Page 16 of Fearless
Harper sets her drink on the table and smooths out the napkin on her lap. “They did. Delta flight 2168 out of Baltimore to Key West.”
“Great!” I nearly shout. “Carter, instead of having Patrick search for people checking into hotels with IDs from the states I previously mentioned, have him compile a list of anyone who checked into hotels within the defined search area on the same day Robert and Eloise checked into the Keys of Romance. Then have him cross-reference those names with anyone on flight 2168.”
“Got it, Boss,” Carter replies.
“Do you think my father would have had agents on the plane with him? Wouldn’t he have staggered his approach the same as you all did?” Harper asks.
“Yes and no. Your father would have had them all book their own itinerary, rental cars, and hotels. They would have been close since Key West proper is less than two miles away. There’s only one road leading in or out of Flemming Key, which would allow them to block off any vehicular means of escape,” I say.
“Vehicular. What about by boat? There’s a dock no more than fifteen feet from your back door,” Leanna asks. She may not be an agent, but she’s sharp as a tack.
“It’s very possible that Robert and Eloise were kidnapped and transported by boat. That’s most likely the case. Without any camera footage, though, we have no way of knowing for sure. If Robert had a team of agents nearby, he and Eloise would have ensured there was some way that they all could be tracked. If we can find out who that team consisted of, maybe we can find out what happened to them.”
Leanna nods and looks pleased that she’s able to contribute in some way. There are no bad ideas when it comes to brainstorming possibilities, and I dip my chin in gratitude for her input.
Harper frowns. “Why wouldn’t those agents have come forward and said something? None of this is making sense to me.”
“It usually won’t until all the pieces come together,” I tell her. “Maybe whatever your father stumbled on runs a lot deeper than we originally suspected.”
Chapter nine
Harper
After dinner, the six of us split up and return to our rooms. Carter’s assignment is to contact Patrick and Jerry back at headquarters to have them begin a search for the agents who may or may not have accompanied my parents on their retreat. Elijah and Jessie opt to explore the property and look for anyone who seems out of place.
Roger and I decide to take a walk on the beach, which is surprisingly empty of beachgoers now that the sun has set. I wish he would take my hand and turn this stroll into something more romantic, but he doesn’t. Instead, he keeps one hand tucked in a pocket while the other carries his socks and shoes.
Since we’re supposed to be acting like newlyweds, I let my sandals dangle from my fingertips and loop my free arm through his. The act startles Roger, but he doesn’t pull away despite his apparent discomfort from my touch.
“Roger, why are you so uncomfortable around me? Are you seeing someone and feel like you’re cheating on them or something?” I ask.
“I’m not dating anyone, Harper. I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you if I were.” His clipped tone is a blaring warning that this isn’t a conversation he wants to have at the moment, but that doesn’t stop me from asking more questions.
“Then why? Are you still hung up on Bethany? The two of you were together for a long time—what, five or six years?”
Roger stops walking and turns to face me, the moonlight casting his face in shadows and making it difficult for me to read his expression. “Bethany and I are just friends, Harper. That’s all we’ve ever been,” he chokes out.
He waits for his words to sink in, but they aren’t computing in my brain. “But the two of you looked so happy together. Until my father had mentioned your breakup with Bethany and subsequent departure from the FBI, I had thought you were going to put a ring onherfinger.”
Roger turns so that he’s facing the water and lets the breeze tousle his hair. He’s quiet for nearly two minutes, and I start second-guessing whether or not I’ve overstepped. He finally breaks the silence. “Bethany wanted more than what I was willing to give, and it was clear early on in our relationship that friendship was what was best for both of us. We had an agreement. If she wasn’t dating someone any time I needed a plus one for an event, she would join me and vice versa. Eventually, she met someone else and is now blissfully married. I’m happy for her.”
Roger is still holding something back, but I’ve pushed hard enough for now. He’ll tell me when he’s ready. Not sure how to continue the conversation, I walk to the edge of the water and let the warm waves crash over my feet and ankles as I slowly headin the direction of our cabana. Roger catches up and puts his hand on my arm, turning me so that I face him.
“Harper, It’s not that I’m uncomfortable around you. It’s quite the opposite. I’m nearly old enough to be your father, and yet there are times that I forget that. Those are the times when I see a fiercely independent, strong woman with a winning smile and a zest for life. Those are the times when I want to forget my responsibilities, let go, and have some fun. Then your father’s face flashes in my mind, and I’m reminded that you are his daughter and that I have no business being attracted to you.”
I school my features, but what I really want to do is a happy dance. His admission warms my body from head to toe, and I want to shout from the mountaintops that I think he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever met. I’m grateful I keep my mouth shut because Roger isn’t finished.
“This relationship has an expiration date, and it’s important for both of us to remember that. It’s important formeto remember that. We didn’t set any ground rules for how we are going to make this believable for everyone else without crossing any lines ourselves. Neither one of us can afford to forget that.Ican’t afford to forget that.”
Trying to keep the hurt from my face, I fold my arms across my body in a protective gesture and bob my head. I would prefer to keep getting kisses like the one he gave me at our wedding and close the distance Roger is putting between us, but that’s not what he’s asking for.
“I understand and agree that we need to keep it professional. But you’ve known me for more than twenty years, so holding my hand or kissing my cheek should be an acceptable way toshow affection, right? Maybe even a peck or two on the lips if the situation warrants it? Does that sound like something you can do? You don’t have to enjoy it. I promise.” I tack on a wink so that he knows I’m joking, even though I secretly hope that he relishes those small moments as much as I will.
He chuckles and takes my hand as we continue our trek toward the cabana. “I can do that,” he says.
“There may be times that I will have to nibble on your neck or put suntan lotion on your back all sexy-like. I may have to…” I say when Roger suddenly stops. “I’m sorry, I was just teasing.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not that, Harper.” He points out over the dark horizon. “Look carefully,” he says in a low tone.
