Sweet Caroline's Keeper (6 page)

"Yes, I'm sure you would." Ellison reached down and picked up the file folder from the floor. "I'll have Sam contact Fletcher Shaw and let him know that a Dundee agent named David Wolfe will arrive in St. Michaels tonight. Sam has arranged for Matt O'Brien to fly you straight from Biloxi to Maryland. And Jack Parker is on standby to join you, if you need backup later on."

"You were awfully sure I'd accept this job."

"My boy, you must remember that I'm the man who has worked as your accomplice in taking care of Caroline all these years. I, better than anyone, know what she represents to you and exactly to what extent you would go to keep her safe."

"If it means breaking every rule in the book, I'll do it," David said in a calm, controlled manner. "Know this from the start—Caroline's well-being comes first, before anyone or anything else. And that includes the Peacekeepers."

Ellison nodded. "While you're guarding Caroline, you'll also be investigating Preston Shaw's death along with her. The key she has holds the one and only possible means of finding any evidence as to who Preston's cohorts were. Those men still exist and have continued their work, even if somewhat less obviously. With enough proof, we could put those men in jail where they belong and eliminate an ongoing threat to this country."

"You make sure I get what I want and I'll do my best to help the Peacekeepers get what they want." David offered Ellison his hand.

"You have a deal." The two men sealed their pact with a powerful handshake.

Caroline felt trapped inside her own home and it was a feeling she detested. Since her release from the hospital yesterday, she had been surrounded by well-meaning friends. Roz, Brooke, Lyle and Fletcher had all four spent the night, and at least two of them had been with her throughout the day. Brooke's parents, Oliver and Eileen Harper, had stopped by while she'd been in the hospital and had driven down from Baltimore earlier today. Eileen had even sent a beautiful bouquet of get-well flowers. Then Gavin had shown up about an hour ago and joined the fearless foursome. Now the five of them sat around in her living room, each one hovering like a mother bird waiting for her chick to hatch. As much as she enjoyed their company and appreciated their concern, she was accustomed to the peace and quiet of living alone. But for some undetermined amount of time, she would have to forego her privacy and greatly treasured solitude. Once the bodyguard Fletcher had hired for her arrived, she wouldn't be alone again. Someone would be at her side, day and night. Watching her. Protecting her from harm.

"What time is this bodyguard supposed to arrive?" Brooke asked.

"He should be here within the next half hour," Fletcher said. "I spoke to the CEO of Dundee's and was assured that they're sending one of their top agents."

"What's his name?" Gavin asked.

"Wolfe," Fletcher replied. "I don't know if that's a first or last name."

"If he turns out to be a big, gorgeous hunk, I may move in with you," Roz said.

Lyle gave Roz a condemning stare. "Is that all you think about, Ms. Turner, men and sex?"

Roz's
cheeks flamed red, but she kept her temper in check as she skewered Lyle with her gaze. "Unlike you,
Reverend,
some of us actually enjoy the sins of the flesh."

"You make that more than obvious," Lyle countered. "Most people have the decency not to flaunt their sins in front of the world. But you seem to have no qualms—"

Roz got right up in Lyle's face, which immediately stopped his condemnation. "Now, you listen here you Bible-thumping, pulpit-spouting—"

"That's enough!" Caroline put one arm around
Roz's
shoulders and the other around Lyle's, then adeptly separated die two warring parties. "I wish that just once the two of you could be in the same room together without going for the jugular."

"If you ask me, they've got the
hots
for each other," Brooke said. "If they'd just hop in the sack and get it over with—"

"You're crazy if you think I'd be interested in a holier-than-thou
virgin,"
Roz said, putting special emphasis on the last word. "I like my men rough, tough and experienced."

"I can assure you, Ms. Turner, that you're safe from me." Lyle turned and stormed out of the room.

"Now, look what you two have done." Caroline glowered at Roz and then at Brooke. "You know how sensitive Lyle is."

"I'm sorry," Brooke said. "Lyle is such an easy target, but I forget how serious-minded he is."

"The man can't take a joke," Roz complained, then forced a smile as she wrapped her arm around Caroline's waist. "I shouldn't have gotten into an argument with him. Not tonight of all nights. Lyle and I were able to act civilly toward each other when you were in the hospital, so there's no reason we can't continue to be civil toward each other. The last thing you need is having your cousin and your best friend at each other's throats."

"And I thought I was Caroline's best friend," Brooke said, with a half-joking pout on her lips.

"All of you are ray friends," Caroline said. "My dear friends. And although having y'all here is driving me nuts, it's also distracting me from thinking about what happened the night before last on Fletcher's yacht"

"I can't believe someone actually chloroformed you and threw you overboard," Fletcher said. "If I'd thought that damn key would put your life in danger, I'd have insisted you toss it into the bay. I'd rather never know what the key opens if searching for it puts your life at risk."

"Don't you see? Someone doesn't want us to find out what this key opens." Caroline lifted the key, which she had slipped onto a gold chain and placed around her neck. "I truly believe that when we find what the key opens, we'll find proof of who killed Preston and why."

"Perhaps you should give Fletcher the key," Gavin said. "After all, Preston was his father, and if anyone has the right to unearth any secret truth about his murderer, then Fletcher does."

"I don't need the damn key," Fletcher said. "However, my dear sister, I think you should hand the thing over to this fellow Wolfe. His agency, Dundee's, is going to be working with him to investigate Father's death."

"Do you think that's wise?" Gavin asked. "The bigger the stink you stir, the more danger there is bound to be for Caroline."

"I'm not going to back down," Caroline said. "Being almost drowned had the adverse effect on me from what my would-be killer intended. Not only am I still alive, but I'm more determined than ever to find what the key unlocks and retrieve whatever evidence there is against Preston's killer."

The soft tinkle of the doorbell chimed throughout the house. Caroline froze for an instant Ail eyes turned toward the foyer.

"Shall I go to the door?" Fletcher asked. "It's probably your bodyguard, Mr. Wolfe."

"Why don't we go together?" Caroline suggested.

Fletcher nodded and with a magnanimous sweep of his hand indicated for her to precede him. By the time Fletcher and she reached the foyer, Roz, Brooke and Gavin were only a few steps behind; then Lyle came out of the room across the hall and halted several feet away from the others. Caroline grasped the brass handle and opened the door.

She wasn't quite sure what she'd been expecting, but the man standing on her front porch wasn't it. He was tall, broad-shouldered and lean, with a bronze tan, thick dark blond hair and tinted aviator glasses that hid his eyes. He wore a cream-colored sport coat and a teal-blue shirt, casually elegant attire that a man with money might wear to project both a fashionable and yet masculine image. He wasn't handsome, but he was devastatingly attractive, in a self-assured way that professed to the world he was a man to be reckoned with. A shiver of apprehension fluttered in Caroline's stomach. She heard an indrawn breath and assumed it came from Brooke. Then a low, soft whistle told her that Roz had just made a comment.

"I'm Wolfe," the man said, his voice dark and rich and distinctively Southern, as he removed his sunglasses and slid them into his pocket.

"Won't you come in, Mr. Wolfe. We've been expecting you. I'm Caroline McGuire."

When she held out her hand, he simply stared at it for endless seconds, then encompassed it within his own huge hand. The moment they touched, a current passed between them. A shocking sensation of awareness. And when their gazes met, Caroline gasped. She had never seen such cold eyes, moss green and void of any emotion.

"Hello, Caroline," he said.

Startled by her reaction to the stranger, Caroline snatched her hand away but couldn't stop looking directly at him in the same way he continued staring at her. Did he feel it, too? she wondered. That odd sense of recognition, as if she had known this stranger all her life, perhaps even in a dozen other lifetimes?

Chapter 5

H
e couldn't take his eyes off her. She was more lovely than any picture he'd ever seen of her. This was Caroline—his Caroline. He wasn't sure exactly when he'd begun to think of her that way. It had been a gradual thing, taking place so imperceptibly that he had no way of pinpointing the precise moment that his thoughts of her had become possessive. Perhaps if he'd had a family of his own, his feelings for Caroline wouldn't have taken on
such
monumental proportions. Aidan Colbert had had a few distant relatives, but no real family to speak of, and David Wolfe had no one. There were no parents, no siblings, no wife and no children. Only Caroline.

When he noticed the flush on her cheeks and the way she suddenly broke eye contact, Wolfe realized he had been staring at her for longer than was socially acceptable. In the future, he would have to be careful and take advantage of unguarded moments, when no one else was around, to drink his fill of her. He wondered if a thousand lifetimes would be enough.

Someone cleared his throat. Wolfe glanced behind Caroline to where four people stood guard over her, each inspecting him thoroughly. The two men glowered at him as if they didn't quite trust him. The two women surveyed him from head to toe as if he were an item up for auction. He recognized all four people from photos that had been included in the packet Sam Dundee had given him this afternoon before he'd left Le Bijou Bleu, Dundee's private island. The dossier contained brief bios and photographs of the people most important in Caroline's life.

Fletcher Shaw came forward and extended his hand to Wolfe. He sized up the handsome young man quickly as he reached out to accept his gesture of greeting. They were about the same height, but Shaw was more slender, his handshake weaker. Caroline's stepbrother possessed an air of superiority, one that declared without words that he was the master and considered David the servant

"Fletcher Shaw."

"Wolfe." He looked directly into Fletcher's blue eyes and noted just a hint of uncertainty there. Most of his adult life he'd had that effect on other men. A wariness they tried to disguise, but couldn't
 
A primitive fear that admitted a more dominant male had just arrived on the scene.

"I'm the one who hired you," Fletcher said. "Ms. McGuire is my stepsister and I'm quite concerned about her welfare. I've been assured that you're one of the best at what you do. I want only the best for Caroline."

So do I,
Wolfe thought
That's all I've ever wanted.
"I can assure you, Mr. Shaw, that Ms. McGuire's safety is my top priority. No one is going to get to her, except through me.

"Caroline, you lucky girl, you." Tall, fashion-model elegant, Brooke Harper sauntered across the foyer, all the while sizing up Wolfe, flirting subtly as she held out her hand. "I'm Brooke Harper, Caroline's oldest and dearest friend." She sighed dramatically when Wolfe shook her hand. She held on just a fraction too long, then when Fletcher moved to her side, she laughed and said, "Fletch, darling, if I'm ever in danger, will you hire me a Dundee bodyguard like Mr. Wolfe?"

Before Fletcher could respond, Roz rushed forward. "Hi. I'm
Rozalin
Turner. Since I'm Caroline's assistant, I'm sure we'll be seeing a great deal of each other."

"Ms. Turner." Wolfe acknowledged her presence by looking directly at her.

Caroline motioned for the other man, who hadn't moved since Wolfe entered the foyer, to come to her. "This is my cousin, Reverend Lyle Jennings."

Surprisingly the short, stocky reverend's handshake had more power than Shaw's, and the wariness Wolfe saw in the man's eyes had more to do with concern over Caroline than with masculine dominance. He liked Lyle on sight, which made him second-guess his own judgment. He seldom liked anyone immediately. But reason told him that his knowledge of Lyle Jennings's place in Caroline's heart preconditioned him to like the man who truly was a brother to her.

"Mr. Wolfe, I'm very glad you're here," Lyle said.

Wolfe nodded, then looked past the others to where a third man stood, arms crossed over his chest and his dark, hooded eyes focused on Wolfe. The last time he'd seen Gavin Robbins was a few days before Aidan Colbert had left the country on his final Peacekeepers assignment. Although the two had worked together for nearly thirteen years, neither had ever moved beyond their initial hostility toward each other. David wondered what Gavin would do if he realized Aidan Colbert had become David Wolfe. Not that there was any reason Gavin would recognize him. All
resem-blance
to Aidan Colbert was practically gone.

Caroline turned around and smiled at Gavin. "Come meet Mr. Wolfe," she said.

Gavin made no move to approach. Instead he remained aloof, deliberately setting himself apart from everyone else. "Fletch tells us that you come highly recommended. I think you should know that I have every intention of checking out your credentials."

Caroline gave Gavin a disapproving look, apparently appalled by his bold rudeness. "I'm certain that's not necessary."

"On the contrary," Wolfe said. "If I were your boyfriend, I'd want to make sure the man who was to be at your side day and night was someone trust-worthy."

Brooke and Roz giggled. Fletch coughed and cleared his throat. Lyle glanced at Caroline as if wanting to gauge her reaction.

Caroline walked over and closed the still-open front door. "I was just about to prepare some coffee, Mr. Wolfe. Won't you join us in the living room?"

"Thank you," Wolfe replied. "But if you don't mind ending this evening with your friends a bit early, I'd like to familiarize myself with your house and the grounds tonight and go over a few rules with you that can't wait until morning."

"Oh, I see." Caroline stared at him strangely, as if she didn't quite comprehend the necessity of such discourteous haste. He feared that Caroline would find his abrupt and oftentimes tactless actions disturbing. One of the many things he knew about her was her penchant for good manners. Something Dixie Jennings had drilled into her as a girl.

"Well, I guess we've been asked to leave," Fletcher said, obviously not pleased by Wolfe's take-charge attitude.

"You've hired me to do a job," Wolfe reminded him. "From this moment on, everything I do will have one objective—to protect Ms. McGuire."

"Yes, of course." Fletcher hugged Caroline, then glanced at Brooke. "Get your things, darling, and we'll leave Caroline in Mr. Wolfe's capable hands."

"I'm sorry we have to end our lovely evening so early," Caroline said as she scurried around after her guests while they prepared to depart.

Wolfe stood in the foyer, waiting and watching, while she shared hugs and kisses and goodbye waves with her friends. Gavin was the last to leave, but when he did go, he made a production of planting a rather intense kiss on Caroline's lips. Every ounce of Wolfe's willpower came into play at that precise moment, stopping him from jerking the cocky Robbins away from Caroline and forcefully tossing him out into the yard. The very second that the last car left the driveway, she turned to Wolfe, a look of annoyance on her face.

"Was that necessary?" she asked.

"I apologize if I was rude," he said. "But good manners aren't a priority in my business." He glanced around the foyer, taking note of the rooms to the right and left and the staircase that led up to the second level of the roomy clapboard house. "Familiarizing myself with your surroundings as quickly as possible will enable me to do my job more efficiently. I'll need to inspect the house from top to bottom, cover the grounds, check out your security system and do the same thing at your studio downtown."

"I don't have a security system here at the house," she said.

"Yes, I know. One is being installed first thing tomorrow. I'll check out the one at your studio in the morning and then the newly installed one here tomorrow evening."

"I see."

He turned to her and forced himself to avoid direct eye contact. "You won't leave this house, not even to go outside for a walk, without me. Before you get in your car, I'll inspect it. At work and at home, I'll be at your side. I'll require a bedroom directly across from yours and ask that you sleep with your door open. . .or we can arrange for a cot to be put in your room."

"I prepared the bedroom across the hall from mine."

Wolfe nodded. "I realize this isn't easy for you, Ms. McGuire. But a few minor changes in your lifestyle can help me keep you safe. I've already arranged not only for a security system to be installed at your home tomorrow, but as a precaution, the locks on your doors will also be changed."

"That seems rather drastic, doesn't it?"

"Someone tried to kill you and will, more than likely, try again. I will do whatever is necessary to make sure any future attempts fail. From this moment until the day you are no longer in danger, my only purpose will be to protect you."

Caroline's mouth opened on a silent gasp, as if she were startled by his vehement declaration. Did she think he had overstepped his bounds? he wondered. Had what he'd said or the way he'd said it made her suspicious of his motives?

Wolfe cleared his throat. "As a professional body-guard, it's my duty to put your welfare above everything else."

"I understand." She glanced toward the closed front door. "Do you have a suitcase in your car?"

"I came from the airport in a taxi," he told her. "My bag is on your porch."

"If you'll get it, I'll show you upstairs to your room, then I'll give you a tour of the house. It will be easier to show you around Outside in the morning when it's daylight,"

"That will be fine."

"Mr. Wolfe. . .I'm going to be honest with you. I feel awkward having you living here in my house. I realize that you're a professional, but you're. . .you're—"

"A man?"

"Well, yes."

"I will do my utmost not to invade your privacy. I won't come into the bathroom with you or enter your bedroom without knocking, unless there's potential danger involved. However, I'm afraid that my being with you might cramp your love life a bit. I'll have to tag along on all your dates."

"Believe me, you won't be cramping my love life." Caroline sighed. "I'm not seeing anyone in particular right now."

"Is that right? Hmm-
mmm
. . . what about Gavin Robbins?" Caroline laughed. Wolfe loved the sound. He'd never heard her laugh before, never heard the sound of her voice. Never been close enough to reach out and touch her. And he realized that he was finding the sight and sound and scent of her intoxicating.

"I won't be dating Mr. Robbins again."

"Good."

She lifted her eyebrows and stared at Wolfe. "Your not dating anyone simplifies my job as your bodyguard."

"Oh. Yes, of course." She glanced toward the front door. "Please, get your bag and I'll show you upstairs."

Wolfe followed her instructions, retrieved his black vinyl bag, closed and locked the front door and followed his client up the stairs. He tried not to focus on her body as she moved with such easy grace, taking the steps slowly, her round hips swaying to her body's own particular rhythm. She wore gray cotton slacks and an oversize white blouse that hung to mid-thigh. Her only jewelry, other than a simple wristwatch, was a gold chain that disappeared inside her shirt and a pair of small pearl-and-diamond ear studs. He recognized the earrings immediately and his chest tightened. A gift for her twenty-first birthday from her illusive benefactor, David.

When they reached the landing, Caroline turned abruptly and almost collided with Wolfe. Gasping, she took a couple of hasty steps backward in an effort to keep their bodies from touching. Noting the pink flush that stained her cheeks, he came to the conclusion that Caroline blushed easily. Always? With everyone? Or just with him? he wondered. Did she sense the tension between them as acutely as he did? As much as he wanted to deny the attraction as anything physical, as remotely sexual, he knew better than to lie to himself. She was reacting to him as a woman does to a man, and her shy sweetness reinforced his suspicions that she was sexually inexperienced.

She stared at him, seemingly unable to speak. Her chest rose and fell steadily as her breathing accelerated just a fraction. She was a vision. Lovely beyond belief. Flawless, creamy skin. Shoulder-length black hair that glistened with healthy
vibrance
. Full pink lips, which she licked nervously. Wolfe's body tightened. He gazed into the depths of her blue-violet eyes and lost himself in their mesmerizing power. He broke eye contact suddenly and darted his gaze from one of her earlobes to the other.