Fool Me Once (5 page)

The
three men listened intently and Josh watched them absorb this information.

“Right,
then,” Colin continued. “Fast forward to the present. Blazek runs an
import/export business as a cover. It’s so predictable, it’s inspired. He keeps
a suite of offices near a marina in Marbella and our surveillance indicates
that he also spends several hours a day at his home office. That’s where we
hope to find what we need to put him out of business.” He paused dramatically.
“And that, gentlemen, leads us to Josh Morgan.”

“Josh
has recently made contact with Miss MacMillan and convinced her to travel with
him to Monte Carlo, posing as his fiancée. Blazek’s agents frequent the casino
there, acting as front men. They screen everyone who does business with him.
This is where Josh will make contact. Then, if all goes according to plan, Josh
and Miss MacMillan will proceed to the Costa del Sol. That’s where Blazek
spends most of his time, and where we hope to destroy him. Miss MacMillan will
be our admission ticket to the compound, on the outskirts of Marbella.”

“Excuse
me, Colin.” Dirk Grant looked from Colin to Josh. “Does the young lady know
about our mission?”

Colin
looked at Josh, nodding to indicate that he should respond.

Josh
leaned forward. “Colin and I have discussed it, and we’ve determined that she
shouldn’t be told unless it’s absolutely necessary. It was a difficult decision
to make, but we both think it’s the right one.”

Dirk
eased back in his chair. “I agree, but how did you talk her into posing as your
fiancée?”

Josh
gave a wry grin. ‘”I’d like to say that it was a slam dunk, but to be candid,
the timing was perfect. One of her best friends just got engaged, and I think
she was feeling a little left out. Fortunately, she has no illusions about a
romantic involvement.” He locked eyes with the SAS agent. “Don’t worry. I’ll
treat her with respect. I’ll even try to ensure that she has a good time.”

“Fair
enough.” The British agent knew better than to probe further.

The
meeting progressed swiftly, with Colin outlining the duties of each team
member. Every man at the table had been chosen with care for his special skills
in covert operations. As head of the team, Colin’s main focus would be
co-ordination. David would continue gathering intelligence; specifically
tracking suspect arms shipments. Shadowing Josh and Olivia from one location to
another, Dirk’s role would be that of an extra pair of eyes and ears as well as
providing physical back-up. A.J., a skilled helicopter pilot, would be
stationed on board a British frigate, conveniently on maneuvers in the
Mediterranean. Cleared to operate the British Lynx helicopter, his role was to
stand by in case of emergency.

“Well,
there you have it.” Colin permitted himself a small smile. “Are there any other
questions?” The team members glanced around the table, each one seemingly
satisfied. “Right, then. When the mission is completed, we disappear from the
scene, leaving no trace. Best of all, there will be one less arms dealer. Good
luck, men.”

Josh
took one last look at the face of the man he planned to ruin before handing the
file back to Colin. It was not a face he would soon forget. He left the
building and wandered for a few blocks before realizing that he wasn’t
absorbing anything around him. He flagged a cab, instructed the driver to take
him to the Dorchester, and then sank back onto the seat as the London traffic
streamed past the windows.

“Here
you are, guv.”

Josh
looked up, surprised to find himself at the distinctive entrance to the hotel.
He paid the driver, and was heading for the lobby when he stopped abruptly.
Across the street, Hyde Park beckoned, and he walked swiftly to the underpass,
almost holding his breath until he burst back out into the sunshine.

His
steps slowed and he inhaled deeply, marveling at the normal activities going on
around him. He removed his jacket, loosened his tie and sat down under a tree,
draping his arms over bent knees.

He
missed his ranch. This patch of green was no substitute, but it would have to
do for now. The meeting at IATO headquarters had been difficult for him.
Everyone in the room knew why he’d come out of retirement for this mission, and
yet no one had brought up the painful subject. He’d appreciated that, but now
he needed to let his thoughts roam freely…to grab hold of his simmering anger
and use it to his advantage. A band of sorrow tightened around his heart as he
recalled the day two and a half years ago that was to change his life. He still
blamed himself for not being more forceful. His thoughts drifted back in time
and he could smell the sweet, clean air of Montana and feel the warmth of the
sun on his face.  

* * *

The
cattle kicked up a cloud of dust, softening the brassy sun of the late
September afternoon. Bunched together at the entrance to the corral, they were
the result of a hard day’s work. Tired but satisfied, Josh watched them stream
by, and then closed the gate. This was his favorite season, and he gave silent
thanks for another successful year. He turned to see Zach striding across the
yard, a broad smile on his face.

“What’s
up, little brother?” he’d said, removing his gloves and slapping them against
his legs. “Did you get your results?” The final year of medical school had been
tough, but Josh had no doubt that Zach would be near the top of his class as
usual.

“Not
for another week.” Zach’s steps slowed and his confidence seemed to waver for a
moment but then the smile returned. He waved an envelope in the air. “I’ve
decided to do some volunteer work for a couple of years. I’m joining Doctors
Without Borders.”

Josh’s
world seemed to tilt. “No,” he said quietly. “You can’t do that.”

“Sure
I can.” Zach brimmed with self-assurance. “They need medics right now. It will
be great experience.”

“But
Zach.” His thoughts whirled, tumbling over each other like water in a mountain
stream. “Doctors Without Borders operates overseas. You could be sent into some
dangerous territory.”

“Yeah.
Isn’t that great? The letter says that after indoctrination, there’s a good
chance I’ll get sent to Afghanistan.”

* * *

Back
in the present, Josh closed his eyes, much as he had done that day. He’d known
firsthand the constant danger facing any foreigner who entered Afghanistan.
Whether peacekeeper or combatant, they were all potential targets and Josh
repeatedly pointed this out to his brother, pleading with him to reconsider.
But his words had fallen on deaf ears. Like so many young men, Zach had
believed himself to be immortal. “I’ll be fine,” he’d said repeatedly. “You’re
worrying about nothing.” And then Josh’s worst fears had been realized.

Zach’s
convoy of three vehicles had been attacked with RPGs northeast of Bagram, en
route to aid civilians caught in a fierce battle between opposing factions.
Armed men executed the seven foreigners in the group before looting the medical
supplies and stripping the vehicle of every conceivable useful part. The shaken
Afghans who were spared reported later that their attackers were Taliban.

In
his grief, Josh had done an interview with a network reporter. He’d spoken
passionately and openly, pointing to the sale of illegal arms to terrorist
organizations as being largely responsible for the death of his brother.

In
London, Colin Chisholm, head of IATO’s British operation, watched the interview
with growing interest, knowing instinctively that he had found his man. Ever
patient, he had been looking for someone like Josh for several months. One
glance at the American’s record convinced him that he was perfect for the job.
Serving with the elite American Special Forces, Josh Morgan’s background
revealed a wide range of qualifications, not the least of which was a
ruthlessness that would be needed for the current mission. The operation, while
outwardly nebulous, had an excellent chance of succeeding. The perfect
counterpart, Olivia MacMillan had proven herself to be intelligent and spirited.
As he put the plan in motion, he found himself envying Josh Morgan.

* * *

Josh
massaged the back of his neck, trying to relieve the tension. Today’s meeting
had awakened the agony he’d felt at the death of his brother. For many long
painful months he’d blamed himself for Zach’s death. He looked out over the
sparkling water of the Serpentine, and his throat closed up as memories of his
brother floated tantalizingly in his mind’s eye. Zach at eleven, riding beside
him during the fall round-up. Zach at fourteen, his face blotched with tears at
the funeral of their parents. Zach at eighteen, fidgeting uncomfortably in the
new suit for his graduation dance. But the image that caused the most pain was
the photograph that remained tucked away in a drawer of his desk back in
Montana. Zach, arms draped around his fellow medics, smiling into the camera
with the mountains of northern Afghanistan rising in the distance. Arriving in
Zach’s last letter, two weeks after his death, Josh hadn’t been able to look at
it for months. The moments of despair were coming less frequently now, but he
still blamed himself for his brother’s death. The sorrow would never completely
go away. He knew that, and dealt with it in the best way he knew how…alone.

The
letters of condolence that eventually made their way to him in Montana were
largely responsible for easing his feelings of guilt. Zach’s co-workers spoke
of his passion for what he was doing; his belief that he was making a
difference. Now when the pain of his loss threatened to overwhelm him once more
he would re-read the letters, finding peace in the kind words.

Josh
harbored no illusions about the current mission. Destroying one arms dealer
would not stop the flood of illegal arms, but it was a start. People would live
because of what he was about to do. That in itself was a victory. He picked up
his jacket and headed back toward the hotel.

He
needed a drink. He sauntered into the bar, attracting admiring glances from
several female patrons.

Seated
comfortably with his back against the banquette he gazed around the room. Two
tables away a woman seated alone crossed her legs, an alluring smile on her
lips. The invitation was clear and he studied her appraisingly. She was lovely.
He wavered, knowing that her skin would be smooth and pliant under his hands.
For a few moments, the pleasure of a woman’s body would drive away the memories
that had been stirred up by this afternoon’s meeting. She smiled as though
reading his thoughts, but he didn’t respond.

He
looked away and suppressed a smile. It was all Olivia’s fault. He’d only spent
two, maybe three hours in her presence, but for the past several days, in those
quiet moments when he was by himself, she filled his thoughts. The texture of
her hair, her incredibly long legs, the way she sat a horse. But most of all he
remembered her eyes. Green, the color of a deep mountain lake, they were
flecked with shards of rich, golden brown. Flashing with indignation or gazing
at him with cool disdain, he looked forward to seeing them again.

Of
course that meant he’d have to resume his ‘bad boy’ role. He sipped his drink,
lost in thought. When he’d confidently informed Colin that he could convince
Olivia to accompany him, he hadn’t had the foggiest idea how he’d accomplish
that. But once he’d gone to visit Alex, everything fell neatly into place. He
knew from his research that Olivia MacMillan was a gifted writer and he’d
studied the photo that accompanied her articles. What he’d seen was a woman who
looked boldly into the lens of the camera, her expression coolly confident. But
when he met her in person, he’d been unprepared for the instant attraction that
crackled between them. WorldView’s decision to give Olivia a much-needed
vacation was perfectly timed. That fact, coupled with the knowledge that her
friend Justine had recently decided to marry had determined his approach.
Olivia was ‘due’ for some excitement of her own, and he unwillingly slipped
into his bad boy persona, confident that she would be intrigued.

He’d
almost blown it, but it had worked. He didn’t like deceiving her, but for the
sake of the mission it was necessary. He finished his drink and left the bar.

* * *

“Message
for you, sir.” The desk clerk handed him a discreetly folded slip of paper.
‘Arriving tomorrow around six. Can’t wait. Olivia.’ His step was light as he
headed toward the elevator. It must be because he was looking forward to some
payback. It couldn’t be because he’d be seeing her tomorrow. No, of course not.

* * *

Once
on the train, Olivia settled into a seat by the window, grateful that the coach
wasn’t crowded. The businessman across from her snapped his newspaper
importantly, and she was relieved when he buried his face behind it. As the
train gained momentum, her heart began pounding faster. The trip into London
wouldn’t take long, and she needed every minute to prepare herself to meet Josh
again.

The
past two days had been agony. Oh, she’d enjoyed Justine’s company…she always
did, but it had been difficult keeping her mind on the conversation. It was a
good thing her friend wasn’t a mind reader. Olivia stared out the window
without seeing the scenery. For the past two days, her thoughts had never been
far from Josh. Had he thought of her? Even a little? She forced herself to
focus on the gently rolling hills in the distance. She had to stop thinking
like this and start regarding him as potential subject matter. After all, he
was everything she didn’t want in a man. Cocky, self-confident, and decidedly
dangerous. A shiver of anticipation rippled over her skin and she sat up
straight, startled at the direction of her thoughts. If simply thinking about
him brought this kind of response, how would she react when she was with him
constantly? She’d find out soon enough.