was going to be more difficult than she’d thought. They were almost finished with the appetizers and she had no clue about his life at all. “Did you stay in California or go back to the ranch in Montana? You know, that day you left on your Harley. I often wondered about that,” Julie admitted.
Zach glanced at the water in his glass. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to meet hers. “I went for a ride.” His expression stilled and grew serious. His attention drifted to the flame of the red tapered candle on the table, which flickered as he spoke. His powerful, intensely guarded gaze recaptured hers and his blue eyes darkened with a veil of mystery. He drew a deep breath.
“A…long ride.”
“Stop worrying.” Despite his anger, Viktor Ivanov spoke quietly into the mouthpiece of his cell phone. Annoyed at having to assure Yuri again, he flicked the ashes from his cigar onto the old, wooden table in the tavern and casually glanced around the small lounge.
The man and woman seated in the corner paid him no attention. A second man at the bar was deep in conversation with the barmaid. Even so, he would take the long way home in case he was being followed. Glancing out the front window, Viktor cursed the steady rain.
“When I have the disc in my hands…then I’ll stop worrying,” Yuri answered. “Perhaps you should be more concerned. FBI operatives must be taken out before they get too close. The next few weeks are crucial to our plans.”
“I cover my tracks. No one suspects a thing.” Viktor downed the shot of vodka and placed the empty glass on the tabletop.
“Let’s hope you are correct,” Yuri responded. “For your sake, Viktor.”
Viktor recognized a threat when he heard one. He cursed under his breath. Their organization would be better off without the old dinosaur Yuri Kostoff running things. “I’ve got a woman helping me.”
“A woman? How much can you trust this female, old friend?” Yuri asked. “You were betrayed once before.”
“That was a long time ago.” Viktor’s thoughts touched on memories of the girl he had been in love with from childhood…until she betrayed him. Having to kill her wasn’t easy. But he’d proved himself worthy to the terrorist organization.
Still, seeing her die at his hands had nearly destroyed him. At first. Now, he would get rid of anyone who got in his way. He would never go back to his life of poverty in Russia. When this deal was over, he planned to buy an island someplace where there was plenty of sunshine. Unlike this dreary place. There he would have the kind of life he deserved. A life fit for a king. “We can trust this woman.” He chuckled lightly and took a long puff on the Cuban cigar. “Completely.” She didn’t even know she was helping him.
“I warn you again, Viktor. It will not be easy to keep them off our trail.”
“Just get the information to me. I’ll take care of smuggling the disc to our friends,” Viktor snapped.
But he did worry. She had almost caught him up in her attic. He would have to get rid of her, and soon.
THREE
“Have you stayed in contact with anyone from college?” Zach cut into another delicious piece of porterhouse steak. He wasn’t willing to answer any of Julie’s questions. Not yet. He enjoyed watching her struggle to get the truth out of him. Dessert wasn’t far off and he hadn’t told her a thing.
He forgot how much fun he had teasing her. Zach almost laughed aloud at her predicament. Only the seriousness of his assignment prevented it. He had to gather more information.
“I don’t know if you remember Tiffany Saccaro, my roommate from college?” Julie asked.
“Sure.” Zach gave a quick laugh. “Every guy probably remembers her. We all camped out at Olympic National Park.”
“Oh, stop that.” Julie straightened the dark green linen napkin in her lap and took a sip of water. She lifted her gaze to meet his. “Tiff and I are still good friends. She lives down in Seattle. We get together a few times a year.”
“Oh? How’s she doing? Still dating?”
“No.” Julie laughed lightly. “Tiff’s been happily married for seven years. She and her husband, Ken, adore each other. They have two kids, with another due in about a month.”
“Really?”
“Really.” She gently placed her glass on the table. “Zach Marshall, you have procrastinated long enough.” Resting her elbows on the white linen tablecloth, she clasped her hands together. “You know all about me. Now it’s your turn.” She lifted her chin.
This time Zach did laugh. He held up a hand in surrender. “Okay, okay. On one condition.” Leaning closer across the table, he took her hand in his and fought the temptation to bring her fingers to his lips. If he rushed things, she might get suspicious. “I’m planning a drive down the coast to Ruby Beach tomorrow. Come with me. I’ll tell you what you want to know then.”
He slowly rubbed her palm with the pad of his thumb. She always liked it when he touched her like this. His mind filled with memories of other touches. Groaning inwardly, he forced his wayward thoughts back to the investigation.
Julie wouldn’t be able to get a sitter for the whole day tomorrow, especially with her parents watching Emmie tonight. She’d never agree to go with him. She’d always hated adventures. He would use the time alone to scout out the area where the groundskeeper’s body had been found. “You’ll never know where we may end up. Oregon. California.” He flashed a slow smile of victory.
Her clear blue eyes sparkled in the flickering candlelight. “I’ll go around the loop with you tomorrow…if you answer all my questions.”
“Hey, I never said I’d answer all your questions.” He leaned back in his chair. She’d surprised him. “What about your daughter?” She wasn’t thinking of bringing her along, was she?
Memories of his own little girl hit with a staggering assault. How many agonizing nights had he spent going over all the scenarios that might have prevented her death and the death of his wife?
The paramedics told him that Lisa had died instantly. His sweet daughter, Ashley, still in the car seat, had been thrown from the vehicle. She was gone by the time the ambulance arrived.
Releasing Julie’s hand, Zach sucked in a quick breath. Would he ever get over the guilt he felt for not being there when they needed him the most? Or understand how God could let them die so tragically? He was the one who should’ve been gone by now, considering the line of work he’d chosen. Not them.
“Every so often my parents take Emmie for an overnight trip to Seattle. This is one of those weekends. Dad made the hotel reservations for tomorrow’s outing months ago. They’ll even take Emmie to Sunday school when they go to church on Sunday. I’m free as a bird.” Her playful gaze met his and she smiled.
More beautiful than ever, Julie’s long, blond hair cascaded to just below her shoulders. Mediterranean-blue eyes lit with a warm glow from somewhere deep inside.
Their past relationship would come in handy. He hated to use her, but he had no choice. He couldn’t allow old emotions to get in the way of his job.
His instincts were usually right, but with Julie as a major suspect, could he trust the gut intuition he had honed over the past few years?
“Free as a bird, huh?” His life and the lives of other agents depended on his skills. He wouldn’t let them down. “Okay, we’ll make a day of it. Everything’s on me tomorrow. We’ll leave early, about six.”
“Six! In the morning?” She laughed lightly.
“Sure. We’ll stop somewhere for a picnic.” His gaze met hers and for a moment, Julie’s blue eyes softened.
Did she remember their last picnic up on Hurricane Ridge?
Zach’s