Tropical Safeguard (Men Of The Secret Service) by Stella Kelly Page A

    Meanwhile, Katrina entered the side door
and wound her way to the kitchen where she found Jacque pulling a roasted
breakfast ham from the oven. After her Pilates workout with Cole, she’d stayed
on the beach a while to stretch after he’d left. Perching on a stool, she
watched Jacque place the ham on a cutting board to relax in its own
juices.  
    “You’re up early,” she
noticed.
    “I had a timer set for
this thing. It had to roast for two hours so I’ve been up since before you, my
dear. Putting it in and then trying my best to sleep for another couple of
hours before it had to come out.” Jacque stopped for a moment and leaned on the
island, staring her down. “I did happen to look out my window in the wee hours
of le matin.”
    “Oh?” Katrina saw a
crooked little grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. She always found her
chats with Jacque entertaining and informative, but she guessed that this
morning’s would be personal.
    “So,” Jacque leaned over
in her direction, “the agent then?”
    “Pardon?” Katrina
inquired while trying to fain ignorance, though deep down she knew what he was
implying.
    “At first I was hopeful
that The Secretary would be your fate, but non, non, non! I was so mistaken.
T’is the agent, oui?”
    “Is it that obvious?”
Katrina smiled despite all efforts to maintain control.
    “For some, yes. You must
not forget that I am a man of passion and romance. It takes an open heart and
open eyes to see that kind of...” Jacque paused, thinking.
    “That kind of what?
Indiscretion?” Katrina assumed he’d view it as a holiday fling even though
nothing had happened – yet.
    Taken aback, Jacque
wagged a finger as if to scold. “Katrina, I would never point out a simple
indiscretion. To each their own. This is something completely different. I see
the way you are together, the way you look at each other. There is a joie de
vive lurking, a tangling of the lives. It is love, my dear, love!” Jacque
leaned over the expansive island and tapped the tip of her nose with his
finger, smiling.
    Dumbfounded, Katrina
stared blankly at his jovial face in shock.
    “Say something, my
dear.”
    “I think you
overestimate my sentiments, Jacque. I appreciate you wanting the best for me,
but I think your love radar may be broken. Agent Nielsen is a great guy and
all, but come on. I’ve only known him for four days.”
    “This is more than
enough time for the heart, more than enough. But, I understand if you are in
the denial. It happens. You are the kind of woman who takes her time. But
remember, Kat, there is not much time left. Grab a hold of this chance at
l’amour.”

 
                                        <><><>

 
    Hearing the knock, Cole had just come
from the shower after his private Pilates class. His shift was to start in an
hour.
    “Good morning, Gloria,
how can I help?” Cole then noticed her worried expression.
    “Another letter came,
Agent Nielsen. Should I tell Secretary Mitchell? I thought it best to come to
you first. I don’t want to upset him anymore than I have to. He’s here on holiday
after all.”
    “Thank you, Gloria. I
appreciate that, and yes, I’ll handle it.”
    “Yes, agent,” she said,
closing the door.
    Cole sat on the corner
of his bed. He wedged open the letter, careful not to disturb the envelope too
much. It was, after all, evidence. He slid out the paper and could tell right
away that it was sinister. The words appeared to be written in a frenzy of
agitation, all capitals and messy. The author had progressed in his fury since
the first letter’s more subtle threats and controlled handwriting. The perp was
definitely progressing in heightened anger.
    Cole inserted his
earphone and clicked it on, calling his colleague. It took a few rings before
he got a response.
    “Agent Kensing.” His
voice sounded sleepy, muffled.
    “Morning, Agent. We have
another letter.”