Chapter Seventeen
Later that night, Mark Lopez, the DEA agent from the Buffalo field office and a member of the local task force, arrived at Rafe’s house. Agent Lopez appeared more boyish than the youngest beat cop back in New York City. Rafe knew looks could be deceiving and hoped the man was up to the job.
Because nobody knew if Pirro would be.
Over the next twenty-four hours, Agent Lopez arranged the sting. He’d instructed Pirro to set up a meeting between Biff, Todd and Pirro’s distributor. It had taken a while for Pirro, in his agitated, panicked state, to understand he didn’t really have to get in touch with his Canadian contact. Agent Lopez would play that role.
The sting operation was set for ten o’clock. All Pirro had to do was get wired, show up, meet the men, make the introductions and let Biff and Todd incriminate themselves.
Rafe and Sara wouldn’t participate in the actual bust; they’d be monitoring the situation from a nearby truck set up with surveillance equipment. Once money exchanged hands, Agent Lopez would arrest Biff and Todd, and, with a little luck, they’d roll over on their ringleader in exchange for some kind of deal.
The sting was set for later tonight. Pirro was under strict instructions to keep his mouth shut and get through the day. He only had to lie to his wife one more time, and this would all be over.
Unfortunately, before the bust, they were all invited to a get together at Angel’s Bed-and-Breakfast. She wanted to impress the people from the Daily Post visiting from New York. And Coop wanted to tag along with them and surprise Amanda, his coworker, so he could observe her reaction to Rafe and Sara’s lovey-dovey performance. Any way Rafe looked at it, it was bound to be a long evening.
“How are you doing?”
He jerked at Sara’s touch on his shoulder. Sitting on his front porch, he’d been so preoccupied he hadn’t heard her open the door and step outside.
“I didn’t mean to startle you.” She sat down beside him. “Nervous?”
He shrugged. “I do this for a living, but Pirro doesn’t. He’s fragile.”
“And well coached. He knows what’s at stake. He can handle it,” she reassured him.
“You don’t think he’s in over his head?” The thought had kept Rafe tossing and turning all night long.
“I think he’ll be fine,” she insisted.
He appreciated her certainty—even if she was agreeing with him and lying in order to keep him calm. It was working. Rafe leaned back and, with his foot, kicked the swing into slow motion. He enjoyed sitting out here with her, talking about things that mattered.
“Agent Lopez called while you were out here.”
“What’s up?” Rafe asked.
“First, we’re both cleared for backup tonight. Medical leaves waved by special dispensation,” she explained.
Rafe nodded. “One issue down. Besides, it shouldn’t require much from either one of us to cover Lopez and Pirro.”
“Agreed. Even I should be able to handle it.” She leaned down and patted her bad knee.
Rafe knew her wry tone covered serious concern, but she was right. Tonight should be a routine cover. Anything more, and he’d be healthy enough to handle it. “You said first. What else did Agent Lopez have to say?”
“Right. He said he ran the name of Pirro’s Canadian supplier by the task force east of here working on closing distribution lines between the U.S. and Canada. Turns out he’s someone they’ve been after for a while. They don’t want us stepping on their investigation, so they’ll handle him…” She trailed off.
“But?” Rafe asked, sensing there was more.
“But they may call on Pirro down the road for information or to identify him in person.” Her eyes conveyed her regret about that.
But Rafe nodded in understanding. “One thing at a time. Let’s get through tonight’s sting first.”
She nodded. “We’re almost there.”
“We just have to survive Angel’s get-together first.”
“Speaking of Angel’s, did you reach Nick and find out how the marriage-counseling session went?” she asked, hope in her voice.
“In other words, are we in for a nice time or a war zone?” Rafe asked wryly. “I wish I knew. Nick’s not returning my calls.”
“Which means we’ll find out in…” She glanced at the stainless-steel watch on her wrist. “Half an hour.”
Rafe said a silent prayer that both of the night’s events would go off without a hitch.
Once inside Angel’s, Rafe singled out his brother and pulled him outside for a talk. Rafe might be overwhelmed with Pirro’s situation and Sara’s safety, but he was still worried about his brother and his marriage, and Rafe wanted to know how the counseling session had gone.
“Well?” Rafe asked Nick once they were alone outside. “How’d it go?”
“I am so not a talker,” Nick muttered. “But I still picked up the slack for both of us.”
“I know it’s too soon to ask if you made progress, but do you think you’re on the right track?”
Nick leaned against the side of the house. “She listened. She heard me say I missed my wife. She heard me say that without facing the loss, there was no foundation on which to go forward. And she heard the doctor agree. Next time, I’m going to sit in silence even if it kills me, and hope she joins in.” He shrugged. “Otherwise, I’ve done all I can do.”
Rafe nodded. “I have faith. She’s loved you for too long to throw it all away.”
“I hope you’re right, but she seems pretty fulfilled with what she has now.” He inclined his head toward the house—the B and B—and the source of their friction.
“She doesn’t want to lose you. Keep the faith.”
“Are you doing the same?” Nick tossed back at Rafe.
They both knew Nick was talking about his relationship with Sara and whether it would sustain itself beyond this short summer fling.
Rafe shrugged. “Beats me. We don’t have the same foundation you and Angel have.” And Sara didn’t have the faith Rafe did, either.
“Everyone comes at a relationship from a different place. It’s all a question of how hard both parties are willing to work for it.”
Rafe shook his head and laughed. “Every once in a while you surprise me,” he said to his brother. “I never pictured you as philosophical.”
“What can I say? Separation does funny things to a person. And unfortunately, I have plenty of experience with the notion to know it can make—or break—the best of relationships.”
And on that warning note, Nick turned and headed inside, leaving Rafe to wonder if the foundation he and Sara had started creating this summer would be enough to sustain them when this forced proximity came to an end.
Angel held the gathering in her foyer. Sara had noticed on entering that the house smelled warm and welcoming, like apple pie and family, making her smile.
Rafe had immediately caught sight of Nick and excused himself to go talk to his brother. Sara, meanwhile, had mingled with different people in the room, beginning with Aunt Vi, who kept insisting Sara taste her chocolate chip cookies because they were the best. She explained how she used to bake them for Rafe when he was a little boy and wanted Sara to sample them, too. After biting into one, Sara discovered they were indeed warm, gooey and the best she’d ever had.
The only family in the room consisted of Pirro and Vi, and Rafe and Sara. The rest of the guests appeared to be friends of Angel’s. Apparently, she was sticking to her rule of not celebrating occasions with Nick’s parents.
Sara immediately caught herself, realizing she’d grouped herself as family. Because she felt as if she really belonged here in Hidden Falls. It was going to be hard to leave them when it was time to go back to the city to testify. Hard but necessary, since this wasn’t her hometown, nor was this her family.
Keeping the harsh reality in mind, she made her way through the room toward the small bar area where Pirro played bartender for his daughter. At least he had a job that would keep him busy talking, his mind occupied, so he wouldn’t have time to worry.
Coop waved to her from across the room, and she walked over to meet up with him.
“How’s it going?” she asked.
“Nice people in this town,” he said, a grin teasing the edge of his mouth.
She shook her head and laughed. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“Amanda was surprised to see me here, but I think she bought the story that I came to see you.”
“Good. Are you at least relaxing while you’re here?” she asked.
He shrugged. “With all the action here, my mind is going nonstop.”
“Now that I understand. So, when are you going to introduce me to your friend, the editor?” Sara asked, tilting her head toward where a blonde with long, wavy hair was talking to Angel.
“I will. As soon as I can introduce both you and Rafe together. Speaking of Rafe, where did he disappear to? Because you two promised to give me some PDA, remember?” Coop tilted his cup back and finished the last of his drink.
Sara glanced around, but she didn’t see Rafe. “I think he’s outside talking to his brother. He’ll be back soon. In the meantime, you and I can catch up. So, how’s Lexie?”
A warm smile took hold, transforming Coop’s entire face at the thought of the woman he loved. “Busy with Web site updating and making sure her grandmother takes her blood-pressure medication.”
Sara smiled. “You like her grandmother, don’t you?”
Coop nodded. “She’s a piece of work and a very special woman.”
“And house-hunting? How’s that going?”
“Still looking. Lexie’s not used to having a place of her own since she’s always stayed at her grandmother’s when she’s in town. She’s having trouble narrowing down what she wants, but we’ll get there.”
“Spoken like a patient man, head over heels in love. I’m really happy for you, Coop.”
“Thanks. So…what about you? Have you and Rafe—”
“Have she and Rafe what?” Rafe asked, coming up beside them and wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
He pulled her tightly against him, cocooning her in his warmth.
Well, Coop wanted a public display of affection, Sara thought. Rafe was providing one, and to Sara, it felt so right.
“Coop was just asking if you and I were having a nice summer,” she quickly improvised.
“We’re having a great summer.” Rafe leaned close and pressed a kiss against her cheek.
Her knees trembled, and she reached for and squeezed his hand. “That’s right. We are. So, when do we meet Amanda Stevens?”
“Right now.” Coop turned and gestured toward the reporter across the room.
Amanda walked toward them, and Sara took in the attractive woman with wavy blond hair and porcelain skin.
“Coop! I still can’t believe we’re both here at the same time.”
“Well, since we are, I’d like you to meet my friends, Rafe Mancuso and Sara Rios,” Coop said.
“From the Bachelor Blog!” Amanda exclaimed. “It’s so nice to see you both together.”
“You recognize us?” Rafe asked.
Amanda smiled. “Of course.”
Sara wondered if the words that fell so easily from the woman’s lips could be true and the only reason she knew of them. Not because she was secretly chronicling their lives.
“How do you feel being the subjects of the blog?” Amanda asked.
Sara felt Coop’s eyes boring into the woman as if he could find answers that way.
“Can I be honest?” Sara asked.
Amanda nodded. “I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s off the record anyway. I’m just curious. I know Coop complained about his experience as the Bachelor, but he certainly ended up with the right woman for him. So the blogger scored in that relationship.”
Now Sara flip-flopped in her musings. Amanda gushed about the idea of the blog in a way that made Sara wonder if Coop was right, and the other woman had an agenda, and she really was the blogger.
“I met Lexie because she had an interest in a ring I was given as a reward, not because the blog paired us together,” Coop pointed out, just as he had when Sara made similar comments back in the city.
“Details,” Amanda said with a laugh. “Now, back to you two. You never answered my question,” she said, wagging her finger in a chiding motion toward Sara and Rafe.
“I think we’d prefer privacy,” Sara said honestly. “But when I look into his eyes, I’m so happy sometimes I don’t care if the whole world knows!” she exclaimed, pulling Rafe into a spontaneous hug.
Over her shoulder, Coop’s eyes filled with laughter and gave her an invisible thank-you for playing along with his game.
“And I couldn’t agree more,” Rafe said with more restraint than Sara had shown.
“That’s sweet. I don’t think there’s anything better than true love,” Amanda said.
Sara settled in back at Rafe’s side, and he slipped his hand into her back pocket, pulling her close. The gesture had the effect of cupping her behind in his hand, resulting in a rush of arousal that nearly had her sighing in pleasure.
Somehow she managed to refrain and cleared her throat.
“I agree. Love is wonderful.” Sara looked up at Rafe with adoration before turning back to Amanda. “So, how is your article on Angel’s going?”
“This place is so charming,” Amanda said, her gaze taking in the small family room area where Angel was entertaining. “The home cooking is divine. I really think Angel’s is a hidden gem in Hidden Falls. That’s a great tag line, don’t you think?”
Sara nodded. “I’m glad you can give Angel the recognition she deserves. It’s so lucky that you found this place in the blog.”
“Isn’t it?” Amanda agreed. “Oh! There’s Stu, my photographer. I want him to take some shots of everyone gathering around at the end of the day. Nice and homey. It was great to meet you.” Amanda waved and took off after her photographer.
“Great performance. I’d applaud, but that would call her attention back to you,” Coop said, obviously pleased.
“Do you think it was enough that she’ll give herself away?” Sara asked.
Coop shrugged. “It’s a start.”
Rafe had been uncharacteristically silent, and Sara realized he wasn’t paying attention to them but to Pirro. “Why don’t you go talk to him?” she suggested. “I know you’ll feel better, and maybe he will, too.”
Rafe glanced at his watch. “It’s almost time to go anyway, so I’ll give him a last-minute pep talk. Excuse me.” He started toward the older man, then turned back to Sara and placed a long, lingering kiss on her lips.
A long, long kiss, she thought, winding her arms around his neck and reciprocating until he broke off contact and walked away.
“He’s really into the role,” Sara said, laughing even as she was aware of the tingling that aroused her straight down to her toes.
Coop shook his head. “He’s not playing, Sara. The man’s crazy about you.”
“And I’m not discussing this here and now. Answer a question for me instead.”
Coop frowned at her cavalier dismissal of the subject. “Fine. Shoot.”
“Why would a beautiful woman with a fabulous editorial career turn to sensational journalism for a story?” she asked of Amanda, the probable writer of the infamous Bachelor Blog.
“Because she believes in love, fairy-tale endings and happily ever after. Even if she still hasn’t found it for herself just yet, she believes it’s out there.”
“Next thing I know you’ll be saying she also believes in unicorns and the tooth fairy,” Sara said with a grimace.
“You never know. She is playing Cupid.”
Sara studied the woman, who spoke animatedly, waving her hands as she made her point to both her photographer and Angel. “So she really believes she’s doing a service with this blog.”
Coop nodded. “I believe she does.”
“Then maybe the solution is as simple as informing her she isn’t.”
“Huh.” Coop glanced at the other woman.
“If she’s rational, reasonable and has ethics, she might listen to you.”
“Your captain already appealed to the editor in chief and came back with a no,” Coop reminded her.
“Then appeal to her as a friend. Use your persuasive skills. It’s certainly worth a try.”
From across the room, Rafe gestured toward Sara. “Time to go,” she told Coop.
She shivered, wondering if she’d ever be ready for this sting. She’d never worked a job with so many personal elements involved. She wanted to wish Pirro luck before he began his role.
And she prayed everything went off without a hitch.
Earlier today, Pirro had driven to the Hilton to inform the two drug dealers that he’d made contact and his dealer was eager to get together with them tonight.
Agent Lopez had wired Pirro, then instructed him to follow his normal routine to the meet, so he drove alone in his car to the farthest stretch of land on the edge of town and parked beneath a thicket of trees. Behind him were a series of old abandoned tunnels, which used to run between the United States and Canada. Years ago, the state police had detonated explosives, causing the tunnels to cave in on themselves, making them impassable in either direction and ending an illegal drug trade. Pirro had originally picked this location because it was far from town and remote enough that no one would stop by and no local cops would canvas the area.
Ironically, Pirro had chosen to meet his dealer near the tunnels, never once considering that he was engaging in the same illegal act. All he’d wanted to do was make his friends as happy in bed as he was. And look where that had gotten him, he thought as he nervously paced the dirt-packed ground and waited for the drug dealers to show.
“Calm down and stop pacing. You’re making me nervous,” the DEA agent waiting alongside him said.
“Where are Rafe and Sara?” he asked, his gaze darting around the dark night.
“We’re here!” they both called out in hushed tones from their position behind the bushes. Earpieces enabled them to hear everything.
Backup, they’d explained to him.
“Are you satisfied?” Agent Lopez asked. “Now, like I said, you need to relax.”
Pirro stopped in his tracks. “I’m sorry, Agent Lopez. I’m just nervous.”
The other man placed his hand on Pirro’s shoulder. “Remember what I told you. Stop calling me Agent Lopez, and act normally or this will never work,” he said in a low whisper.
The sound of a car driving over the unpaved road announced Biff and Todd’s arrival.
“Oh, my God. They’re here. Oh, my God.” Pirro’s stomach churned. Nausea overcame him. “I’m going to be sick,” he muttered aloud.
“Pull yourself together!” Agent Lopez ordered. “Here they come. Now, act normally, introduce us, and I’ll handle the rest.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Pirro hissed.
Agent Lopez had no time to reply.
Biff and Todd strode up to them, briefcase in hand. If Pirro didn’t know better, he’d think they were two college kids on their way to school. Unfortunately, he did know better. They were drug dealers, arsonists, and he was about to screw them over.
Pirro knew he was supposed to perform the introductions. Instead, he leaned over and threw up all over Biff’s expensive leather shoes.
Or maybe they were Todd’s.