Chapter 2
Archie pressed her face into the space provided in the bottom of the table, and moaned. Loudly. "Ahhhh. Mmmmmfffff. Don. That feels incredible. Don't stop."
He continued massaging the knot he had found in her shoulder. "You were right, baby. This week is just what we needed."
As he dribbled more oil on her back he tried to look around the room without being obvious. Damned if he could detect any surveillance equipment. Had to be there somewhere.
"Uuuhhhhhh. Lover. That's the spot."
He ducked his head, hoping wherever the equipment was it didn't detect his smirk.
When this was over, he was going to kill his sister-in-law.
Then again, maybe he should just sneak in his own tape recorder. Give the tape to Charlie on his next birthday.
Through the mail. If he did it in person, then Charlie would kill him.
"I'm in heaven. Your hands … Don, sweetie. Maybe we should go back to our cottage."
Don slapped her hard on the rear. The towel muffled the sound, so whoever was watching wouldn't know how hard. She started and rose halfway up, but he pushed her back down. Damn, Archie wasn't wearing anything, and this was starting to get too weird, even for Don.
"Let's take a walk, first. It's so beautiful here, and it will be dark soon."
She got his message. "Mmm. Good idea. Why don't you go back to the cottage and get my sweater? I'll just take a quick shower and meet you outside in 10."
He gave her shoulder one final pat and leaned down to kiss the back of her head. "Right, baby. See you in 10."
Ten minutes later, they strolled hand-in-hand around the grounds of the spa, Archie leaning into Don a little. They stopped at the fountain in the main courtyard and stood there for a while. Finally, almost thirty minutes into their walk, they could no longer see any of the buildings, although paved walkways and benches went on forever.
They paused at one bench and Don kneeled to tie his shoe. He drew a device from his pocket and waved it under the bench, used his eyes and his hands to double-check. "It's clean," he said at last, as he stood and sat on the bench. He looked at Archie, still standing in front of him. "You're enjoying this way too much."
She giggled. "This is the most fun I've had outside of Disney World when I was 11. I am so glad I drew the short straw. I just hope David and Megan don't solve the case on us. I have just begun to make you squirm." She plopped next to him on the bench.
"I'm still not happy about being the short straw," grumbled Don. "I'm the senior agent. I should not be the short straw."
"Poor baby," she soothed. "David's taller. It was simple … geography."
Don smiled. "Seriously. I hope they had a more productive couple of days than we did. I'm starting to wonder if we got a bad tip."
"Reliable informant," noted Archie. "But you're right. I'm just not seeing it, yet." She shivered and drew her sweater tighter around her shoulders. "I hope they get here soon." Her voice took on a wistfulness. "I wish I could call Charlie."
Don bumped her with his shoulder. "Come on, newlywed. You've only been away from him for three days."
She pouted. "I know. But I couldn't even say 'good-bye'. This case just came out of nowhere."
"Especially for you," Don acquiesced, "since you're on Reynolds' team now. But we needed two couples — it was Merrick's call."
"I know." She was still pouting.
"At least you left voice mail on his cell. He knows you're on a case. It's not like his wife of two months just took a hike."
Archie sat silently.
"Arch? You left him voice mail, right?"
She shivered again. Her voice was now subdued. "Yes, of course. But …"
He bumped her shoulder again. "But what, sis?"
She smiled at the word, then quickly frowned. "I don't know. For the last couple of days, I just keep feeling like something is wrong. I just want to talk to him, hear his voice. It's the only way I'll believe he's all right."
Don didn't tell her that a similar sense of dread had plagued him. Instead, he tried to lighten the mood. "It's because we're used to instant communication. Being cut off from our cells is having physical ramifications."
She shrugged. "I guess." She sighed a little, looking into the distance. "Is that David and Megan?"
Don followed her pointing finger. "I think so."
She pushed a little closer to him. He wasn't sure if it was for warmth, or comfort. "I am having a good time embarrassing you," she said, "but I've decided I'll be okay with it if they've solved the case. I really want to go home."
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"So that's it," Megan wound down. "The spa's former accountant said t his place was going under one second, continuously rolling in 'donations' from wealthy guests the next. She suspects some form of blackmail. Most of those former guests won't talk to us. Several aren't even couples, anymore, and one or both of them is out of the country. The few who even let us in the door were terrified. Holding back. So Merrick decided to send in a couple of teams undercover. The ex-accountant helped set up our profiles when we came in here. You two," she looked at Don and Archie, "are the Martins. New money. Archie won a lottery about six months ago, married Don about three months ago."
"I'm sure you have that backwards," interjected Don. "Marrying me was winning the lottery."
Megan rolled her eyes and continued. "David and I are old money. The Anderson-Sandovals." She grinned at David. "My Daddy invented something, David's grandfather came over from Cuba with half the country in this back pocket. We got it going on from both sides."
"We knew all that coming in," pointed out Don. "You guys got here the day before we did. Anybody try anything, yet?"
Megan shook her head. "It all seems very professional and upscale, to me. We're only booked for a week. If it's going to happen, it needs to happen soon."
"Megan. Have you and David taken the class in giving a massage to your partner? Don seems especially talented."
Archie gasped when Don slugged her, and Megan and David laughed.
"I'm sure that's some sort of violation," Archie pouted.
"Can't be," answered Don. "You're not on my team anymore. Besides, my hand slipped."
Archie grinned. "Seriously. This has brought up a question. Do you think I could transfer back?"
Don exchanged glances with Megan and David, then looked back at Archie. "Arch, you know we all work great together, you really clicked with this team. We miss you."
"But?"
"But Charlie. We're related now. I'm not sure I could be effective as a team leader if you were part of the team."
"But we're in the same office anyway. We still work together, some. And Charlie consults with Reynolds, sometimes." She saw the look on Don's face. "All right. Reynolds won't let him help unless Merrick orders him to; he's an ass. That's my point. I don't feel as safe on his team. He knows I'm married to Charlie, and I think he's extended his dislike of my husband to me."
Megan frowned. "That's a problem. An Agent has to feel like her team has her back. I'm with Don, though, I don't think it would be wise for you two to work together. Or fair, to Charlie and Alan — to have you both at risk on the same cases?"
David suddenly spoke up. "Didn't you tell me at lunch last week that there is an alternative? Have you thought more about that?"
Archie explained to Don and Megan. "The Secret Service has made an offer. I would be part of the Governor's protection detail."
"But he's based in Sacramento."
Archie smiled. "Don't worry Don, I wouldn't ask Charlie to move. I would become part of a 4-3 rotation, and commute. Four days down there, or traveling with the Governor — three here … it's part of what makes the offer attractive. That, and the idea of not working with Reynolds."
"That would be hard. Not going to bed with Charlie every night — wouldn't it?"
Don suddenly stood. "Don't answer her, Archie. You and Megan discuss that amongst yourselves. Later. We need to head back, before we arouse suspicions."
David nodded. "You and Archie first, you've been gone longer. Megan and I will wait a few minutes."
Don reached out a hand to Archie, who grabbed it and stood with with a wicked smile. "Baby. Sweet cakes, I'm feeling tense. I need another massage. This time, let's have the therapists give us the couples' special."
Don started to shake his head, and Archie poked out her bottom lip.
"We can lie there and talk about my money. You can ask for an allowance."
Don felt himself blushing uncomfortably as he heard Megan and David chuckling behind them.
"Come on, then," he growled, jerking Archie a little closer on the path. "Kumquat."