cleared her throat. Without meeting Clay’s gaze, she said, “Is that really necessary? My work doesn’t call for me to interact with another person. My guess is that Clay will be needed more in the field.”
Sam nodded. “That’s true. But you’ll need to stay in constant contact with each other. I don’t want you sneezing without his knowing about it. This thing is going to take long hours because we’re going to be thorough. If you have a problem working with Callaway, you need to tell me now.”
Pam darted a quick glance at Clay. He smiled at her, daring her to tell the colonel about their shared past. He knew he sure as hell wasn’t going to mention it.
“Whatever you want to do is fine with me,” she replied, absently nibbling on her bottom lip. Clay was immediately reminded of his erotic dream last night—the dream that had become immensely real. He remembered touching her soft lips. He remembered doing all kinds of things he now wanted very much to forget.
“All right,” Sam said. “Here’s what you need to know about my background. I’m from Virginia. We met some years back. I’m retired from the army—currently keeping an eye on the family farm. I’m here visiting friends.” He looked at Clay. “You heard I was in town and invited me to visit you.”
“Uh, yes, sir. And my reason was…?”
Sam’s lips quirked. “You wanted to see me again, perhaps? Maybe renew our friendship?”
Clay leaned back in his chair and looked at Sam. “I guess that works,” he replied. He looked at Pam. “Is that what we’re doing…renewing our friendship?”
Pam glanced quickly at Carruthers before replying, “It doesn’t really matter, does it? The most important thing is to get to the bottom of this situation as quickly as possible and get on with our lives.”
“Exactly,” Sam said, nodding. He looked around the table. “Any other questions?” When no one answered, he said, “Then that should do it for now. Chavez, you’d better take off. You’ve got a long drive ahead of you.”
“Yes, sir.”
Clay stood to let Joe get out of the booth.
Sam continued. “You’ve got the number to my cell phone. Call me any time and we’ll get onto a secured line.”
Chavez nodded and walked away.
Clay turned to sit down when he heard a feminine voice behind him say, “I thought that was you.” With the way his luck was running this morning, Clay froze and apprehensively glanced over his shoulder.
Katie Henley paused beside their table. “Oh, I was hoping I could join you for breakfast, but it looks like I’m too late.”
Clay, wondering what to say, glanced around at Sam and was startled by the look on Sam’s face. He was staring at Katie as though the Christmas tree angel had come to life right before his eyes.
Sam had immediately stood as soon as Katie first spoke. “By all means, join us,” he said with a warm smile. Clay stared at Sam, amazed at how his warm expression thoroughly changed his looks.
Clay allowed Katie to slide into the seat recently vacated by Joe before he sat down again. He introduced her to Sam, and using their new cover explained that they had met a few years ago when Sam was still in the army and that he was visiting the area.
Katie smiled at Sam. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, before allowing her gaze to rest on Pam. “It’s so good to see you again, Pam. I never managed to get over to your table last night to say hello.” She leaned against Clay and playfully nudged his shoulder. “It’s wonderful to see you two together again.”
Sam quirked a brow. “Again?”
Katie looked a little uneasy, suddenly realizing she might be putting someone in an awkward position. “Clay and Pam grew up together. In fact, I think at one time there was talk about a marriage, but they were so young back then—still in school. I guess it was called off…” she finished.
Clay was glad his talkative cousin had caught herself before the hole she was digging for him buried him alive.
Sam looked at him with speculation in his eyes, but came to his rescue nonetheless. “If I’d known that Clay had a cousin as beautiful as you, I’d have come to visit him long before now,” he said, his eyes gleaming.
Katie actually blushed at Sam’s compliment, Clay noticed with surprise. She was much more animated this morning than she’d been last night. This was the Katie he remembered when he was growing up. He was glad that meeting Sam had been able to put some color back in her cheeks. He could almost forgive her for bringing up the past at a very delicate time.
“You’re very kind,” she managed to say.
Sam chuckled. “Me, kind? I’m sure Clay would agree that that description doesn’t fit me at all.”
Memories of some of the situations this man had dreamed up for the recruits flashed in Clay’s mind. No. Kind was not the word that first came to mind when he thought of Lieutenant Colonel Sam Carruthers.
He knew there would be no more discussion in front of Katie. Taking a chance on irritating his superior officer, Clay said, “If you will excuse me, I’ve got some errands to take care of before heading out of here.”
Katie laughed. “Don’t let me run you off, Clay.”
Pam spoke up. “Actually, I need to go as well.” She looked at Clay. “I believe we need to finish that discussion we started earlier, don’t you?”
Clay glanced at Sam, who moved so that Pam could get out. “I’ll stay here and visit with you,” Sam said to Katie, “if that’s all right. No sense in you having to eat alone.”
Katie looked up at Pam and Clay before glancing uncertainly at Sam. “If you need to go, of course I’ll understand.”
Sam shook his head. “I’m in no hurry.” He nodded at Clay and Pam. “I’ll see you guys a little later, I’m sure.”
As soon as they left the coffee shop Pam said, “Did you arrange this, Clay?”
He glanced down at her. “What? Having Katie show up?”
She shook her head. “No. That Sam would have the two of us work together.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t know until last night that you worked for the government or would have anything to do with this assignment.”
“Oh.”
“How long have you been with the FBI?” he asked as they crossed the lobby to the elevators.
“Five years. Why?”
“No reason. What were you doing before then?”
“Getting my education. I spent some time working overseas with a humanitarian group before I returned to the States and applied for the position I now hold.”
They reached the elevators and stepped into the open door of one.
“Which
