Captive of Fate (13 page)

*

Alanna awoke early the next morning. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, she was ready when Matt knocked on the door. Opening it, she gave him a smile.

“Come on in, I’m almost ready.”

He stepped inside. “I probably should have warned you last night, Alanna, where we’re going today, you’ll want to wear some clothes you can afford to get dirty.”

She made a half-turn, disappointment written on her face. Well, so much for looking feminine. She noticed he was in a pair of well-worn jeans and a short-sleeved shirt of light blue. “I was wondering why you weren’t in uniform.”

He grinned. “Only wear that thing when I have to, lady. You have one of those pairs of jeans you used up at the base camp?”

She made a wry face. “Okay, I get the drift. Can you wait five minutes?”

He nodded, amusement in his gray eyes. “You’re worth waiting for,” he returned.

She glanced up sharply, a slight blush tinging her cheeks at the compliment. He looked terribly handsome standing there, his weight shifted to one foot, his hands resting against his hips. This time, Alanna didn’t try to fight the fluttery feeling in her stomach. “Thanks,” she whispered, and then disappeared into the bathroom to change.

Matt led her downstairs to a small cafe for a quick breakfast. Alanna sat opposite him, giving him a questioning look.

“What are we up to today?” she asked.

Matt poured coffee, handing her a cup. “We’re going down to the docks to do a little searching for a certain truck that’s got a slash mark on its left rear wheel. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?”

Alanna lifted the cup, sipping the fragrant, strong coffee. “Somehow, Matt Breckenridge, anywhere with you is exciting.”

He returned her smile. “Hasn’t been dull since we met, has it? Back on the Hill you probably cause just as much commotion.”

“Not really. I sit quietly in my office with stacks of information piled all over my desk doing statistics and surveys for the senator.”

“That sounds positively boring.”

“Compared to your life-style, I’m sure it does.”

“Didn’t that set of papers you showed me the first day mention you were his South American specialist?”

She shrugged. “Supposedly. I haven’t really had a chance to stretch into that area as I thought I would. The senator keeps an iron-clad grip on everything that involves South America.”

Matt gave her a strange, unsettling look. “So he doesn’t trust anyone with his former territory? I’m surprised he didn’t come down here himself to investigate me.”

“He would have if he hadn’t had a filibuster the following Monday,” she assured him.

Alanna detected a certain uneasiness about him and remained silent. She was amazed at the sharpness of expression that appeared in his gray eyes. One moment he was human; the next, a predatory hawk circling his prey. She shivered, setting down the cup. “I’ll be so glad when this is all over,” she muttered fervently. “I feel like I’m walking on thin ice with no hope of rescue.”

Some of the hardness went out of his eyes at the frustration in her voice. “I’ll always be there to rescue you, no matter what the circumstances. Just remember that.”

She felt buoyed up by his huskily spoken promise. Hesitantly, she moved her hand forward. Immediately, his warm strong fingers clasped her hand, and she felt her pulse pounding in response.

As if he were reading her mind, or perhaps the strain on her features, he said, “This will be over very shortly, Alanna.”

Compressing her lips, she avoided his gentle gaze. “I-I don’t know Matt. I keep getting a horrible feeling here, in my heart. Call it instinct or whatever, I just know this isn’t as simple as it all looks.”

He released her hand, sitting back as the waiter brought them a breakfast of eggs and toast. “Thornton may try something, but as usual, it will be a bluff. Remember, he’s tried it twice before on me.” He scowled, studying her face. “I worry more about you in this mess than anyone. You’re the one who is open to hurt, Alanna. I’ve seen Thornton put the screws to people before, and I don’t think he’s above doing it to you if push comes to shove. Just make damn sure that you log in your reports and keep a copy of them under lock and key somewhere other than your office.”

She picked at the eggs, upset. She no longer believed Matt would lie about his skirmishes with the senator. But she had never seen that side of Senator Thornton…only his ready smile, his sometimes raucous, off-color office jokes and his ability to manipulate lobbyists for what he believed was right. Putting down the fork, she rested her hand in her lap, looking up to meet Matt’s eyes.

“I’m frightened, Matt,” she admitted. “I-I don’t know who to believe anymore. You’ve had terrible experiences with politicians. I work for one, and he seems so friendly, extroverted and sincere in his desire to help the American people.” She gave a little shrug. “God, I’m scared for both of us….”

H
aving no more than landed at Washington International Airport, Alanna received a call from Peggy as she entered her apartment. The senator’s secretary began a point-by-point discussion of Alanna’s report, which was expected on Senator Thornton’s desk within twenty-four hours. Tiredly, Alanna agreed and hung up the phone. She gazed around her cheerful Georgetown apartment. Walking over to her spider plant, she caressed one long green and white leaf. It needed water, she decided, trying to shrug off the irritation of the phone call.

Her heart wasn’t in her work. Saying good-bye to Matt had been more wrenching than she cared to admit. After snooping in and out of warehouses for nearly two days and finally discovering what had become of the missing medical supplies, she was exhausted. But that hadn’t made their parting any less agonizing. Matt had insisted on maintaining his military bearing and demeanor. He didn’t trust Thornton not to have a spy following Alanna’s every move. And because of that, he never touched or even kissed her when they said good-bye.

Sighing softly, Alanna determinedly set to work on the report. It was nearly two in the morning when she completed the first draft. Well, she thought dully, the senator is going to be disappointed. Matt was clear of any scandal, thank God. Putting both canisters of film, the report and a report filed by the police department in her attache case, Alanna went to bed. She slept poorly, nightmares, lurking in the recesses of her mind. Despite Matt’s vindication, she sensed that the situation had not yet been fully resolved. She awoke the next morning groggy and ill-tempered.

Her colleagues welcomed her back to work as she entered the spacious office complex. Peggy was waiting with her usual primness, hand outstretched for the report. Alanna clamped down the urge to make a few catty remarks to the blond-haired woman but decided against it, silently handing her the packet. Peggy gave her the standard cardboard smile.

“The senator gave orders to send you in to see him the moment you arrived back, Alanna. Let me tell him you’re here.”

Alanna pushed her fingers through her hair in an aggravated motion, then dutifully went to sit in the outer office. It was almost ten minutes before Peggy reappeared.

“He’ll see you now.”

Alanna rose from the chair, walking briskly into his office. The senator looked up from the desk, a smile on his lips.

“Welcome home, traveler!”

She returned the smile wearily, suddenly feeling all her apprehensions vanishing beneath his beaming appraisal. “Thanks, Senator.”

He cocked his head, studying her. “You still look bushed. Rough down there?”

Alanna stood uncomfortably. “Very rough,” she agreed. She noted the opened packet beneath his right hand. “I wasn’t prepared for the kind of living they have to endure down there.”

“If we had had more time, we could have briefed you more carefully, Alanna. I’m sorry if you were caused any undue discomfort. Please, sit down, you look terribly nervous.”

She gave him a quick smile. “Just incredibly tired. Remember, Senator, I’m a city girl. That was pure country living at its worst down there. Not to mention the hiking around I did all over that jungle looking for evidence.”

Thornton patted the packet gently. “I briefly scanned your report, Alanna. And it sees that Colonel Breckenridge is cleared of any wrongdoing. Is that true?” His eyes bored into hers, and his voice took on a razor edge.

A warning bell went off deep within her. Only a few seconds flew by, but Alanna remembered Matt’s description of that intuitive alarm that always sounded when there was danger. She scrutinized the smiling, relaxed senator. Where was the danger? Her stomach was tied into knots for no apparent reason. It would be so easy to shift back to her logic…but she cared deeply for Matt and couldn’t afford to ignore the advice he had given her. Licking her dry lips, she sat up straight in the chair.

“I had to work at Colonel Breckenridge’s side almost all the time, Senator. We discovered parts of some crates deep in the jungle south of San Dolega. They ended up being supplies that had been stolen off the dock, but they were not bound for the relief effort. At the docks we found the truck that had moved them.”

Thornton nodded his massive head. “And the crates at San Dolega? You said five of them were only partially filled with medicine. What happened to them?”

“The colonel had the police commissioner looking into it, checking the names of the Costa Rican personnel who were ferrying those supplies up to the base camp. We found two men who were responsible for the disappearance of the medical supplies. Both are in custody now and awaiting trial in the capital city.”

Thornton compressed his lips momentarily in thought. “I see…” Finally, he looked back up at her. “So, in your opinion, Colonel Breckenridge is innocent?”

Alanna squired inwardly. Why did she feel close to panic? Swallowing hard, she nodded. “Innocent, Senator.”

“The two incidents were entirely separate and unconnected, then?”

“It appears that way. But I really can’t say much on that right now because the prisoners hadn’t been interrogated before I left. Colonel Breckenridge felt that the San Dolega supplies may have been stolen by a local black market ring. The other supplies were probably taken by Nicaraguan guerrillas.”

If he was disappointed, it did not show. He politely excused Alanna, telling her to take two days off and catch up on her rest. Alanna left the Hill feeling strangely unsettled by her meeting with the senator.

She counted the days until Matt would return. It had been nearly a week since she’d returned to Washington, and it was Friday evening. The weather was pleasantly warm and dry for mid-September, and it seemed as if she had never been to Costa Rica. Since returning to work, she had put in several twelve-hour days already.

Puttering in her kitchen, she made herself a salad, took it into the living room, and turned on the television. Just as she sat down, the phone rang. Alanna placed her bowl on the glass coffee table to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Did anyone ever tell you how sensual your voice sounds over the phone?”

“Matt! You’re back.” Her heart rose in her throat, and she curled up at the end of the couch, cradling the receiver against her ear.

He laughed softly. “I got back last night as a matter of fact.”

“You’ve got to be exhausted.”

“A little. I spent today trying to knock down the piles of reports on my desk and didn’t get anywhere.”

“You ought to take a few days off and recover. I’m still suffering from jet lag.”

“Mmm, that’s not a bad idea. But I’d have to insist that my time off would include you.”

She colored prettily. “As much as I want to say yes, I can’t. Not just yet, Matt.”

“Your senator?” he queried.

“Yes.”

“What did he make of your report?”

She frowned. “He didn’t seem disappointed but…” she searched for words to describe her feelings at that meeting.

“What was your gut reaction?” he coaxed.

Alanna squirmed on the couch. “God, I would much rather go with what I saw and my logic!” she breathed.

“Can’t always trust those two together, Babe. You’re hedging. I can feel it in your voice.”

“I just got an unsettled feeling, Matt. I—I can’t explain it. And Peggy, his secretary, has been acting awfully cold toward me ever since I’ve returned. I don’t know why.”

There were a few moments of silence on the other end of the phone. Finally, Matt spoke, his voice more serious. “This isn’t over yet, but I figured as much. He’s going to try to find a way to pin it on me anyway.”

Alanna gripped the phone convulsively. “No!” she whispered tautly. “He can’t!”

“He’ll try it.”

“I hope you’re wrong. I just want this to blow over so that we can see each other.”

“Makes two of us, Babe.” He exhaled. “Look, under the present circumstances, let’s take a raincheck on that weekend until I’m sure he’s going to let bygones be bygones. If his secretary is not treating you like she usually does, it could mean that he had you followed down there. Your job might be in jeopardy.”

She got up, suddenly unable to sit still, and paced back and forth, carrying the phone. “And I thought I had an active imagination,” she accused him.

“Secretaries know everything, Alanna. I haven’t met one yet who didn’t know the most intimate secrets about her boss.”

“But the senator seemed so friendly to me. How could he hide his anger if he knew that I—we—”

“I told you before, politicians are the ultimate gamespeople of the world. They’ll smile one minute and stab you in the back the next. What’s your schedule look like for the next few weeks?”

Alanna sat down on the couch. “He’s sending me to California for almost three weeks.”

“Well, I figure if he doesn’t spill something on this in about a month, it will be safe to see one another.”

“I feel like we’re acting out a scene from
Romeo and Juliet!
” she complained. “This is so silly! Instead of the Capulets and Montagues feuding, it’s Thornton and Breckenridge.”

“That’s right, honey, and you’re standing right in the middle of the game. Look,” he soothed, “no one wants to see you more than I do. I can hardly stand to wait, knowing we’re in the same city. It would be so simple to drive over or to have you come to my home. But Thornton might still be having you tailed until he’s sure which way to swing with your report. If he suspects you’re an ally of mine, then what good are you to him in an investigation hearing against me? Do you see my point?”

Morosely, she agreed. “Just call me Juliet until this stupid tempest in a teapot is over,” she griped unhappily. She heard him laugh, and that raised her spirits. It was the kind of laughter that was full and resonant, and it sent shivers through her body. “It’s good to hear your voice, Matt. I—I missed you. I never thought I’d ever say that to another man.”

“You just keep the first weekend in October open, Babe. By then, the leaves will be turning, and I’ll fly us up to Kittery. Do you like kids?”

Alanna smiled, beginning to relax beneath the caress of his husky, warm voice. “Love them. Why?”

“I haven’t seen my brother John or his wife Ev for nearly a year, and I wondered if you might want to stop in and see them Friday night. They have three lovely daughters that range in age from five through eleven.”

“It sounds wonderful. That’s one thing I miss around here; there are so few children. Where I grew up, the block was always filled with them.”

“Like kids, huh?” he teased.

“Always.”

“You’d make a good mother,” he said huskily. “I’m sure Ev will let you try your hand at it. Just remember, I warned you beforehand. The girls will mob you at the door.”

“Like they do you?” she laughed. Somehow, she had never envisioned Matt in that role. Yet, recalling his tenderness and sensitivity with her, it was easy to imagine him dealing with children of all ages.

“Yes, I get mobbed. But that’s because they only see their Uncle Matt once a year.”

“I’ll bet. You probably spoil them rotten,” she accused gently, smiling.

“Me? Nah. I’m the tough Marine colonel, remember?”

“You’re a raging lion with a heart of gold, Matt Breckenridge, so don’t try to fool me, too!”

“Promise not to tell anyone? It wouldn’t help the image I’ve carefully nurtured over at the Pentagon.”

Alanna laughed joyfully. He had such an incredible knack for releasing her inhibitions and fears, melting them with his humor and wit. “Your image here in Washington is of a man who has a courageous heart and a backbone of steel.”

“You believe everything you read in the papers?” he asked blandly. “Old war records and medals are always good fodder for the starving press.”

“How many people know the real you?” she wondered idly.

“Not many.”

“I feel privileged in knowing the other side of you. Well, at least a little bit of you. Oh, Matt, we have so much to talk about and—”

“Very soon, Babe, we’ll have the time to explore each other thoroughly,” he promised. “But until then, be a good Juliet and stay in your office. Listen, let me give you my office and home number. Never call me from your office. Wait until you get home.”

Alanna scribbled down the numbers. “Another four weeks, huh?”

“You want to keep your job, don’t you?”

At that instant, she wasn’t sure. “I feel like a prisoner of fate,” she groused.

“Fate brought us together,” he agreed amicably, “but you’re
my
captive.”

Alanna shivered at the velvet promise in his tone. “Why do I have the feeling you’re a lion stalking his next victim?”

“You’re worth stalking, lady, believe me. Look, I’ll give you a call in a few days before you leave for California.”

Reluctantly, she set the receiver back down on the cradle, staring at it. Finally, she raised her chin, staring at the gathering darkness outside the apartment. Everything felt right since Matt’s phone call. He gave her so much!

*

The clear, cobalt, October skies beckoned to Alanna. She threw her briefcase into the back of her Mustang and said a silent good-bye to the Hill. Three weeks out in California had left her with a golden tan, making her eyes seem greener and her hair redder. As usual, Washington traffic was a snarl, and it was nearly six-thirty before she finally reached her apartment.

She had no more than stepped inside the door when the phone rang. Throwing her briefcase on the couch, she picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Well, are you ready to be stolen away for the weekend?”

Alanna breathed in deeply, lingering over the huskiness in Matt’s voice. “Oh, yes!”

“How about if I pick you up in an hour? I’ve got a few last-minute things to attend to here at the office, and then we’ll fly on up.”

“Fly?”

“Sure. Don’t you trust me?”

“Always,” she murmured fervently. “I’ve never flown in a small plane before. This ought to be quite an experience.”

“Well, hurry and pack a few things for living at a rustic cabin. We’ll stay with John and Ev tonight and go up to the cabin Saturday morning.”