14

The week and a half of undercover and surveillance training provided Cooper a deeper appreciation of KC’s skills. Was there nothing at which the woman didn’t excel? He should have realized that her experience in the movie world would have equipped her with an uncanny aptitude for undercover work, acting out a role.

Their last day of formal training from the handbook dawned cloudy and gray. Too bad. The weather never dictated agents’ agendas.

He found KC seated at the desk in her cubicle, family photographs the only décor. “I have an update from Edith Appleby. Mary is a positive match for Vince, and they’ll undergo the bone marrow transplant next week.”

“Great. Any news about the paintings?” she asked.

“No. We should leave confirming their authenticity up to Mary and Vince.”

“You’re probably right. What’s on the agenda for today?”

“Ready for one more chance to follow our hired suspect undetected?”

“Definitely. Yesterday I made the mistake of tailing too close. He didn’t spot me for ten blocks.” She grimaced.

“But he did see you. Today, we’re combining undercover and surveillance. Let’s head to the wardrobe department and choose a disguise.”

“Ooh. My favorite.” She locked her bag in the bottom desk drawer.

Following procedure, she’d probably stashed her driver’s license, credit card or cash, and phone in one of her ample pockets.

“How will we dress today?” She kept pace with him as they walked.

“I’ll leave that up to your imagination. As long as it’s not too outrageous. We’re using the same guy as yesterday. So he knows what we look like.” Cooper entered the wardrobe room catty-corner from the IT department. Seeing the acronym on the door reminded him of KC’s late-night search for her mom.

One peek at the sheepish look on her face, and he knew she recalled the incident, too.

At least she’d been honest and admitted that IRO’s resources attracted her to the agency. But her wholehearted participation in all the training since then, convinced him she wanted to complete the course.

Unbeknownst to her, he’d instructed Peter to continue the search for Wi Hodges.

He opened the door and stale tobacco odors hit him in the face. IRO was a no-smoking facility, but they kept spray cans of fake cigarette smoke on hand. Ah, yes. Jay and Lela, newly engaged, were on a case that required them to surveil a group of teens suspected of assaulting homeless people. What better way to blend in?

KC coughed. “Yuk. Hope we won’t have to use that stuff.”

“Me, too. OK. So what’s your choice?”

She fingered the numerous garments hanging on a rack. “Our guy will be expecting two operatives. One white, one black. It will be easier for you to put on makeup to darken your face.”

“Go on.”

“He’s seen my almost baldhead. I’ll wear a wig, take a scarf to wrap around my head, and a hat to change out. Also, a jacket to cover my shirt at times.”

“I like your plan.”

Grabbing a flimsy piece of fabric, she swirled it around her head, altering her appearance at once. “How’s this?”

“That’ll work. What about me?”

“Ditch your preppy style—”

“Preppy?”

She pointed a finger at him and waved it up and down. “You know, the khaki pants, tailored shirt. You need to get down and dirty.”

Had he made a mistake in allowing her to choose their disguises?

“I mean, dress like a biker. Tight blue jeans. Black T-shirt. Hair under a do-rag. Leather jacket.” She pulled one from a hanger and threw it at him. “Perfect. You can keep the cowboy boots.”

Not bad. Her choices made sense. “I’m game. And you’ll be my—” He stopped just in time. “I’ll slap on the makeup and duds and meet you at your cubicle in ten.”

Whew. KC zapped him with another surprise. Not only that, his reactions to her had surprised him.

~*~

At the end of the day, KC had notched up wins on five scenarios. Her only loss occurred an hour into their first assignment when she attempted to remove her hat and the wig came off, too. Cooper’s biker dude outfit and dark makeup, on the other hand, had completely fooled their suspect.

Debriefing in his office, she pooh-poohed her efforts. “I took off the hat too quickly. Next time, I’ll forget the wig. Or use that special glue I’ve heard about. But my own hair will be longer then, and—”

For the first time, he held up the stop sign.

She chuckled and folded her arms.

Her innocent expression almost caused him to burst out laughing but he maintained his composure. “You’ve completed all of our training components. From now on, your instruction will be hands-on, in the field. When you’ve accrued the required number of hours, you can apply to take the PI exam. As your trainer, I’ll recommend when your rookie status can be upgraded. You’ve broken many records set by former trainees, but I still see impulsiveness as an area of concern. Any questions?”

While he spoke, she fidgeted in the chair and blushed.

“Thank you, Coop. I’ve learned so much from you. And I agree with your assessment. My mom calls me a bulldozer. Rushing ahead without thinking first, trampling over people at times. I’ll take your advice to heart.”

Bulldozer. Yup, that described KC. He leaned back in the chair. “I don’t know about you, but I’m bushed. Go home and have a relaxing weekend. Who knows what assignments Bowen has in store for us next week?”

KC stood and wrung her hands.

Uh-oh. What now?

“I, um, would like to thank you for having faith in me. For not firing me that first day when I climbed the wall or after the computer fiasco.” Her hands stilled. “Can I take you out for supper tomorrow?”

Cooper’s first impulse was to decline. Why? She just wanted to express her appreciation. What harm could a simple meal together do? Intimate setting, candlelight maybe. Oops. He shoved his chair back. “I have another idea. Do you like fishing?”

She nodded and beamed. “You bet. But I seldom get the opportunity.”

“How about we meet at Shelter Island Pier, say ten o’clock tomorrow. We can—” Her dramatic transformation in demeanor halted his words. “Why so glum all of a sudden? Changed your mind?”

“Not exactly. I’ve never been fishing in the ocean. Only rivers.”

“Well, sure the pier is over saltwater, but the bay is usually calm, and we won’t even get our feet wet.”

Nibbling her bottom lip, she looked at him through her lashes. “OK, then. Of course, a pier would not be in the water. What was I thinking?”

“So it’s a go?”

She nodded although her smile lasted only a second.

“After we fish a while, we can catch a meal. No pun intended. Do you want me to supply a rod and tackle?”

“Yes, please. See you then.” She stopped at the door. “But I’m paying.”

The weekend before spring break. Crowded restaurant. No chance for Cooper to blur the lines between rookie and trainer.