“I miss you. Can we have that conversation?” Ethan deftly changed the subject.
“I miss you, too. We’re not still on speaker are we?”
“No,” Ethan chuckled. “It’s just you and me, for the moment. I wish I could see you tonight, wake up with you in the morning.”
“I know.” Jerry sighed. “To think of all the nights we wasted…” her voice trailed off.
“You were playing hard to get.” Ethan teased.
“I most certainly was not. You were scared to make a move.” She teased back.
“I know, you terrify me.” Ethan’s words held a small ring of truth.
“If it’s any consolation, you terrify me too. But I wouldn’t change a thing.” Jerry assured him.
“The only thing I would change is this assignment. I want it over so we can start our lives.” Ethan had his back to the room and didn’t hear Dylan walk up behind him.
Dylan heard the sincerity in Ethan’s words and wondered again about Jerry’s tears in his vision of the future.
“Me, too.” Jerry leaned against the soft leather and closed her eyes. “Where are we going first, Australia?”
“Definitely. I want you to meet Mum and Pop, though Ella, my housekeeper, will be your toughest sell.” Ethan grinned into the phone. “She doesn’t think anyone will ever be good enough for me.”
Jerry cringed slightly, his words echoing her deepest fears. “I’ll do my best to win her over.”
Dylan cleared his voice loudly, not willing to hear any more of the lovebird’s conversation. “Nate wants us to meet at the diner for an early dinner. Said to tell you to bring your notes.”
“Sure thing.” Ethan answered him, then spoke to Jerry. “You heard?”
“I heard. I’ll think of you boys eating burgers and fries, while I enjoy some of your awesome Osso Buco leftovers.”
“You do that. I’ll be sure to tell them what they missed. I’ll call you later.”
“Can’t wait.”
~~~
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Dylan asked Ethan, when he passed the phone back to him.
“What do you mean?” Ethan narrowed his eyes, not willing to discuss his feelings for Jerry.
“Jerry’s a good person, a fine agent, a catch by anyone’s standards. What makes you think that you’re worthy of her?”
“What makes you think I’m not?” Ethan worked to control his anger.
“I’ve known guys like you all my life. Had everything handed to you on a silver platter, didn’t you? Women especially. With your money, looks, and attitude, you’ve probably left a trail of broken hearts all over Europe.”
“And you think I’m playing Jerry, the same way I played countless others.” Ethan was losing the battle to control his anger.
“Well, aren’t you? You plan on sticking around, after we shut down this case? Or are you planning to hightail it back to wherever you came from, leaving Jerry crying in her beer?”
“Are you jealous?” Ethan wanted to make certain that Dylan was acting out of friendly concern, not unrequited feelings.
“Of course not, idiot. Jerry is my friend. I won’t stand by and watch her get hurt, not by you, or anyone else.”
“I told you before, I will not hurt Jerry. I love her, dammit, I want to spend the rest of my life proving it to her.” Ethan stood toe to toe with Dylan, but he still raised his voice. “Are you satisfied? Is that what you wanted to hear?”
“No, it wasn’t.” Dylan stepped back and shook his head. “I know you’ll hurt her, I just don’t know how.” He lowered his voice. “You say you love her, and God help me, I believe you. But my gut is telling me that you’ll end up leaving her anyway.”
“When I leave, Jerry is going with me. Tell that to your gut and back the hell off.” Ethan glared at Dylan before turning away. He’d be damned if he shared anymore of his feelings about Jerry with that imbecile.
Chapter Seventeen
“The concert was wonderful, thank you for inviting me.” Jerry spooned caviar onto a toast point.
“My pleasure, it really was surprisingly good.” Elliott’s voice held a distinct shade of snobbery. “One doesn’t expect such an elegant performance in the states.”
“As I’ve nothing to compare it to, I can’t argue. I’m sure you know best.” Jerry acquiesced.
“Have you never been to Europe?” Elliott brushed an imaginary crumb from his sleeve.
“No,” Jerry’s disgruntled tone did not pair well with her Dior gown. “Not once.”
Secretly pleased with her obvious irritation, Elliott’s smile was one of understanding. “Well, that just will not do. Everyone should see the stars over an English country estate, or watch the sunset from a villa in the Oia village, on the island of Santorini in Greece. And Paris, you must walk the streets of Paris during April, smell the cherry blossoms, and feel the charge in the atmosphere.”
“It all sounds divine,” Jerry sighed. “I’ve dreamed of traveling abroad, but so far it hasn’t worked out.” She looked appropriately disappointed.
“Such a shame, we’ll have to fix that.” Elliott took the opportunity to pat her hand and look meaningfully into her eyes. He saw the moment when her interest sparked, when she began thinking of him as someone more than a way to kill time, while her lover was out of town. His plan was progressing perfectly.
“Yes,” she gushed, “we really should.”
Elliott spent the remainder of dinner impressing Jerry with his travels, describing his homes around the world, and dropping names of the rich and famous people, with whom he frequently shared cocktails, dinner and vacations.
Jerry’s head was spinning with the amount of information Elliott imparted during dinner. If she didn’t already know who he was, the picture he painted of his life would impress even the most jaded individual.
Thanks to Elizabeth’s sister, they now knew that Elliott was actually Jonathan Gerrard, the heir to a British mining fortune, and the definition of a wealthy playboy, living a life of leisure as he flitted between continents, accomplishing nothing more productive than running astounding tabs at the various resorts which caught his fancy.
According to Jonathan’s estranged father, Jonathan would have been cut out of the family fortune long ago, had it not been for the terms of his grandfather’s trust. As it stood, none of Jonathan’s family associated with him, partially due to his frivolous lifestyle, and partially due to the mental illness, which he refused to treat.
Jonathan’s delusional disorder could be managed with a combination of drug and psychiatric therapy, but Jonathan decided long ago that he would handle it on his own.
“Wouldn’t you agree, my dear?” Jonathan/Elliott’s question brought Jerry out of her reverie. He’d been spewing on so long about this party and that event, that she couldn’t help but zone out a bit.
“Of course, Elliott. I agree.” She smiled as if whatever she’d just agreed with mattered.
“Wonderful. Then it’s a date. We’ll visit the art museum in the morning, and the aquarium in the afternoon. You can give your driver the day off; I’ll take you wherever you need to go.” Elliott looked very pleased with himself.
“That’s very kind of you,” Jerry smiled and hoped the agents, two tables over, had recorded the conversation, so she would know exactly what she’d agreed to.
“What a fortuitous moment, running into you yesterday. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more delightful companion by merely asking directions.”
“Thank you.” Jerry smiled demurely. “The feeling is mutual.”
Elliott beamed.
~~~
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a killer bore me so completely.” Jerry told Ethan on their nightly phone call.
“I’m sure a different type of woman would find him fascinating.” Ethan laughed.
“Probably, one who decided he was the next meal ticket. The man does have a way of making you feel special, when he’s not droning on ab
out his fabulous life.” Jerry stretched out on the bed, glad to be home and spending time with Ethan.
“By the way, Dylan asked me to tell you that the court order for Jonathan’s psychiatric records came through. We should have copies tomorrow.”
“Those should shed some light. Delusional disorders range from thinking the mailman is out to get you, to full blown psychotic events. It would be helpful to know just how crazy he is.”
“You’re not very politically correct, are you Agent Forbes?” Ethan chuckled.
“I call ‘em like I see ‘em, Inspector Barnes.”
“That’s Chief Inspector Barnes to you.”
“Pardon me, Chief Inspector Barnes.” Jerry mocked. “Changing the subject, did you speak to your parents about bringing me over?”
“As a matter of fact, I did. Mum is likely still in shock and Pop is already planning your sightseeing tour of Western Australia.” Ethan grinned as he remembered how excited his parents had been to hear that he was bringing a woman home.
“Sounds great. I need to put in for my vacation time.” Jerry said absently, reaching for her cell phone to text Nate. “What are you thinking, a week or so after we wrap this case? Or longer?”
“I have to return to England, complete the paperwork, but you could come with me. We could take a few days, see the sights, then head off to Australia. I really don’t want to spend one more night away from you than is absolutely necessary, Agent Forbes.” Ethan lowered his voice to a seductive whisper.
Jerry felt the shiver that always accompanied thoughts of Ethan in her bed. “I’ll put in for a month off, beginning immediately upon the completion of this assignment.” She typed the same words into her phone, then hit send. “Done.”
“Gotta love technology.” Ethan stretched out across the double bed that could not contain his length. He looked forward to these nightly chats with Jerry; the intimacy of their conversations allowed them to get to know each other in ways reminiscent of letter writing in decades past.
They talked of everything and nothing at all, and found that they shared views on religion, or spirituality, but held vastly diverse opinions regarding politics. Ethan still hadn’t mentioned that he was technically a royal, nor had he mentioned that his inheritance made Jonathan/Elliott’s look like chicken feed. It wasn’t that he was intentionally keeping those facts from her, he honestly didn’t think they mattered.
“We’re not crazy, are we? Thinking we can have a life together, when we barely know each other.” It was a question Jerry asked every night, in one form or another. Ethan understood her need for reassurances, and gave them to her freely.
“No, we’re not crazy. We’re both old enough to know how we feel, and smart enough to take a chance on a lifetime of happiness when it’s staring us in the face. No matter how long since we’ve met, we know each other’s hearts, at least I feel like I know yours, and I’ve tried to show you mine.”
“You do and you have. I’m sorry I keep asking, but these feelings are just so new for me.”
“You can ask as often as you like, love, the answers will be the same.” Ethan said softly.
“I like it when you call me that.” Jerry sounded like a little girl, sweet and slightly awestruck.
“Then I’ll always call you love,” Ethan told her, amazed that such a simple word could mean so much to her.
“Even when I’m old, and look like a prune?” Jerry teased.
“Even then. Remember, I’ll be a prune, too.”
“Men always age better than women, when you’re eighty, you’ll still be devastatingly handsome.”
“And you’ll still be drop-dead gorgeous.”
“Flatterer.”
“Speak for yourself.”
“I think it’s time we stopped speaking, have you looked at the clock lately?” Jerry smiled, knowing that Ethan would talk to her all night, if she wanted.
“Time doesn’t matter.”
“Tell that to the bags underneath my eyes tomorrow. I have to be an adoring companion, hanging on his every word, in six hours.”
“Lucky bastard.” Ethan grumbled. “You know I’m not happy about you getting into the car alone with him.” He reminded her.
Jerry rolled her eyes. “You’ve made that quite clear. Do you need another demonstration of my martial arts abilities?”
“Once was enough, thanks. I know you can take care of yourself, under normal circumstances, but what if he drugs you, or manages to restrain your hands? There are a million ways this mission could go wrong.”
“Even if he does manage to get the upper hand, we have agents tracking, and following, our every move. It will be fine, Ethan. Stop worrying.”
“I know I sound like a broken record, but I can’t help it. Promise me you’ll be extra careful.”
“I promise.” It was another variation of a conversation they had every night.
“Okay, I suppose that will have to do. Get some rest, love, I’ll speak with you tomorrow.”
“You too, sweet dreams.”
~~~
“You have anything to do with Jerry asking for a month’s vacation?” Dylan greeted Ethan the next morning.
“Good morning to you, too, Dawes. What if I did?” Ethan continued to scroll through new text messages as he sipped coffee, effectively ignoring Dylan’s foul mood.
“Jerry never takes a vacation, and you’ve convinced her to go away with you for a whole month? Where are you taking her?” In spite of the fact that it was obvious how much Ethan cared for Jerry, Dylan still felt the need to protect her from him, or from herself, he wasn’t quite sure which.
Ethan met the other man’s scowl with a polite smile. “If you must know, I’m taking her to Australia to meet my parents. Before that, we’ll take a jaunt around Europe, hitting the high points.”
“And then what?”
“That’s up to us, is it not?” Ethan’s polite tone became more than a little chilled.
Still concerned with the vision of consoling Jerry, right here in San Francisco, Dylan began to think that maybe something did happen to Ethan, not that he was playing Jerry for a fool. He’d have to keep a close eye on Ethan’s activities when this whole thing came to a head. Great, he thought, like I need to babysit Barnes when Jerry is in the most danger.
“Yeah, that’s up to the two of you. But know this, no matter how far away you take her, I can still find you if you hurt her.”
“Got it. This is really getting old, Dawes. When are you going to get that I only want the best for Jerry? Is it so hard for you to believe that I might actually be in love with her?”
Dylan was silent for several moments, digesting Ethan’s question.
“No, that’s not so hard to believe.” He finally said, but his thoughts took a different track; then what would make you leave her?
“Then stop questioning my motives and accept what is.” Ethan glared at him a moment, then switched gears. “What’s the status of the psychiatric reports?”
“We should have them anytime now. One of the bureau’s psychiatrists will decipher them, then give us a report.”
“”How long will that take? Jerry will be alone with him in less than two hours.”
“It’s being fast-tracked, but I can’t change FBI protocol. We should have it later today, tomorrow at the latest.” Dylan didn’t like the delay any more than Ethan. “She won’t exactly be alone with him, just for the car ride to the museum, and then to the aquarium.”
“That’s enough.”
“Agreed.”
~~~
“Who knew that playing the role of a socialite could be so exhausting? My face is in permanent smile mode, which really hurts my cheeks.” Jerry complained to Dylan, when she made her afternoon report.
“Buck up princess, it could be worse. Be grateful that you’re not on this side of the fence, hearing Ethan swear every time Jonathan touches you.” Dylan chuckled and ducked Ethan’s attempt to punch him in the arm.
??
?Maybe they don’t need to follow us around with cameras.” Jerry offered, half-heartedly.
“You think he’d be any better if he couldn’t see what was happening?” Dylan laughed again. “Man’s got it bad, Jer.” This time Ethan’s punch landed on the mark.
Jerry smiled, glad that Dylan was finally coming around where Ethan was concerned. “He’s not the only one,” she admitted softly.
“You think that’s news to me? I saw the writing on the wall from day one. Anyway,” Dylan changed the subject, “you’re doing a great job with Jonathan. If I didn’t know better, I’d believe you were falling for the guy.”
“Thanks.” Jerry added wryly. “He’s certainly moving things along. We’re having dinner tonight in Sausalito, then he wants to take me to a Giant’s game tomorrow. Said he always wanted to experience American baseball.”
“Ethan and I may have to tail you on that one, it’s time for a change of agents anyway. Thanks to a scheduling snafu, we’ve had to use the same female agent two times in a row.”
“I noticed that, but they were discreet enough that I don’t think it was a problem. Jonathan’s attitude never changed, so I’m sure he didn’t notice.”
“Regardless, we’ll have a new pair on you tonight.”
“Good to know. If there’s nothing else, I have to get ready for dinner.” Jerry’s grimace read clearly through the phone.
“Nope, that’s it. I’ll call you if we get the psychiatric report before you leave.”
“Thanks.”
~~~
Jonathan/Elliott circled Jerry’s block to make certain that the car he thought was following him, actually was. Sure enough, the dark blue Ford kept a discreet distance, but it stayed with him, just the same.
He’d noticed the woman trailing behind them in the aquarium, thought she’d looked familiar. Thinking back, he remembered seeing the same woman in the art museum that morning, but with a different companion.
When had he picked up a tail? Who could be following him? He’d been so careful to change his appearance, change his vehicle, so that no one could connect him to any of his activities, since arriving in the states. He’d been careful not to leave evidence at the crime scenes, sure that the bodies’ exposure to the elements would remove any trace of him over time. Why were they following him? If they could connect him to his first four conquests, then why didn’t they just arrest him?