Double Identity

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Jude sank into one of the easy chairs. “Who are they?”

“Two of the agents working here who have acquired offshore numbered accounts. They covered their tracks—but not so well that Schilling in Financial couldn’t pick them up. And both accounts have very healthy balances.”

“Do we know where the deposits came from?”

“No, but we’re working on it.”

“Interesting.”

Ruth spoke up, “After following them for weeks, we finally saw them meeting with Al Patterson.”

John said, “If you can get close enough to the family, maybe you’ll be able to find out something about them.”

“Did you get any information from Carina we don’t already have?” Ruth asked.

“Not yet. But I’m working on it.”

Hal said, “If you don’t impress her, I can always step in for that part of the assignment, Crenshaw.”

Jude looked at the cocky agent and made a rude hand gesture, causing the other three to laugh.

“So what’s it like to be dating a suspect?” Hal asked more seriously.

“Weird, but this whole setup has been weird. I’ve gone out with more women in the past six months than I have my entire lifetime.”

“Ohh,” Ruth said, “Poor baby.”

Jude grinned. “Yeah, I know, but when I’m called on to sacrifice myself for the country’s security, I’m right there.”

Ruth stood and said, “Well, it’s getting a little too deep in here for me, so I’ll see you guys in the morning.” She looked at Hal. “What time do you want to leave?”

“Nine is early enough, I think.”

“Well, good night all,” Ruth said, and left the room.

Jude looked at John. “Any sign of anyone on the property?”

“Nope. Our cover seems to be working here in the neighborhood.”

Jude rolled his eyes. “Hal and Ruth are married, you’re her brother and you’re all old friends visiting me. Some cover.”

“It works,” Hal said. “Unfortunately, Ruth isn’t interested in playing house once we’re inside the house.”

“Who are you kidding, Pennington? If Littlefield ever gave you the green light you’d take off running in the opposite direction.”

Hal laughed. “True. Very true. I’m not interested in dating any woman who’s trained to maim a male in so many ways. I’ll keep looking, if it’s all the same to everybody.”

Jude stretched and yawned. “I’m going to bed now. I’ve got to figure out a way to see Carina tomorrow and all the days after that.”

“Like I say, you’ve got the toughest assignment of all,” Hal pointed out.

Jude would never admit to anyone that he was nervous about getting Carina to go out with him again. Once she had time to think about it, she might decide not to get involved.

Too much was riding on his being the kind of man she might want to date. Any slip could be enough to turn her off.

He thought about his two older brothers and how they would chortle if they knew he was worrying about his sex appeal. He’d always been competitive with them, determined to show them that anything they could do, he could do.

Except get married, of course. He’d leave all that to them.

Jude waited until the next afternoon to call Carina’s cell phone. As soon as she answered, he knew she wasn’t at home. Background noise said she was at some kind of party. Damn.

“This is Carina.”

“Hi. This is Jude. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“Oh! Hi. I didn’t think you really meant it when you said you’d call today.”

“If you’re busy, I’ll call some other time.”

She laughed. “Oh, I’m not busy. It’s a family tradition that my brothers, their wives and children and I go for Sunday dinner every week at my parents’. The noise can sometimes reach high decibels before somebody thinks to quiet things down.”

“I wondered if you’d like to go for a drive this afternoon. I thought we might head over to Bandera and maybe go to the Lost Maples National Park, stop somewhere on the way back for something to eat. Are you interested?”

When she didn’t respond right away, he had a sinking sensation that she was going to say no. He waited.

“I’d like that,” she finally said quietly. “I haven’t been out in that part of the hills in a long time.”

“Me, either, which is why I thought a scenic drive would be nice. When do you want me to pick you up?”

“Oh, in about thirty minutes or so.”

“It will take me at least that long to get there from here.”

“Where do you live?”

“Just north of town. I’ll have to show you the place sometime.”

He could have sworn he heard her breath catch. “Maybe sometime,” she finally said.

Not that he had any intention of her seeing his living arrangements, but at least he’d gotten a reaction out of her. He wasn’t sure what kind, though.

“I’ll see you soon.” He hung up before she could change her mind.

Carina was outside the house when he pulled up into the driveway. So much for getting to see the rest of the family. Before he had a chance to get out of the car, she opened the passenger door and slid inside. At least she appeared eager to see him, which was encouragement, of sorts.

“Hi,” he said, giving her a quick once-over. She wore tan slacks and a sapphire-blue sleeveless top with a scooped neck.

She smiled. “If it seems I’m a little eager to leave, it’s because I’m a little eager to leave.”

“Ah. I would never have noticed.”

She laughed. “I love my family dearly, but sometimes the noise of everybody talking at once and children squealing overwhelms me.”

“I’m glad I could play the gallant knight and come rescue you.” So much for thinking she might find him irresistible. He supposed his ego could handle the letdown.

She rested her head against the back of her seat. “Sometimes my brothers can be so annoying. They’re way too protective of me.”

“They didn’t like you coming out with me this afternoon?”

“Al didn’t say that. What he did was ask where we were going and when I expected to get back, as though I were sixteen.”

“I hope that you convinced him that I’m perfectly harmless.”

Carina sputtered into laughter. “No one meeting you could ever be convinced that you’re harmless, Jude. I think he and the rest of the family are curious, that’s all. As I told you last night, I haven’t dated in a while. My brothers would probably prefer that I become a nun!”

“I feel doubly honored that you agreed to see me, if that’s the case.”

“I enjoyed being with you last night. Plus, I suppose I was curious, too.”

“Oh. Then it wasn’t my charm and sparkling personality that wowed you? I’m crushed.”

“With your reputation, I figured I’d be safe enough, knowing you’d be moving on after a few dates.”

“You make me sound like a heartless jerk.”

“No. It’s just that since you’re a very handsome man, come from a highly respected family, don’t need to work for a living and you’re single, I’m sure many women are eager to spend time with you.”

“You have a positive knack for making what some could consider a compliment sound like an indictment of my character.” He looked over at her. “Are you going to tell me you don’t want to see me again? Because if you are, I sincerely hope you’ll allow me to make a case for myself first.”

“There’s no need. I enjoy your company and don’t mind seeing you. I have no fear of getting too involved with you before you get bored with me.”

“Ouch. You really know how to hurt a guy. You must have had some really bad dating experiences to form your opinion about men. Or is it just me?”

She didn’t answer right away and he decided he’d better stay quiet.

Finally, she said, “I was engaged once.” She glanced at him from the corner of her eye before continuing. “We met in high school, became friends, and later dated. Danny was my best friend. We enjoyed each other’s company and when I returned home from New York after Dad’s stroke, it seemed only natural to become engaged. I don’t know what I would have done during that time without Danny being there for me. The family was pleased to see me happy and ready to settle down. We talked about my desire to get my music degree from Juilliard and Danny told me he was willing to move to New York while I attended school, whenever I was ready to return.”