“Captain, if you go through those papers one more time I’ll tear them to confetti and throw them out of the window.”
“In a plane?”
She gave him the look and he exhaled, giving in.
Jazmin plucked the crumpled sheets out of his hands. “You’ve already learned every word by heart, and it’s not like you’re doing preparations for a job for the first time. I can’t imagine you being sloppy or that you wouldn’t fulfill Walter’s expectations.” She held his grumpy stare. “That’s the main reason, right? You want to impress Walter and show him you can do the job without his supervision.”
“South America’s always a rough terrain. It’s by far more dangerous than traveling in Europe, for example. Okay, destinations in the Middle East aren’t easy to secure, either.” Ethan lowered his chin, looking at the papers in Jazmin’s hands. She smoothed and emphatically sat on them. “It’s important to have everything covered. Regional police forces, US Embassy staff, local conditions. I’ve never been to Peru before and have read all about previous journeys. It’s not easy. Never has been. I learned that it’s advisable to have a close look at the conference hall and the hotel, too. Speak with the ambassador, the police commander, and the hotel manager.”
“Who certainly has never hosted anyone as important as Nolan.”
“You’re making fun of me.”
“Wouldn’t think of it. That’s Ryan’s job.”
Ryan heard his name and looked across the backrests of the seats. He took out the ear phones. “Anything I need to know?”
Ethan made a face as he turned to his best friend and colleague. “You better cut all the crap this time or I’ll have your balls.”
Ryan opened his mouth for a reply and, seeing Ethan’s serious expression, closed it again. “Oh, okay, pal, no need to bring out the big guns. I’ll be where you put me.”
“Good to know,” Jazmin replied, to take the edge of the threat. “And I’ll check the hotel rooms, make contact with the chief of protocol at the US Embassy, and—” She sighed “—try to have some fun at least.”
Ethan grumbled something unintelligible and tried to snatch the papers from under her thigh. Jazmin and Ryan exchanged glances of mutual understanding. It wouldn’t be easy to find a minute of fun on this trip.
* * * *
The plane touched down and Ethan went into chief of security mode so quickly Jazmin wondered if he’d be able to leave the role even for a moment of respite. They took a limousine with a driver provided by the US Embassy in Lima to reach the Marriott Hotel. Right after checking in—and before Jazmin had the chance to utter a word about the beauty of the interior—Ethan demanded an appointment with the manager. He didn’t hear Jazmin’s announcement they’d have dinner together at eight before he left.
“If he doesn’t watch out, he’ll end up being worse than Walter when it comes to security stuff,” Ryan whispered as they parted in the hotel lobby. “Right now he’s radiating so much energy I can feel it trembling along my skin.”
“Same with me.” Jazmin watched Ethan’s broad back until he vanished into the administrative wing of the hotel without turning back. She flinched. “Responsibility’s fine, and he’s definitely able to do the job, but right now it’s not normal.”
“And coming from his wife, who’s seen him in all his... weirdness.”
She nudged him in the side. “Don’t talk like that about my husband. That’s my privilege. And right now he’s acting... quirky.”
Ryan laughed out loud. “Yep, sounds much better.”
Jazmin laughed with him, but had a strange notion Ethan’s state of mind wouldn’t improve.
* * * *
Jazmin got off the phone with Lennis Mauberton, the secretary’s personal assistant. He had praised her for thorough preparations without a single hint at anything she’d missed. In fact, he appeared astonished at how easily she had adopted to her role of being the first woman on site. Though he hadn’t said a word, she knew he was relieved he’d been right to send her to Lima. Sighing, she slipped out of her shoes and dress and walked into the bathroom.
When she came out wearing one of the fluffy bathrobes the hotel provided, Ethan entered, breathing hard and glancing at her briefly.
“How was your meeting?” She cocked her head. “Or shouldn’t I ask?”
Lips pressed tight, he walked over to the desk to put down files and his notebook. He slipped out of his jacket and hung it over the chair. Jazmin thought of Ryan’s words—she felt the energy growing in the room. She towel-dried her hair as she approached him, but before she could drop the towel to embrace him from behind, he turned around and lifted his hands.
“Sorry, Jaz. Got to freshen up and meet with the liaison officer of the embassy in—” He checked his watch and let out his breath with a whistle. “—twenty minutes. The conversation with the manager turned in a loop, and he didn’t want to see to my demands. It took a threat to make him comply. Ridiculous.” He took off his dress shirt and undershirt to fetch a new set from the suitcase while she brushed her hair and pulled it into a loose bun. “I hope this Vancho Reyes knows more about his job. I can’t tell you how frustrated I am.” He went into the bathroom, then turned at the sink, head hanging. “I’m really sorry, Jaz, to not have more time, but—what’re you doing?”
“Getting dressed.” Jazmin had dropped the bathrobe to put on a dark blue bra, undies, and a formal blue dress that reached down over her knees. “I think it’s a good idea to accompany you and introduce myself to the liaison officer. Why are you looking at me like that?” She smoothed the fabric with both hands along her hips. “Never seen your wife wearing something business-like? I thought I shouldn’t just run around in some fancy beach thingy.”
“Ah, no, it’s just—” He wet his lips and, after drying his upper body, quickly pulled the shirt over his head. “Seeing you in... nothing is very distracting.”
“I didn’t mean to distract you. Not right now.” She kissed him lightly before she put on her shoes. “Later.”
Ethan buttoned the dress shirt. “I can’t even promise we’ll have dinner together. There’re two more appointments on my list.”
She helped him with the buttons, pretending a good mood to cover her disappointment. “We’ll see. I placed a reservation at the hotel restaurant, just in case we have no time to go out. It’s said to be good. After all, it’s the Marriott.”
He kissed her lips, and from his look she knew he felt guilty. “Thanks for your understanding.” He tied the necktie in front of the mirror and put on his jacket.
Jazmin yearned for his touch and knew he was too absorbed in his work to notice. She smoothed a strand of hair from his forehead, realizing he should have gone to a hair dresser ahead of this assignment. “That’s what wives are for.”
“How was your day so far?”
“Lennis and I just made a quick check.” She picked up her large handbag. “So far, I haven’t caused him a heart attack. Guess that’s a good sign.”
“Good to know.” He kissed her chastely before they left the room. “Did you read about Vancho?”
She nodded and held on to his arm to readjust the slings of her pumps. “He’s a former police officer, well connected to all official agencies in Lima and beyond. Young but reliable, always got good evaluations from his superiors. He changed jobs two years ago. Thanks.” She let go of his arm, and they walked toward the elevator. From the corner of her eye she saw him staring at her butt. “It’s said he wanted to do something different, and that the US Embassy paid better. His English is fluent, and he speaks the Indian language called Quechua. Between the lines—I suppose he was enticed away by the US Embassy.”
“I see it wasn’t just me reading every morsel of information there was to get.”
She nodded thanks for the praise. “It’s just that I don’t appear to be occupied with reading all of the time.”
He lifted a hand as if defending an attack. “I feel the blow coming. Hey, Ryan!”
“You look radiant,” Ryan said, a huge smile on his young-looking face.
“Thanks, just changed the shirt,” Ethan replied. “And the tie—you got me.”
“Am I cross-eyed? Not that I know of.” He embraced Jazmin. He smelled of an expensive after shave, and his short blond hair was brushed back with styling gel. “Good to see you and that smile on your face.”
Jazmin decided it was easier for Ryan to tolerate the meeting with her on board.
“Last time you missed two targets on the shooting range.” Ethan pointed at his friend. “Now I know why.”
“Yeah, right, and you’ll change jobs and become an entertainer.” They reached the street to find the embassy limousine waiting for them. Ryan held the door for Jazmin. “Good service around here.”
Ethan opened the front passenger door and bent down. “Show me your ID, please.”
If the driver was upset about Ethan’s security obsession, he didn’t let on. He pulled out the ID and put it back when Ethan was satisfied.
Jazmin realized Ethan was slipping into Walter’s shoes easily.