The Inn At Shadow Lake. Janet Edgar

up and the sounds of waves breaking along the shore spread through the otherwise quiet night.

      There were too many hiding places in this remote part of the grounds. Too many places for snipers to focus their scopes on unsuspecting souls and special agents who were onto them.

      A steady rain fell as Zach jogged back to his room. Senior Agent in Charge John Castlerock, aka John Rockwell the chef, would be waiting for him with the newest evidence concerning this case.

      They would be up all night going over the details on several unanswered mysteries—finding Agent Tomasino, who hadn’t been heard from in months, determining who could have taken shots at Zach, and figuring out who had killed the groundskeeper.

      An uneasy feeling that he was missing something settled in his gut. While Zach was pleased that John had established his cover at the inn, he had the distinct feeling that his boss was holding something back. Besides the fact that Julie had a daughter, what other details had the Bureau hidden from him?

      Zach’s intuitive nature overwhelmed him with two unshakable conclusions.

      Julie was in grave danger.

      And so was he.

      He could be falling for her…all over again.

      FOUR

      “What kind of evidence?” Zach sank into a molded steel chair in the industrial-sized kitchen. Glancing around the huge room, he noted the various copper pots and pans hanging from a ceiling fixture and confirmed that he and Agent Castlerock were alone.

      “More surveillance photos,” John answered scanning the entrance to the room.

      “Hand them over.”

      John unlocked the briefcase he’d secretly stowed inside a cabinet underneath the granite countertop and offered the large manila envelope to Zach. “Take a look for yourself.”

      Zach slid its contents onto the counter. Several newer incriminating pictures stared back at him. Julie sitting comfortably next to their number one suspect, Viktor Ivanov, laughing and sharing dinner at some fancy dining establishment in Seattle. Another photograph revealed them kissing on her front porch. Inwardly Zach cursed.

      “Satisfied?” John slapped him on the back in a gesture of camaraderie.

      “For all we know, she was just dating the jerk,” Zach answered. But he knew better. The evidence against Julie was piling up.

      “I suppose there’s a remote chance Julie is only dating him.” John frowned. “I’ll give you that.” He ran a hand over his brow. “There’s more news. Agent Robbins spotted Viktor’s boss, Yuri, in Seattle last night.”

      “Yuri?” Zach stood. “So we’re close.”

      John nodded. “She’ll work her way into his life. Once we know where he’s headquartered, we’ll tap the place. Getting to him is just a matter of time. When it’s all said and done, we’ll see where Julie fits into all of this.”

      “Right. But we’ll have to move fast.” At the sound of approaching footsteps, Zach pushed the photos back into the envelope and handed the folder to Agent Castlerock. John slid the evidence into the attaché case, locking and stowing it back in its hiding place seconds before Beatrice entered the kitchen.

      “Oh. You’re here early, John.” She cleared her throat. “So, what kind of breakfast pastries are you baking today?”

      “Anything you want, Trixie.” Smiling and pouring on the charm, John gave Beatrice a wink.

      “That’s Beatrice, if you please. No American nicknames for me.” She turned to Zach. “What are you doing here so early?”

      Zach rested a hand on the dark granite counter. “Julie and I are taking a day trip into Olympic National Park. I was wondering if the lodge could prepare a lunch. I was just asking John what he could rustle up.” He flashed his best smile.

      “Yeah, he wants to know what kind of baked treats Julie would like,” John said, turning to Beatrice. “What’s her favorite? You should know, having been here in the States for what, six months now?”

      “Seven months, remember? I already told you.” She shook her head in mock annoyance and turned to Zach. “Cranberry-orange muffins. Julie loves them.”

      “I think I can arrange that,” John answered.

      “I’ll prepare the lunch. Picnic basket, too.” Beatrice pushed up the sleeves of her dark green sweater. She grabbed a white apron from one of the drawers. “She can certainly use some time off. When are you leaving?” she asked, turning back to Zach.

      “I’m picking her up at six.”

      “What?” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s a good thing I got up early. I’ll have just enough time.”

      Time. Did they have the time they needed to solve this case? Turning to glance out the small window, Zach watched the dawn of another drizzly day. Maybe it was time he came to his senses about Julie and realize she was not the sweet, young woman he once loved. She might be nothing more than a coldhearted spy.

      

      “I’m being ridiculous.” Julie paced the kitchen as she spoke to her best friend, Tiffany, on the phone. Knowing she was usually awake at dawn, Julie had called to fill her in on Zach’s unexpected arrival at Shadow Lake Inn.

      “Your feelings for Zach run deep.” Tiff sighed. “I remember you two back in college. You were so much in love. I was envious, you know.”

      “You were?”

      “Sure. Who wouldn’t be? The special way Zach always looked at you, the tender way he treated you? He was so obviously in love, it made me really think about my life. Then, thank goodness, I met Kenny. Oh, hold on a sec.” Julie heard the phone being placed onto a countertop. “AJ,” Tiff called to her four-year-old son, “don’t push your sister.” There was a commotion and then Tiff returned to the phone. “You still there?”

      “Yes.” Julie smiled and checked her watch. It was just a few minutes before six. Zach would be at her door in a few minutes and Julie needed her best friend’s practical advice. “Talk some sense into me before I make a fool of myself and…kiss him.”

      “Here’s my take on Zach, Julie, whether you want it or not.” Tiff laughed. “Kiss him already.”

      “Not a good idea.” Julie paced the room and tucked a strand of hair behind an ear. “Zach and I have nothing in common. He’s like a tornado…and I’m more like the immovable tree firmly planted in the ground.”