Uneven Exchange (3 page)

Instead of the tea, Kevin quickly opted for a can of soda to drink on the way. He was already going to be in enough trouble for not calling, and now he was late for his baby girl’s soccer game. Somehow though, he didn’t remember Casey reminding him. Kevin rolled his eyes knowingly before whispering, “That’s probably why she called.”

Less than ten minutes later, when Kevin’s truck rounded the corner of the parking lot, he immediately spotted their gunmetal-gray wagon. He could easily hear the sounds of a youth soccer game but could not see the field. After tossing the empty soda can into a nearby trash bin, the very late father jogged in the direction of his daughter’s game. Kevin was pleased that the fans of her team were standing with their backs to him. He had no desire to walk the gauntlet with Casey staring him down from across the field. Instead, Kevin preferred to walk up and slip in next to his wife without a great deal of attention being paid to him.

No such luck. Tanner, in all his rambunctious glory, was more fascinated with the grass than his sister playing soccer, and the four-year-old spotted him in plenty of time. “Daaaaa-dy, Daaaaa-dy, Daaaa-dy!” Tanner’s tiny legs struggled to keep up with his ever-increasing pace as he ran for his father. Kevin raced forward, already seeing Tanner start to fall, and in the nick of time, he scooped his son high into the air.

Kevin hugged him tightly and spun him around and around. The toddler laughed, Kevin laughed, and as he looked toward his wife, Casey was smiling.

Hand in hand, father and son advanced toward Casey, with Kevin walking hunched over to accommodate Tanner’s smallness. He winked at Casey as they approached, and as always, she looked beautiful. Today, Casey wore a red polo shirt tucked into linen khaki shorts that flattered her tiny waist and long, shapely legs. The short, precision cut of her blonde hair accentuated her indigo-blue eyes.

“Hi,” Kevin stammered.

“Hi yourself,” Casey whispered.

Feeling awkward, Kevin turned to focus his attention on Randee’s game. With one hand shielding his eyes from the sun, he searched the jersey backs for number fifteen. As usual, Randee was frantically chasing after the rapidly rolling ball. “How are we doing?” he asked, referring to the score.

“Great. We’re up, one zip,” she answered while fidgeting with the woven belt around her waist.

“You look great,” Kevin said.

Casey lifted her eyes to him and smiled. “You smell great.”

Kevin grinned. “It’s your favorite.”

“I know,” she responded as Kevin felt a tug on the hem of his shorts. He looked down at Tanner.

“Daddy, where’s Randee?” Tanner asked.

“Right over there.” Kevin pointed as he reached down to lift his son. “Do you see her?”

Tanner nodded enthusiastically.

As Kevin held Tanner in one strong arm with little effort, he tenderly grasped Casey’s hand with his free palm. Their fingers automatically laced. Wanting desperately to apologize, all he managed to say was, “I forgot about the game.”

“I knew you would,” she said simply, without sounding judgmental. “That’s what I called to tell you.”

“You know me pretty well, don’t you?”

She chuckled ever so slightly. “I hope so. Especially after all the years we have invested.”

“Are you planning on cashing me in?” he asked softly.

“Of course not. I’m worried that all of my complaining might make you want to cash me in.”

“That’s the last thing I would ever want to do. What we need is a fresh start.”

“Last night, I had the same thought.”

The opposing crowd erupted in a chorus of hurrahs as the Del Mar Dolphins scored a goal.

“What happened, Daddy?” Tanner questioned.

“The other team scored,” he explained. Then, turning his attention back to Casey, he said, “I should have returned your call.”

“That would have been nice.”

“Casey, honey, believe me. It’s not that I didn’t want to talk to you. I just, well, I got wrapped up in my work,” he fumbled.

“I know. I understand.”

Several quiet minutes passed before Kevin whispered, “I want things to be better between us.”

“So do I.” Casey bit her lip as tears filled her eyes. Kevin released her hand and wrapped his arm around her to draw her close.

He nuzzled her ear. “I love you, baby.”

Casey wrapped both arms around his waist. “Oh Kevin, I love you too.”

They held each other closely, allowing the awkwardness to pass. Finally, Kevin nudged her. “Hey, honey? Do you want to boil chickens tonight?” He referred to the thoughts he’d had while showering.

“Do I what?” she asked, confused. Her eyes then crinkled with amusement as she finally understood. “Boil chickens, as in the shower? With you? Anytime.”

CHAPTER FOUR

UNEXPECTED TELEPHONE CALL

On Monday morning, after rising early enough to enjoy breakfast with his family, Kevin entered one of the compact rooms located in the DEA “basement” area. The name referred to a series of concealed rooms, divided from the subterranean parking garage by a steel-reinforced, cement block wall. Access to the restricted area was limited to a single security-coded elevator located within Administration headquarters.

Immediately surrounded by a profusion of electronic cables and telephone wiring, Kevin dodged some of the low-hanging wires and selected a chair at the far end of a cafeteria-style table. The six-foot rectangle occupied the majority of space in the minuscule room and served to hold a collection of mismatched telephones.

With both hands, he reached for the brown phone with the beige handset and drew it closer. Instantly, he noticed the rainbow of colors on the numbered keypad. Each button was either a different color or the number was turned upside down. With an amused chuckle, Kevin contemplated the eccentric behavior of the Administration technicians. After each modification, the state-of-the-art instruments always seemed to take on new, even more peculiar looks.

Kevin opened Alexandra Callet’s file, scanned the contents of her summary page even though he’d already memorized them, and then closed his eyes in concentration. He breathed deeply and tried to clear his mind. Finally, he slowly opened his eyes, lifted the receiver, and dialed her home telephone. An electronic male voice answered, “No one is available to take your call. Please leave a message.” When Kevin called her mobile number, an electronic female voice answered, “The number you have reached is not answering at this time. Please try your call again. Thank you.”

“Where is she?” Kevin mumbled while checking his watch. Because the time was 8:15, he surmised she was busy getting ready for work.

After drumming his fingers on the table for almost fifteen minutes, Kevin again dialed Alexandra’s two numbers. Once again, he was greeted by the electronically recorded voices. “No, I don’t want to leave a message,” he mumbled. Frustrated, he left the tiny, constricting space and went in search of coffee. He decided to wait until nine.

***

Alexandra

Alexandra wrapped her freshly washed hair in a bath towel and then reached for an oversized bath sheet to encircle her body. Not quite ready to end her vacation, she ignored the ringing telephone and chose to leisurely towel-dry her sun-darkened skin. She then applied body lotion to her arms and legs and stood contemplating her reflection in the bathroom mirror.

“How long are you planning to wait for Jake Taylor?” she asked herself.

She released the towel from her hair and began combing through the long, damp strands. Alexandra stared blankly into the mirror as she rewound the video in her mind and replayed several of her interactions with Jake.

If he knows how I feel
, she thought,
maybe he’s not interested.

Alexandra stared into her deep-set, mocha eyes reflected in the mirror as her vision cleared. “This is not like you,” she spoke to the room. “It is pitiful!” Alexandra pointed her comb defiantly toward the mirror to announce, “Daniel Jake Taylor, I am officially through with you. It is high time I let go and let God.”

She continued to ignore the telephone while she styled her shoulder-length, amber hair and applied a touch of makeup. She then grabbed her purse, keys, and sunglasses on her way out of the bedroom. The green, illuminated numbers of her digital clock radio read 8:53.

Within seconds, Alexandra opened the sliding-glass door and crossed her back patio to the garage. She slid into her two-door, champagne-colored Mercedes SL and breathed a sigh of relief as the twenty-year-old engine turned over on the first attempt.

Alexandra guided her 190 Coupe down the driveway, then out onto the street. She remained in vacation mode
by sliding in one of her favorite CDs and surrounding herself with the Latin rhythms of Gloria Estefan’s “Mi Tierra.” Alexandra joyfully sang background vocals as she traveled across the bay bridge connecting Coronado to San Diego. When her mobile phone rang again, she finally decided to answer.

“Hello,” Alexandra said after pressing the hands free button.

“Is this Alexandra Callet?”

“May I ask who is calling, please?” she asked, not recognizing the voice.

“My name is Kevin O’Neil. I am with the DEA.”

“The DEA? Is this a joke?” Alexandra noticed how rapidly several cars passed her on the upward grade and realized she must have slowed.

“Is this Alexandra Callet?” the caller persisted, using a hard T
sound.

Alexandra increased the pressure of her foot on the accelerator while she considered simply disconnecting the call. Instead, she decided to play along. “Yes, this is Alexandra
Callet
,” she emphasized her last name.

“Oh, your name is Callet as in ballet,” he corrected his pronunciation. “I do apologize.”

“Honest mistake,” Alexandra responded. “Now what can I do for you?”

“I would like to set up a meeting with you. There is something very important we need to discuss.”

“What kind of something?”

“A kind of something that is best discussed in person.”

Alexandra’s eyes narrowed. “You said you’re with the DEA?”

“That’s correct. Once again, my name is Kevin O’Neil. I am a special agent in charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration here in San Diego.”

A slight chuckle entered Alexandra’s tone. “Isn’t it Drug Enforcement
Agency
?”

“No, but that is a common mistake.”

“I see. You have something important to discuss with me?”

“Yes. Something that is very important.”

Alexandra expelled a loud breath and then said, “Well, I see no reason why you can’t come by my office this afternoon.”

“If you don’t mind, I would prefer to keep our meeting confidential.”

“Confidential? Then you should have called me at work on a land line.”

“No. The telephones in your office have multiuser extension lines.”

“We have multiuser extension lines? How do you know,” Alexandra cut her sentence short. “Wait a minute! Did you break into our offices?”

“I’m positive there is no evidence of a break-in.”

“I don’t believe this! You’re obviously avoiding my question.”

“Miss Callet, I am sorry. But as I explained, this is a very important matter. Once we have the opportunity to finally meet, I am certain you will understand.”

“This doesn’t make any sense,” she said, frustrated. “I don’t know what to think, especially since you are calling me on my mobile. I mean, you tell me this matter is extremely confidential. You tell me you can’t even risk calling me at work, and yet here you are calling me on a mobile telephone.”

“I don’t understand your point.”

“My point is, according to common knowledge, mobile devices are the least confidential of all. Since you are supposedly with the DEA, you tell me. I thought there were hackers who spend their days just listening to telephone conversations like this one.” While waiting for his response, Alexandra raised her hand to reposition her sunglasses.

“Miss Callet,” he spoke firmly.

His commanding tone caused her hand to freeze on the designer frames. “Yes?” she squeaked.

“You are
almost
correct about cellular phones, all mobile devices, and what you call hackers. But I can assure you that no one is listening to
this
telephone call. Now are you willing to meet?”

A chill shot through Alexandra as she finally sensed he was telling her the truth. She’d parted her lips to respond when a loud horn blasted at her from behind. Without her noticing, her speed at the crest of the bridge had once again reduced dramatically. Vehicles on her left raced past while the drivers stuck behind her were left to fume. Alexandra immediately increased her speed on the downgrade, then suddenly felt vulnerable on the narrow ribbon of highway stretching over the bay. She gripped the wheel in panic, holding her breath until she finished crossing. Fortunately, the agent had stopped talking.

“Miss Callet, are you still there?” Kevin asked.

She exhaled, trying to calm herself. “Yes, I’m here,” she answered. “I just finished crossing the bridge and need to pull over.” She shook her head. “It’s too hard to concentrate on driving.”

“I understand,” he responded calmly. “Tell me when you’re ready.”

“I will. Thank you.” Alexandra sensed a change in his rough demeanor. She took the first exit off the freeway, turned onto a side street, and pulled over to the curb. She caught her breath before speaking. “Okay, go ahead.”

“First, Miss Callet,” Kevin said, his voice taking on a note of kindness, “please understand that you are not in any kind of trouble. The DEA simply needs your help with something.”

Alexandra’s eyes ballooned open. “You need
my
help? What can I possibly do to help the DEA?”

“Well obviously that’s something I need to discuss with you in person. Would it be possible for you to meet me later this afternoon?”

“Can’t you at least give me some idea?”

“Not over the phone.”

Alexandra grew suspicious again. “I thought you said this line was secure?”

“It is,” Kevin answered firmly. “However, there is too much to go over. One question answered will bring up another question, and so it goes.”

“I don’t know.” Alexandra hesitated.

“Miss Callet, this is extremely important,” Kevin pleaded. “Please say you’ll meet with me.”

Alexandra looked up and down the street to see if she was being followed. “I-I’m sorry,” she said. “I truly am. Part of me wants to believe you, but I don’t know. This still could be some sort of joke, and I don’t feel right about meeting with some strange man.”

“Please, Miss Callet. You don’t have to apologize. I’m glad you’re cautious. That is why we can arrange to meet in a public place.”

“Then come to my work,” she offered.

“I can’t do that. This is a very confidential and complex matter,” he explained. “We need to talk away from your office and away from any and all distractions.”

Alexandra slumped into her bucket seat and exhaled loudly. “I don’t know what to do!”

“Trust me,” Kevin implored.

“I don’t even know you! You have to give me something, anything that will help,” Alexandra announced. “I need some way of knowing you are for real. How about if I call you back? If I call into the main DEA line, I can hear the way they answer the phone.”

“The problem is that I’m calling you from a secured line.” Kevin paused for a moment, then said, “Here’s what we can do. You can call me back and be routed through our operator. After you get through and I answer to confirm who I say I am, I will still have to call you from this phone.”

“I guess that would work,” Alexandra said, still feeling suspicious.

“There is another way,” Kevin suggested. “I do have a great deal of information.”

“I’m listening.”

“Okay,” he said. “Here goes.” Kevin recited the numbers off her driver’s license, Social Security card, and various other credit cards.

Alexandra interrupted when Kevin paused to breathe. “Not to be offensive, but one look through my wallet would give anyone the information you just read. You sound like you’re just reading numbers systematically.”

“When would I have gone through your wallet?” he asked. “I mean, really. Aren’t you the least concerned that I, a stranger as you call me, have all this information?”

“You’ve got a point,” Alexandra conceded.

“Since you’re obviously not convinced, why not call me back like you said? Are you ready for the number?”

“No, I’m ready to meet with you as long as I approve of the place. I can’t imagine how I can possibly help, and I’m still not positive you’re telling me the truth. If we meet in a public place, I guess you can convince me later. Where and when do you suggest?”

“Are you familiar with the Lighthouse Hotel on Shelter Island?”

“Of course I am, but why a hotel?”

Kevin sighed. “I’m not asking you up to my room. I knew you would want to meet in a public place, and I thought the lobby bar might give us some privacy. It’s a tourist hotel, so hopefully the visitors will be out sightseeing,” he explained. “Plus, the Lighthouse is too secluded for business meetings. A public place with privacy. Well? Is it okay?” he pressed when she didn’t answer.

Alexandra thought for another moment. “Yes, it’s fine. I was wondering how I will know you.”

“You won’t at first. But I’ll greet you the moment you walk in, and then you can check my ID.”