Terri Reed - Undercover Marriage

“Serena, think of all the innocent families who have been affected by this case.” Josh held her gaze. He needed to take this assignment. They needed to take this assignment. They’d worked too hard over the past six months to back down now.

The fact that going undercover with Serena would mean they’d be in constant contact with few breaks strung his nerves tight, but he couldn’t let that deter him. “We need to do this. We need to bring the ringleaders to justice before more hearts are broken—or anyone else is killed.”

A ripple of pain crossed Serena’s face before she narrowed her gaze on him. “You’re okay with this? You and me posing as husband and wife?”

“If that is what is required of us, then yes. I would think you’d want to do whatever it took to bring down Munders and the adoption agency. Even posing as my wife.”

The thought of pretending to be married to Serena—aka Susan Andrews—would present all sorts of difficulties. Not the least of which was the attraction he fought on a daily basis, and despite the fact that they had reached an uneasy truce these past few months, he could never forget that she blamed him for Daniel’s death. Nor could he ignore his own guilt, which made working with Serena so painful.

Playing the part of Jack Andrews would necessitate Josh’s tapping into his latent acting skills. In high school he’d had the lead role of Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest, to much acclaim.

Though a part of him doubted he’d have much trouble giving a convincing act as “Susan’s” husband. Not with Serena playing Susan to his Jack.

But the question that knocked at his mind was: once this charade was finished, would they be able to go back to being partners?

* * *

Serena barely held on to her composure as three sets of eyes watched her. She forced her expression to remain neutral. She hated that she’d had a momentary lapse in poise when she initially realized what they were being asked to do.

Pose as husband and wife?

Her and Josh.

A loving couple wanting to adopt a child.

The thought of pretending to be Josh’s adoring wife sent her heart rate spiking and stirred up old feelings she’d long ago squashed. When she’d first met her brother’s friend, she thought Josh handsome and charming. It didn’t hurt that Daniel had loved Josh like a brother. But Josh had been taken. And Serena had a strict policy to never poach another woman’s man. Not that she had wanted to date Josh. Well, okay, maybe a little, even though he’d treated her like a sister and kept a proper distance between them. She’d admired his faithfulness to his girlfriend. There had been a lot about Josh Serena had admired and respected.

But that was before Daniel’s murder.

Now she tolerated Josh’s presence because she had to, not because she held on to some silly crush.

She dropped her gaze to the file in her hand. The dossier held a minimal biography of the fictional Susan Andrews as well as a birth certificate and a social security number. Both documents looked completely legit. Everything she’d need for a Missouri ID.

Even though this identity was temporary and would be used only for the purpose of bringing down criminals, a surreal feeling of loss of self invaded her.

This must be what witnesses felt when they were given their new identities.

The silence stretched as the men waited for her to say something. She thought about the children who’d been torn away from their mothers and sold off to couples desperate enough to purchase a baby through questionable sources.

Those little lives demanded she put aside her personal issues and do what was necessary to make sure no more families were torn apart.

“I’m in.” She slanted a glance to her “husband,” then quickly jerked her gaze away when her heart jumped.

She’d better learn to compartmentalize ASAP or their cover would be blown before it ever got off the ground.

THREE

“Excellent.” Agent Bishop glanced at Chief Harrison and exchanged a nod. Josh tugged at the collar of his shirt. “Welcome to Operation: Marriage.”

“Uh, don’t you mean Operation: Undercover Marriage?” Josh asked, earning himself one of Serena’s annoyed, you-think-you’re-so-funny looks.

Bishop chuckled. “Right you are, Marshal McCall.” He clasped Josh’s hand in a firm grip. “Glad to have you on board.” He released Josh to take Serena’s hand. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”

Bishop held on a little too long to Serena’s hand. Josh’s gaze narrowed. The soft smile she gave the agent pierced Josh with a spear of jealousy that both shocked and scared him. Daniel had made Josh promise that if anything ever happened to him, Josh would watch out for Serena. No way should he be feeling anything like jealousy—or anything else, for that matter—toward his partner.

Wife.

Pretend wife.

Daniel’s sister!

Get a grip, McCall. This was just his job. A part to be played for the sake of a lot of kids’ safety, on behalf of justice. Nothing more.

Giving himself a mental shake, he turned to the chief. “When do we start this charade?”

“Immediately,” the chief answered.

“I’ll have a house set up for you within the hour,” Bishop said.

“Where will the house be located?” Serena asked. “If we’re posing as a wealthy couple looking to adopt a child at any price, we’re going to need to be set up in one of the more affluent neighborhoods.”

“On it,” Bishop said. “I have an agent securing a home in the Compton Heights neighborhood. You will also need a high-end vehicle appropriate for your cover as a bank executive. Stop by the BMW dealership on South Hanley Road. Ask for Dirk. He’s expecting you.”

Josh whistled between his teeth. “Wow, we’ll get to see how the other half lives.”

A car and a home in Compton Heights. The posh neighborhood was located on the near south side of the city in the shadow of the great water tower of Reservoir Park. The nationally historic neighborhood sported gated and tree-lined streets and houses that were mostly of the Victorian era with lavish yards.

A world unto itself with the convenience of being ten minutes from everywhere. A lifestyle Josh would never be able to afford on a marshal’s salary. But he didn’t regret the choice he made to join the U.S. Marshals Service. He wouldn’t allow money to hold the same appeal to him as it had to his father. Josh had strived too hard in the course of his life to be the opposite of the man who’d broken not only his mother’s heart but also Josh’s.

“Will we have operational support?” Serena asked.

“You will,” the chief stated. “You both remember Linda Maitland?”

Serena shook her head. “I don’t.”

“I do.” Josh remembered Linda well. She’d served as the administrative officer when he’d joined the St. Louis district office. She’d retired not long after.

“She’ll be coming on board as your support. Her cover will be an aunt who’s living with you.” Harrison exchanged a glance with Bishop. “We wanted someone we were sure wasn’t the leak but who would be familiar with our protocols.”

“There will also be an agent posing as the groundskeeper to provide additional support,” Bishop said. His pocket beeped. He withdrew a cell phone. “Excuse me.” He moved to the corner of the room and stood with his back to them while he took his call.

“Will we be able to pack clothing from home?” Serena asked.

Harrison regarded her kindly. “As Mrs. Andrews, you’ll be expected to dress the part.”

Serena blinked. “I better go shopping.”

“Turn your receipts in to Linda and she’ll make sure you’re reimbursed.” Harrison turned to Josh. “Your suits should be fine, though you should try to change your appearance as much as you can. You’ll need to leave each morning like you’re going to work. Agent Bishop will arrange for an office in the bank headquarters on the executive floor where you can continue with your investigation into Munders and the adoption agency.”