Chapter 28

"Monsieur and Madame Hart, I appreciate your help up to this point. However, I must insist on the two of you staying at the hotel. Officially we are in hopes of being able to capture Hazel and rescue Nico. Or capture Nico and rescue Hazel." Inspector Severac tried to drive home the point the Harts already understood, "Unofficially, no one really seems to know what to expect. My men will pick whoever is at the airport up, and we will sort this mess out."

"Would you at least let us know what you find out?" Jennifer asked him.

"Of course, Madame Hart." With that, the inspector turned and made his way to the car, leaving Jonathan and Jennifer standing outside the King's bungalow.

"Shall we?" Jonathan gestured down the walkway.

"We shall," she agreed, and as she started down the walk, she felt Jonathan's hand in the small of her back. A little gasp escaped her lips.

"What was that?" he asked her.

"Just enjoying your touch, my Darling," she answered. "You take my breath away every time you touch me," Jennifer added, placing her arm around to her back and touching his hand there. He laced his fingers inside hers, wondering how he got so lucky as to have such a beauty as this one fall for him. As they walked, Jonathan realized he was beginning to think getting home was going to be the only way he was going to be able to spend time alone with his wife. Jennifer, however, was wondering if that sweet lady who made sure she was doing well could be the vicious person who laced her drink.

Leaning close her ear, Jonathan whispered, "Penny for your thoughts, Darling?" Then he stood back and smiled that impish grin at her while he waited for an answer.

She returned the smile, though not nearly as strongly. "I was just wondering how Hazel could possibly be involved in all of this mess. How did I manage to miss read her so badly? I'm usually a much better judge of character." She sighed and locked onto his blue eyes, wishing they could have avoided this adventure. It was wearing her out. "I am so ready for some quiet time with my husband, and not all of this murder craziness."

A laugh escaped his lips, "That's almost exactly what I was thinking."

"How do we fix that, Jonathan? I mean… trouble in London. I understand that. Trouble in California, I get that, too. But trouble in Bora Bora? That's gotta take some special talent."

He leaned in and lightly kissed his wife before again whispering in her ear, "I'll take whatever talent you have to offer."

That comment granted him a much more substantial smile this time. "I will give you everything I have." Jennifer reached up and kissed him harder, deeper.

"You amaze me, Mrs. Hart," he breathed as their lips parted. "Thank you." He began kissing her cheek, jaw, and down to her neck.

She giggled, "For what?"

"For being amazing. For being more than I could have ever dreamed you would be. For ordering that double vodka martini in London and making me fall in love with you." He continued to kiss her neck.

"Straight up."

He pulled back and looked into her eyes. "What?"

"It was a double vodka martini, straight up."

"Of course. Nothing dirty or dry about my girl." He grinned. "Let's get off the street, shall we?"

"Let's." She took his hand and led him down the rest of the walkway to their bungalow door.

As soon as the door shut, Jonathan grabbed her waist and spun her to face him. Caught off guard by his action, Jennifer flung her arms out wide, knocking over a vase on the table just inside the door.

"Oh, darn. Let me get a towel, darling," Jonathan said as he hurried off to the small bathroom just off the living room.

Jennifer picked up the vase and tucked the flowers back into it. "At least this shoebox kept it from falling to the floor. It might have broken if that had happened." She smiled at him as he came back with the towel. "When did you get new shoes?"

''Shoes? Box? I didn't get new shoes, and that's not my box."

"Well, it's not my box," Jennifer said, looking a bit confused.

Jonathan picked up the box and noticed the lid was loose. He looked at Jennifer and then lifted the lid. He groaned.

"I think we had better call Inspector Severac."

"I think that would be wise."