Chapter 34

I was surprised that the road we were travelling on was a main road. It seemed narrow and once again was edged with sand. Seeing as the road was very straight and there were very few other cars to be seen Ranger could drive at a reasonable speed. We passed areas where there were the same small low buildings along the side of the road that boasted drink and food, but all seemed quite small.

I was surprised when Ranger slowed down and pulled over to the right that he was wanting to fill up with gas. I would have missed the place completely other than the green and yellow frontage as there only seemed to be one pump. There were motorcycles parked and men sat around, I think interested in us as we passed through. To be honest I didn't want to get out of the truck so stayed where I was as Ranger coordinated with the man who served us.

As we continued our journey there were more signs of people around and certainly as we started to travel again more small shops and buildings. Resting my head against Ranger's shoulder was probably a bad idea for me because it wasn't long before my eyes grew heavy and I fell asleep.

I came awake at the change in how we were travelling, maybe the slower speed or even the sound of the tires on the road. Looking forward I was surprised to see that there was obviously work happening to widen the road and felt the areas where the surface was broken up or covered in small stones. It was certainly dustier with the traffic now on the road.

"We're nearing the capital now"

Ranger told me as he concentrated on the road ahead.

I figured that out as the road seemed to be an endless series of buildings and there was far more traffic about. As we started to drive over a long bridge, I could see the modern buildings ahead of me, a scene that any large city would have. Of course, the number of motorcycles and tuk-tuks increased making the speed we were travelling at slow down.

Roads were wider and the buildings modern with lots of people walking around.

"It's not what I expected"

"This is the better area that we're travelling through. Bobby has found us a house where we'll be staying so we'll go there first"

"I hate to say this but I'm really hungry"

I watched as the expression on Ranger's face changed, as though he was going to smile.

"All sorted Babe. After our meal Santos and I will go with Troy and start surveillance on where Maia lives"

I didn't reply because I knew that had to be done and was comfortable at not being included. That also meant that Ram and Bobby would be with me at the house, though I saw no reason for anyone to know where we were. It seemed an age before we were turning from the road onto a narrow street with the sight of water beside us.

After several minutes Ranger pulled the car into a parking area and turned off the engine. In front of me was a stone wall so eager to explore where we would be staying, I was soon out of the car, stretching my arms up in the air to ease the muscles that had seemed dormant for so long.

Turning I was surprised to see Ranger walking away from me with his bag in his hand and watched as he approached a gate and then disappeared through it. I followed, fascinated as I walked over a small bridge and into what looked like a large house. I followed through an entrance way into a lobby that had polished wooden floors and cream painted walls.

I toed off my boots and placed them in a rack at the side and continued into the house totally amazed at what I was seeing. As I wandered around through the kitchen and into a lounge there was polished wooden furniture everywhere with tall windows opening onto an area that looked out onto water.

Up the stairs, wooden of course, were four bedrooms each with their own bathroom, and double doors that opened to allow the breeze to circulate around the room. I was so intrigued with the view across the water to the trees in the distance that I jumped as arms came around my waist.

"Do like it here?"

"It's beautiful. Is this what Pnohm Penh is like?"

"No, there are poor and rough areas like any other city"

I leant back into his body relishing the calm and peace around us until of course my stomach decided to make its presence known.

"Freshen up, then we can go and get something to eat"

"When will the others be here?"

"They're already here"

As Ranger left me, I sorted through the bag for something clean to wear, sighing as I realized there was a very limited choice. I quickly showered and changed into a clean pair of combat trousers and T-shirt and was soon heading down the stairs to see Lester bringing a box inside and walking through to the lounge with it. I felt bit sorry that he'd have to set everything up once more.

"Are you coming to eat Les?"

"Yeah, give me a minute Beautiful"

I watched as he lowered the box onto the table and turned me to go out through the door. Ranger had already reversed the truck ready to go and I could see Bobby sat in the front so with Les behind me we climbed into the back. I was surprised that the roads were more like sand tracks until we reached what must have been the main road. We had hardly started along the road before Ranger was turning to park in front of what looked like a restaurant.

It seemed a waste to have driven such a short distance when it was so close by. That was until I stepped outside, and the full effect of the heat hit me. Yeah, I'd need to get used to walking around in the heat again. As we walked through an opening I was surprised when it opened out into a courtyard with lots of tables on either side and there were in fact several choices of restaurants where we could eat. Bobby was the one to decide where we would sit, and we were soon being handed menus. Having already eaten in Siem Reap I found I was familiar with some of the choices.

As I looked at the guys sat around me, I felt that they were relaxed as they sat back and drank the water in front of them. Yeah, the water did spoil the atmosphere a bit, but the meal had been good and the talk between us had been low key. Les was interested in how I'd managed to avoid everyone when I was in New York though I was too embarrassed to admit that Juan had managed to find me. Bobby was more interested in my touristy jaunt at Siem Reap.

Once the bill was paid, I was interested in looking at some of the clothes that were on display in the shops in between the restaurants and came away a few items that I thought might be suitable to wear.

Once back at the house Les and Ranger went upstairs, I presume to change, while Bobby led me through a set of doors at the far end of the lounge. How I hadn't seen what was just outside, I had no idea, because a few feet away was a pool that had lights coming from under the water.

"I don't have a costume Bobby"

Why the hell hadn't someone told me, I could have bought one back at the courtyard. I turned to look at Bobby expecting him to say something but only saw the look on his face.

"Oh, no. No way am I going skinny dipping"

"I wouldn't look"

I know my shoulders slumped as I turned and looked at the pool again wondering if I could get Bobby or Ram to drive me back to the shop. I turned again as I heard voices to see Ranger walking through the door. He had changed into black cargo pants with a black T-shirt and what looked like a sleeveless jacket. In his hands he was carrying a towel and a bag.

As he walked toward me, I could tell that he was stronger, both physically and mentally. He looked so sexy as he walked toward me, the growth on his face making him look totally badass. It was his eyes though that gave away some of the amusement that he was feeling.

As he handed me the bag I looked inside, seeing what seemed to be a blue costume and then threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Thank you"

"There was no way I was going to let you swim without one, not with these guys around"

I kissed him, biting softly at his lips until he allowed me entry and then the heat take over. I felt myself being lifted from the floor and as our lips parted, my face went to the side of his neck allowing me to whisper into his ear.

"Be careful tonight"

"I will. I have something to come back to"

My smile was short lived as I felt myself flying through the air only to scream as I hit the water. I sank to the bottom and slowly pushed off bringing my face up first so that my hair wouldn't cover my face. I couldn't be mad, in fact I was laughing because I think for a moment Ranger was worried at what my reaction would be.

"Don't get shot"

Was my message and heard his response as he turned and walked from sight.

"Don't go crazy"

Seeing as I was already wet, I stayed in the pool enjoying swimming back and forth. It was peaceful and relaxing and allowed me to forget where we were and why we were here. It was Bobby who insisted that I got out and I suppose the skin on my fingers was looking a bit wrinkled.

"You swam well, Steph"

"I enjoy swimming, though I prefer the sea"

"Do you want a drink?"

"No thanks, I'm going to head up to bed"

"Okay. Err Steph"

I turned as Bobby said my name not knowing why he'd said it.

"You did real good with what you've done"

I smiled back him as I wrapped the towel around me, undoing the trousers that I had on so as not to drip water throughout the house. Once in the bedroom I showered and washed my hair to get rid of the chemicals from the pool and dressed in a strappy top and shorts then sat on the chair in front of the open window.

It was a comfy chair with cushions on and enough room for me to pull my knees up to my side. I wanted to wait until Ranger came back, to make sure that he was safe. Having him away from me made me nervous, scared really in case he never came back.

The sound of the shower woke me, or at least of the water turning off but I wasn't where I expected to be. Somehow, I was laid on the bed with my arm wrapped around a pillow. It seemed light in the room and I suddenly remembered that I had been waiting up for Ranger to come back after watching the house where Maia lived.

Turning I saw Ranger stood at the bathroom door, noting that he was already fully dressed. Maybe I pouted, I definitely felt disappointed.

"Babe, we don't have time this morning"

He actually laughed at me as he said that, so I was quick to throw the pillow toward him.

"Do you want to know what we found out?"

"Of course I do. I was waiting up for you"

Maybe it was the expression on my face or the way I said it but it had Ranger coming over to the bed and just pulling me into his arms.

"I know. Babe, it's okay to get worried but I won't let myself get caught again, I promise"

"I just found you, I worry that's all"

I felt him kiss the top of my head and then move away so that he could look at my face.

"I'll always have backup Babe and I'm extra careful"

Then it hit me, I was behaving like Morelli had when he'd told me to stop my job. I had no right to do that to Ranger, this was who he was, and I loved him for that. I didn't want him to change or to expect him to change just for me.

"I know. I love you for who you are and never want you to change. I do trust you and how you work"

"Thank you for understanding Babe"

A quick kiss and I knew I needed to break the tension that I'd created so I wrapped my arms around him one more time.

"So, what are we doing today?"

He actually smiled at me and I knew that we were okay.

"Maia was at the house last night but there's no sign of Juan. I don't think that he's here"

"So we need to talk to Maia"

Maybe it was better that Juan wasn't around. Maia might feel more threatened if she

knew she was on her own.

"I don't think she should know that you're still alive"

"Why's that Babe?"

"Because I want to talk to her, vent my feelings and maybe impress on her that whatever's going on then it's in her best interest to tell me. Maybe I can suggest how to help her with the dilemma she's got herself into"

"It could work"

"Do you trust Troy any better?"

"Reserving judgement on that one Babe"

"Let me get dressed and then we can plan out how to do this"

Maybe Ranger trusted me more than I thought or maybe he just wanted to keep me involved because as we finished breakfast it seemed that we were going to be following the plan of attack that I'd proposed. I'd dressed in some of the clothes that I'd bought the night before and was going for the bereaved naïve woman. I had on a skirt that fell to midcalf that had lots of material from the gathered waistband, with a sleeveless bouse that tied at the waist and a strappy top underneath.

I went with plaiting my hair down the side of my neck and flat sandals to complete the look. I had to admit that my skin had caught the sun while being here in Cambodia so wasn't displeased with the natural look that I had. As I walked back down the stairs Ranger was stood waiting for me with something in his hand.

As I saw the wolf grin on his face, I suddenly knew what that was about. He always looked at me like that before we did a distraction, before he himself attached a mic inside my bra. I stood in front of him and raised my eyebrows and then had to close my eyes as his hand slipped inside my blouse and gently swept across my nipple.

Damn him, he just knew how to have me almost purring for him as his fingers tweaked at my hardened nipple on its way out. Once done he handed me an ear bud before his instant metamorphosis into being serious.

"Bobby is keeping an eye on her this morning. He said that she went to the local market for some food"

"What type of place does she live in?"
I was curious seeing as Juan had money if he actually provided her with somewhere to live.

"It's a small one story place with a small yard at the back. You have to walk down a track to get to it"

Okay that might make it difficult to approach without her seeing me. Unless I arrived there and waited for her to return, yeah that would be better.

"Let's see if I can be inside her place before she comes back"

"Makes sense Babe, and maybe it'll give us a chance to have someone else close by"

I heard a noise behind me as Ranger stepped away from me and started to head out of the door.

"Let's roll out. Everyone knows where they need to be. Use the comms units and stay in touch"

So here I was, sat in a small room at the back of the house where Maia lived. I'd searched the place carefully, not finding anything out of place, which again surprised me knowing her association with Juan. It made me think that he just used her, which was sad really unless that was how she wanted it as well, though I didn't think so. I didn't think that women generally worked that way, they got emotionally involved which I knew all too well.

I suppose in a way her and Juan could look similar to Ranger and me, though I knew there were things of his in my apartment. Okay, shower gel and T-shirts that I'd sneaked out of his apartment. But there were definitely things that belonged to me in his apartment. That had me wondering if Maia stayed at a place that Juan had.

The house had a strange layout to me. The door opened onto a long hallway that had a door leading off into a bedroom and another door that led to a bathroom. At the end of the hall a door opened into a large room that was at the back of the house and provided a living area comprising of a kitchen and lounge area.

Knowing the layout of the place I'd let Ranger know and he'd decided that as soon as I let them know that Maia was with me in the back room, then Ranger would sneak into the house and hide in her bedroom. I knew that Les was somewhere out the back watching and that Bobby was still following Maia. He would be able to confirm if she was still on her own.

Ram and Troy you might ask, well they were catching up on some sleep seeing as they'd' spent the night watching the place.

I'd heard from Bobby that Maia was on her way home, alone, so was nervously waiting. Yeah, I knew this was my plan, but I was just hoping that I could get through to her and she might trust me to tell me what she knew.