Undercover Marriage

“Okay, I can do that,” Serena said with certainty ringing in her tone.

This Josh had to see. Serena’s no-nonsense, practical and professional demeanor worked in the field, but would it work in an affluent suburban neighborhood?

“Good. That call was from my agent in the field. The house is ready.” Bishop wrote an address on a sheet of paper and handed it to Josh. “Ms. Maitland will meet you there.” He handed them each a business card. “If you need anything, my numbers are on here.” He shook hands with the chief before exiting out the door.

“Okay,” the chief said. “You have your marching orders. Do us proud and get the goods on Munders.”

“We will, sir,” Josh assured him and filed out of the chief’s office behind Serena.

Burke Trier was the first to pounce with curiosity. “So what was that about?”

“Are you two really being pulled off the Munders case?” Bud Hollingsworth asked. “That doesn’t make sense. You two have been the one constant.”

“Yep, we’re pulled,” Serena stated with an exaggerated sigh. “It’s not fair. We’ve worked so hard to be taken out now.”

Burke gave her a funny look.

Josh stifled a groan. If this overdone display was any indication of Serena’s acting abilities, they were in trouble.

“We’re being reassigned to a FBI task force here in town,” Josh said, offering the cover story.

“For what?” Bud asked.

Josh shrugged. “Don’t know yet. We’re leaving now.”

Bud clapped him on the back. “Tough break. That must be why Harrison called me in.”

“Must be.” Josh gathered his things. “You ready, partner?”

Serena met his gaze. “Yes, partner.”

They left the building. In the parking garage, they decided to take Josh’s sedan and leave Serena’s compact. Driving through downtown St. Louis traffic, Josh said, “We should discuss the Andrewses’ backstory. Where we met. Why we can’t have children. What lengths we’d go to for a child.”

Serena slanted him a glance. “According to this, we met in college.”

“Okay. Where?”

She opened the file folder. “This says you’re transferring to St. Louis from Alaska.” She wrinkled her nose. “I can’t imagine living in Alaska. But first we met in Seattle at the University of Washington. You went to work for the bank right out of college and then we were moved to Alaska and now St. Louis.”

“Okay. Once we get settled in the house, we contact the adoption agency and tell them we want a child right away.” Josh drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “What kind of person adopts a baby who seemingly appears overnight?”

“Desperate ones,” Serena said.

“If people want to adopt, they should use a reputable and legal agency that is regulated by the state they live in.”

“I would imagine the families that have adopted through Perfect Family Adoption Agency thought it was a legitimate agency. If the Munderses weren’t so good at hiding the illegal aspects of their agency, we’d have shut them down long before now,” she reminded him.

“True. But I still don’t get why anyone would not be suspicious if a baby was produced quickly without meeting the birth mother. Someone can’t just show up to an adoption agency and expect to have an infant in their arms within a short amount of time. We already know that Munders’s organization, working in Mexico, coerced Vanessa Martinez into giving up her baby, Isabella.”

Four months ago U.S. marshal Colton Phillips had been assigned to protect the thug who’d promised information on the illegal baby-buying scheme. In the process, Colton and FBI agent Lisette Sutton had stopped the illegal transfer of a baby they dubbed Baby C. The infant was eventually reunited with her mother. A win for the marshals.

“It’s not our place to judge what others do. People have to walk their own paths.”

“That’s very magnanimous of you,” he stated, a bit surprised by her soft attitude. It made him wonder what lay beneath the tough exterior she so valiantly exuded.

She shrugged. “If a couple had tried everything to have their own child and then were forced to wait months and months or even years to adopt through the state-run agencies, I could see how they’d turn to agencies that might be a bit questionable.”

“It sounds like you’ve given the subject some thought.” Did she long for a child of her own? Her unrelenting professionalism made him wonder what type of mother she’d be.

What type of wife?

The fact that he wanted to find out made him shift uncomfortably in his seat. He had no business letting his mind wander down such a dangerous path.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped. “I’m just hypothesizing.”

“No maternal pangs?”

From the corner of his eye he saw her jaw clench.

There was a moment of hesitation before she said, “No. But I do know what it’s like to desperately wish for something that you can’t have.”

She wasn’t referring to children or the case but rather to her wish that Daniel were still alive. He had the same desperate, useless desire. But Daniel was gone. His absence left a gaping hole in Josh’s life. The hole was even bigger in Serena’s life.

“Daniel would like this undercover idea,” Josh stated softly.

“Yes, he’d have relished playing the role of wealthy Jack Andrews,” Serena replied and turned to look out the passenger window.

Josh gave a quiet laugh. “Yeah, but I’d never be able to pull off the doting wife bit. My ankles give me away every time.”

She shook her head, but he saw the slight smile. A part of her clearly appreciated his attempt at levity, but she was obviously still too raw, still hurting from the loss of her brother, to laugh too much.

His chest caved in on itself under the heavy weight of guilt.

He pulled up outside his apartment building. “I know this charade of pretending to be my wife is going to be hard for you, Serena.”

She jerked her gaze to him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“As professionals we need to put our personal feelings aside. Daniel wouldn’t want to be the reason we didn’t crack this case.”

Her brown eyes hardened. “I’ll do my job, Josh.”

The tone of her voice suggested that he wouldn’t do his. He bristled with offense. Old fears that he’d be like his father rose to taunt him. “Are you questioning my work ethic?”

“You weren’t there for Daniel when he needed you.”

Josh flinched; her words were a blow to the gut. He knew she blamed him for Daniel’s death. Having that bit of gut-clenching knowledge confirmed tore a jagged hole through him. “I had taken a personal day. Daniel understood.”

“But he called you right before he—” Her voice caught. “And yet you weren’t there for him.”

Josh’s heart contracted painfully in his chest. “Yes, he called me. I didn’t pick up.”

Daniel’s cell phone had been in his pocket when the police found his body. The last call had been to Josh. Josh still had the saved message on his voice mail. He didn’t have the heart to erase the message, but he also couldn’t listen to the sound of Daniel’s voice again.

He’d heard the message once, right after being informed of Daniel’s murder. Daniel had caught a call on a lead that might be something big and had wanted Josh to get “off his duff” and go with him. Daniel hadn’t said where or why.

Josh ran a hand through his hair. “Don’t you think I regret that every minute of every day?”

He had been wallowing, nursing his bruised ego, trying to come to terms with the breakup and Lexi’s accusations, and he had let the call go to voice mail.

What would Serena say if she knew Lexi had been convinced he had feelings, romantic feelings, for her?

He had no intention of ever telling Serena, because doing so would only be painful for them both.

“I don’t know. Do you?” she shot back, her voice filled with anger that matched the flames in her eyes.

“Of course I do.” He stared at her, not believing her implication. “Daniel wasn’t just my coworker but my best friend. I’d have gladly given my life for his.”

He felt her doubts and silent accusations like a thousand serrated knives carving him up inside. It was like facing his childhood all over again. He popped open the door, needing air and space. “What kind of unfeeling monster do you think I am?”

He stalked away. He didn’t need to hear her response. He already knew her answer.

* * *

Serena sat there watching Josh walk toward his ground-floor apartment. She’d hurt him with her words. Regret squeezed her in a forceful grip.

She couldn’t control herself where Josh was concerned. Her anger and grief made her tongue sharp, even though she knew better. Working with him these past few months had been excruciating. Every waking moment she struggled to curb her desire to lash out at him for her brother’s death.

Logically she knew whomever had hit her brother over the head was responsible for the murder, and she prayed that God would somehow, someday, bring the perp to justice.

But that didn’t stop Serena from heaping blame on Josh. He’d admitted to not picking up when Daniel called him for backup. Serena had no idea what Josh had been doing on his day off. For all she knew, his cell phone had been dead. She didn’t care.

Josh hadn’t been there for Daniel, his partner, her brother.

Now she couldn’t trust Josh to be there for her, not when it really counted. No matter how well she and Josh worked together, she could never count on him to have her back.

So what if a voice inside her head whispered she wasn’t being fair? So what if everyone deserved a day off? So what if Josh had had her back more times than she could count these past six months?

She couldn’t—didn’t—trust him.

But she couldn’t ignore the fact that they were about to embark on an undercover mission that would require them to at least be civil with each other in private and madly in love in public. Her stomach clenched.

She wasn’t sure how she’d pull off the adoring-wife role.

She didn’t even know what that looked like. Not on a personal level.

Oh, sure she’d seen some happy couples. Colton and Lisette, Hunter and Annie to name a few. But she didn’t have any experience being in love. She’d never taken the time to pursue romance; she’d been too focused on becoming a marshal and being the best one she could be.

The only person she’d ever daydreamed about was the one man she could never have. Josh. But that was long ago, and those feelings didn’t matter anymore.

Remembering the lesson her brother taught her about building bridges in relationships, she knew for the sake of the mission she had to mend this riff with Josh. Starting out their pretend marriage angry wouldn’t bode well for the success of the operation. So she’d do her part, despite her personal reservations about Josh.

Resigned to what she had to do, she popped the door open and climbed out. She hadn’t been to Josh’s apartment since before Daniel’s death. Daniel had dragged her to a dinner party at Josh’s, hoping to set her up with another guest. The man, Les, worked in the D.A.’s office, if she remembered correctly. He’d been nice enough, but she hadn’t been interested.

She’d also met Josh’s then-girlfriend: a buxom blonde who’d come across as deeply insecure, clinging to Josh as if she’d been afraid someone would steal him away from her. Serena never wanted to be that kind of woman.

The door to Josh’s apartment was ajar. He’d known she’d follow him.

Jerk? Or good partner?

She sighed, accepting whatever God had in mind for her, and gently pushed the door open. She walked into the apartment, surveying his domain. An old leather couch, a huge forty-eight-inch flat-screen television and a stack of books made up the living room. The kitchen showed signs of a hasty breakfast. A loaf of bread sat on the counter. A jar of peanut butter sat out with the lid screwed on crooked.

Josh came out of the bathroom carrying a toiletry bag. He glanced up. Surprise widened his eyes, then he gave her a crooked smile. “You startled me. Didn’t really expect you to follow me in.”

She swallowed her pride and ego to say, “I’m sorry I was so harsh with you. I don’t think you’re a monster.”

His expression softened, but wariness remained in his eyes. “That’s good to know.” He nodded and disappeared into his bedroom.

Serena sighed, hating the dejected feeling spreading through her. There was no reason for it. This was work, not personal.

Her gaze landed on a framed photo hanging on the wall, and her breath caught. It was a photo of Josh, Daniel and her from a few summers ago. They’d attended a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. The first baseman had hit a home run into the stands. Josh had caught the ball and promptly given it to her. In the photo Serena was holding the prize while her brother and Josh flanked her. They looked so happy and carefree.

She missed Daniel. Missed the easy camaraderie among the three of them. And, she realized, she missed Josh, too. He’d been a good friend. And she didn’t have many of those.

When Josh came out of the bedroom carrying a suitcase and garment bag, she quickly gathered her composure; no sense in him seeing her getting misty and sentimental. Taking the garment bag from his hand, she retreated out the door back to the car.

Tense silence filled the car on the drive to Serena’s condo. She sought something to say but no words formed. The next few days, weeks—she blew out a sharp breath—months were going to be long if the tension didn’t ease between them.

When they arrived, Josh opted to wait by the car while she packed her cosmetic case and her essential garments into a small travel bag. She also grabbed running shoes and yoga clothes. She might be portraying a stay-at-home wife, but that didn’t mean she would let her exercise regimen go by the wayside. Staying both physically and mentally prepared for any situation that might arise was an important requirement of the marshals.

When she came out, Josh eyed her two small bags. “That’s it?”

“Did you not catch the part about my needing to buy clothing appropriate for this charade?”

“I didn’t think you were serious,” he replied, taking her bag from her hand and tucking it behind the driver’s seat. “We can hit the Galleria on the way.”

“Perfect.” Three major retailers had stores in the Richmond Heights area mall. Definitely places the affluent wife of a bank executive would shop.

“We’ll also need rings,” Josh said.

Her stomach dropped. She’d forgotten that part.

Two hours later, with shiny rings, enough clothes to last for the duration of their pretend marriage and two brand-new BMWs, they pulled into the driveway of the detached garage behind the Compton Heights home that would be their base of operation.

Serena climbed out of the small sports utility vehicle they’d decided would be a good mom car. Josh had chosen a roomy four-door sedan. Something unfamiliar fluttered in her tummy. The thought of being a mom stirred places inside her heart she’d not known existed.

Entering the house, Serena was struck by the grandness of the old historic home. Period woodwork throughout, golden oak floors and an ornate staircase leading to the second story took her breath away. The furnishings left behind by the previous occupants matched the historic feel of the place.

“You’re here,” a woman said as she exited the kitchen. Compact and tiny, with graying hair and a wide smile, she grasped Serena’s hand. “I was beginning to worry. I’m Linda.”

“Serena.”

Linda raised a gray eyebrow. “Susan,” she corrected.

Serena flushed. “Yes, Susan.”

Patting her hand, Linda said, “You’ll get used to it.” Then she moved to Josh. “You’re as handsome as ever, Jack,” she said, using Josh’s alias.

Josh smiled and hugged Linda. “You haven’t changed a bit, either, Aunt Linda.”

“Retirement suits me,” Linda said. “However, I have to say, I couldn’t resist coming out of retirement to help take down a baby-smuggling ring. The very idea of babies being stolen and sold chaps my hide.”

“We’re glad to have you.” Josh set his luggage on the stairs. “Before we do anything else, let’s set up our initial meeting with Matilda Munders.”

Anticipation churned in Serena’s stomach as they followed Linda into the office. An antique oak desk dominated the room. On top of the desk was a recording system attached to a phone. Josh consulted the file on the Perfect Family Adoption Agency and dialed the number, putting the call on speaker. A moment later the receptionist answered. Josh asked for Matilda.

“One moment, please.”

The sound of ringing filled the office. After the third ring, a woman answered.

“Perfect Family Adoption Agency, Matilda speaking. How may I help you?”

Josh met Serena’s gaze as he spoke. “I hope you can. My name is Jack Andrews. My wife and I recently relocated to St. Louis. We were told your agency was the one to call. We are desperate to adopt a baby.”

“You have called the right place,” Matilda said. “Let’s schedule an appointment. When can you and your wife come in?”

“This afternoon?”

“Three would be perfect. We’ll see you then.”

Josh disconnected. “Are you ready, Susan?”

Serena inhaled and let it out slowly. “I’m ready, Jack.”

Ready to take down Fred Munders and the Perfect Family Adoption Agency.

Unease slithered down her spine. So many people had died trying to keep the authorities from bringing Munders and the adoption agency to justice.

Serena prayed there would be no more casualties.

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