Tangled Web

by Sarah & Lanie

Chapter 6

July 7, 1999
Cory Kitchen

Cameron's eyes slowly adjusted to the bright light in the kitchen, but he didn't need to be able to see to identify the person confronting him. The sound of her voice had more impact than if she had slapped him. "Amanda? Why are you lurking around the kitchen in the middle of the night? You just about gave me a heart attack!"

His wife sarcastically replied, "I'm sorry. I guess it was rude of me to disturb you while you were trying to sneak in here. I'll have to consult Ms. Manners on the proper behavior when you discover your husband acting like a cat burglar."

Cameron looked at Amanda's furious expression and tried to decide how to explain himself. "Why are you so upset? I'm home a little late and I'm sorry, but you don't need to go ballistic."

Amanda crossed her arms over her chest and said, "Ok, where have you been exactly? Your car was in the garage when I got home; you're not sweating so I know you weren't running. So tell me, Cameron, what have you been doing all night?"

"Actually, I did go running earlier. While I was out there, I sat down to sort a few things out. I'm sure you've noticed that I've been a bit stressed out lately. I felt better but I guess I lost track of time." Cameron ran his hands up and down Amanda's arms. Her posture had relaxed significantly. "I didn't mean to worry you. Are we ok now?"

Amanda smiled slightly and nodded. "Sure... I'm sorry if I overreacted."

Cameron grinned and winked at her, "No sweat. It's kind'a nice having you worry about me. Are you ready to go to bed?"

Amanda shook her head. "No, you go ahead. I'm going to get a glass of water first."

Cameron kissed her cheek and bounded up the back stairs. Amanda stood staring at the doorway for a few moments. Her voice trembled slightly as she said, "You're lying to me, Cameron. I can hear it in your voice. You swore that you'd never lie to me again. Why would you break your promise?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

July 12th, 1999
The Island of Tanquir

David zipped his garment bag and hung it up in the closet. The flight back to Bay City left early the next morning so he and Cindy were packing their bags tonight. The details of the development deal had been settled to the point where the project could be run without them there. It was time to go back to reality.

David walked out to the main area of the suite. Cindy's bedroom door was partially open and he could see her bustling around collecting her things. She was wearing a short halter-style dress made of shiny black material. The dress, what there was of it, clung to her every curve. David watched as she dropped some silky looking nightclothes into her bag. He let out a deep breath and loosened his tie as he turned his eyes away from the door.

Cindy had been as friendly and flirtatious as always, but since the night they'd gone to the party, nothing romantic had happened between them. Every day he spent with her made it harder for David to keep their relationship platonic. Cindy's laughter was infectious and he relished making her smile. Being away from Bay City had done wonders for Cindy. He just hoped she could retain her confidence once they were back there.

A knock sounded at the door, causing a smile to spread across David's face. "I'll get it" he called out as he walked over and turned the knob. David held the door open and gestured. "You can put that over by the patio doors." Once the waiter had everything set up, David handed him a few bills and said, "Much obliged, thanks." The waiter closed the door behind himself and David walked over to the table. He picked up the book of matches and lit the candles that were in the middle of the setting. "Cindy, are you finished packing? I have a surprise for you."

Cindy strode out of the bedroom saying, "Just finished boss-... man." Her voice trailed off as she saw the dinner table sitting next to the glass doors. A feast of delicacies was laid out and David was pouring champagne into two crystal flutes. "Wow, what's all this for?"

David walked over to her and handed her one of the glasses. "This is all for you. I thought since this is our last night here we should have a little celebration. You know... bon voyage, Tanquir, Bay City or bust."

Cindy smiled and said, "I've got to give it to ya, handsome, you sure know how to celebrate."

David grinned and gestured toward the table. "Shall we dig in before it gets cold?"

"Absolutely" Cindy replied. David held out a chair for her and she sat. As they shared the sumptuous food, Cindy said, "You know, I'm really going to miss this place. I've had a great time here... with you."

"Well the feeling is mutual," David said with a smile. "I'm sure we'll have a return trip here before the project is finished but I need to get back to Bay City. God only knows what that woman has done with my investment."

Cindy's brows wrinkled with confusion. "You mean the money you put in Brava? I thought you told Cameron Sinclair that you were going to back off?"

"I did" David replied stiffly. Sinclair's attempt to blackmail him still rankled. It would take more than extortion to make David forget the substantial amount of money he'd put into the magazine. He saw Cindy's chiding look and said, "I hope you don't expect me to feel guilty for misleading a man who is trying to blackmail me. He's the one who declared war, not me. I really don't understand why he and that wife of his have such a problem with me."

Cindy speared a piece of asparagus with her fork and chewed it thoughtfully. "So the 'honesty at all times' policy doesn't apply to you? Considering you're trying to 'rehabilitate' me I would expect you to set a better example."

David cocked up an eyebrow at her. "Very funny. This is a totally different situation. I'm not about to give that fluffy-headed blonde carte blanche with an investment worth millions."

Cindy dropped her fork on the plate. Cindy was not happy with the idea of David still being fixated on Amanda. "Is that what this is about? You're ticked off because Cameron told you to stay away from his wife?"

David's brows flew up at the implication in Cindy's tone. "Her? You can't possibly think..." David could see from the look on Cindy's face that that was exactly what she was thinking. David couldn't help himself - He burst out in a peal of laughter.

Cindy scowled and threw her napkin down on the table. "I'm so happy you're amused! It really makes my day." She pushed her chair back and stomped over to stare out the patio doors.

David stood up and walked over to stand next to her. Cindy angrily crossed her arms over her chest, steadfastly refusing to look at him. David looked at the stiff set of her features and tried to figure out what had set her off. Unable to fathom why she was so upset, David attempted to explain himself. "I wasn't laughing at you, Cindy. I was laughing at the idea of me chasing after that Sinclair woman. If you had seen the way she behaved the day I woke up in the hospital you'd know how ridiculous the thought is. She stormed into my room ranting about how I'd ruined her life and how she was going to make me pay. The woman is completely unhinged and not even remotely my type."

Cindy softened a bit but still shot back resentfully, "So blonde, beautiful, successful and rich isn't your 'type'. What is your 'type' then?"

A soft smile crossed David's lips. "My type... well first off, she needs to have a sense of humor, something Mrs. Sinclair is severely lacking. She should be fun, intelligent, sexy, and above all else she should be my friend. Amanda Sinclair doesn't even come close because she's not..." You, David finished in his head. Aloud he continued, "She's not exactly the president of my fan club. My interest in her begins and ends with my investment in her magazine, end of story." David could see the hostility drain from Cindy's posture. He didn't know how he'd gotten through to her but something he'd said had worked. David angled his head toward the dinner table. "Why don't we finish eating?"

Cindy turned slightly toward him and said, "You go ahead if you want. I've had enough. I think I'm going to go outside and get some fresh air." Cindy slid the patio door open and walked out onto the terrace. She strolled to the edge of the decorative stone patio and stared out across the private beach. The moon reflected off the surface of the waves. The sound of the water crashing against the sand induced a feeling of tranquility inside Cindy. Better enjoy this and remember it. Things will be anything but peaceful when we get back to Bay City.

Cindy heard the glass door open and close behind her. She looked over her shoulder and saw David crossing toward where she stood. As he passed the patio table, he placed a portable stereo unit on top of it and turned on some music. Cindy smiled as he approached and said, "I was just thinking how peaceful it is here... and how things will be so different when we go back to Bay City."

David stopped next to her and stared out at the ocean the way she'd been doing moments ago. "It doesn't have to be different you know. I have every confidence that you can handle anything they throw at you."

"I wish I was as sure as you are. Everyone in that town hates me."

David reached over and grasped Cindy's shoulders, gently turning her to face him. "I don't care what they think, and neither should you. I'd wager that there isn't a single person in that entire town that hasn't done something they had to atone for at one time or another. What you need to focus on is yourself. When they see that you've changed, they'll come around... well, most of them anyway."

Cindy laughed and replied, "You know what? You're absolutely right."

"See? You're making progress already" David joked. He took one of Cindy's hands in his and softly asked, "May I have this dance?"

Cindy felt a tingling sensation run up her spine. She probably should say no. Dancing with him might be more temptation than she could take. But this was a special night, and it was a risk worth taking. "Sure. Lead on MacDuff."

David led Cindy to the center of the stone patio. He took her hand in his and slid his other arm around the small of her back. At first, he hesitated placing his hand against her bare back, almost like he was afraid to touch her. But David couldn't resist the urge to pull her tight against him for long. They stood motionless for a moment as their eyes met and locked under the moonlit sky. Then Cindy leaned her head against his shoulder and they began swaying to the beat of the music...

...I'm old enough to know the rules
But nobody gave me the book
I had to learn to improvise myself
'N time and time I let me down
Until I learned the hard way how to feel
What's real

You get one chance at a life
To give it all and get it right
And after all this time in mine
Everything I thought I knew was tellin' me
To give it up, and leave it all behind
But you get endless second chances
To take it one chance at a time

For love and money
I've made a lot of dumb mistakes in my time
Believe me
I've proved and proved it
I can't believe I'm gonna prove it again
It's time to reinvent myself
But where the hell does the fire come from
When making it don't make it anymore
I know...

You get one chance at a life
To give your all and get it right
And after all this time in mine
Everything I thought I knew was tellin' me
To give it up, and leave it all behind
But you get endless second chances
To take it one chance at a time

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

July 13th, 1999
Washington D.C.

Kane sat at his desk reading the status reports on the Logan investigation when the intercom on his desk buzzed. He pressed the button and said, "Yes?"

"Sir, Hawk is here and he's insisting on seeing you."

"Send him in." Kane remained seated as Hawk stormed into his office. "Hawk, what brings you to DC?"

"Let's not play games, Kane" Hawk replied stiffly. "If you think really hard I'm sure you'll figure out why I'm here."

"Ah, I take it you're not happy with the new assignments."

"You knew I wouldn't be. What the hell are you thinking, having Scout running the on-site surveillance teams?"

Kane remained calm in the face of Hawk's rage. "Who would you suggest handle the assignment instead? Devlin and Maverick are otherwise occupied. Besides, Scout is the most familiar with Grant Harrison's tactics. If the deceased Mayor turns out to be not so dearly departed, Scout is our best chance of determining what the man is planning and stopping it. Do you question that fact?"

Hawk placed his hands on the edge of the desk and leaned forward to pin Kane with a meaningful glare. "I'm not questioning Scout's ability to complete his assignment. What I'm questioning is his ability to handle it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

July 15th, 1999 - 8:00 PM
Access road near the McKinnon Cottage

Scout parked his car behind the gray panel van and turned off the engine. A few moments later he climbed into the van and exchanged greetings with the surveillance team inside. With the pleasantries out of the way he said, "Ok guys, what have you got for me?"

"We have the phone tapped, checking for any strange calls, nothing yet. We've set up patrols around the property every thirty minutes. Do you have any suggestions for us?"

Scout thought for a minute and replied, "That should work for now. We don't want to make ourselves conspicuous. If we get any concrete information on Grant or we run into complications we'll tighten security."

An agent wearing headphones said, "We have an incoming call."

Scout froze briefly, then said, "Hand over the headset. I want to check out the tone to make sure we have a good trace."

The man took off the headset and passed it to Scout. Scout put it on and listened to the conversation taking place:

"Mrs. McKinnon, this is Brenda at Dr. Shannon's office. I'm calling to confirm your appointment tomorrow afternoon."

"We'll be there with bells on."

"So your husband will be coming with you then?"

"I couldn't keep him away if I wanted to. The proud papa insists on being at every appointment with me. He wants to be absolutely certain he knows everything that's happening with the babies."

"Very good. We'll see you tomorrow then."

Scout vaguely registered the sound of the dial tone and absently removed the headset. As he handed it back to the sound technician, he said, "You know that complication I talked about? It just happened."

Scout moved abruptly to exit the van. He had already slid back the door when the agent asked, "What complication? And what changes do we need to make to compensate?"

Scout didn't look back as he replied, "Mrs. McKinnon is pregnant. I'll have to get back to you on how we respond to that news. Right now I need to go." Scout jumped down to the ground and slid the van door shut behind him. He walked back to his car and got in, but he didn't start the engine right away. Instead, he stared through the trees toward the McKinnon cottage.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cameron watched the baseball game with a bowl of potato chips on the couch next to him. Amanda was spending the evening with Alli so he was on his own for the night. It felt good to sit and relax for a little while.

Cameron's cell phone rang and he glared at it. "Why did I know this wouldn't last?" he muttered as he grabbed the phone off the table. "Hello?"

"Mav, it's Scout. I need you to meet me right away."

"Sure. Where? ... There? Wh-... Ok, I'm on the way just give me directions so I can find you ...... Got it. I'll see you soon."

Cameron hung up the phone and quickly jogged out of the house toward the garage. Something was going on with Scout... and Cameron had a feeling it wasn't anything good.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

July 15th, 1999 - 8:30 PM
Cory Publishing

Tess sat behind her desk reading the file she was preparing to present to Matt Cory. She had sent the folders Matt had given her on the European expansion opportunities to the professional market analysts at the agency. They had prepared the document she was now in the process of memorizing. Having those resources at her disposal made posing as an experienced businesswoman much easier to accomplish.

Satisfied that she could present the analysis as her own, Tess stood and walked over to the mirror hanging on her office wall. She carefully examined her appearance. No strands of hair had escaped her French twist and her makeup was perfect. Satisfied that she looked like a consummate professional, Tess gathered her materials and headed down the hall to Matt's office.

Matt heard three sharp knocks on his office door and glanced over at the clock. Tess was precisely on time. It was almost unnerving how meticulous she was about everything she did. Matt called out for her to come in and watched as the door swung open. It was hard for Matt to fathom why each time he saw Tess that he was still shocked by her beauty. Tess was wearing a cinnamon colored pantsuit with a black silk shell under the double-breasted jacket. Even with her glorious hair pulled back into a twist, she was stunning. Matt idly wondered why she didn't wear it down around her shoulders more often. A flash of the dream he'd had came back to heat his blood.

Pushing away the thought, Matt motioned for Tess to sit and said, "I apologize for calling you in so late to go over this report. The board meeting lasted longer than I had anticipated."

Tess smiled thinly and replied, "It's not a problem. Are you ready to get started?"

Matt sat back in his chair and held out his hand. "By all means, fire away."

Tess expertly presented the materials and answered Matt's questions without hesitation. When she finished, she finally took a good look at his face. She was surprised to see a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. Not sure what to make of his reaction, she asked, "Is something wrong?"

Matt shook his head slowly. "That was a perfect analysis. Textbook perfect." He stood up and walked around the desk. "But I didn't hire a textbook, I hired you" Matt said as he hooked his leg over the corner of the desk. He leaned down slightly so they were eye to eye and continued. "Now tell me what you really think."

Tess flared her eyes at him. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. I just told you what I think."

Matt was not intimidated by her icy stare. He returned her gaze with an intensely searching one of his own. "What you've just presented to me is an analysis that any consultant could have provided. What I want you to give me now is your gut reaction."

Tess had spent enough time evaluating the information that she had developed her own ideas. She wasn't usually comfortable improvising, but since Matthew Cory was demanding her opinion, he would get it. "Ok, I think you should take a serious look at that startup firm in Austria. They aren't as financially secure as the Italian company, but their growth potential is much greater. Their target market is about to explode. Assuming Cory acquires them before that happens, the cost of the purchase will be insignificant compared to the future profit margin. If you're looking to take a qualified risk, that's what I'd suggest."

Matt grinned and slapped his palms down on his thigh. "That's what I'm talking about!"

Tess couldn't help smiling back at Matt's infectious enthusiasm. For a few moments, she forgot all about the case. She was just a company executive sharing ideas with her boss. It felt good to be praised for her ideas rather than the canned presentation that the agency had provided. That thought reminded Tess that she wasn't here to earn Matt Cory's good opinion, or to be smiling at him for that matter. Her smile disappeared as the mask of detached professionalism slid back in place. "Do you have any other questions for me, Mr. Cory?"

Matt carefully concealed his disappointment at Tess's change in demeanor. He'd been completely dazzled by her smile in that one unguarded instant when she'd shared it with him. The warmth in her expression had transformed her face. Without the smile, Tess was beautiful; with it, she took his breath away. Realizing he needed to answer her question, Matt stood from his perch on the desk and said, "No. I think I have all the information I need for right now. I'll let you know when I make a decision."

Tess nodded and stood up. She felt the need to get the control back that she'd lost during their exchange. In a haughty tone that bordered on insolence, Tess replied, "I'll be waiting with breathless anticipation."

Matt knew she was trying to provoke a negative reaction from him. Instead, he grinned and said, "Please don't. It may be several days and I wouldn't want you to pass out from lack of oxygen. You're too valuable to Cory to end up on the disabled list."

Tess bit back a smile and turned quickly to leave Matt's office before the laugh that was threatening to escape her broke free. She knew it wasn't exactly professional to leave a superior's office without closing the conversation, but the alternative wasn't palatable either.

Tess strolled back down the hallway toward her office. She couldn't quite force the hint of a smile off her lips. In spite of herself, she was beginning to like Matt Cory. She'd done everything she could to put him off and yet he kept on trying to get along with her. He often seemed more amused by her coldness than irritated by it. At the very least, she had to give him points for trying.

Matt smiled and shook his head. He was having trouble getting a bead on Tess Richardson. But he had to admit that he was enjoying trying to figure out what made her tick. Matt looked down and spotted Tess's day-planner lying on the floor next to the chair where she'd been sitting. Matt picked the binder up and headed for her office.

Tess was a few steps from her office door when her cell phone rang. She shuffled her folders over to one arm and used her freed hand to dig the device out of her jacket. Tess opened the phone and cradled it between her ear and shoulder with a muttered "Hello?" She twisted the doorknob and walked into her office, precariously balancing everything in her hands. Tess elbowed the door behind her, not noticing that it bounced off the jamb and remained open.

Tess dropped the folders on her desktop as the caller replied, "Devlin, this is Wolfe. I'm working on the team that you've had watching Logan's warehouse. I thought you'd want to know that a few minutes ago the man himself entered the premises."

Tess gripped the phone tightly. "That's impossible! He's not supposed to be in town until next week!"

Suddenly, Tess got the sensation that she was being watched. She slowly turned around and saw Matt Cory standing in the open doorway to her office with her day-planner in his hand and a curious expression on his face. She barely registered Wolfe saying, "Well our source must have been wrong or this was a last minute decision because I just saw Logan with my own eyes. He's here alright."

Tess's mind spun as she tried to decide what to do. Her first instinct was to glare at Matt until he left. No, that will only make him more suspicious. Do damage control. Tess motioned for Matt to come in and silently indicated that she would be done with the conversation shortly. Her silence prompted Wolfe to ask, "Devlin? Are you still there?"

Tess forced herself to make her tone casual as she replied, "Yes, I'm here. Someone just walked into my office and I was distracted, that's all."

"So you can't speak freely, right?" Wolfe inquired.

"You got it." Tess replied. "I shouldn't have snapped at you. I just wasn't expecting him to arrive this week and I haven't made any preparations for his visit. Do you happen to know what his plans are?"

"Not a clue, but we figure it's something big. Logan is a careful planner. He wouldn't just pop up in Bay City without notice for no reason."

"I'm sure you're right. I'll make arrangements to pick him up as soon as possible. Can you get word to him to wait for me?"

Wolfe understood the directive and said, "We won't make a move until you get here. I'll call your cell if anything goes down before then."

Tess listened to the dead air on the other end of the line for a few seconds and then said, "Ok, let him know I'm on my way." She turned the phone off and held her hand out in Matt's direction. "Thanks for returning my planner. I'd be lost without it."

Matt strode over to Tess and handed her the binder. "Sure. I'm sorry I interrupted your conversation. It sounded... intense."

Tess shrugged nonchalantly. "Not really. I just hate surprises."

Matt smiled slightly and said, "I'll remember that. What was the big surprise? You said something about picking someone up."

Tess quickly constructed a cover story in her head. "That was a friend of mine from college. Her husband is coming into Bay City on business and she asked me to pick him up. I must have written the wrong date down when I spoke to her about it." Tess glanced at her watch. "And speaking of that, I really need to get going."

"Of course" Matt replied. "Don't let me keep you."

Tess gave him a grateful smile and gathered her things while Matt left her office. She grabbed her coat and rushed across the vacant lobby to the elevator that was attached to the parking garage.

Matt stepped around the corner and watched the elevator doors close behind her. He quickly walked over to the receptionist's phone and pressed the button that automatically dialed the lobby. "Hello, this is Matt Cory. I need you to hold a taxi for me in front of the building. I'll be right down."

Matt hung up the phone and jogged over to press the call button for the express elevator. When the doors opened, he walked inside and pressed the button for the lobby. As the elevator rapidly descended, he thought about the exchange in Tess's office. There was definitely something going on with her. It wasn't normal for her to be so congenial with him. And he had the eerie sensation that there was much more to that phone conversation than what she'd told him. Matt had a feeling that Tess was in danger, and he wasn't about to sit around waiting to find out if he was right.

Matt rushed out of the elevator and through the lobby to the outside of the office building. He quickly jumped into the cab that the doorman had called for him and leaned forward to talk to the driver. "I want you to go around the block and wait near the parking garage exit. When you see a black BMW, follow it. If you can stay behind that car without being spotted, there will be a huge tip in it for you."

The cabby started the meter and said, "You got it." The taxi pulled around and waited. Less than a minute passed before Tess's car pulled out of the garage. Matt sat forward with his arms across the back of the front seat, watching the dark car in front of them. When Tess's car pulled into a parking lot near the waterfront, Matt said, "Pass the parking lot and drop me off around the corner." The driver did as he was instructed and Matt pulled out several bills. As he handed them over he said, "Thanks" and quickly jumped out of the taxi. Matt jogged back to the corner, hoping that Tess hadn't gone so far that he wouldn't be able to find her.

Tess opened the glove box in her car and pulled out her nine-millimeter. She pulled out the clip to check that it was fully loaded, then slid it back into the gun. She slipped the gun into the waistband of her pants at the small of her back and pulled her suit jacket back down to cover it. Then she took out her cell phone and called Wolfe. "It's Devlin. You guys stay put. I'm going to check out the warehouse. Be ready to back me up if I give the signal."

Without waiting for an argument about backup and knowing the team would do as they were commanded, Tess turned off the phone and got out of the car. She walked over to the warehouse and looked around the corner. Seeing no one, she rounded the corner and began making her way toward the front of the building. As she cautiously approached the next corner, Tess pulled her gun out and slid off the safety. She held the gun at ready and took the last few steps that brought her to the front corner of the building.

Just as she was about to look around the corner, Tess heard steps approaching from behind her. She spun with the gun extended in front of her and braced. Her eyes flew wide when she saw the face of her would-be opponent. She lowered the barrel of the gun to face the ground.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Tess hissed in an outraged whisper.

Without remorse, Matt replied, "I'm following you! What the hell are you doing with a gun?"

"Get out of here! You have no business being here-"

"The hell I don't!" Matt interrupted furiously. He closed the remaining distance between them and pointed a finger at Tess accusingly. "You were acting strangely at the office. I thought something was wrong and seeing you wandering around the docks at night, with a gun no less, has done nothing to change my mind. What the hell are you up to?" Matt's fear for Tess had caused his anger. Now he was beginning to calm down and his voice changed to reflect that. "What kind of trouble are you in?"

Tess was taken aback by the caring and concern Matt was expressing. She was used to dealing with anger, but having someone worry about her was another thing entirely. She didn't know how to react to that and her feelings became a confusing swirl of conflicting impulses. Tess sighed and looked away. "I..."

Tess was interrupted by the sound of a gunshot. Out of instinct she dove forward and knocked Matt to the ground under her. The adrenaline kick started her agent's reflexes and she quickly rolled off him to crouch next to him with the gun held out as she scanned the area for the shooter. When she saw Matt start to rise in her peripheral vision, she growled in a low whisper, "Don't move! We don't know who shot at us or where they are." As casually as she could, Tess gave the hand signal to the surveillance team. She looked toward the window of the warehouse where they were stationed. She saw the blinking green light that told her the team was moving in and she was clear to leave her current position.

Tess hated the idea of leaving the operation, especially since Logan was inside that warehouse. But given the fact that there was a civilian on the scene, she knew she didn't have a choice. She was angry with Matt for following her but she was even more furious with herself for letting it happen. Tess realized she should have been watching for a tail but it hadn't occurred to her in the rush to get to the warehouse. I knew it from day one... Matt Cory is nothing but trouble. Tess held the gun down at her side and spoke to Matt over her shoulder. "I think we're clear. Let's move." She quickly led him back to her car in the parking lot.

Now that they were relatively out of harm's way, Tess turned to face Matt, fully intending to unleash her fury at him. Her anger evaporated when she saw the bloody gash on his forehead in the glow of the parking lot floodlights. "My God, why didn't you tell me you were shot?"

Matt saw where her eyes were focused and raised his hand to test the wound with his fingers. "I wasn't. I think it was a wood chip off the side of the building where the bullet ricocheted."

Tess examined the cut and said, "Still, it looks deep. We'll need to get it cleaned out and disinfected." She pulled out her key fob and clicked the button to unlock the car doors. "Get in. We need to go somewhere safe."

Matt didn't even question the order. He just climbed into the passenger seat and watched Tess as she drove. Neither of them said a word, but for different reasons. Matt was trying to piece together what Tess was up to. Tess was trying to figure out how to convince Matt that she wasn't up to anything.

Matt was surprised when they pulled into a parking lot at an upscale apartment building. He had thought Tess would take him back to the office. As she turned off the engine, he asked, "Where are we?"

Tess looked over at Matt with an unreadable expression. "My place. Come inside and we'll get you patched up."

Matt followed Tess into the building and waited while she unlocked the door to her apartment. He followed her inside and looked around once she flipped on the lights. The apartment was incredibly tidy and ordered, but comfortable looking too. Matt followed Tess into the kitchen. She turned to face him and said, "Wait here. I need to get a few things from the bathroom."

Matt walked over to the table and pulled out a chair to sit. Tess soon returned with a medicine kit and some hand towels. She pulled another chair around to face his. As she sat down, her knees brushed against his. Matt tried not to think about the fact that the incidental contact made his heart beat faster. He wanted to focus on getting some answers to the thousands of questions that the night's events had raised in his mind.

Tess picked up the towel she'd wet in the bathroom sink and began cleaning blood away from Matt's wound. "This is just warm water and soap. It shouldn't sting too much."

"It doesn't" Matt replied. Without preamble, he said, "You held that gun like you know how to use it."

Tess avoided his eyes, making a point to focus on the cut she was cleaning instead of looking at Matt directly. "That's because I do. I've known how to fire a gun since I was twelve years old."

"You must be kidding. That's a pretty strange hobby for an adolescent."

Tess smiled distractedly, caught up in the memories she'd unintentionally tapped into. "Not where I grew up. My father taught me how to take care of a gun and to use it properly. I remember the day he took me out the first time..." The wistful smile disappeared from Tess's face and she looked away. "That doesn't matter. The point is that I can take care of myself."

Matt studied her face and replied, "So I noticed. Why don't you tell me what it is that was going on tonight."

Tess stared at Matt's forehead to avoid meeting his eyes. "I told you earlier. I was picking up my friend's husband."

"Right. And you ended up at some warehouse getting shot at because...?"

Tess sighed and glared at Matt's disbelieving expression. "Not that it's any of your business but I got lost and I was going to ask for directions at that warehouse. How was I supposed to know I'd get shot at?"

"You must have had some idea that there would be trouble. Why else would you have a gun?"

"You've obviously never been a woman alone in a dark place" Tess scoffed. "I wasn't expecting trouble, but being prepared for it is advisable if you want to stay alive. And if you hadn't shown up and started screaming at me, I probably wouldn't have been shot at in the first place!"

Matt ignored her indignant outrage and searched her face, feeling there was more she was still hiding. He shook his head slowly. "I'm not buying it, Tess. Why don't you tell me the real story, all of it, so we can stop playing twenty questions? I'm not leaving here until I get the truth."

Tess rolled her eyes and said, "Don't be so dramatic. There's no sinister plot you need to be concerned about. Like I said, I was on my way to pick up my friend's husband. He was coming in on the ferry. I got lost and went to ask for directions. That would have been the end of the story except you felt the need to butt in and get us shot at by some nervous security guard. Now are you satisfied?"

"No" Matt replied bluntly. He was sure Tess was lying to him. Maybe he could trip her up on the details. "Why was he coming in on the ferry? There are easier ways to get into town, the airport for one."

Tess thought quickly and said, "He's a rare car dealer. He is delivering a vintage automobile to a collector in town. The ferry was the easiest way to get it here without adding mileage. I was going to follow him to the buyer's house and then take him to his hotel." Tess held out her hands and continued, "See? That's it, no big mystery here. Now can you stop with the third degree so I can finish cleaning this up for you?"

Matt realized he wasn't getting anywhere with his questions. All he was doing was making Tess angry, which was the last thing he wanted. He decided to back off for the moment, but he was going to keep an eye on her whether she liked it or not. Matt knew in his gut that Tess was mixed up in something dangerous and he wasn't about to let anything happen to her. He held his hands palms out in surrender and said, "Ok, no more questions... except, what is your friend going to do now that you can't take him to his hotel?"

Tess dropped the towel on the table and said, "You're right. I should call and let him know I can't make it. My friend gave me his cell phone number when I spoke to her earlier." Tess remained seated at the table and dialed Wolfe on her cell phone. When he answered, she said, "Hi, it's Tess. I had some trouble on the way to pick you up. Can you get a taxi to your hotel?"

The smirk was evident in Wolfe's voice and it grated on Tess's nerves. "So I guess you're still stuck with your Prince Valiant, huh Devlin? Well everything is under control here, relatively speaking. Logan took off when the shooting started. We didn't bother trying to tail him so it would look like a non-event. Right now, it looks like playing it low-key is working. The guy who took a shot at you was called on the carpet for being trigger-happy. Logan will get word it was a false alarm and hopefully he won't go underground. We have a real shot at nabbing him this time. I'd hate to see the mission go south because your new boss is overprotective. What's the deal with you two anyway? You got something going on with the guy providing your cover?"

Tess bit the inside of her lip to prevent the blistering reply she wanted to give from escaping her lips. "Of course not, I think you know me better than that. I'm sorry about tonight. Give me a call and we'll have dinner some night this week on your expense account... Ok, bye."

Tess turned off the phone and set it on the table. "That's taken care of. Now let's finish cleaning this up." She picked the towel back up and dabbed a few more times at Matt's wound. She dropped the towel on the table, opened a bottle of strong antiseptic and poured some on a gauze pad.

Tess looked Matt in the eyes and said, "This may hurt a bit." She leaned forward and began gently wiping the gash. Tess was so focused on what she was doing that she didn't notice Matt staring at her mouth, which was right in front of his eyes. Having applied the sterilizing solution to her own wounds more often than she cared to think about, Tess knew that it stung. She was a little surprised that Matt didn't flinch away when she spread the antibacterial liquid on the deep cut. Thinking he was trying to be macho, she continued to focus on cleaning the wound and teased, "I was hoping for a little bit of pain. Nothing crippling but just enough to get you back for following me. Can't you cringe a little? I know this has to sting."

"I didn't notice."

Tess's hand froze. Matt's voice had been low and sensual when he replied. Tess almost convinced herself that she'd imagined it... but then she looked into his eyes. What she saw looking back at her made her heart stop in her chest, then accelerate. The heat in Matt's gaze caused Tess to fill with anxiety... and something else. She tried to look away but she couldn't seem to do it. A voice in the back of her head was screaming at her to move away, but another part of her was in control. And that part kept her frozen.

Matt held her gaze with his as he raised his hand to grasp her wrist. Tess did nothing to stop him as he took the gauze pad from her fingers and placed it on the table. Then he raised his hand and gently ran his fingers along the edge of her face. When she still didn't pull away, he moved his hand underneath her chin to the back of her neck. Using slight pressure, Matt pulled Tess toward him and she moved forward, spellbound.

With their lips a breath apart and their eyes still locked on each other, Matt huskily whispered, "You are so beautiful" then touched his lips to hers. Tess drew in a shuddering breath at the contact but didn't pull away. Matt gently kissed her several more times, giving Tess ample opportunity to protest or pull away. She did neither. If he had pushed harder, she might have found the strength to resist. But the soft, undemanding kisses seduced her in a way that a forceful demand wouldn't have. Now, Tess was at the point where she wanted more and her defenses were down to a point where she couldn't resist asking. Since she wasn't bold enough to say anything directly, Tess silently asked with her eyes... and Matt responded.

Matt kissed Tess again, and this time she wasn't just a passive recipient. She kissed him back, tentatively at first, but then with seeking desire. Matt could feel her begging him to give her something she didn't know how to ask for. With a soft moan, Matt deepened the kiss... and the feelings between them exploded.

Tess cried out softly against Matt's lips, suddenly realizing that this was what she'd been aching for without knowing it. Tess leaned forward in her chair and pressed her upper body against Matt's, wanting to be closer to him. She felt his hands moving through her hair as he reached up and pulled out the clip that held her twist in place. The sensual shock of feeling his fingers running through her freed tresses snapped Tess back into reality. She pushed against Matt's chest and he immediately let her go.

Tess sat frozen in shock. She couldn't believe that what she'd just felt and done were real. A quick glance at the expression on Matt's face destroyed any notion that she'd been daydreaming. It had been so long since she'd experienced the type of yearning that Matt had inspired in her a few moments ago. Nothing came close, not since...No. She couldn't dwell on the past when the present was so critical. The burning light in Matt's eyes was so tempting... too tempting by half.

Tess pushed her chair back and stood in one rapid motion, almost turning the piece of furniture over in her haste to escape Matt's proximity. She paced the kitchen floor and tried to get her thoughts together. As she strode back and forth across the floor, she started muttering. "No... we... that... impossible... can't..."

Matt watched her pacing and finally stood to regain her attention. "Why don't you try a full sentence? I'm having a hard time following you and your pacing is making me dizzy."

Tess abruptly stopped pacing and stared at him. All she could think at first was, Dizzy... that's the perfect word to describe how I feel. Unable to get her thoughts unscrambled, Tess said, "That... what happened... wrong, completely and utterly... wrong."

Matt folded his arms over his chest and replied, "That's funny. I was just thinking how incredibly right it felt."

Tess ran her hands through her hair with frustration. "That's not what I meant. What I was trying to say was that it shouldn't have happened."

Matt smiled softy, partially relieved by her answer. "So I'm not completely crazy. You did want me to kiss you, right?"

"Yes... No... I mean, that's not the point and you know it!"

Matt took a few steps closer to her and replied, "No, I don't know that. Why don't you explain it to me?"

"Matt..." Tess said in a voice full of confusion and a small amount of annoyance at his purposeful denseness.

Matt raised his brows and grinned. "So it's 'Matt' now rather than 'Mr. Cory'? Well that's progress."

Tess huffed and glared at him. Rather than addressing the issue of what she called him, Tess returned to the original topic of the conversation. "The point is that things can't get personal between us. You know that as well as I do."

Matt walked forward until he stood directly in front of Tess. "Why not? If it's what we both want."

Tess tried not to think about how the sensual tone of Matt's voice made her pulse react. To combat it, she became belligerent. "News flash, you can't always have what you want! The majority of the population is aware of that fact, even though it may be a foreign concept to you."

Matt planted his hands on his hips, slightly angered by her implication. "What is that supposed to mean? Just because my last name is Cory you think I don't know how the world works?"

Tess shrugged and said, "I don't know you well enough to say yes or no. I just have a feeling you don't hear the word 'no' very often, especially from women."

"You'd be surprised" Matt replied dryly.

"Maybe" Tess acknowledged. "It wouldn't be the first mistake I've made tonight."

"Really. Is that what you think that kiss was? A mistake?"

"Yes!" Tess yelled defiantly. She was unprepared for her reaction to the way Matt's face hardened when she said that. Against her better judgment, Tess impulsively tried to soften her rejection. "Matt, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. All I'm trying to say is that we can't be more than business associates."

"I see" Matt said. He was beginning to understand Tess's unexpected reaction to their kiss. "So this is because of work."

Yes it is, but not the way you think, Tess mused silently. "We have to work together day in and day out. Having a personal relationship would add a layer of complication that neither one of us needs to deal with. It's a bad idea, period."

Matt narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. Tess had made that comment with more feeling than he would have anticipated. "It sounds like you're speaking from experience."

Tess avoided answering Matt's indirect question. "Just take my word for it. Getting involved with someone you work with is a disaster waiting to happen."

Matt said nothing. He could tell by the look in her eyes that Tess wouldn't change her mind... at least not that night.

Tess sighed and said, "It's been a long night. Sit back down and I'll finish bandaging that cut for you."

A few minutes later, Tess placed a gauze pad over the clean wound and secured the bandage with adhesive tape. She sat back with a slight smile turning up her lips. "That's it. You are now an official member of the walking wounded."

Matt smiled back at her as they both stood up. "Thanks. I would never have tagged you as a Florence Nightingale type, but it feels like you did a great job."

Tess and Matt began walking toward the front door of her apartment. She looked sideways at him, grinned and said, "You've discovered my big secret. I was a Girl Scout in a former life."

Matt looked at her and thought, I know that's not your real secret, Tess. I will find out what you're trying to hide. When they reached the door, Matt turned to face Tess. "Well, I guess this is goodnight."

Tess nodded, then said appreciatively, "Thank you... for understanding, for not pushing me. I hope we can go back to the way things were... before."

"I don't" Matt replied with a smile. "I hope we can put a stop to the constant hostility. I don't like fighting with you, Tess." Tess looked away and didn't reply. Matt didn't want to push, feeling that it was a good sign that she hadn't said no. Matt caught her eyes with his and continued, "At the very least, I'm hoping you'll keep calling me Matt. Having you refer to me as 'Mr. Cory' after tonight would be way too strange."

Tess considered resisting, but realized she didn't want to. She gave a short laugh and said, "I don't think I'd be able to pull it off anyway, so Matt it is."

Matt grinned back at her and said, "At last, we agree on something."

Tess turned the knob and opened the door for him. "I'll see you at the office tomorrow... Matt."

Matt walked out the door and then turned around to stand in the doorway. "I do want to make one point clear. Just because I respect your decision to keep things strictly professional between us doesn't mean that I agree with you... or that I won't try to change your mind." Before Tess could reply, Matt leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. Matt said, "Goodnight, Tess" in a low voice, then walked away.

Tess distractedly muttered, "Goodnight" and closed the door. She engaged the lock then turned to lean her back against the wood panel. She sighed heavily and touched the spot on her cheek where Matt had kissed her. She walked over to the stereo and turned it on before crossing to the window.

Morning smiles, like the face of a newborn child
Innocent, unknowing

Tess stared out at the night sky and tried to sort through her conflicting emotions. The logical side of her mind insisted that she find a way to put some distance between herself and Matt. But another part of her that had long been suppressed demanded something else...

The winter's end, and promises of a long-lost friend
Speak to me of comfort.

Tess suddenly had an intense urge to experience all the things that she'd denied herself for so long. To have a normal life... to date... maybe even fall in love. Tess closed her eyes tightly and shook her head. "No... I know better than that. I don't have any concept of what 'normal' is... I'd probably hate it. Tess, just stick to what you know. Solve the case and... move on."

But I fear, I have nothing to give
And I have so much to lose here in this lonely place
Tangled up in your embrace
There's nothing I'd like better than to fall...
But I fear, I have nothing to give

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cameron jogged through the tree-covered area, looking for the meeting location Scout had described to him on the phone. He heard the mournful wail of a train whistle in the distance. Cameron finally pushed through the wall of underbrush and saw Scout leaning against a tall metal support. He walked over and said, "What happened, Scout? You sounded strange on the phone."

Scout looked over at him and replied, "I heard something tonight that changes everything. Vicky... Vicky McKinnon... is pregnant."

Cameron sighed heavily and asked, "How did you find out?"

"The surveillance team tapped the phone. I was listening on the headset to check the signal and she was making an appointment with the doctor." Scout looked away for a minute, then returned his eyes to Cameron's. "If Grant is alive like we suspect, the pregnancy makes Vicky even more vulnerable. We have to do whatever is necessary to keep her safe."

Cameron clasped his hand on Scout's shoulder in a brotherly gesture. "Of course we will, that's our job, right?" Cameron exchanged an intense glance with Scout and said, "This case has to be rough on you. I know from experience how bad it gets when family is involved."

Scout shook his head slowly. "I don't consider him family anymore. Too much has happened. Those bridges burned a long time ago."

Cameron shrugged slightly and replied "That's easier said than done. Even when Gary and I were at each other's throats, there was still a connection there. Are you prepared to deal with that if it turns out that Grant is alive?"

"You and Gary have a totally different situation. You were able to bridge the gap between you. Any chance for Grant and I died the day he shot me and left me to die." Ryan Harrison turned to look up toward the train tracks. "We can never go back. Never."

Author's Note: The first set of lyrics quoted in this chapter are from the song "One Chance at a Time", written and performed by Kenny Loggins on his "The Unimaginable Life" album. The second song used was "Fear", written and recorded by Sarah McLachlan. The track appears on her "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" album and also on the live collection "Mirrorball". Click on the hyperlinked title(s) to listen to a Real media clip from the song.

(click here to continue on to chapter seven)