Janet Evanovich - Full Speed

"His ministry appears squeaky clean," Max said. "He presents himself to the world as a happily married man with a two-year-old son he dotes on. You have to know where to look to find the real story."

Jamie held up the papers. "Who would take the time to collect this much information on Rawlins, and why?" When Max didn't answer, she tried to guess. "The FBI, right? They've caught wind of his mob connections."

"Could be."

"You're not going to tell me?"

"You haven't agreed to work with me."

Jamie looked up. "I have a question, Max. Do you believe in miracles? Other than the fact it's a miracle we're still alive after what we've been through?"

"That's one heck of a way to change the subject, but to answer your question, I believe in living by my wits."

"In other words, you can't imagine a power greater than yourself. Why am I not surprised?"

"I didn't say that." He smiled. "I'm glad we're going to be spending a lot of time together here," he said, indicating the cabin. "It's a very intimate setting. We'll have time to work on us."

Jamie rolled her eyes. Talk about changing the subject, but then, Max might be one of those people who kept his beliefs private.

"There is no us, Max, except in your own mind."

He looked amused. "I hope you didn't make that date with Rawlins just to make me jealous."

He was back to his old antics. "Would you cut it out?" Finally, Jamie stood and moved to the chair. "By the way, he thinks my name is Jane."

Max chuckled. "Very original. Now you're going to need a last name. How do you like the name Matt Trotter?"

"Why do you ask?"

"It's the name I'm using." He pulled out several cards. "Driver's license, Social Security card, and my employee card from Bennett Electric. Like my picture? I wasn't crazy about my new look at first, but I think it works."

Of course it worked, Jamie thought. The truth was, the man would have been handsome with pork chops hanging from his ears. "I take it this new job of yours is just a front?"

"Yeah. I'm really working for an escort service."

"How do you plan to find time to investigate Rawlins and his mob friends?"

"I have a nice boss."

"Meaning money has exchanged hands."

"It happens. Now that you've decided to sign on with me, so to speak, you'll need identification. I'll snap a picture of the new you, scan it, and e-mail it to a friend of mine. Next time you walk out that door, you'll have a brand-new identity."

"Oh, yeah? Who am I supposed to be?"

"Jane Trotter. My wife."

"We're supposed to be married?" Jamie blurted in disbelief.

"Can you think of a better explanation as to why we're sharing a cabin in the woods?"

"Why can't we be brother and sister?"

Max shook his head. "Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. Someone would notice how you look at me, and our cover would be blown."

She did a massive eye roll. "Oh, puh-lease."

"Face it, Swifty: You have lust in your eyes, and it has my name written all over it."

"You know, I've discovered the best way to deal with you is to ignore most of what you say. Frankly, I don't see why we have to explain anything."

"We're going to try and infiltrate the good reverend's ministry, sweetheart. Hopefully, we'll meet some of the key players. Who knows? One of us might end up teaching Sunday school."

"Harlan might be discouraged if I tell him I'm married."

"Actually, it works to his benefit. The last thing he wants to deal with is a messy entanglement. You can pretend you're trying to curb your, uh, addiction in order to save your marriage. You're not really going to have sex with him …" Max paused.

"What?" Jamie said when he didn't finish. She frowned. "You're not afraid something is going to happen between Harlan and me. You're not thinking—"

"I don't know what to think," Max said. "What if you get cornered? What if he forces himself on you?" Max shook his head. "I'll have to level with you, Jamie. I've felt uneasy about the man from the beginning. We don't know what he's capable of."

It was as if a lightbulb suddenly went off in Jamie's head. "So that's why you changed your mind about bringing me along," she said, remembering Max's change of heart had come after Muffin had told them about Rawlins's history with women.

Max hesitated. "I knew you would try to think of a way to play him, that you would place yourself right in the line of fire, so to speak. And I was right. You showed up in an outfit that was designed to give a man a …" He paused. "You get my point."

"Uh, yeah."

"All I'm asking is that you practice a great deal of caution. It's OK to dangle a carrot in front of Rawlins, but it's not OK to take unnecessary chances. When you visit him, Dave and I need to be close by."

"How?"

"Let us worry about that."

"Just don't blow my cover, OK? I spent a lot of money on this wig."

"Wait a minute, Jamie. I don't care if we all blow our covers if Rawlins gets crazy with you. If he tries to use force, Dave and I are going to be on him. That's why you have to agree to work with us as a team. I'm not going to back off on this one, Swifty. You have to agree to that up front."

She sighed. "OK, Max."

"There are ways you might be able to get away without blowing our cover. You can try those first."

"What are they?"

"Having a husband in the wings is one of them. You can tell Harlan any number of things if it looks like the situation is getting out of hand. Tell him your husband is insanely jealous, that you suspect you're being followed. Tell him whatever the hell you have to in order to protect yourself. You could suddenly start feeling guilty. Whatever it takes to stay safe. But if it doesn't work, you scream, you run, you do what you have to do to protect yourself. Dave and I will be close by."

Jamie knew Max was right. "OK," she said. "Husband and wife. We'll need wedding rings."

"I'll take care of it." He. suddenly smiled. "So, what do you say? Think we can work together?"

"That depends. Would you promise not to try to disarm any more bombs in my presence?"

"If you'll promise not to be so disagreeable."

"I am not disagreeable."

"And we need to discuss the dog."

They both looked at Fleas, who was napping near Jamie's feet. "He stays," she said. "It's a package deal."

Max didn't look happy.

"I'll take care of him. I've already bought everything he needs."

Max studied the lanky bloodhound. "What happened to his hair?"

"Fleas was attacked by a raccoon."

"You're going to allow an animal named Fleas to sleep under the same roof with us?"

"He doesn't have fleas. It's his name. Obviously somebody thought it was funny. Besides, we need a good watchdog."

"And that would be him?"

"Of course. He's very alert when he isn't sleeping. I think he's already attached to me. I can't even take a shower without him following me into the bathroom."

"Oh, now you've done it," Max said. "You've gone and turned me on." He grinned.

"Trust me, you're perfectly capable of doing it to yourself." Jamie glanced around. "Is there anything to eat in this place? I'm starving."

"I can scramble some eggs. I'm great with scrambled eggs." Max got up.

"Sounds good to me," Jamie replied, jumping to her feet as well. "I need to grab Fleas's food from the truck."

"I'll go with you. We can grab the rest of your things while we're at it."

"I don't have much. I left my suitcase in your car."

"I've already brought it in."

"Where is your car, by the way?" Jamie asked, standing in the doorway, looking across the yard.

"In the garage. Remind me to give you the security code for the garage and the cabin before we go to bed."