Mirranda Graham flinched as the first shot rang out. Her breath caught in her throat, the echo seeming to pierce her heart. A second and third followed as the three Marine Honor Guards sent the rounds high into the air. Although she tried to keep her eyes open, they remained tightly closed.
Military funerals are tough. I can’t let them know how personal this one is or someone will ask questions I’m not ready to answer. Taking a deep breath, she tried to regain her composure. Pull yourself together, Randi. This time it’s about Johnson, not my poor, sweet sister and definitely not me.
She could tell herself that over and over again. In truth, all three of them were connected in ways no one would ever understand. Randi was doing what her late sister, Maggie, had asked—protecting Biochemist Marina Brimlow. And if it weren’t for Naval SEAL Lionel Johnson, both she and the chemist would’ve been killed. He didn’t just die in the line of duty. He died saving me. A shudder of grief rippled through her as she once again remembered that day.
Although she’d fought beside Johnson a couple of times, she hated that she knew nothing about him personally. I should’ve asked. Now it’s too late. She had distanced herself to avoid detection for so long that only a select few knew the truth. Johnson was one of those, and her secret had died with him.
Randi watched as the flag was removed from his coffin, snapped and folded with respect. Johnson’s mother’s trembling hands accepted it from one of the Marines, who then took a step to the right and shook Johnson’s father’s hand. The somber moment was utterly silent as the Marine snapped to attention before them and saluted.
She scanned the crowd gathered at the cemetery. There weren’t many people she knew, but some were obviously mourning a family member or friend. Then there were those attending out of respect for a fallen comrade. But what sickened her were the spectators who showed up out of curiosity. I’m not sure I fall in any of those categories.
The time had come for all to say their final goodbyes to the fallen hero. Family and friends were the first to make their way over to the coffin to leave a red rose before heading to offer their condolences to his parents.
Each flower felt like thorns pricking her very spirit. Randi looked past what was happening directly in front of her. As she averted her eyes, she saw Johnson’s commander and dear friend, Mark Collins. His expression was no different than hers. She knew they both were carrying their own form of survivor’s guilt. Something Johnson wouldn’t want them to do. Neither had the power to fight the sick feeling that welled up within them. They now shared a bond that could never be broken. Seeing each other would be a constant reminder of what they’d lost.
As Mark’s eyes met hers, he peered at her as though seeing his own reflection. With a twitch of his jaw, he gave her a brief nod, then raised the mask he wore so well, his pain hidden from all once again. We can hide from others, just not ourselves.
She didn’t want to think of her pain right now any more than she imagined Mark wanted to think of his. Turning her attention back to the people passing before her, she overheard the murmurs of people saying Johnsons died doing his job, one that he loved. Neither could be disputed. He’d displayed an unquestioned heroism. It took all her strength to remain tightlipped. Every cell in her body wanted to shout out to the world what she’d witnessed. Unfortunately, it needed to remain in a confidential sealed file, never to be mentioned. I carry so many things no one can ever know. Things too outrageous to even sound believable. Time and time again, life has shown that the truth is much uglier than any lie I could tell.
Although she was trying, she wasn’t like Mark. He hid the pain of losing one of his men, yet it was probably ripping him to pieces on the inside. She wasn’t jealous of his control. He’d learned it out of necessity, but it was totally unhealthy. The physiological scars were dangerous.
She fought back the tears. Once they started, she knew they wouldn’t end anytime soon. Randi needed to stay strong, not just for herself but for Johnson’s parents. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched them closely. They held themselves rigid, looking at the rose-covered coffin in front of them. If they witnessed someone in Marine dress blues falling apart, how would they be able to keep their composure? Don’t even know how they’re doing it now. I’m a hot mess on the inside.
As she continued to watch them, she couldn’t help but wonder what lie they’d been told about their son’s death. She knew it didn’t come anywhere close to the truth. Maybe it’s better this way.
Without closing her eyes, she could still vividly see the man leaping from the black SUV and raising his grenade launcher up to the chopper she and Marina were in. There was no time for her to react. No way to prevent what was about to happen. His eyes said it all. They were cold and as dark as death itself. Randi knew he was going to pull the trigger, and in a matter of seconds, her life, Marina’s, and the pilot’s would be over.
As she’d prepared herself for the inevitable, she’d seen Johnson turn his attention from the approaching gunman to the guy with the launcher and take him out. It was a split-second decision that changed everything. He knowingly gave his life to protect ours. It was nothing less than heroic.
If you hadn’t stopped him, I would’ve failed my sister. Because of you, I was able to honor Maggie’s dying wish to protect the chemist at all costs. I’m so sorry, Johnson, that you’re the one who paid the price.
He’d insisted she and Marina wear bulletproof vests. If only I’d known we weren’t all going to make it onto the chopper, I never would’ve taken it. A chill ran down her spine as the last moments of his life flashed through her mind once again, his body jerking several times as the bullets made contact before he fell to the ground, motionless. You weren’t the first. I wish to God I could say you’ll be the last. She felt emotionally raw.
Randi couldn’t remember feeling this alone, this empty, since Maggie’s death six years ago. During times like this she desperately needed someone to talk to. A person she could count on not to judge her for what she’d done.
She could count on one hand the people who knew who she really was: Mark; his brother, Kevin; and Don Farrell, their friend. As far as she knew, they hadn’t shared that information with their significant others. What do I care if they did? It has to come out sometime.
She hated donning the dress blues of the Corps. It was an honor her sister had earned, not her. Once this funeral is over, I’m going back to being Randi. I can’t do this anymore. Six years of pretending to be Maggie has been . . . hard.
If not for the somber moment, she would’ve laughed. Hard didn’t even come close to describe what she’d been through. Six years ago when the police called her to identify her identical twin’s body, she could’ve told the truth. Instead, she chose to claim the body as her own, Mirranda Graham, special agent for the Department of Homeland Security.
From that day on she became Master Sargent Margaret Graham of the United States Marine Corp. Doing so was a criminal offense, yet she knew if she hadn’t, her sister’s death would go unresolved. Even the coroner’s report said the cause of death was drowning. No mention of the gunshot wound. Randi knew then she’d do whatever it took to bring the responsible party to justice. She just never imagined the magnitude of the corruption she’d uncover along the way.
“Hi. How are you holding up?”
Randi spun around to see a tall, very handsome man dressed in a black suit standing behind her.
Shit. Do I know him? Am I supposed to know him? Randi tried to force a smile. It was an awkward one at best yet, under the circumstances, she didn’t think he’d notice anything unusual. Unless of course, you were very close with Maggie, then I’m screwed. “I’m good under the circumstances.”
Before she could stop him, he bent toward her and pulled her into his embrace, hugging her tightly. Her body tensed under his touch as she very lightly patted him awkwardly. Damn it! Although a hug was something she’d been longing for, this wasn’t how she’d pictured it happening. Not from someone who thinks I’m Maggie. I want someone here for me, Randi.
She instantly regretted attending in her sister’s uniform. If she hadn’t been asked to attend as Maggie, she wouldn’t have. Yet, Johnson’s family had requested her presence. There was no way she could’ve refused. I hope this doesn’t blow up in my face. Not here. Not now.
Finally, this stranger released her and stepped back. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
And you’re still not. I’m not Maggie. “Likewise,” Randi said stiffly. She needed some clue as to who this man was. Bullshitting her way through the day to day routine as a Marine was less personal.
Looking around, she saw Mark watching her. He must’ve picked up on her body language; he and Don were making their way over to her. Thank God.
“Do you want to grab a coffee?” the man asked.
Stunned, she turned to face him again. Then she noticed Mark wasn’t the only person watching her closely. I should come clean right here, right now, before this goes any further.
“Sorry, but I don’t.”
“Maggie, may I speak to you for a minute?” Mark turned to her mysterious stranger and said, “Sorry, it’s official business.”
The two men exchanged looks before he eventually nodded. “No problem.” He extended a hand to Mark and said, “I’m Wyatt McVeigh.”
“Mark Collins and this is Don Farrell.”
McVeigh? Oh, shit. She remembered Maggie telling her she was dating a man named McVeigh. Looking at Wyatt again, he fit the description she was given. Tall, dark, and freaking handsome as hell. Unlike Randi, Maggie always had good taste in men. Mostly because Maggie was much more outgoing than she was. I need some distance from here and fast.
“Sorry. It was nice seeing you again, but duty calls,” Randi said softly to Wyatt and then to Mark, “After you, sir.” She’d never called Mark sir before, yet it seemed appropriate at this moment.
“I’ll keep Wyatt company while you two chat,” Don said.
Randi shot him a concerned look. The last thing she needed was Don digging her farther into the hole she was in already.
“Sounds good,” Wyatt replied.
Once again forcing a smile, Randi said, “Thank you. I’m sure we won’t be long.”
When she and Mark were out of earshot, he asked, “Who is that man?”
Randi shrugged. “Wyatt McVeigh is all I know. My guess is my sister dated him. I remember her going on and on about him a year before she was killed.”
“You can’t tell him who you really are,” Mark said firmly.
She crossed her arms and asked, “Why not? If I don’t this can become very uncomfortable for both Wyatt and me.”
“You’ve spent the last six years impersonating a master sargent in the US Marine Corps. This is not something you can just blurt out. Once revealed, there are going to be a lot of questions and very possibly jail time.”
“Mark, I did it to–”
“I know damn well why you did it. There are going to be people who won’t give a fuck why and will only see the laws that were broken,” Mark growled in disgust.
“Are you saying I have to go through the rest of my life pretending to be Maggie?” She never thought of that before. There’s a lot I never considered.
He shook his head. “Don’t do anything without contacting me first. There are others who’ll be affected by your actions.”
“Like who?” She didn’t have any more family to worry about.
“For starters, Kevin and I are both well aware of your true identity and haven’t turned you in to the authorities. That makes us accomplices and subject to court-martial.”
He’s right. What I started has had a ripple effect. No matter how much I want it to end, it can’t. Randi felt as though a huge weight had been placed on her shoulders. “I’ll keep quiet.” Her voice was filled with defeat.
“For now. Trust me; we’ll figure something out.”
She wanted to believe that, but at the moment it seemed hopeless. In the government’s eyes, Mirranda Graham had been dead for six years. She’d been living a lie as Maggie since then. I’m not even sure I’ll know how to be Mirranda if I do reveal the truth.
Randi looked over her shoulder to where Wyatt stood, speaking with Don. “Do you think Don will have said anything?”
Mark made eye contact with Don before answering. “He also has a lot to lose.”
“I know.”
“Before I head back home to Hannah, I thought we should touch base. There’s a development to update you on.”
“I’m free now.”
“Let’s get you back to McVeigh before he comes checking on you. Something about him says there’s more to him than just your sister’s old boyfriend. Stay close and try to figure out what he is doing here. I’ll do some digging as well.” Randi didn’t budge. “You can do this, Maggie.”
Hearing Mark call her that snapped her back into the role she’d been playing. Going back and spending time with Wyatt as Maggie was the last thing she wanted to do. But Mark’s intuition hadn’t been wrong yet. Randi really had no choice but to follow his directions. She nodded to him and started toward Wyatt. I’m not sure I can, but I know I have to. This isn’t even for me or Maggie. This is for everyone else who’d go down with me if I blow it.
Each step closer to Wyatt enhanced her determination to succeed. But there’s only so far I’m willing to go. Jail time or not, she wasn’t going to hook up with her sister’s ex-boyfriend.
Wyatt wasn’t sure what was going on. Although he and Maggie had seen each other many times while she was dating his brother Nate, she acted as though she didn’t have a clue who he was. Even more strange was how she tried to cover it up. Why, Maggie? What’s going on?
McVeigh didn’t need any distraction at the moment. He’d been asked to come here for a reason, and it wasn’t to scope out what Maggie was doing. Of course, he was very surprised to see her here. If we have that coffee, I’m going to add that question to my list.
Although Don was chatting up a storm about some building he was photographing, Wyatt had the distinct feeling he was purposely trying to detain him.
He knew Don and Mark had been friends since childhood. How either of them knew Graham wasn’t yet clear. Wyatt wasn’t one to leave a question unanswered. “Sounds very interesting. So how do you know Maggie?”
Normally he’d play the game as long as the other party wanted, but time was of the essence. He wanted to gain what he could from Don before Maggie returned. Especially with Collins around. I know more about him than he probably wants me to. Collins doesn’t know he’s the reason I’m here, and I’d like to keep it that way.
“Casual acquaintance,” Don said, meeting Wyatt’s gaze.
Don came off as a laid back guy, but once Wyatt asked about Maggie his demeanor changed. I think I need to dig deeper into your background, Farrell. You’re more complex than I was led to believe.
His response made Wyatt want to have coffee alone with Maggie even more. The woman he’d known was strong and confident. Something had changed in her since he’d last seen her. It was as though the uniform wore her now instead of her wearing the uniform. When Collins came over, she followed him immediately without question. Another red flag.
If Wyatt had known Maggie better, he might be able to get a clearer read on her now. The only thing he could tell for sure was she wasn’t comfortable around him. He’d told his brother he wasn’t needed on this assignment, but he realized that had changed. I need his personal input on this one. If anyone can get to Maggie, it’ll be Nate.
Even before Maggie returned, he knew it was going to be a waste of time speaking with her now. He needed to get her alone, but Collins was hovering like a protector. Wyatt could tell Collins was trying to read him. He wasn’t about to give him anything to go on.
“Seems you’re tied up at the moment. Why don’t we meet for coffee in the morning?” Wyatt noticed Maggie glance at Collins before replying. That only confirmed his suspicions.
“Sounds good. Why don’t you give me your number and I’ll call?”
Wyatt handed her a fake business card he used as a cover. There was no doubt in his mind Collins was going to be looking into him. He covered his tracks extremely well, but Collins was damn good at what he did too. He wasn’t someone Wyatt wanted as an adversary, but if it came down to it, he was ready to take him on. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
After she had taken the card, he walked away without another word. Once inside the waiting silver SUV, he called his brother.
“What do you need?” Nate asked.
There was only one reason they ever called on that line: business. “I need you to join me for coffee in the morning.”
“Coffee?”
“And be ready. Maggie Graham is joining us.”
“I thought you were checking into what happened to Lionel Johnson.”
“I am.”
“Fuck. Is she involved?”
Wyatt could hear Nate’s concern. They’d been close at one time. No one wanted to think someone they once loved had become corrupt. “Not sure.”
“What has you concerned?”
“She didn’t seem to know who I was.” It wasn’t much to go on, but his gut rarely was wrong.
Nate chuckled. “I’m surprised you even remember her. It’s been almost seven years, Wyatt, and I was the one she was in love with, not you.”
His kid brother was damn good in the field, but at times his sarcasm wasn’t appreciated. Today is one of those times. A damn good man died and, from what he’d learned about the incident, there was a leak in the ranks. The McVeighs had been hired to flush the mole out, and Wyatt was known to deliver what others couldn’t. Whoever is to blame will be brought to justice, even if it’s Maggie.
He knew that wasn’t going to be easy on Nate. At one time Wyatt thought Maggie was the one for Nate. That all ended when she suddenly broke it off with no explanation. Maybe that’s why she was acting so weird. She’s afraid I’m going to bring up the past. She’d be correct if it were any other time. Right now all he was focused on was getting to the bottom of Johnson’s death.
“I’ll text you where to meet us.”
He hoped bringing Nate into the loop wasn’t a mistake. It could open up old wounds or worse, old feelings. Nate needs to think with his head, not his heart. Otherwise, he could be the next funeral I attend. There’s no fucking way I’m going to allow that to happen.
Wyatt left nothing to chance. He trusted his brothers with his life, but he trusted himself more. Pulling away from the curb, he headed for the hotel. While waiting for the call from Maggie, which he knew wouldn’t come, he was going to do his own research on her. One way or another, we’re meeting in the morning, Miss Graham.