Blaze of Glory (6 page)

A
woman
who
waited
outside
his
quarters.

What
was
Felicia
Fratarcangelo
doing
outside
his
place?

She
had
a
body
guaranteed
to
stop
a
train,
trim
but
also
curvy,
her
head
packing
a
mass
of
hair
that
probably weighed
as
much
as
she
did.
A
man
could
lose
himself
in
all
those
ebony
curls
while
losing
himself
in
her naked
body.
He
really
needed
a
long
run.

He
wasn’t
celibate,
but
his
work
didn’t
leave
him
much
time
for
relationships.
For
the
most
part,
he
ended
up sleeping
with
women
like
himself,
overworked
and
in
need
of
a
quick
release
without
messy
complications.

He
didn’t
want
anything
“quick”
with
Felicia
Belladonna
Fratarcangelo.
He
very
much
wanted
to
loiter
with her.

Linger
over
her.

Under
her.

Behind
her.

Except
he
didn’t
know
her,
much
less
trust
her,
and
he’d
learned
long
ago
that
an
untrustworthy
woman could
mess
up
a
man’s
life
big
time.
“You
have
another
question?”

“A
gift.”

Said
Eve
to
Adam.

She
extended
her
hand
with
a
wrapped
muffin
rather
than
fruit,
but
her
fingernails
were
candyapple
red.

She
clutched
another
cup
in
the
other
hand.

He
had
too
much
riding
on
his
work
here
to
take
a
bite
of
this
apple
from
this
pushy
woman.
Or
would
that be
a
bite
of
her?
Mixing
up
his
metaphors,
but
then
he
was
a
science
genius,
not
a
word
whiz.

“I’ve
already
eaten
and
the
other
cup
of
coffee
was
plenty.
I’ll
be
up
all
night.”
Shit!
He
didn’t
want
to
think of
how
they
could
fill
the
hours.
“But
thank
you.”

“No,
you
haven’t
and
I
kept
you
in
the
lab
with
my
questions
earlier,
and
you
had
classes
all
day
today.
I thought
you
might
be
hungry
and
maybe
I
should
have
thought
of
that
the
first
time.”
She
offered
up
the
cup as
well.
“It’s
decaf.
And
black,
without
any
sugar.
Right?” He
did
forget
to
eat
sometimes
and
right
now
his
appetite
was
returning
ferociously.
Rather
like
the
stretches of
sexual
fasting
that
brought
on
a
gnawing
need…

Hell.

He
snagged
the
muffin
from
her
hand.
He’d
better
feed
one
hunger
before
he
succumbed
to
the
other.
He peeled
off
the
plastic
and
stuffed
half
the
muffin
in
his
mouth.

“Sorry
it’s
not
homebaked,
but
I’m
not
allowed
to
mess
in
Genji’s
kitchen.
I’m
not
much
of
a
cook
since my
divorce,
living
on
my
own
and
on
the
road
so
much.”
She
hitched
her
empty
hand
on
her
shapely
hip, right
over
a
martini
glass
on
her
pants.
“Give
me
a
Bunsen
burner,
though,
and
I’m
killer.” He
stayed
silent
and
chewed.
She’d
been
divorced?
What
idiot
let
this
bundle
of
life
and
sex
appeal
go?

“Thank
you
for
taking
the
time
to
explain
so
much
to
me
earlier
this
evening.
I
know
I’m
not
one
of
your regular
students,
so
you
weren’t
obligated.”

Not
one
of
his
students,
she
was
auditing
in
addition
to
her
other
classes.
The
implication
was
clear—and correct.
They
could
have
a
relationship
without
fear
of
reprisal.

Still,
he’d
learned
long
ago
that
when
it
came
to
women,
he
was
an
idiot.

He’d
been
deemed
the
smartest
guy
in
Harvard’s
Ph.D.
program—at
eighteen.
Anita
had
seen
him
as
her own
personal
Bill
Gates
in
the
making,
sure
to
invent
something
amazing
and
skate
her
into
a
life
of
wealth.

She
hadn’t
been
wrong
in
his
abilities.
He
could
do
that.
He
chose
not
to.

So
she’d
left
him.

He’d
patented
some
of
his
formulas
that
were
used
in
nuclear
medicines
to
make
enough
money
to
buy
her off
so
she
would
quit
yanking
him
around
when
it
came
to
custody
of
Grace
Marie.
He
wasn’t
much
of
a father,
but
he
was
a
helluva
lot
better
parent
than
Anita.

Felicia
Fratarcangelo
didn’t
look
like
Anita
but
still
stirred
something
inside
him
that
made
him
want
to forget
about
work
and
the
political
land
mines
of
workinghere.
“Good
night.”

“Uh,
don’t
you
want
to
take
a
walk
or
something,
to
stretch
your
legs
after
sitting
at
a
desk
all
day?” Actually,
he
planned
to
run
himself
into
a
stupor
once
he
got
rid
of
her.
The
sooner
the
better.
“Walk,
huh?

Sure.”

Huh?

She
smiled.

No
way.
“To
your
room.”

Her
smile
froze.
Why?
Wasn’t
that
what
she’d
been
hinting
for
all
along?
That
they
should
go
to
her
room together,
even
if
that
wasn’t
actually
what
he’d
meant
when
he
offered
to
walk
her
there.

Either
way,
this
woman
confused
him,
no
surprise
since
he
hadn’t
found
a
female
yet
whom
he
understood.

All
the
more
reason
to
keep
his
distance
and
his
mind
clear
during
this
highstakes
research
project
that
could provide
nuclear
power
to
multiple
povertyriddled
areas
like
Cantou.

Matthias
drained
his
coffee
and
pitched
the
cup
in
the
trash
can.
“Let’s
get
moving
so
I
can
drop
you
off
and finish
this
damn
long
day.”

DAMP
HAIRnow
French
braided
to
keep
it
off
her
face
until
it
dried,
Grace
Marie
made
her
way
out
of
the tent,
footsteps
silent
in
the
sand,
then
against
the
mushy
decaying
leaves.
Thank
goodness
the
dark
covered most
of
her
movements
only
a
few
yards
away
from
the
pitched
tent
camp.
They
would
have
more
lights
set up
by
tomorrow.
But
by
tomorrow,
she
would
have
her
father
safely
with
her.

Hers
was
tinier
than
most
of
the
other
tents,
because
there
was
only
one
other
woman
on
this
deployment, and
luckily,
her
bunk
mate
slept
like
a
log.

She
only
needed
to
use
the
Humvee
tonight.
Totally
kosher,
since
she
was
the
boss
and
the
equipment therefore
belonged
to
her.
She
could
write
off
the
whole
outing
as
a
“scout
the
area”
drive
around.

She
was
armed,
in
uniform
with
all
the
proper
papers.
She
should
have
no
concerns
even
if
stopped
before she
could
get
to
her
father,
or
after.

Her
stomach
gripped
at
images
of
what
might
be
waiting
for
her.
Please
God,
let
him
come
willingly.

A
long
shadow
blotted
the
already
murky
night.
Her
hand
slapped
over
her
Glock.
They
weren’t
at
war
with this
country,
but
there
were
still
plenty
of
spies
who
would
like
nothing
more
than
to
infiltrate
a
U.S.
military camp
for
intel
or
a
hostage.

She
unholstered
her
weapon,
held
it
low
at
her
side,
ready
as
she
pivoted
to
find—

Bobby.

“Going
somewhere,
Gracie?”

CHAPTER
FOUR

“YOU’RE
GOINGto
do
what?”
Bobby
swallowed
back
shock
and
probably
a
bug
or
two
in
this
insectinfested
jungle.

He
couldn’t
have
heard
what
he
thought
as
he
stood
beside
Gracie,
who
was
in
the
process
of
climbing
into the
Humvee.

Gracie
clutched
the
keys
in
her
hand.
“My
father
is
one
of
the
nuclear
researchers
at
the
local
university retreat.
He’s
here
on
an
exchange
program.
I’m
going
to
pick
him
up
and
bring
him
home.” So
much
for
a
temporary
hearing
malfunction.
He’d
heard
exactly
what
he
thought.
“I
take
back
everything
I ever
said
about
you
being
a
sane
woman.”

Even
knowing
he
was
teasing,
his
words
still
stung.
She
lived
in
fear
of
battling
her
father’s
mental
demons, in
fact
subjected
herself
to
rigorous
psychological
testing
frequently—only
to
be
told
she
was
not
bipolar
or any
other
number
of
mental
disabilities.
Still,
she
wasn’t
sure
there
was
enough
reassurance
in
the
world.

“Well,
thank
you
very
much
for
sharing,
but
I’m
not
concerned
with
your
opinion.”
She
tugged
open
the door.

He
sidestepped,
which
blocked
her
entrance
to
the
vehicle.
“Don’t
you
think
that
while
you
were
back
in
the States
a
plane
ticket
might
have
been
a
little
less
trouble
than
hauling
your
fine
ass
across
the
Pacific
Ocean?

Or
is
this
a
lastminute
impulse
and
you
figured
that
while
you’re
in
the
neighborhood
you’ll
give
him
a ride?”

“Do
you
really
think
I’m
the
impulsive
sort?”

“Valid
point.”
He
shifted
feet,
frowned,
never
taking
his
eyes
off
her
no
matter
how
much
his
body
fidgeted.

“What’s
going
on,
then?”

Hand
on
the
dark
green
door,
she
sagged.
“My
father
is,
uh,
eccentric.”

“I’m
still
not
following.”

Grace
Marie
stiffened,
straightened
and
opted
for
the
truth.
“My
father
is
a
genius
with
only
one
toe
barely dipping
in
this
world.
I’m
afraid
he
may
have
pulled
even
that
out.
Professionally,
I
know
I
have
nothing
to feel
ashamed
of,
but
the
reactions
and
distrust
of
others
still
string
me
tight
on
a
personal
level.” Surprise
sparked
through
him
for
a
simple
second
before
he
blanked
his
face.
She’d
trusted
him
with something
huge
and
he
needed
to
be
appropriate—worthy
of
that
trust.
“Your
father
has
mental
problems?” The
strain
on
her
face
was
unmistakable
and
damned
hearttugging.
She
should
be
the
last
person
to
give any
credence
to
the
stigma,
but
still
he
could
see
it
was
hard
for
her
to
say.

“Yes.
I
haven’t
heard
from
him
in
six
weeks,
and
I’m
afraid
he
may
be
off
his
meds.
I
need
to
see
him, check
on
him
and
possibly—probably—take
him
home.”

His
hand
fell
on
her
shoulder,
with
a
support
he
doubted
she
would
accept
for
long.
“Don’t
you
think
they’ll notice
around
here
at
the
camp
if
you
suddenly
show
up
with
your
old
man?”

“Of
course.”
She
shrugged
from
under
his
hand.
“But
if
he’s
not
all
right,
nobody’s
going
to
turn
him
loose to
roam
the
jungle.
I’ll
get
him
on
a
plane
home
with
a
flight
doc.” He
quirked
his
eyebrow.

She
sighed.
“It
may
not
be
the
best
plan—”

“It’s
not
a
bad
plan.
Sounds
to
me
like
you’re
going
for
the
General
George
Patton
approach—
‘A
good plan
executed
today
is
better
than
a
perfect
plan
executed
at
some
indefinite
point
in
the
future.’”

“You’ve
studied
Patton?”

He
stuffed
down
the
resentment
over
her
intellectual
snobbery.
“I’ve
even
read
two
books
since
college graduation.
Or
maybe
it
was
three.
I’m
not
sure.”

She
covered
his
hand
with
hers.
Then
her
mouth
rounded
into
an
O.
She
slid
her
hand
away
as
if
trying
to be
unobtrusive,
but
the
flame
shone
in
her
eyes.
“I
apologize
for
prejudging.”

“I
may
not
have
graduated
with
honors,
but
I
finished
on
time.”
He
put
his
hand
back
over
hers
on
the
door.

“Nice
try
diverting
me
from
the
subject.
I
feel
fairly
certain
there’s
nothing
I
can
do
to
persuade
you
this
is
an insane
plan.
And
since
I
excel
at
the
nutzo
stuff—no
offense
meant
to
your
father—”

“None
taken.”

“—then
it
only
makes
sense
for
me
to
go
along
with
you.”

“Now
you’ve
really
gone
over
the
edge.
There’s
a
solid
chance
I
might
be
late
returning
and
there’s
no
need for
you
to
get
written
up
as
well.
I
can
do
this,
although
I
do
appreciate
your
willingness
to
help
out—” Enough.
He
cupped
the
back
of
her
head
and
kissed
her
once,
closemouthed
and
for
a
mindblowingly
long four
count
before
he
backed
away.

“Damn
it,
Gracie,
anybody
ever
tell
you
that
you
talk
too
much?”
He
held
up
a
finger
right
over
her
lips.

“Never
mind
answering
that
one.
Just
climb
on
inside
and
slide
over,
Slim.
No
arguing.
I’m
coming
with you.”

GRACEMARIE
GRIPPEDthe
Humvee’s
steering
wheel
as
the
finetuned
machine
jolted
through
the pocked
roadway
leading
deeper
into
the
jungle
toward
the
university
retreat.

With
Bobby
at
her
side.

His
“slide
over,
Slim”
comment
had
only
earned
him
a
place
in
the
passenger
seat.
This
vehicle
belonged
to her
unit
and
she
would
take
the
hit
for
anything
that
went
wrong.
She’d
let
him
come
along
because
it
really did
make
good
sense.
Two
people
were
safer
than
one,
and
she
might
well
be
occupied
caring
for
her
father on
the
trip
back.

Which
meant
she
would
have
to
acquiesce
to
Bobby
driving,
but
she
would
deal
with
that
later.
Her
father was
at
the
end
of
this
trail
and
nothing
would
stop
her
from
getting
there.
She
should
arrive
right
around breakfast,
which
shouldn’t
make
her
appearance
seem
too
odd
and
that
would
give
her
just
enough
time
to return
for
her
thirteenhundred
brief
after
lunch.

Memories
of
past
incidents
with
her
father
scrolled
through
her
mind…of
taking
him
supper,
forcing
him
to wake
up
and
walk
around
when
his
disease
lured
him
to
sleep
and
sleep
and
sleep
into
infinity.
Or
polaropposite
moments
when
he
would
fly
high
and
play
with
her
chemistry
set
with
her
until
three
in
the morning
and
her
eightyearold
self
would
be
struggling
not
to
fall
over
on
the
lab
counter.

Overall,
she
had
little
to
complain
about.
Her
father
recognized
his
problem,
stayed
in
therapy,
took
his meds.
He
told
her
after
she
graduated
with
her
Ph.D.
as
a
psychologist
he’d
taken
the
meds
forher,
so
he could
be
the
best
possible
father
he
could
manage.
She’d
cried.
How
could
she
not
in
the
face
of
such heartfelt,
deep
and
difficult
love?

Her
life
had
had
erratic
moments,
but
all
in
all,
she
had
developed
into
an
independent
woman.
But
now,
he didn’t
need
to
do
squat
for
her.
She
was
a
grown
woman,
on
her
own.

Her
chest
tightened
at
the
thought.
She
breathed
in
through
her
nose,
out
through
her
mouth,
over
and
over.

She
let
herself
soak
in
and
search
her
surroundings
for
possible
threats—and
to
keep
her
eyes
off
the
hunk
of a
man
beside
her,
his
arms
and
pecs
filling
out
that
black
Tshirt
with
such
tempting
muscles.
Maybe
if
she and
Bobby
had
had
sex
just
once
before
she’d
broken
things
off
with
him,
then
he
wouldn’t
seem
like
such forbidden
fruit.
Perhaps
then
she
wouldn’t
have
felt
so
compelled
to
push
forhis
crew
to
be
assigned
to
this mission.
But
she
needed
to
regain
peaceful
emotions,
and
quite
frankly,
her
feelings
for
Bobby
scared
the crap
out
of
her.

Maybe
he
was
a
crummy
lover.
Yeah,
think
along
those
lines.
Captain
ADHD
could
be
a
quick
trigger.
Or perhaps
all
that
excessive
energy
would
make
the
sex
acrobatic
or
adventurous
but
not
emotionally connective—and
blast
it,
she
had
a
hairy
leg.
Bleck.

Besides,
hadn’t
she
said
she
was
going
to
ignore
him
and
study
the
landscape
around
her,
everything
so deep
jadegreen?

“You
didn’t
have
to
do
this.”
Look
at
the
lilies
and
orchids,
not
him.

“I
couldn’t
live
with
myself
if
you
ended
up
in
the
back
of
some
sexslave
trader’s
bus.” God,
he
really
knew
how
to
send
fear
slithering
down
a
woman’s
spine
in
the
middle
of
the
night.

“Okay,
fine.
You’ve
already
won
so
don’t
hammer
the
point
to
death.”

“All
right.
What
do
you
want
to
talk
about?”

Small
talk?
How
strange
was
that,
such
a
bizarre
juxtaposition
with
their
surroundings.
“Seen
any
good movies
lately?”

“I
don’t
go
to
movies.”
He
hooked
an
elbow
on
the
armrest
between
them,
sweat
starting
to
trickle
from
the lack
of
AC
in
the
Humvee.
Much
longer
and
they
would
have
to
roll
down
the
windows
and
suffer
the consequences
of
all
the
gnawing
bugs
in
this
jungle.
“Too
expensive.” A
snort
slipped
free.
She
was
surprised
they
hadn’t
given
him
the
call
sign
Scrooge,
except
he
didn’t
fit
the grumpy
part.
He
was
goodnatured,
and
actually
fairly
generous
with
others,
only
a
tightwad
about
his
own needs.
And,
hey
wait,
wasn’t
that
a
revelation
moment?
“I’ve
never
seen
anyone
who
can
stretch
a
dollar
as far
as
you.”