the shower.
"We better go," he said and walked out of the room first.
Tess counted to twenty, then followed.
Carl closed the door to the nursery. The twins were sleeping like little angels. He turned down the hall to return to the party. He stopped in mid-step as he watched Cameron disappear around the corner, then raised his eyebrows as he watched Tess follow mere seconds later.
"How curious," he observed.
Amanda walked up to Paulina when she returned to the party.
"How is everything?" Paulina asked.
"I checked on Tess and she said she'll be down in a minute."
"I don't think we're going to have much luck matchmaking her with Matt now."
Amanda smiled. "Oh, I think we've been given the perfect opportunity."
"What?" Paulina asked in confusion.
"An unforgettable first meeting. . .it's the kind you tell your grandchildren about."
Paulina smiled and slid her arm around Amanda's shoulders. "And here I thought that I was the hopeless romantic in the family. Is this what marriage has done to you?"
Amanda's eyes gleamed when thoughts of Cameron filled her mind. "It could be. Where is that husband of mine anyway? It's almost time for the fireworks."
Cameron wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I'm right here," he whispered in her ear. "Always."
Amanda closed her eyes and leaned her cheek against his as he placed a gentle kiss on the corner of her mouth.
Kirkland was kicking a soccer ball around. He practiced all the moves he had seen Steven and the older boys use.
"You're pretty good with that ball," a waiter told him.
"Yeah, someday I'm going to be as good as Steven and his friends. I'm going to show all of them," he said with enthusiasm.
The man kneeled down in front of him and laid his hand on his shoulder. "You will be the best at whatever you do, Kirkland."
Kirkland smiled at the man and kicked the ball some more.
"Hey, how'd you know my name?" Kirkland asked, but when he looked up, the man had disappeared.
Tess quietly returned to the party, careful to draw little attention to herself. She watched Cameron and Amanda for a moment, noticing his relaxed stature. This was a different man from the one she had known all these years. She sniffed. Maybe that is what love did to you.
As the fireworks exploded overhead, evoking murmured "ooohs" and "ahhhs" from the crowd, Matthew could not tear his eyes from the woman standing just outside the terrace doors. He had thought her pretty before, but seeing her now. . .she was gorgeous. Ice princess or not, he intended to get to know Tess Richardson much better.
Tess felt someone's eyes on her. She scanned the crowd, then stopped as her eyes met Matthew's. He smiled slowly as he lifted a glass of champagne to her. Tess stood transfixed, then slowly lifted her glass to him. She did not smile. Her eyes conveyed an unspoken challenge.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Island of Tanquir
David Halliday sipped a glass of scotch at the bar in the hotel. He absently played with the swizzle stick as he stared off into space. It was quiet here. . .too quiet. He realized what was missing instantly. . . Cindy. He had become accustomed to her company. Dare he admit that he missed her? Cindy had jumped at the chance when Mr. Cabalas had called offering her a day of pampering at the hotel's spa.
David thought about Cabalas. There was something about that man that put every nerve on edge. What was it? The man had been nothing but cordial and accommodating.
"Hey, bartender, pour me another one, will ya?" David asked as he shoved the empty glass aside.
Another man sauntered up to the bar. He sat on the stool beside David's. He wore a large white straw hat, a turquoise and red palm tree printed shirt, white shorts, and mirrored sunglasses. David looked at him with interest, swallowing hard as he tried to hide his amusement with the man's attire. Apparently he was not afraid to shout to all of Tanquir that he was a tourist.
"Thanks, Ray," David said as the bartender sat another scotch on a napkin in front of him.
"Ah, a fellow, American," the flamboyantly dressed man exclaimed. "What brings you to Tanquir?"
David could not identify the man's accent. He narrowed his eyes at the man as he eyed him suspiciously. "I don't usually divulge my travel plans with strangers."
The man laughed loudly. "I certainly understand that with all the terrorism in the world. Yes, indeed. Forgive me. My name is Justin Kirkland," the man provided as he offered David his hand.
David stared at the hand, mistrustfully for a moment. He noted the insignia on the man's signet ring, then David smiled slowly as he clasped his hand.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Kirkland. David Halliday from Omaha, Nebraska by way of Bay City, Illinois. And what brings you to Tanquir?"
Mr. Kirkland smiled widely. "I'm on vacation. Dumped the wife and the kids and took off for parts unknown. I found out about this little place in a brochure at the airport."
David raised his eyebrows. "How fortunate for you."
"Yes, it was a stroke of luck. I'm going back, of course. I wouldn't leave the missus high and dry with those brats of ours. Wouldn't think of it. And you? What brings you to Tanquir?"
Something about this man was making the hair stand up on the back of his neck. It was the most eerie feeling he had ever had. . .well other than that incident in Bay City. . . He shook his head. No, he did not want to think about that.
"Actually, I was on vacation, too, until a business opportunity came up. I guess you could say this has become a 'working vacation'. My business associate and I are checking out possible development deals for some property here on Tanquir."
"Have you found anything?"
David opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the ringing of his cellular phone. He raised a hand to Mr. Kirkland, silently asking him to hold his thoughts for a moment.
"David Halliday."
"The David Halliday?"
David grinned at the sound of the voice. "Cindy! Are you getting yourself all dolled up?"
"Honey, I have been poked, prodded, oiled, exfoliated. . .You name it, I've had it done."
"I'll bet," David said, visualizing something very different.
"Is the big shindig at Cabalas' house still on for tonight?"
"It sure is. Are you ready?"
"After this, I'm ready for anything."
"Great. I can't wait to see you in action."
Cindy laughed. "Oh you'll see some action all right. There will be a whole passel of upstanding men at that party tonight. If I can dazzle one of them into proposing to me, I'll win our little wager, won't I?"
David's smile died on his face. "Now Cindy, I think we both know the status of our bet, don't we?"
David could hear the pout in her voice. "Aw, come on David. You aren't going to hold one little false start against me are you?"
David could not repress a grin at her tenacity. "We'll discuss it later. For the time being, I think we'd better focus on tonight. Are you nearly finished there?"
"Almost. So will you be waiting on me when I get done?"
"You can count on it."
Mr. Kirkland listened with more than a passing interest to the entire conversation. He was particularly interested in the "bet" Halliday mentioned.
David ended the call and slapped some money down on the bar. "Mr. Kirkland, it was a pleasure to meet you. Have a safe trip back to the States."
Mr. Kirkland smiled. "I most certainly will."
"Mr. Kirkland" pulled the sunglasses from his face and watched Halliday leave the bar in the reflection of the mirror. Grant Harrison narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Bring me a mai tai, Ray," Grant demanded. After Ray walked away he continued, "I fully intend to find out exactly what you and my bimbo of an ex-wife are up to, Halliday. By the time I get through with the two of you, you'll wish you'd never set foot in Tanquir."