Undercover Engagement (11 page)

I
had to go after him. Traffic wasn’t moving that fast on the Strip, I could catch up to the car and...and what? Bang on the window? Yell for help? I stepped to the side of the bush, trying to keep the car in view.

Stay.

But Jason...

Stay.

Replacing the view of the back side of the car with the back side of an elephant ripped my heart out, but I did it; the feeling was too insistent to ignore. Two men in expensive suits exited the garage, one talked on his cell phone while the other polished his sunglasses.

“Good. Check him for the device. I’ll meet you back at the hotel.” Pause. “She has to be here somewhere.”

My hand flew to my mouth. They were after
me
. I pressed myself closer to the elephant's behind, careful not to rustle the leaves.

“Check the cameras and call me back. We’ll wait by the front door.”

Peeking around the bush, I saw a camera above the guard station. They’d be back in seconds. I had to get out of here! Feeling nothing to the contrary, I burst from the bushes and onto the busy sidewalk. My arm hailed a cab as though it had been trained by extensive travel abroad.

“Where to?” asked the cabbie.

Is that what you call them? Cabbies?

I didn't know, but my brain was firing total blanks on anyplace in Vegas that could be safe.

“Just go, fast," I said between gulps of air. My heart raced as though I'd run a five-minute mile and my hands shook. Thankfully, the driver didn’t ask. I’m sure he picked up all sorts of passengers on this street. I fumbled with the phone looking for the safety number Jason stored under Elvis. I found it and pressed send.

“Hello, animal rescue how may I help you?” A polite woman’s voice asked.

What was that phrase?
“I have a missing bird.” I almost shouted into the phone. The driver looked back at me. I glared in his direction.
Yep, I’m a crazy bird lady who follows her flock in hailed cabs – get over it, buddy.

“Please hold.”

I bit my fake nail. It hurt my teeth more than the nail, but at least it gave my shell-shocked body something to focus on.

“May I verify your name and location?”

“Alyssa Eastman? Las Vegas, Nevada.”

“That’s what I have here on screen. Alyssa, we have several agents in the area to assist in the recovery. Can you please give me Jason’s last known location?”

I slapped the back of the driver’s seat. “Where are we?” I swung my eyes out the window trying to locate a street sign, but we were in the middle of the block.

“Outside the MGM hotel.”

Due to traffic, we hadn’t moved much which meant that Jason couldn’t have gone far either – unless they turned down a side street. I repeated the address into the phone along with my account of the last three minutes.

“Thank you, Alyssa. Do you have a safe place you can go?”

“Um.” I shook my head. Where do you go to get away from the whole world? Suddenly it hit me. “I do.”

“Please proceed to that location. We’ll call you with any new developments.”

“Thanks.” I slapped the phone shut. Looking at the driver’s curly hair I instructed, “Take me to the LDS temple, please.”

He flipped on the blinker.

A
lmost a half hour later, we drove in through the beautiful wrought-iron gates. As always, the LDS church had made a dedicated effort to beautify the area surrounding the temple. Palm trees grew almost as tall as the building, open areas sported native plants and flowers, and a large fountain gurgled in the backdrop.

I paid the driver, adding a healthy tip to make up for my crazy bird behavior. I wasn’t sure how much of my conversation he overheard once I quit screaming into the phone. I only hoped he would keep his mouth shut and write me off as one more eccentric person in Las Vegas.

Wishing I had dressed better, I looked longingly at the front doors as I passed. Even though they wouldn’t let me past the entrance without a special card, the doors sensed my approach and automatically opened, blowing the cool air-conditioned relief my way. There was an older gentleman standing sentry behind a big desk. I smiled. He smiled. I walked on.

I had eaten lunch near the Salt Lake Temple many times looking for a break from my hectic job. Today, I came looking for peace and safety, counting on Jason’s description of the church’s private security detail to make me invisible to the outside world. I wasn’t sure if the men had seen me jump into the cab, but this was the best “safe-house” I could find, even if I couldn’t go inside.

I plopped onto a concrete bench next to a V-shaped water fountain. My thoughts tumbled out like the water bubbling before me.

Where was Jason? Was he safe? Was he hurt? Tears stung my eyes and I bent in two. Laying my head in my hands, I prayed for him. I prayed for me. I prayed for us. Like it or not, we were in this together … husband and wife. As I prayed, my doubts about Jason trickled away and were replaced by a confirmation that Jason was my one and only. He was the calm to my storm, the optimism to my pessimism, the love of my life. A whole new wave of tears came and I sniffed loudly.

Never had I felt so overwhelmed and shined so bright when held in a man’s arms as I did in Jason’s. We were joined together, albeit by an Elvis impersonator, but still, the words “till death do you part” meant something to me and I knew it meant the world to Jason. It was clear in the way he looked at me like I was the most precious thing in the world when he realized I was his wife. A girl doesn’t find that every day and I didn’t want to lose it.

The flash drive’s plastic casing felt uncomfortable against my skin in the heat.

I sat up to adjust things and jumped when I saw a man in a white suit standing over me.

“Excuse me, Miss.”

I dropped my hand from my chest.
Oops
. “Yes?”

“May I sit with you? This is the coolest bench in the garden.”

I shifted to make room for him hoping he hadn’t see me adjust my bra. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. “Here.” He motioned toward my tears.

“Thank you.” I wiped my cheeks and under my eyes. Makeup smeared across the soft cotton leaving a dark blue and purple stain. “Sorry.” I tried to hand it back.

“Keep it. I have many more. When you start working here, they tell you to buy a bunch. You’re the first person who’s ever used one.” He smiled like a proud grandpa.

He was friendly enough, but I didn't want him to start asking questions I wasn't sure I could answer, so I asked, “How long have you been working here?”

“About five years.”

“Hmm.” I nodded my head. Five years ago I was interviewed and hired by Devin. Thinking of my boss made me think of Jason. I bit my lip to keep from crying.

“You know, sometimes troubles can feel as tall as palm trees.” He pointed at the tree towering over us. “When we’re in their shadow, it’s hard to see things clearly.”

I smiled politely. There was no way this guy knew the trouble I was in.

“The thing is, that palm tree is never going to move.” He leaned closer. “We’re the ones that have to take that first step.” He glanced at his oversized watch face. “I’d better be getting back inside.” Grunting, he pushed himself up.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Thank you for letting me sit with you.”

“No problem.”

He shuffled back the way he came. When he was out of sight, I used the handkerchief to remove as much of my makeup as possible. Before I had a chance to resume my prayers, the phone rang. I waited until the second ring for the caller ID to read: Jason.

“Jason?”

“No.”

My hands shook and I gripped the phone. “Who is this?”

“Let’s not worry about names. You have something I want and I have something you want. Let’s play nice and switch.”

“How do I know you haven’t already killed him?”

“Say 'hello' to your sweetheart.”

“Alyssa, don’t...”

I heard a slap. Followed by a cruel, “I
said
, say hello.”

Panic surged through my body and it wasn’t just my hands shaking any more. I burst to my feet and then dropped back to the bench just as quickly. “What do you want?” I begged.

“It’s simple. You give me the flash drive, I’ll give you lover boy.”

I checked the clock on the phone. Two hours until drop off. I knew the time, I knew the place. It would be easy to lay low here for another couple hours, take a cab to the drop off, and leave finding Jason to the professionals. Jason would want me to go ahead.

But, I wanted Jason. I wanted him back safe, I wanted him in my life, and I wanted him to be my husband. A determination took hold upon my mind and my body stilled. I looked up at the palm tree above me. It was time to take the first step. “All right, we’ll switch. But we do this my way.”

“What do you have in mind?”

"Stay by the phone. I'll call you back with the details."

D
usk settled in over the city painting it in shades of coral. Even though Las Vegas tries to pretend it’s a mirage, the beauty of a desert sunset can never be overshadowed.

The neon lights in town got brighter while the shadows got deeper. It took a while for the cab company to send me a car. Thankfully it wasn’t the same driver. I took it as a sign.

I walked down the Strip like I knew where I was going. Families clustered in front of the hotels to watch the different fountain shows. A group of bridesmaids squealed as they tipped on their high heels, the bride, her arms around two of the girls, yelled, “Girls’ night!” and her friends cheered.

I’d spent the last half hour walking back and forth across Caesar’s Palace, ducking behind pillars to check for shadows. Man, I was starting to sound like Jason. I memorized every exit and walked every path that could get me out of the hotel. The only thing I wasn’t sure of, were the cameras. Whose side were they on? I wasn’t sure how long it would take these guys to crack into hotel security. There was nothing I could do about it if they did. It was a risk I was going to have to take.

I hit last-call-return and waited.

“Yes?”

“Here’s how it’s going to roll.”
Roll? Did I really just say that?
“You drive Jason’s car to Caesar’s Palace. Park on the sixth level, east end. If you aren’t there in five minutes – I’m out.”

“I’ll be there.”

“If I don’t have Jason, you don’t get the drive.” Click. I swallowed against the bitter taste in my mouth. Sure, I'd been confident on the phone, but if this didn't work, I'd be a sitting duck and they’d have Jason, me, and the drive. I pressed my nails into my palms. It had to work.

Caesar’s lobby was packed with mid-week partiers. I groaned as a group of twenty-something guys stumbled by, cheering on their quarterback. What-
ever
.

I dashed through the casino, making a detour through the gift shop, and ended up at the east elevator. Pressing number seven, I said a hurried prayer for safety. Till death do us part could come a lot faster than either Jason or I planned if I didn’t play my cards right.

Exiting on level seven, I did a quick scan of the area and pressed the number one, sending the elevator back to the ground floor. I tiptoed down the stairs to level six, hoping to take them by surprise by coming from above.

It worked.

Peeking through the glass, I saw two guys on either side of the elevator, waiting to grab me as I came out. Jason’s car parked facing the elevator, its rear end towards the stairs. Once again I hit the call return button.

“You’re late,” said the man in the car. I could just make out his outline as he lifted the phone to his ear.

“Call off your dingoes or I drop the drive in the drink.” My attempt at being a hard-liner sounded cheesy, even to me. “Send them down to level one in the elevator and step out of the car.”

I held my breath while my mystery man stepped from the car to give a signal. We all waited for the elevator before the goons climbed in. When the number five lit up, I stepped out of the stairwell, holding the door slightly open behind me.

“Set the keys on the seat and leave the car door open. You go to the front of the vehicle. I’ll throw you the drive from back here.”

The boss-man did as he was told, smiling the whole time. If he had money riding on what happened next, he couldn't have had a worse poker face. He thought he had the upper hand and he strutted as if he were headed to the winner's circle.

Letting go of the door, and shutting off my quick escape. I walked towards the driver’s side of the car and stumbled into the back bumper before reaching the open door. Throwing a flash drive at the man in grey, I ducked in for a look. Jason sprawled in the passenger seat. He was breathing loudly, like someone in a deep sleep. His left eye was swollen shut and he kept one arm around his middle as if he were trying to protect himself. Tears threatened, but I swallowed my emotions back. I still had to get us out of here.

“What did you do to him?”

“We just gave him something to make him more cooperative.”

The man in the grey suit inserted the flash drive into a hand-held gizmo. Dang. I thought I’d have more time. The elevator opened up, the dingoes were back. The front seat was empty.

“Keys,” I demanded.

Jason groaned and stirred. “Alyssa?”

I didn’t dare take my eyes off the approaching goons to check on him. I was out numbered and they knew it. Goon number one dangled the keys from two fingers. “Come get ‘em,” he invited.

I ducked into the driver’s seat locking the doors behind me. They laughed.

The suit’s device beeped, proving that my gift shop decoy drive hadn’t bought all the time I thought it would. He dropped a few choice words. “Get her,” he ordered.

They advanced on the car, still laughing -– until they heard the engine roar to life. I smiled wickedly. Thank goodness for the spare key box Jason kept behind the back tire. Using all my rusty-old pick-up truck skills I managed to get us past the goons before killing the car.

"Alyssa, you don’t drive so well,” Jason slurred.

Gritting my teeth, I turned the key again, this time using more sensitive movements to maneuver the tank down a level. I could hear other engines gunning behind us. I just needed to stay ahead of them long enough to make the drop off.

Jason swerved with the car. Whatever drug they gave him, made him happy as a clam and honest as a child. I wondered what all he’d told his captors. I flipped open my cell phone and dialed Elvis.

“You really shouldn’t drive and talk on the phone.” Jason gave me a dopey smile. I was ecstatic he was here with me and not all that bad off considering the crowd he ran with, but I had to ignore him for the moment.

“Hello, Alyssa, how may I help you?” The same polite voice answered.

“I have the missing bird.”

“That’s so sad. Did you love your bird?” Jason asked. He reached his hand out to take mine. I swatted him away.

“We have already received your report, Alyssa. We are doing everything in our power to get Jason back.”

“NO! I
have
the missing bird. I mean Jason. I have Jason.”

“Excuse me?”

“Long story. I need some backup or something. I’ve got two ...” Check the rear view mirror, “… silver cars following me and I need someone to take them out, so I can make the drop off.”

“Locating your position now. ... I have three agents in the immediate area.” The operator’s demeanor never changed from cool control.

“How do I get to them?” I’d picked up speed as well as skill on level two. My back end fish-tailed as I turned the corner to level one. I could see the exit – wooden arm down – a few hundred feet ahead of me.

“They will get to you. Head for the drop off.”

An elderly couple, dressed in pastel polyester, made a move to cross my path. I laid on the horn. Jason covered his ears and groaned. The woman’s arms flew into the air as the man pulled her out of the way. They undoubtedly will report this incident to the hotel.

I smiled.
Wait till they see this
.

Pressing the accelerator, ever so slightly, the car jumped forward. Jason looked up in enough time for his slowed reflexes to process my reckless path. He pulled his legs up into the fetal position and screamed like a little girl.

I laughed out loud. The poor garage attendant dove out the other side of the hut – like that was necessary – as I plowed through the barrier to freedom. The top of the beautiful car would be scratched, but I was sure Jason knew a guy that could fix that.

Reaching over, I pushed Jason’s hands away from his face. He looked accusingly at me. “You are crazy.”

“Crazy for you.”

He groaned. Recognizing his particular shade of green, I rummaged for the empty cup rolling behind his seat and handed it over. Within seconds he was busy filling it. The silver cars were caught in the same stop-and-go traffic I was.  In between shifting gears and keeping an eye on the men bent on getting us, I rubbed Jason’s back.

“I think I feel better now.” He still looked green to me.

“What did they give you?”

“We call it “happy juice.” It lowers inhibitions and dulls the senses.” He let out a manly burp.

“I guess the honeymoon is over,” I quipped.

“Sorry.” He made a sour face. “Thankfully, it’s oral. Once you throw it up, it wears off quickly.” He burped again while he searched for a bottled water. Rinse and spit. Rinse and spit. We had this part of marriage down. Once the cup was full, he threw it out the window, sending it sailing into a nearby garbage can.

“Nice shot.”

“Thanks. Where’s the drive?”

I pulled it out of my bra and handed it over. “Good hiding spot.” He lifted an Elvis lip, making his swollen eye scrunch up. He grimaced.

“For some reason, that is so not romantic right now.”

His frame withered. I'd hit a sensitive spot.
Oops
.

“We’re almost there. Pull over here and I’ll jump out.”

I clicked the lock button just to make sure the doors were secure. “I don’t think so.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“We are not separating again. Who knows what trouble you’ll get into.”

“
I’ll
get into?”

“Yeah. I don’t feel like saving your butt again today, so just stay close all right.”

Jason rubbed his palm over his good eye. “Who are you?”

I smiled. Watching that lunatic drive away with Jason this afternoon changed all my pre- and post-wedding jitters to an absolute, undeniable, never-to-be-questioned, understanding that we were meant to be together. From this day forth, I was his and he was mine. I smiled. “I’m the wife of an international spy.”

Jason grinned, which made my heart hurt because he cringed and gingerly touched his face.

“What’s the plan?” he asked as he inspected the damage in the visor’s mirror.

“Make the drop off – together – and get the heck out of Dodge.”

Boom! A cannon went off in the pirate ship just ahead of us. Checking his spy watch, Jason’s face turned grim. “That’s the start of the pirate show. We have three minutes.”

“Time to make a run for it.” I clicked my seatbelt free and yanked the wheel to the right and into an illegal parking spot. The car responded like a child whose parent grabbed their ear to haul them out of Sunday school class for making rude jokes. I mentally apologized and patted the dash. 

I hated leaving her parked here, vulnerable to the local police. But, who cared if we got a ticket? Jason knew a guy who could fix that. Bailing from the car, we met by the hood and clasped hands.

“Don’t lose me.” He smiled.

“Come on.” I pulled him toward the show.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the silver cars drop off two of their occupants and continue on. We dodged in and out of foot traffic. Music filled the air and people pointed as pirates hit the water and the captain fought his way to the treasure. 

“There’s Mr. Stone.” Jason pointed to a rather small Asian man standing at the rail. He was probably in his late 40’s and wore a ridiculous tourist hat. He didn’t look like a spy and his body angled as though he was taking in the attraction. He would wait exactly sixty seconds after the lights went out and then he’d be gone.

We were so close, within twenty feet of handing over the drive and skipping town. The old saying that what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas would apply to this mission. Jason and I would probably never speak of it again unless it was during pillow talk. I flushed. I was really looking forward to some pillow time with Jason.

Just then the show ended and we were bathed in darkness. I felt something hard jam into my lower back.

“Ow.”

“Hello, Alyssa.” My boss’s voice sent chills up my back. I let go of Jason’s hand and the crowd swept him away.

“Let’s take a walk.”

I planted my feet. I had a better chance of living if I stayed put. This was a gambling town and I took a gamble that Devin didn’t want to shoot me on the streets of Las Vegas. They tended to frown on that here. “Let’s not. Why don’t you just tell me what you want?”

“You know what I want.”

“I don’t have it.” I folded my arms across my chest. I could see the goons closing the circle around the two of us. If I could just buy Jason some time to make the drop off... Keeping an eye on three people wasn’t easy, but I figured the one behind me, holding a gun to my back, was the least of my worries. Devin wouldn't shoot me. Of course, I didn't think he'd fund terrorists either, so maybe he would shoot me. A chill slithered down my spine and sweat gathered in places I'd rather not disclose.

I tried to breathe without pressing the barrel any deeper into my skin. Just as I was about to let out a scream that would bring the whole Strip to the rescue, the goon on the left crumpled to the ground. A lady, the same one I’d seen stab him with a needle only a second before, screamed that her husband was having a heart attack and a crowd gathered.