Uneven Exchange (11 page)

Neither of the first two boxes contained the Jamison file, and she was positive it had already been removed from the main cabinets. She also knew she couldn’t call and just ask Kathryn.

“Dear Lord, please help me,” Alexandra whispered, removing the lid of the final box. Fortunately, she instantly spotted the file and rushed to pull it out. She opened the folder, and right in front, confirming her suspicions, rested a single sheet of paper with Kathryn’s writing. On it was William Jamison’s name, new address in London, and his telephone number.

While thanking God, Alexandra quickly closed the boxes and stuffed them back under the bench. Then, with paper in hand, she rushed into her office to call Kevin.

He picked up on the first ring. “O’Neil.”

“Hi, Kevin, it’s me, Alex.” Barely taking a breath, she continued, “Listen, can you make it look like I’m taking a trip to London? I mean, really look like it, in case either Jake or Kathryn take me to the airport?”

“Sure. That won’t be a problem.”

After hesitating, not wanting to ask the impossible, she added, “I would probably need a real ticket I could use at check-in.”

“Alexandra, we can get you a real ticket, have one loaded to your mobile, and if necessary, even have you board the plane.”

“Board the plane? But how would I get off? Wait! Don’t answer that.” Alexandra laughed. “You have your ways, right?”

“Right.”

“Then, if you can do all that, is there a way to get me a telephone number with a London exchange?”

“Certainly,” Kevin said. “We can set up a number that can be answered specifically as you designate.”

“It should be answered Jamison Limited, but I really think it would be better for the person to have an English accent.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Don’t worry, Alex. You tell me what you need to make the story believable, and I will make certain it happens.”

“Wow! I feel like you’re my fairy godmother, or should I say godfather?”

“Your wish is my command,” Kevin teased.

“Okay then, last thing. After this is over, I’ll need to get paid in order to preserve my story.”

“That still is not a problem. Invoice the job as you normally would. We’ll have a check drawn from a London bank and can even use the Jamison logo. Or to make it easier, we can have the funds wired.”

“Of course I’ll pay it back,” Alexandra stated.

“Alexandra, honey, you paying me back is the least of my concerns. We can call it a bonus for all your hard work.”

“That’s fine with me. I won’t argue.”

“After this is over, you can take a leisurely vacation in your condo.”

“Sounds great, but Mexico is out,” Alexandra said. “My next trip is going to be Hawaii.”

“You’ve got it. Is there anything else?”

“Not for now. We can talk about the rest later. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Then I’ll see when you get here. Drive safely.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

PERFECTING THE PLANS

Late Sunday afternoon, Alexandra drove toward her office with the goal of completing one final task. While cruising along, she mentally surveyed the past twenty-four hours. It had been a whirlwind of activity.

First, Kevin perfected Alexandra’s fictitious trip to England, even arranging for her name to appear on the flight manifest. She was booked on the Monday morning, eleven a.m. flight to London, and surprisingly enough, Jake seemed to believe every word. His only problem was the timing.

Jake had never met William Jamison personally but did remember Alexandra’s accomplishments on the Victorian mansion. At first, he seemed suspicious about the extreme short notice but ultimately acquiesced when Alexandra used the pretense that William Jamison had recently purchased an enormous eighteenth-century castle-style home he was renovating into a bed and breakfast. Jamison was having nothing but problems with the current interior designer, and guests were already booked for Christmas.

Alexandra went on to explain that fortunately she just happened to be in the office when Jamison had called on Saturday. After hearing his tale of woe, and his offer, she agreed to come to the rescue. All her expenses would be paid, and she would be receiving two thousand dollars per day as a design fee. Alexandra’s parents had also been very understanding. Her mom continued to welcome Jake to Thanksgiving dinner with open arms and made her promise to spend additional time with them over Christmas instead. The only problem left to solve before she could completely turn herself over to the Administration was how to intercept Jake or Kathryn’s telephone calls or texts as she obviously could not be carrying her mobile.

Kevin suggested she tell them she would be staying in one of the rooms at the bed and breakfast and the wireless service was spotty at best. He felt this would almost guarantee that Jake and Kathryn would only call the telephone number Alexandra gave them. He also suggested they come up with a name for the bed and breakfast. Hence, Kingston Manor was founded.

Alexandra shuddered as she returned to the present. Time seemed to be soaring past, and yet they had accomplished so much in less than two days. She turned her Mercedes into the parking lot, locked the doors, and ambled toward the steps. As usual, Old Town was animated with tourist activity. In a hazy mental fog, she observed a tour group nearby.
If only they knew what was about to happen
, she pondered pointlessly, watching their faces. When their laugher seemed to mock her, Alexandra accelerated her pace and rushed up the short flight of stairs.

Inside the office, she zigzagged from desk to desk, taking great pains to revise any and all Jamison documentation. She cautiously discarded William Jamison’s correct telephone numbers and replaced them with the number being routed through the Administration. Rather than modify the original notepaper Kathryn had used to record Jamison’s new London contact information, Alexandra removed and shredded the paper into minuscule, unreadable pieces. She then returned the file to its place in the storage box.

Next, she checked Kathryn’s card index and her own and found no listing for William Jamison. She then logged into each office computer to check any contact data. Fortunately, none of the computer records listed Jamison’s new information. Finally, Alexandra typed out her flight itinerary, where she would be staying, and the number of the direct line to Kingston Manor. She printed the memo and placed a copy on Kathryn’s desk and one on Jake’s.

As she opened the door to leave, Alexandra paused to take a final look around. Her eyes strained to hold all her mind needed to see. For some reason, she sensed this look could be the last, and she felt an urge to mentally record every detail. Forcing herself to lower her palm from where it rested on the wall, Alexandra turned off the two switches. But even with the lights out and in the dimness of dusk, she remained in the doorway, clinging to the knob.

Alexandra closed her eyes and forced her shoulders to relax, hoping to ease the built-up tension. She waited in the quiet, mentally repeating,
Be still and know that he is God.
She understood the importance of allowing the Lord to guide and direct her each and every step. Soon Alexandra would become Daniela.

“But not yet,” she whispered. “Not now and not tonight.” Tonight she would remain Alexandra Cole Callet, and, in the quietness of her own home, she would spend time in prayer and finally allow herself to pause and think about her life. She knew in her heart that she might even consider a thought or two about Jake.

Without further hesitation, she closed and locked the office door.

CHAPTER TWELVE

ENTER THE FIANCÉ

When Kevin entered the conference room, the casual atmosphere transformed into an attitude of staunch professionalism as Assistant Special Agent in Charge Scott Riggins, field agents Armando De la Cruz and Conner Reeves, and training agent Natalie Burke all stopped their friendly banter.

“Everyone, please take a seat,” he instructed without taking the time to exchange greetings.

Alexandra stood in the doorway. Then, spotting one empty chair at the rectangular table, she entered the room and sat down. In turn, without speaking, each agent acknowledged her presence with a nod or an amiable smile. In earnest, she looked to Kevin.

Before joining his agents, Kevin had shown her to the safe house located within the confines of the building. The “house,” as commonly named, was more of a studio, with a bedroom and kitchenette occupying the same space. Kevin left her there so she could take a few minutes and ready herself for the meeting.

He replied to her look with an assuring wink but like the others, refrained from conversation. Rather, he stood and quietly distributed six large, white envelopes, one to each person. As each agent accepted one, Alexandra took her cue from them and placed her envelope on the table.

At last, Kevin broke the screaming silence. “You may now open your envelopes.”

Alexandra turned hers over and fumbled with the clasp while her peripheral vision revealed the agents removing bright red folders from their envelopes. In her haste to catch up, Alexandra sliced her finger on the metal prongs. Although the cut stung wildly, it did not draw blood and fortunately no one seemed to notice.

Again, mimicking the others, Alexandra placed her unopened red folder on the table. After unsuccessfully trying to open it, she realized it had a security label. Her face heated with a mixture of frustration and embarrassment. She felt exposed, an object of scrutiny, as she floundered to remove the seal. To her added dismay, once she was finished, Alexandra realized they were all waiting just for her.

“Hey, Alex,” Natalie chirped suddenly.

Alexandra raised her head to look over at her friend.

“Don’t let all this cloak-and-dagger stuff get to you.”

“Yeah, Alex.” Conner sounded jovial. “You know how the SAC really is.”

“Thanks, guys.” Alexandra smiled before sighing. “Suddenly, it all seems so real.”

“It is real,” Kevin said, “and it is also extremely important, Alexandra. But Sparky and Conner are right. Tension will not help, so let’s all try and relax. Take a deep breath, and let’s get started.”

Page after page, hour after hour, they reviewed the plan, discussed strategy, asked questions, and made comments. Alexandra soon forgot her embarrassment and quickly felt right at home.

Kevin’s carefully orchestrated plan called for her to learn the complete layout of Miguel Santiago’s hacienda. Daniela, having only been there three or four times, would not know everything. This did allow some room for error. However, Alexandra had to be extremely comfortable with the location of Daniela’s bedroom suite and private en suite bathroom.

Several of the ranch hands had been with Santiago for years, but the Administration only had photos of a few of them. With Sparky’s assistance, she would be forced to rely only on written descriptions in order to memorize their names.

There would be a window of three days maximum for Alexandra to somehow give Santiago the drug. She needed to wait for an opportune time to privately pour it into one of his drinks: Tuesday, her first night in; Wednesday, the eve before Thanksgiving; or Thursday night. Alexandra as Daniela was booked on a return flight to Cancun Friday afternoon.

“Are you positive the drug won’t kill him?” she questioned, her voice ringing with concern.

“No, I’m not positive,” Kevin responded, “but it shouldn’t.”

“What do you mean, it
shouldn’t
?” Alexandra shrieked. “So there is a chance it might?”

“There is always a chance when you’re dealing with drugs.” Kevin sounded diplomatic. “But it’s doubtful. I would say it is extremely doubtful, in fact. Before they set the dosage level, our internists will factor in every variable, from height and weight to even the estimated outside temperature.”

“But, Kevin, I cannot be responsible for killing someone,” Alexandra pleaded.

She noticed the other agents exchange worried looks as they listened in on the conversation. But too much was at stake for her to back out.

“Alexandra, honey,” Kevin said gently. “Have you ever had surgery?”

“Yes,” she replied cautiously. “Nothing major, though. It was just oral surgery for my wisdom teeth.”

“Even for such minor surgery, didn’t you have to sign a consent form?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, then. Do you remember how serious the possible complications sounded?”

“I guess so,” Alexandra answered softly.

“Well, it’s the same with Santiago. I could lie to you and say there is no chance of him dying, but I refuse to dishonor you that way. You know how badly we want him brought out alive, don’t you?”

Alexandra nodded.

“Then you must realize we will do everything in our power to make sure that happens. Okay?”

“Okay,” she agreed, grateful for his explanation. “But what if I can’t get close enough to him?”

“I know you will find a way,” Kevin answered confidently.

“Well, if I do, then where will you be when it happens?” Alexandra asked in panic. “How will you know when?” She rushed to ask her next question. “Do I get word to you somehow or what?”

After listening to her unrelenting questions, in which she gave him no time to answer, Kevin said they needed a break. At his request, Scott left for the nearest Chinese takeout. The other agents, including Alexandra, used the lapse to stretch their legs, take a bathroom break, and generally get away from the subject. Kevin assured Alexandra that most of her questions would be answered and emphasized that the agenda for the day would touch on their overall strategy, with more specific details to follow later.

By midafternoon, Kevin had answered most of Alexandra’s concerns, and she was in better spirits. He finished the day by addressing the last touchy subject. “There is one more person who you need to know about. He’s a man who was, and I emphasize
was
, very special in Daniela’s life.”

“What’s so special about—?”

Kevin held up a palm. “Please, let me finish,” he said, and Alexandra nodded. “His name is Ricardo Aleman. Ricardo, or Rico as he is called, works for Santiago. He lives at the hacienda and seems to be the Magician’s number-two man. And a while back…” Kevin lowered his voice, “Rico and Daniela were engaged to be married.”

“What?” Alexandra screamed. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” she fumed.

“Because you didn’t need to know.” Kevin’s tone was unyielding. He then stood and dismissed everyone but Scott.

Alexandra stood facing Kevin as the agents filed out. “Why didn’t I need to know?” she asked. “Tell me, Kevin! What makes now any different?”

“Listen, Alexandra. If you will calm down and think for a minute, you’ll remember we originally weren’t planning on sending you to Mazatlan. We thought Santiago would be an easier target in Cancun. Am I correct?”

“Yes, and I remember. Go on,” Alexandra pushed.

“If you went to Cancun, then Ricardo Aleman might not have been an issue.”

“
Might not
are the two key words. He still could have been, and you should have told me!”

“So I could face the wrath of Alexandra Callet as I am now?” Kevin fired back.

After taking a moment to think, Alexandra realized Kevin made perfect sense. “Oh come on, Kevin. I’m not that bad,” she said, slightly calmer. She hesitated, then rapidly asked, “Am I?”

“Let’s put it this way. I’m glad you’re on our side, because, Alex, you are one tough lady.” Kevin smiled.

Alexandra did not. “This is not over. You’re telling me that, as Daniela, I am going to stay in the same house as my fiancé?”

“Your ex-fiancé,” Kevin corrected.

“Whether he is my fiancé or my ex-fiancé doesn’t matter. What’s the difference?” She waved her arms excitedly. “How am I supposed to fool someone who is that close to Daniela?”

“Alex, for one thing, he doesn’t live in the house,” Scott stepped in to explain. “Aleman lives out back with the ranch hands. Besides, they broke up, so it would be natural for Daniela to avoid him.”

Kevin and Scott made eye contact as Alexandra rubbed her hands together while contemplating their comments. She then turned to Kevin and asked, “If they were engaged, then you must know him, right?”

“Why do you assume that?” Kevin asked. He seemed to be caught off guard.

“Why wouldn’t I assume it?” Alexandra asked suspiciously. “You know Daniela, so it stands to reason you would also know her fiancé.”

“Let’s just say I’ve met him and leave it that.”

“Oh, I see.” Her comment oozed with sarcasm. “This is one more of those things you don’t feel I should know. You trust me enough to send me off to some strange place and allow me to put my own life at risk, but you don’t trust me enough to know the specifics about this man. Well, Kevin, I don’t understand.”

“Alexandra, there is nothing more to understand. I’ve met the guy, that’s all.”

“Kevin, are you lying to me?” she asked, sensing that he was.

“No, honey, I’m not.”

“Okay, then. Tell me what information you have on this guy. I need to get to know him.”

Kevin glanced at Scott as he replied, “Fortunately, we have plenty and so you don’t need to worry.”

“What’s his name again? Ricardo?”

“Most people call him Rico,” Scott added.

“Does Daniela?” Alexandra asked.

“Yes,” Scott answered.

“Well, maybe she’s decided to call him Ricardo. After all, you did say they broke up, right?”

“Right,” Scott said.

“So we’ll see. I may call him Rico or maybe Ricardo. I’ll play it by ear.” Alexandra gave them a smirk before sauntering down the hallway to the safe house.

***

Kevin

Scott and Kevin shook their heads as she walked away. Then Kevin let loose a low whistle. “That was a close one.”

“I’ll say! So you decided not to tell her about Rico?”

“I thought about it but decided it was best to keep the truth quiet for now. Thanks for backing me up.”

“Not a problem. You’re welcome. Do you think she’ll ever find out?”

“I hope not. If she does, that means we’ll have a problem much greater than her temper.”