Smoked (The Invincibles 5)

“I thought we’d get an early start. There are some things I need to pick up at the store.”

Smoke wrapped his arm around my waist. “I wish I could go with you.”

“Me too. Next time.” I leaned forward, brought my lips to his in a quick kiss, and took a step back. “You’d best get back to work,” I said, motioning with my head to where Decker was waiting.

“Okay. I’ll try to call some time tonight.”

“Sounds good. Goodbye, Smoke.” I turned away, praying I could get in the SUV without him following.

By the time he loaded the two bags in the back, Maureen was behind the wheel.

“Go,” I said before he could walk around to my door.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” she asked.

I shook my head, put my finger in front of my lips, and she nodded.

I pressed my fingers against my temples as thoughts raced through my head. There was still so much I didn’t remember, but hearing what Smoke had said to Decker gave credence to the dreams I’d had of the two of us, not only at odds, but that left me feeling as though he and I hated each other.

* * *

Once we arrived in Asheville, I wheeled my suitcase into the house Smoke had rented. I used the landline to call a car service to take us, along with Maureen’s suitcase, to the hospital complex.

“May I use your mobile?” I asked before we left the house. When Maureen handed it over, I walked into the lavatory and rang Dr. Mansfield’s emergency number.

“It’s urgent I see you as soon as possible,” I said when he answered.

“Where are you?” he asked.

“In Asheville, near the hospital.”

“I can meet you at my office in twenty minutes.”

I ended the call, dismantled Maureen’s phone, removed the necessary components, and put it back together. If Smoke had a tracking device on it, from this moment on, it would indicate the phone was here at the rental.

I came out and handed her back the mobile that appeared operational, but wasn’t. I heard a car’s horn from outside and led her to the waiting vehicle.

Once at the hospital complex, Maureen followed me to an out-of-the-way courtyard and I explained what had happened. My version of it anyway.

“My memory has been coming back in bits and pieces,” I explained. “I’ve no idea what Smoke divulged to you, but he and I work in intelligence.”

She nodded, her eyes wide. “I gathered it was something like that, given the way he got the doctor to travel from London to the States with us.”

“Right. Anyway, I’ve received word that I must return to the UK as soon as possible. My orders are that Smoke not know of my departure nor of my whereabouts.”

“I understand.”

“Do you?” I pressed.

“You can trust me.”

Whether I could or not, remained to be seen. I wasn’t foolish enough to think she couldn’t contact Smoke without her mobile. I only hoped to waylay her if that was her intention. “Best you wait here,” I said, before leaving for Dr. Mansfield’s office. “I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”

* * *

“I don’t have much time,” I explained as the doctor closed the door behind me.

“What’s happened?”