Chapter 2

As she raced up the front steps of the rather imposing building, she was still hurriedly tucking some uncooperative strands of hair into her rather makeshift bun. Fortunately her uniform had been cleaned and ironed and ready to go.

She had no idea why she had been called in and wondered if leave had been cancelled or if the crew had been crash sailed. Kate could imagine some very upset people if this turned out to be the case.

After almost six months of being continuously at sea, the crew had been told that they had two months leave guaranteed. If Kate was honest with herself though she would have to admit that two months on land would be a very long time. She had no husband or children waiting for her in port. She hardly kept in contact with any of her family and her friends had to be pretty understanding about her almost permanent absence. She was happiest when she was at sea with her crew, with her days and nights filled with a purpose.

Commander Marshall's office door was ominously closed and she could hear murmured voices. Taking a deep breath she knocked on the door and waited.

The door swung open and Kate found herself staring at the man who had filled her dreams only hours earlier.

"Sir" she saluted him, her face unable to conceal her curiosity.

"X" he replied.

She saluted the Commander but stared puzzled at two strangers sitting in chairs by his desk

"Thanks for coming in on such short notice Kate. These are agents Doyle and Croyden and they are part of a special task force from the Federal police."

Kate shook hands with the officers who were both studying her intently.

She walked back across the room to stand next to Mike at which point the agents openly looked them up and down and seemed to like what they saw.

"Well I think they could look the part but are they up for what we need?" Agent Doyle addressed the admiral.

""My people are the best in the business and from what you've told me, Mike and Kate would be just about perfect."

Mike was clearly as much in the dark as Kate was. "Look sorry sir, but exactly what is it that Kate and I would be perfect for."

"Mike, I had the Federal Police contact me last night. They need two people to pose as a married couple to investigate the disappearance of babies from two Island communities off Cape York."

Kate's hand flew to her throat. "Someone is stealing babies?"

"Isn't that a matter for local authorities Sir" Mike could see the distress on Kate's face and wanted to reassure her.

Agent Croyden spoke for the first time "Normally the local police would handle this but there are some problems. Firstly until last night we thought that only one baby was missing. Now it turns out that another baby went missing on an island three months ago but the local police did nothing. Apparently the mother was in the habit of sending her kids to her relatives and police thought that she had merely forgotten."

"Do you have any leads?"

"These island communities are small and pretty relaxed. Kids play outside all days, babies sleep in prams outside houses and shops. You have a fair bit of traffic going through the places. We have a couple of charter groups that were at both islands around the time of the disappearances but we are not sure of anything at this stage."

Kate could hardly get the words out. "And what are they?.....I mean what do you think they want the babies for."

Mike squeezed her hand, a gesture that was not lost on the Commander.

"As far as we can tell the babies are targeted for couples who want their own child. We don't believe the safety of these children to be an issue but our top priority will be to return those children to their rightful families."

"Why hasn't this been on the news?"

"We are trying to keep it under wraps so that we can send in some agents to infiltrate the various groups that go to the island."

"But why do want us to do this? Surely you have agents who are trained in undercover who would be more suited for this."

The agents glanced at each other and finally Doyle replied "The particular charter we are sending you on is a pleasure cruiser for couples, rich couples. When you sign up for this particular cruise, you have to have a certain level of sailing ability as part of the activities include sailing around the islands and then back to the main boat. We needed people who knew their way around a boat."

Agent Croyden continued "To be honest we think the group we are sending you to are the least likely target. Their boats were searched when they came back to the port in Cairns and there was no sign of a baby anywhere. They thought we were looking for weapons and drugs. But we have to consider every possibility"

"But why this vessel at all?"

"Their clientele tend to be young rich couples without children. Also the name of the cruiser is Le'enfant."

"Which means baby in French" Kate nodded in understanding.

"We have the files here for you to study. It's pretty short notice but you only have two days to get into your characters. Tomorrow night you stay at the Hilton resort in Cairns and then you meet up with the next charter group the following day."

"Mike and Kate, you don't have to do this. Strictly speaking you are on leave and I would not order you to take this on. But you are the right age and you don't have commitments here on shore that would make this assignment difficult. The Federal Police need our help but if either of you are not comfortable to feel unable to do this we can find others." The Commander waited for their response.

"Sir I think I can speak on both our behalves and say that we are most eager to do anything to help." Kate nodded in agreement.

"Thank you. We will hand over your info and you will be meeting with one of our agents this afternoon to go over your cover."

They all rose to leave.

"Ah, Mike. Can I just have a quick word with you before you go?"

It didn't particularly sound like a request so Mike wisely watched the other three exit the office and turned around to the Commander.

"Is there a problem Sir?"

"I don't know Mike, you tell me."

Mike's face remained blank. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Look Mike one of the reason I chose you and Kate is that I can always rely on the two of you to be 100% professional. I know how well you work as a team and if you think that a little play acting might change that then I need to know now."

"Sir, are you implying that our feelings for one another are anything but……"

"All I am saying is that undercover is a tricky business. You take on someone else's life and loves. Sometimes it can be hard to sort the reality from the fantasy. So can you look me in the eye and assure me that this is not going to be an issue for you."

Mike took a deep breath in "No Sir. In that case I cannot give you the assurance you are looking for but I will tell you this. I have never let my feelings affect the way that I have served the navy and our country and I am not about to start now. Will that do for you?"

"I guess it will have to."

Mike hurriedly saluted and left slamming the door none too gently on the way out, leaving the Commander sitting at his desk with a very unhappy expression.