Uneven Exchange (5 page)

“Cobb it is,” he repeated Kathryn’s words.

“Now scoot, both of you.” Alexandra’s hand motions pushed the duo toward the door. “Go and enjoy your lunch. I need some quiet.”

Jake pretended Alexandra couldn’t hear him as he held the door open for Kathryn. “Is it my imagination or is she acting kind of bossy today?”

“Good-bye, Alexandra,” Kathryn politely dismissed Jake’s playful question. “Don’t work too hard while I’m gone. Save anything you want for me to do.”

“Thank you, Kathryn. You are too sweet.”

“What about me?” Jake asked. “Aren’t I sweet?”

“I don’t know,” Alexandra said. “I’ll think about it and tell you later.”

Jake placed a hand dramatically over his heart. “Once again, shot down. Let’s go, Kathryn. I can tell when I’m not wanted.”

After they left, Alexandra closed her door and stood unmoving for several minutes. “Was he flirting?” she asked softly. She was confused by Jake’s actions.
I don’t believe this
, she thought.
He makes a point to call me his partner, he makes a point to inform me about his many nights out, and now that I have decided to get on with my life, he ends up flirting with me!
“At least I think he was flirting,” she mumbled.

Alexandra grabbed an armload of project files and settled into her leather desk chair. Before Kathryn returned from lunch, she needed to show some sign of progress, anything. But her attempt proved futile as the pages blurred and her mind raced. “This is nuts,” she said. “First I can’t get Jake out of my mind, and now it’s this meeting.” Frustrated, she pushed herself away from the desk and walked to the window.

“Be anxious for nothing,” Alexandra struggled to relax by repeating the first line of Philippians 4:6, one of her favorite Bible verses.
I’m sorry, God, I am anxious. I don’t understand. What can the DEA possibly want with me?

CHAPTER FIVE

LIFE CHANGER

Alexandra pulled into the hotel parking lot several minutes after three o’clock. Mentally, she had been ready for the meeting hours before but had purposefully decided to arrive late. Not knowing what Kevin O’Neil looked like, she elected not to sit there alone while looking anxiously at every man who passed her way. She remembered him telling her not to worry and that he would greet her.
But what if
he’s
late?
she asked herself.

After entering the hotel, Alexandra instantly spotted the lounge area directly past the reception hall. She held her shoulders high and tried to walk confidently, but as her heels clicked noisily upon the marble floor, she felt painfully conspicuous. She was relieved when the sound instantly muted as she descended the wide, plushy carpeted steps leading to the lounge.

As she stepped into the room, Alexandra observed one server, the bartender, and a few guests scattered throughout. The only single occupant appeared to be a man whom Alexandra assumed was Agent O’Neil. As she waited a beat while further inspecting the room, he walked toward her.

The glare from the bright afternoon sun prevented her from clearly seeing his face, and yet she was surprised at his general appearance. She was unsure what she had expected, but the man heading her way did not look like her idea of a typical DEA agent.

Kevin wore a crisp, white shirt tucked into gray, pleated trousers made of an obvious high-quality material. His tie was attractive, but definitely not the caliber of Jake’s. As he moved beyond the glare, Alexandra was finally able to see his face. He appeared handsome, yet rugged-looking, with kind eyes. They were sea-green, smiling eyes, enhanced by tiny lines at the outer corners. Looking up, she realized he must be about six feet, two inches. Obviously fit, he had an aggressive build that reminded her of a lumberjack. Alexandra immediately felt a sense of security in his presence.

***

Kevin

By 2:15 in the afternoon, Kevin had chosen the perfect table in the lobby bar and was anxiously waiting for Alexandra Callet’s arrival. He’d selected the Lighthouse Hotel because of its secluded location at the tip of the Shelter Island Peninsula.

While waiting, Kevin squirmed impatiently in one of the two thickly cushioned chairs placed across from each other at the circular walnut table. Both seats offered an ocean view from the panoramic window. Yet more importantly to Kevin, the position of his chair enabled him to completely observe the room while he waited. He sipped his club soda, though he would have preferred a beer, and began counting the minutes

After waiting for almost an hour, Kevin wanted to leap up the instant Alexandra crossed the lobby. However, he also did not wish to appear too anxious, so he waited for her to partially survey the room and then casually stood as she glanced his way.

She looked like Daniela, or, he pondered, saying Daniela looked like Alexandra would be more appropriate. At thirty-three, Alexandra was two years Daniela’s senior, and yet, one would never know. Apart from their hair color, they could be identical twins. Kevin found it both extremely fortunate and yet uncanny. Standing in front of Alexandra, he could not stop wondering if Almighty God had worked this incredible opportunity as a present-day miracle. Kevin also noticed Alexandra’s impeccable outfit. She looked stunning in a jet-black business suit and matching leather pumps that matched her compact purse. A single strand of mid-length pearls provided an elegant cream-on-cream contrast to her vanilla-colored silk blouse.

Extending his hand, he introduced himself as DEA Special Agent Kevin P. O’Neil, then immediately asked her to call him Kevin. Alexandra promised she would, if he would quit calling her Miss Callet and reminded him to call her Alexandra or even Alex. Then she smiled, and Kevin had a hard time even remembering his own name as memories of Daniela flooded his mind. He blinked hard, determined not to regress.

He escorted Alexandra to their table and pulled out her chair. “What would you like to drink?” he offered as a tall, lanky blonde approached to take their order.

“I’d like an iced tea, please,” Alexandra said to their server.

“And you, sir? Would you like another club soda?”

“Please.”

While waiting for their drinks, Kevin made a poor attempt at small talk. “It’s a really nice day out today, isn’t it?” he announced, instantly thinking how lame he must sound.

“Yes, we are very fortunate. Do you live in San Diego or just work here?”

“Both,” he answered, hoping she wouldn’t ask where he lived.

Alexandra didn’t. Instead, she took a moment to examine the beauty of their vista before saying, “Sometimes I feel like we live in paradise, don’t you?”

“I know what you mean,” Kevin agreed.

“It is a shame, though, that tourists tend to see more of our city than we do. Even on the weekends, we don’t take time to enjoy San Diego. I mean to really enjoy it.”

Kevin laughed at her exuberance. “You sound like a tour guide.”

Looking slightly embarrassed, Alexandra replied, “That’s what my friends always say. I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t apologize. I think it’s great you love our city.”

“Well, I think part of it comes from working in Old Town. Before we opened our firm, we rarely stopped in Old Town for a visit. Now, I can’t believe what we missed. When was the last time you went to Old Town?”

Kevin paused to think. “Just once, and that was years ago when my brother came to town.”

Alexandra chuckled. “You see, that is exactly what I mean.”

“Who has the time?”

“Make the time.”

“Have you been talking to my wife?”

Kevin and Alexandra stopped talking as the waitress placed their beverages on the table atop napkins displaying a lighthouse emblem. Respectful of their privacy, their server politely announced she had placed the drink order on a tab.

“Thank you,” Kevin responded.

Alexandra smiled, said thank you, and then looked knowingly at Kevin as the server walked away. “No, I haven’t been talking to your wife. I didn’t know you had a wife until now, but I bet she complains that you don’t spend enough time at home.”

“Then you must have been reading my mind.”

After taking a sip of tea, Alexandra said, “No, I’m interpreting your comments.”

“Hey, I’m supposed to be the detective around here!” Kevin joked.

“Yes, but I’m a woman.” Alexandra’s laugh was throaty. “It comes naturally.”

“That’s what Sparky always tells me.”

“Who is Sparky?”

“A very special agent, and if all goes well, you will meet her soon enough.” Kevin lifted his glass to take a drink and breathed deeply as he tried to decide where to begin. That decision led him to withdraw a single black-and-white, eight-by-ten photograph from his briefcase and place it directly in front of Alexandra.

Looking intrigued, she raised the glossy print for a closer examination, then narrowed her eyes and fought to recognize the background. “Where did you take this?”

Kevin ignored her question. “Who is it?”

Alexandra gave him a suspicious look. “You tell me.”

“Her name is Daniela Santiago.”

Without speaking, Alexandra stared at the image until her silence grew uncomfortable for Kevin. “Are you all right?” he asked softly.

She nodded and raised her eyes to meet his. “Have you altered this photograph?”

“No.” Kevin shook his head. “Not in the least.”

“Then how is this possible?”

“I’m sorry, Alexandra. Right now that is a question without an answer.”

He tried to speak as kindly as he could, and his tone of voice seemed to relax her. Alexandra’s shoulders dropped as her breathing returned to normal.

“What did she do?” she asked.

“She,” he emphasized, “has not done anything. At least, not that we are aware. However, Daniela’s brother is another story. He is a paid assassin, and good at his job. He works for one of the drug cartels in Mexico.”

“Are you watching her to get to him?”

“You are very perceptive.” Kevin nodded. “Yes, we are watching Daniela, but Miguel Santiago is a careful man. He lives on the outskirts of Mazatlan, in a hacienda-style fortress patrolled around the clock by armed guards. When he leaves, it’s typically secretive and under extreme heavy security.”

“Then…” Alexandra paused.

“What is the point of watching Daniela?” Kevin completed her question.

“Yes, why would you want to be watching her when you really want to be watching him?”

“We’re trying to cover all avenues, but with his sister, we are also hoping he lets down his guard.”

“Does she know what he does?”

Kevin shook his head. “I can’t believe she does know, and for that reason, I think Santiago might keep his goons at a distance. You see, Daniela used to live in Florida, and we knew Santiago would never visit her there.” Kevin shrugged his broad shoulders. “He couldn’t take the chance of crossing the border. Daniela now lives in Mexico, in a condo her brother purchased. He’s also funding the restaurant she’s about to open in Cancun.”

“So you think he will visit her at this restaurant?”

“The main thing is that we feel he will visit her one way or another, whether at the restaurant or her condo.”

“Her restaurant is in Cancun?” Alexandra asked. By the look in her eyes, Kevin could almost see the gears working in her mind. “Right across the water from Cozumel?” she pressed.

Kevin nodded.

“So those two men watching me were agents?”

“Yes. They went to Cozumel after finishing their surveillance work in Cancun. Even though they knew you couldn’t possibly be Daniela, they couldn’t believe how much you looked alike.”

“Well, they weren’t very good at spying on me. I noticed them right away.”

“They weren’t spying at that point.” Kevin smiled at Alexandra’s spunk. “Did you see them later, at your condo?”

“No, why?” she asked suspiciously. “Did they follow me home?”

“Of course they did.”

“So you found me,” Alexandra said, “by accident or by luck.” Her dark eyes penetrated his as she asked, “Now what are you planning on doing with me?”

“Ha!” Kevin threw his head back with laughter. “My, you are direct. Before we go on, though, tell me a bit about yourself.”

Alexandra’s forehead creased. “Tell you about me? What can I tell you that you don’t already know?”

“I don’t mean cold facts that can be printed on paper,” he explained. “I want to get to know about you, Alexandra Callet, as a person.”

“Where do I begin?”

“Why don’t you tell me something about your work?” he suggested. “I believe you own the Daniel Cole Company?”

“Co-own is more correct. I’m an interior designer, and my business partner is an architect.”

“Your business partner is Daniel Taylor, correct?”

Alexandra nodded. “His full name is Daniel Jake Taylor, but he goes by Jake. His father’s first name was also Daniel. We met when Jake drew the plans for my personal home in Coronado.”

“And the name Cole?” Kevin asked. “That is your middle name, right?”

“Yes, but Cole was also my grandfather’s name.” Alexandra smiled. “I wanted to honor him.”

“I’m sure he would be proud. Tell me about Jake.” Kevin watched the trembling of Alexandra’s hands. “Are you more than just partners?”

“Is that an appropriate question?”

“Probably not this soon, but it will be at some time.”

“We’re just partners,” she responded without emotion.

As she spoke, Kevin studied the overwhelming beauty of her penetrating features. She had high cheekbones, angular facial contours, and rich, magnetic eyes. “Jake would like it to be more, wouldn’t he?”

Alexandra could not help laughing.

“You want it to be more?”

“Don’t sound so surprised!”

“I have to be. Alexandra, you are a beautiful woman.”

Her face flushed with embarrassment. “Thank you. You’re very kind, but obviously Jake doesn’t agree.”

“Then he must be blind.”

“Who knows? Besides, that’s behind me now. One of the reasons I went to Cozumel was to rethink my priorities. The time away helped because I finally decided to stop pinning for Jake Taylor.”

“Good for you,” Kevin said boldly.

Alexandra sipped on her iced tea for a moment. “There’s a lot I don’t understand, and I know we’re far from finished, but something is nagging at me.”

“What is it?”

“Well, you said Santiago is a paid assassin, correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“And I’m guessing you have proof.”