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Ever mindful of potential cameras or listening devices, Fiona made a sympathetic face. “Cancer is hard. So is the treatment. If she’s started chemo...”
Though Jake made a face, he didn’t comment. Instead, he jerked his head in Micheline’s general direction. “She’s headed this way,” he said.
“Great,” Fiona mouthed, before plastering what she hoped was a worshipful smile on her face. “Micheline,” she gushed. “It’s so great to see you!”
Micheline nodded, as if acknowledging the compliment. “Leigh mentioned you were feeling a bit...left out. Since I wanted you to understand how much I value you, I decided to put aside some of my very valuable time and chat with you. How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” Fiona began, and then realized Micheline was asking because of the imaginary pregnancy. “I haven’t had a chance to get down to the medical center and pick up the prenatal vitamins yet, but I’ll do it today.”
“Good, good.” Now Micheline turned and faced Jake. “And you. Now that you’ve had a little bit of time to reflect on this, have you come to any decision about your involvement with this baby?”
Fiona could see Jake trying to figure out something diplomatic to say. “He and I are still discussing this,” she interjected. “Jake wants to get married and move away to live on his ranch. I’m trying to convince him that our child deserves so much more.”
Spoken like a true, brainwashed believer. It took everything Fiona had not to gag on the words. While she knew in reality she was definitely not pregnant, the idea of handing over a baby to strangers for money was abhorrent. And even if Micheline was successful in extorting the Coltons, Fiona didn’t think it likely that she’d get a whole lot of cash.
“I want to talk about the new thing you’re working on,” Fiona said boldly. “I’m interested in learning about what’s involved with being born again.”
Micheline looked from Fiona to Jake and then back again. Her mouth worked, but no sound came out. Judging by her confused expression and frown, she had no idea what Fiona meant.
“Like in church?” Jake asked, clearly hoping to prod the conversation along.
Instead of answering, Micheline just smiled. “Stay tuned for details,” she said, and then moved away, her bodyguard moving right behind her.
If he was here, that meant the other guy must be down in the basement. If the place was kept guarded at all times, which Fiona now doubted. Micheline simply didn’t have the staff for that. Which was good as far as giving her more time to explore the area once she figured out the guards’ schedule.
“That was weird,” Jake mused. “She really seemed disconnected and unfocused.”
“I’m sure it’s just because she has a lot going on,” Fiona offered, ever conscious of her role. “It’s a heavy responsibility being the spiritual leader for so many people.”
“Not to mention being overly involved in decisions for an unborn child that may or may not actually be born.”
Fiona winced. “Don’t talk about our baby like that,” she said, putting her hands protectively over her still-flat stomach. “Come on, Jake. I know all of this is a shock, but you must know Micheline has our best interests at heart.” She cut her eyes over to the lamp on the decorative table near them. She’d long ago spotted the tiny surveillance camera mounted there.
Giving a small nod, Jake grimaced. “I need some time alone to think.” He shook his head and walked away, leaving her alone in the lobby once again.
Chapter 11
Though he’d assumed Fiona would come after him, Jake wasn’t too surprised when she did not. This situation could go from bad to worse, and she needed to be on top of her game in order to deal with it. Honestly, he couldn’t blame her.
He wasn’t usually a gut instinct kind of guy, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something major was about to go down. Whether it was Micheline’s bizarre attempt to ransom off Fiona’s imaginary baby or something else, he had no way of knowing. Plans had been set in motion, the FBI had Fiona undercover and hopefully by the time the smoke cleared, the woman who’d raised him was going to go down.
For that, he could definitely manage to pretend to be something he wasn’t. He’d never be as good at it as Fiona, but she’d probably had training and years of practice.
Despite being constantly aware Fiona had to play her role, he had to admit doing it himself creeped him out. But then he’d always prided himself on being an up-front, straight-shooting kind of guy. He didn’t like games, he’d never aspired to become an actor and playing along with Fiona was the first time he’d ever done anything like this. He hoped he never had to again.
He caught sight of Micheline’s bodyguard, Bart Akers, talking earnestly to the center’s handyman, Randall Cook. Despite the difference in their appearances—Bart clearly worked out and exuded confidence, while Randall appeared to slouch his way through life—the two men appeared to be good friends. Jake studied Randall carefully. Though Jake had seen the thin, mopey guy lurking around, he’d never actually had a conversation with him. Whatever Randall and Bart were discussing must have been important, judging by Bart’s frequent, emphatic hand gestures and Randall’s defensive posturing.
Finally, the handyman walked away, head down and shoulders bent. Bart stormed off in the opposite direction. Jake made a split-second decision to follow Randall, just for the hell of it. Since Randall appeared lost in his own thoughts, Jake doubted he’d even notice.
To Jake’s surprise, Randall headed toward the huge kitchen area. Where Fiona had mentioned the door that went to the basement was located. Interesting. Maybe Randall was headed there right now. Jake wondered what would happen if he followed him. If and when the handyman noticed him, Jake could come up with some spur-of-the-moment story explaining his presence. He figured since Randall knew Jake was important to Micheline, he’d be safe.
Randall wove through the equipment, neither looking at nor acknowledging any of the other employees. Walking confidently, Jake followed. Randall never looked over his shoulder or indicated any awareness of being followed. Several of the kitchen workers glanced up as they passed, but no one commented. Proof that they were used to Randall coming and going. Jake assumed that meant that they simply believed he was with Randall, who remained oblivious.
Worked for him.
Out of the kitchen finally, and into a short, narrow hallway. They passed a laundry area with several industrial-size washers and dryers. Randall stopped at a metal door and dug in his pocket for a key ring. He then proceeded to curse under his breath as he tried various keys until he finally located one that worked.
After opening the door, he slipped inside, let
