“Nothing. No one messing around in the dark, other than the couple in cabin seven; Sara and Leon. They like to, um, get it on outside.” Agent Dillon clears his throat. “It’s all on video,” he winces, “and I’m sure as hell glad the cameras don’t have sound.”
Agent Gardner snickers. “Over two hours they were at it outside their cabin.” He moves some papers around on the bed and passes me a file. “Agent Redgrave was caught on camera snooping through your bedroom window the night you all arrived.”
My eyes snap to Agent Gardner’s before Joshua’s. His jaw is tight with anger, and I’m not surprised. The agent is going to blow everything if she continues to want Josh. I’m not sure what the hell to do about her, but something has to be done.
“Could we pull her and Roger from the retreat? A family emergency. She’s going to cause unnecessary complications if she carries on.”
“Is there something we should know?” Agent Dillon asks, staring between Josh and me.
Josh answers, “I went through the academy with her. She indicated that she wouldn’t mind getting together. I wasn’t interested. She, apparently, still is.” He runs his hands through his hair. “She isn’t happy that Mallory and I are partnered in this operation. She’s made that known on more than one occasion.”
“She’s jealous, and it’s compromising her job.” Agent Gardner hits the nail on the head.
“I’d say she was more than jealous,” I mutter. “I’m not really sure she’d leave if we tried to end her assignment.”
All eyes are on me so I continue, “She’s obsessed with Joshua, and everywhere we turn, she’s there. Our cover is going to be blown if she doesn’t stop, but she doesn’t seem to care, which makes her dangerous.” I glance at Josh, and then back to the two agents. “I need her to be pulled before she either gets herself killed, or someone else.”
“We’ll wait until you’ve been back for a few hours and then make a call to the main office. She doesn’t have a sister, so we’ll say her sister has been involved in a car accident.” Agent Gardner shrugs. “She’ll pick up that they’re being called away. If she doesn’t then Roger will. I’ve worked with him before and he’s sharp.”
I rub my brow knowing that as soon as she’s pulled from the assignment, I’m going to have one hell of a headache once this is over.
“You’re doing the right thing,” Josh whispers. “She hasn’t been professional since we met on the plane. It’s only a matter of time before she blows it completely.”
I reply, ever so quietly, “She isn’t the only one who hasn’t been professional.”
Josh holds my gaze. “It’s different, and you know it.” He glances at the papers in his hand. “We’ve kept to our cover.” He offers a small smile. “She hasn’t.”
“So yes or no?” Agent Gardner questions? “We pull her?”
“You may be interviewed back at headquarters,” I say to Josh.
He shakes his head. “I’m good. You know what you have to do. We’re partners and I’ll back whichever decision you make because I know it will be the right decision.”
I look at Agent Gardner. “Yes. Let me send you an email confirming the request so that it can be printed and put in the file. I’ll copy Ritter in on the message.” I wince at the questions my boss is going to have, but I’m certainly not the only one to have witnessed first hand the unprofessional way Agent Redgrave has behaved while on undercover assignment. Like Josh said, her unprofessionalism was obvious to anyone who cared to look while Josh and I, have been acting the part of a couple in love, perfectly. Our feelings for each other have certainly helped with our roles.
“Tonight there is a partner swapping party.” I clear my throat and struggle to keep the grin off of my lips when the other two agents chuckle and tease each other, and us. “Calm down.” I laugh. “I think it might be best if you’re both closer to the retreat than you are at this hotel. Something tells me we might be needing more eyes and ears tonight.”
Agent Dillon sits back and folding his arms in front of his chest, broadly grins. “So, who are you both swapping with?”
Joshua smirks. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Hell, yes!” Agent Gardner teases.
“Stop,” I mumble, embarrassed. “I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but we’re swapping with the other two agents, Samantha and Paul.”
Rolling his eyes, Agent Dillon chuckles. “I knew that would be the case. I just wanted to see you blush.”
“Seriously? We’re not in high school.” I let a smile slip out. “One thing,” I add, worried, “is that we’re thinking our killer might be going for the couples who stray.”
“Not that we’ve discovered,” Joshua adds, “but what if the killer only kills a couple who have no problem with infidelity?” He glances around the room, his eyes lingering on me before he focuses on Gardner and Dillon. “It would make more sense if this is the case, which means tonight the killer may be going after his next victim.?
??
“We’ll find somewhere to set up, and will find someway of letting you know where we are.” Gardner looks to Dillon who nods in agreement.
“In the trees will be our best vantage point. Not many people look upwards, especially in the dark, when looking for someone,” Dillon suggests.
“Go where you think is best, just be careful.” I glance at Josh. “You ready to go?”