Scarlet Nights (Edilean 3)

“That should scare them,” Mike said, deadpan. “You ready to get this done? The faster we send this off, the sooner we’ll be free. You want to return to Edilean and say you didn’t even see the ocean?”

Sara put her hands back on the keyboard. “Lead on, oh fearless leader, and tell me who else has betrayed me.”

Smiling, Mike continued. He told what he’d learned, but he also outlined the plan for the next week. For the first time, Sara heard what the police and Federal agents were hoping would happen.

After they finished the document at noon, Mike started to draw a map of the fairgrounds, but Sara took over.

“The booths and rides and the game field are in the same place every year, so I know what goes where.”

“Except for Joce’s fortune-telling tent.”

“Luke’s putting it right next to where he sells his weeds, which is beside my kissing booth.”

“Your what?!” Mike said.

Sara smiled smugly. “Just seeing if you were listening.”

By one, the maps and reports were done. They printed them out on the new printer—which Sara had set up while Mike dealt with the TV delivery—and put it all in a big envelope.

Mike turned to look at Sara. In the next second they had their clothes off and were making love on the big white couch.

Later, Sara lay in his arms and said, “It’s odd but I won’t even be thinking about sex, then I’ll look at you and it’s all I can think of.”

He kissed her forehead. “My virgin princess. Want to go for a swim?”

“Love to. I brought a blue bikini.”

“I bet Henry the counterfeiter will enjoy that! You just might see yourself on a thousand-dollar bill.”

“When do I get to meet the neighbors?”

Mike was heading to the bathroom and he didn’t look at her. “We have to leave tomorrow afternoon.”

“Which is no answer to my question,” Sara said under her breath as she reached for her clothes. Mike hadn’t given even the slightest hint that she’d ever return to Fort Lauderdale, that she’d ever again see this beautiful apartment.

He looked around the bathroom door. “Showering alone wastes water.”

“I’m all for green.” Sara ran to the bathroom to join him.

“It’s been a wonderful day,” Sara said as she snuggled against Mike in bed. It was nearly ten P.M. and they had to get up early, but she wasn’t sleepy.

“It’s been great,” he said.

She could tell he was in a mellow mood. “I’ve enjoyed my honeymoon.”

“Me too. I’m not sure but I think the captain had me return here to keep me from marrying you.”

She turned to look at him. “That’s good. He was looking out for you, but when he saw that I wasn’t your usual, uh … victim, he let us have time off. He’s a nice man.”

“You bring out the niceness in people.”

“What a sweet thing to say.”

They lay quietly together as Mike slowly ran his fingers up and down her back. She took a deep breath to give herself courage. What she wanted to ask him could cause offense. “What were your parents like?”

He didn’t hesitate. “Kind, loving, fun.”

She snuggled closer against him, her head on his shoulder. “Do you remember them?”