Secret Agent Under Fire Page 4

  “Hi, Laurel. I’m Claudia’s eight o’clock.”

  “Yes, good morning. She’s on the phone. As soon as she’s free I’ll let you in.” Laurel was strikingly beautiful and looked like she could be a supermodel if she wanted to. But Abi suspected she was also trained to handle the worst of situations—all associated with Trail Hikers needed to be able to pull for the team. It was what had appealed to her when Claudia had first approached her for TH work. Abi had been certain she was done with law enforcement but knew she was going to miss the camaraderie she’d come to rely upon in the FBI. And, since her TH work was supposedly part-time, the generous paycheck and benefits allowed her to pursue her other passions as she’d never been able to do as an FBI agent.

  Problem was that she had no idea what her passions were. She’d signed up for a yoga class, taken floral arrangement workshops, worked at the local pet rescue, but none of those endeavors had sparked any sense of her true calling.

  Not like working for the Trail Hikers did.

  “Claudia’s ready for you, Abi. Go on in.”

  “Thanks.”

  The thick, soundproof doors clicked shut behind her as she entered Claudia’s sleekly decorated office. CEO of Trail Hikers, Ltd., and retired US Marine Corps General, Claudia Michele looked ready to take on the biggest shark of Wall Street in her Armani suit and designer pumps. While her shoes weren’t five-or even four-inch heels, Claudia wore them better than women decades younger.

  “Good morning, Abi. Have a seat.”

  Claudia’s perfectly manicured hand motioned to the chrome-and-leather set of chairs in front of her executive desk. Abi held back a grin. She doubted Claudia’s manicurist knew the same hands had probably not only fired deadly weapons but were able to kill without any weapons other than Claudia’s skill and quick thinking.

  “Thank you. I’ll get right to it. Yesterday morning was a bust and it’s my fault. I didn’t get the guy, and I even had him in my sights. I didn’t want to reveal as much at SVPD headquarters yesterday.”

  “So I’ve heard. Colt Todd gave me a quick report earlier.”

  Abi inwardly cringed. Had they discussed how incompetent her actions had been?

  “I’m sorry, Claudia. I thought I’d get him—”

  Claudia held up a hand. “Stop. He got away. While I’m less than thrilled that it’s a negative mark against the Trail Hikers, it happens. If you thought this was going to be like any other case you’ve worked, this should underscore what we’ve been dealing with since Leonard Wise and his thugs moved to Silver Valley.”

  “You are certain the cult is behind the arsons, then?”

  Claudia shrugged. “Hell, no. I have no idea, not on all of the fires. That’s why we brought you into this. Your FBI experience is priceless to the team.”

  “It was worthless yesterday morning.”

  “You’re going to let one slip-up affect your sense of duty, Abi? Really?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Claudia. We’re both civilians here.” Claudia was adamant that she was no longer in the military and that they keep to first names only, like other corporations in the business world. It helped prevent breaking the silence on their existence.

  “Claudia. No, I’ve never let a criminal stop me and I’m not starting now. But this fire starter is far more polished than even I expected. He had someone on an ATV waiting for him, at just the right spot that even if I was close enough I couldn’t get a clear shot at him. There were too many trees and the ground was too uneven. Everything was in his favor for escape. And we had SVPD, SVFD and TH surrounding him.”

  “You’ve already developed a solid profile on him, haven’t you?” Claudia’s eyes narrowed on her and Abi resisted doing a worm squirm.

  “Not on one, but several arsonists. There is no way, in my professional opinion, that these fires were all started by the same person. The notes are all the same, from the same source, giving us a clue as to where the next fire will be. My impression is that there are at least two but probably three or more, working on starting fires in specific locations.”

  “You think there’s a team of them working together?”

  Abi shook her head. “Absolutely not. I think they are all reporting to the same entity, be it a person or group, who tells them where and when to set the blazes. They have different methods, different profiles. Each fire starter has used a different accelerant, at least in the first two I’ve been assigned to. We’ll have to wait another week to hear about yesterday’s fire, I’m sure.”

  Claudia shook her head. “No, actually, we already know. This time it was aerosol cooking oil.”

  “The pressurized can was the explosion I heard, then.” She’d thought it was fireworks, but the use of run-of-the-mill cooking spray made more sense.

  “We’re lucky none of the firefighters had gone in yet.” Claudia tapped her pencil on her desk as if in thought but there was no mistaking the direct look she gave Abi.

  “It had to stretch them awfully thin, to have so many firefighting teams at the ready in separate locations throughout Silver Valley this morning.”

  “It did. They called in every department from the county. There were even two from other counties.”

  “Claudia, don’t we risk word getting out about the op against Leonard Wise and the cult with more law-enforcement types?”

  “It doesn’t matter. As long as Trail Hikers isn’t exposed, we’re good. In truth, there isn’t a law-enforcement department, local, county or state, who isn’t aware of what’s ongoing. Colt has put feelers out all the way back to where Wise started his evil web, before his long-term imprisonment. The FBI is handling it at the national level, to facilitate the exchange of intel between New York and Pennsylvania.”

  “I am impressed with Silver Valley PD. They don’t leave anything to chance.”

  Claudia nodded. “Which is why so many of them are also Trail Hiker agents. We can’t call on them as often as someone like you, who is able to work for us almost exclusively, but when we do, I never have to concern myself with bringing them up to speed on local ops, as I do the other agents.”

  “Understood.” Abi knew that the vast majority of secret operations didn’t occur in Silver Valley, where the TH headquarters was located, but rather wherever they were needed around the globe.

  Claudia’s pencil stopped. “You didn’t mention the Silver Valley Fire Department, Abi. You’ve been around them enough the past couple of months since you’ve started. Haven’t they impressed you?”

  “I haven’t had much to do with them, except for my run-in, I mean—”

  Claudia laughed. “It’s okay to call your unexpected introduction to Keith Paruso what it was. A cluster-frapple.”

  “That’s the cleanest version of that I’ve ever heard.” Abi used the f-bomb frequently in her more difficult cases, and was almost relieved to know that Claudia wouldn’t be offended if she were to let one slide out of her mouth during a stressful op.

  “It means the same. As for Keith, I think you know what I’m going to have to ask of you.”

  Abi really wanted to drop the f-bomb now. “Claudia, I don’t need his help on this.”

  “Yes, you do. True, you are the expert at investigating and profiling the arsonist, but Keith has the field practice you don’t. He has years, thousands of cases, behind him, Abi.”

  “That’s impossible. He can’t be more than two or three years older than me.”

  “He’s two years younger.” Claudia’s statement made Abi blush. So she was getting turned on by a younger dude? So what? “But he went to firefighting school right out of high school and worked as a volunteer through college. He got an associate’s degree in fire science, then went on to get his bachelor’s in criminology. After he got his bachelor’s degree he took on a paid position with the department. He’s be
en offered state-level positions in law enforcement but turned them down immediately. Keith is a local man who’s happiest putting out Silver Valley fires.”

  “Leonard Wise and his cult aren’t just focused on local fires, though, Claudia. Has anyone looked into where these fires are leading? What they’re supposed to be accomplishing?”

  “That’s why I want you to work with Keith, Abi. With your global and his local experiences, you’ll be unbeatable. Silver Valley’s arson prevention dream team. But keep in mind that he isn’t a Trail Hiker and has no need to know about us. Yet.”

  “You don’t think he’ll need to know what we’re about before this is over?”

  “I’m prepared to read him in for informational purposes, but Keith Paruso is a firefighter at heart. His calling is to rescue people, not take out hardened criminals.”

  “It’s just so difficult, working side by side, without being able to totally trust one another.” Keith shouldn’t trust her, as she wasn’t even who she’d said she was.

  “I know Keith’s an attractive man, Abi, but you’ve worked through sexual attraction before and not let it disrupt a case, I’m sure.”

  Abi knew Claudia was trying to lighten the mood but she found nothing casual about working with Keith Paruso. After meeting him only two times she knew that his still waters ran deep. And by her primal reaction to him, she knew that any involvement on her part was going to lead to emotional disaster. Because, unlike Fred, Keith wouldn’t break her heart. He’d shatter it.

  “This is against my better judgment, Claudia, but you’re the boss.”

  “Thank you, Abi. I knew you’d figure it out.”

  Abi left, marveling at how getting in and out of the Trail Hiker “corporate” office was more complicated than any FBI facility she’d worked in.

  As she sat in her car, contemplating how to contact Keith, she wondered if she had time to run home and freshen up before facing the sexy fire chief. And then she immediately started the car and headed for the fire department. She wasn’t in the business of appearing attractive to a man she was about to spend countless work hours with. The sooner she drew the line on her personal boundaries for herself, the better.

  Abi didn’t date work colleagues. She’d learned the hardest way that it never worked out well.

  * * *

  The next morning Abi parked her car in the small but incredibly functional Silver Valley parking garage. Two stories high, it sat behind the original façade of a general mercantile. According to the historical plaque, the town general store had burned down in the nineteenth century but the façade had remained as a testament to the origins of the town. The parking garage had been erected ten years ago, to keep up with the again bustling nature of the historic downtown.

  Walking down the sidewalk it wasn’t hard to imagine the concrete under her feet as wooden planks, the sound of horses’s hooves and the smell of fresh manure all around. As much as Abi loved nature and the outdoors, she was very happy that she’d been born to enjoy the modern conveniences of the twenty-first century.

  Reimer’s Real Estate’s display of dozens of photos caught her eye and she paused under their green-and-white-striped awning. Several properties were for sale or rent, most in the town itself. An apartment or small house in Silver Valley proper would be nice, and much quieter compared to DC. But if she wanted to live in more of a city atmosphere she’d live in Harrisburg, only fifteen minutes and one quick ride over the Susquehanna River away.

  Abi wanted something more rural.

  She squared her shoulders and opened the front door of the realtor’s office, relishing the jingle of the overhead bell.

  An hour later Abi wanted coffee and to share her good news with someone. She grabbed a to-go cappuccino from the coffee trolley in the middle of the square and made the short walk to the town’s best florist in less than five minutes.

  Kayla Paruso looked up from her screen and smiled when she saw Abi.

  “There’s our new gal. How are you today, Abi?”

  “Great.” It felt so damned good to have someone greet her with such warmth, as if she were already a part of this town. “I’m checking things out and well...” She looked at the huge bouquet of pink and white tulips on the counter behind Kayla. “Wow. Those are absolutely stunning.”

  “They are, aren’t they? It’s that time of year. We get the cuttings three times a week from Baltimore. Interested in some?”

  “Not yet—I’m still in the hotel. That’s why I came in here, though. I had to tell someone that I think I’ve found a great house to rent.”

  Kayla’s eyes crinkled with her wide grin. “Fantastic! I wanted to ask Rio if you’d found anything yet.” Kayla was smooth but Abi picked up on the real meaning.

  “You mean, am I thinking about settling down here?”

  “Yes.”

  “Maybe. I mean yes, I want to set down roots, start my own business, even. It’s just so difficult to know if I’m acting too quickly or too slowly—will I miss the boat on a great deal or am I throwing my money away trying to start a small business? I love police work but it’s time to move on and think about something different.” Something that would allow her to finally let go of her past and the drive to solve every arson case in her path. Maybe even to be present for a future family, not that she had any delusions that was happening in the near future.

  Kayla watched her, her bemusement clear. “You know, Abi, Rio doesn’t bring work home very much. But he has said that you’re an incredible addition to the department. It’s not your work skills he was talking about—it’s how you’ve fit in with the other officers, how you seem to enjoy all of the local folks you meet.”

  Abi grunted. “Rio’s my boss on this case we’re working, so of course he’s going to be nice.” Kayla should see what a certain Chief Paruso had to say.

  Kayla waved her doubt away with a flick of her callused hand. Floral work had to be incredibly tough on the skin. Abi got it. Handling a weapon, digging through arson scenes—they weren’t easy on the hands, either. She took a swig of her drink.

  “Have you met anyone else in the area, Abi? Any cute, single guys?”

  Abi choked on her coffee. “Jeez, you don’t waste any time, do you?” She’d met Kayla at the Silver Valley PD annual fund-raiser when she’d first arrived in town almost three months ago. They’d immediately hit it off, but Abi hadn’t taken Kayla up on her offer of friendship. Until this morning.

  “Hey, we all need love.” Kayla’s eyes widened. “Oh, my God. I hope I haven’t offended you, Abi. I’ll stop now.”

  Abi laughed. “I am single, for sure, and I’d love to meet a guy to hang with after this case is done.”

  “I have a single brother. Wait, you should have met him already. Keith Paruso?”

  Blood left Abi’s head as she looked at the business card holder near the register. Kayla Paruso, Florist. Oh, no.

  “No way.” She gulped. “I didn’t put it together.”

  “No reason you should have. And, from your face, I can tell you did meet my brother and let me guess—he was his usual complete butt-headed self?”

  Abi’s face went hot. “That’s not the word I’d use. He’s obviously dedicated to his job.”

  Kayla threw a pair of shears she’d been using to cut florist’s tape onto the counter. “He’s a damned bastard to women. Did he make a pass at you already?”

  “No, no. Nothing like that. At all. God, no.”

  “He will, trust me. My brother’s a bit of a player, I’ll admit. I could blame it on recent political events in town, which could have cost him his job, but I’d be lying. He’s always been able to make women eat out of the palm of his hand.”

  “He and Rio get along. Rio doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who’d be more than polite to another man he didn’t respect.”


  Kayla’s face got all...mushy. “Rio loves me, so he’s going to love anyone related to me. It’s how he is. Trust me, though, if Rio thought Keith was a real jerk he’d be protective of me around him. And he’s never done that. They’ve worked together longer than I’ve known Rio.”

  “Especially the last few months, I imagine.”

  “Make it the last year and a half. It’s been nuts in this town. You know we lived all over as kids—Belgium, other places. Our parents worked for the government. We were exposed to so much, so young. It doesn’t take a lot to faze me. Or my brother. But having the entire town shook up by this crazy quasi-religious group, and Keith being accused of not doing his job right, along with the mayor being fired and a corrupt mayor getting elected before he got arrested, it’s been insane. Don’t think this is how Silver Valley normally is. We’re quiet here.”

  “I think a lot of towns across Pennsylvania and the US are going through the same thing. Not with a nutso cult, but with drugs, violence. Heroin trafficking, the crimes related to addicts needing money for drugs—it’s all mushrooming.”

  Kayla leveled her gaze on Abi—the same look Keith was fond of shooting at her and she’d only known him for three days so far. Was it usual to see a familial connection so quickly? To feel a sense of knowing these people she’d only just met?

  “I know the facts, Abi. I read the paper online, along with other stuff. I really love reading the New Yorker. I get it. What’s hard is making the transition to the reality that these influences have landed in Silver Valley. Just five years ago it was so much quieter.”

  It’d always been busy and “insane” in DC, so Abi couldn’t relate to that part. The sense of being out of control of her surroundings, of having her quiet world shattered by a freak accident when life had been going so well until then? Yeah, she got that part.

  “Hopefully the work we’re doing at the station will help put Silver Valley back in the ‘sleepy’ category.” She took a last sip of her coffee before looking around for a waste bin.