Undercover Marriage (4 page)

She couldn’t—didn’t—trust him.

But she couldn’t ignore the fact that they were about to embark on an undercover mission that would require them to at least be civil with each other in private and madly in love in public. Her stomach clenched.

She wasn’t sure how she’d pull off the adoring-wife role.

She didn’t even know what that looked like. Not on a personal level.

Oh, sure she’d seen some happy couples. Colton and Lisette, Hunter and Annie to name a few. But she didn’t have any experience being in love. She’d never taken the time to pursue romance; she’d been too focused on becoming a marshal and being the best one she could be.

The only person she’d ever daydreamed about was the one man she could never have. Josh. But that was long ago, and those feelings didn’t matter anymore.

Remembering the lesson her brother taught her about building bridges in relationships, she knew for the sake of the mission she had to mend this riff with Josh. Starting out their pretend marriage angry wouldn’t bode well for the success of the operation. So she’d do her part, despite her personal reservations about Josh.

Resigned to what she had to do, she popped the door open and climbed out. She hadn’t been to Josh’s apartment since before Daniel’s death. Daniel had dragged her to a dinner party at Josh’s, hoping to set her up with another guest. The man, Les, worked in the D.A.’s office, if she remembered correctly. He’d been nice enough, but she hadn’t been interested.

She’d also met Josh’s then-girlfriend: a buxom blonde who’d come across as deeply insecure, clinging to Josh as if she’d been afraid someone would steal him away from her. Serena never wanted to be that kind of woman.

The door to Josh’s apartment was ajar. He’d known she’d follow him.

Jerk? Or good partner?

She sighed, accepting whatever God had in mind for her, and gently pushed the door open. She walked into the apartment, surveying his domain. An old leather couch, a huge forty-eight-inch flat-screen television and a stack of books made up the living room. The kitchen showed signs of a hasty breakfast. A loaf of bread sat on the counter. A jar of peanut butter sat out with the lid screwed on crooked.

Josh came out of the bathroom carrying a toiletry bag. He glanced up. Surprise widened his eyes, then he gave her a crooked smile. “You startled me. Didn’t really expect you to follow me in.”

She swallowed her pride and ego to say, “I’m sorry I was so harsh with you. I don’t think you’re a monster.”

His expression softened, but wariness remained in his eyes. “That’s good to know.” He nodded and disappeared into his bedroom.

Serena sighed, hating the dejected feeling spreading through her. There was no reason for it. This was work, not personal.

Her gaze landed on a framed photo hanging on the wall, and her breath caught. It was a photo of Josh, Daniel and her from a few summers ago. They’d attended a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. The first baseman had hit a home run into the stands. Josh had caught the ball and promptly given it to her. In the photo Serena was holding the prize while her brother and Josh flanked her. They looked so happy and carefree.

She missed Daniel. Missed the easy camaraderie among the three of them. And, she realized, she missed Josh, too. He’d been a good friend. And she didn’t have many of those.

When Josh came out of the bedroom carrying a suitcase and garment bag, she quickly gathered her composure; no sense in him seeing her getting misty and sentimental. Taking the garment bag from his hand, she retreated out the door back to the car.

Tense silence filled the car on the drive to Serena’s condo. She sought something to say but no words formed. The next few days, weeks—she blew out a sharp breath—months were going to be long if the tension didn’t ease between them.

When they arrived, Josh opted to wait by the car while she packed her cosmetic case and her essential garments into a small travel bag. She also grabbed running shoes and yoga clothes. She might be portraying a stay-at-home wife, but that didn’t mean she would let her exercise regimen go by the wayside. Staying both physically and mentally prepared for any situation that might arise was an important requirement of the marshals.

When she came out, Josh eyed her two small bags. “That’s it?”

“Did you not catch the part about my needing to buy clothing appropriate for this charade?”

“I didn’t think you were serious,” he replied, taking her bag from her hand and tucking it behind the driver’s seat. “We can hit the Galleria on the way.”

“Perfect.” Three major retailers had stores in the Richmond Heights area mall. Definitely places the affluent wife of a bank executive would shop.

“We’ll also need rings,” Josh said.

Her stomach dropped. She’d forgotten that part.

Two hours later, with shiny rings, enough clothes to last for the duration of their pretend marriage and two brand-new BMWs, they pulled into the driveway of the detached garage behind the Compton Heights home that would be their base of operation.

Serena climbed out of the small sports utility vehicle they’d decided would be a good mom car. Josh had chosen a roomy four-door sedan. Something unfamiliar fluttered in her tummy. The thought of being a mom stirred places inside her heart she’d not known existed.

Entering the house, Serena was struck by the grandness of the old historic home. Period woodwork throughout, golden oak floors and an ornate staircase leading to the second story took her breath away. The furnishings left behind by the previous occupants matched the historic feel of the place.

“You’re here,” a woman said as she exited the kitchen. Compact and tiny, with graying hair and a wide smile, she grasped Serena’s hand. “I was beginning to worry. I’m Linda.”

“Serena.”

Linda raised a gray eyebrow. “Susan,” she corrected.

Serena flushed. “Yes, Susan.”

Patting her hand, Linda said, “You’ll get used to it.” Then she moved to Josh. “You’re as handsome as ever, Jack,” she said, using Josh’s alias.

Josh smiled and hugged Linda. “You haven’t changed a bit, either, Aunt Linda.”

“Retirement suits me,” Linda said. “However, I have to say, I couldn’t resist coming out of retirement to help take down a baby-smuggling ring. The very idea of babies being stolen and sold chaps my hide.”

“We’re glad to have you.” Josh set his luggage on the stairs. “Before we do anything else, let’s set up our initial meeting with Matilda Munders.”

Anticipation churned in Serena’s stomach as they followed Linda into the office. An antique oak desk dominated the room. On top of the desk was a recording system attached to a phone. Josh consulted the file on the Perfect Family Adoption Agency and dialed the number, putting the call on speaker. A moment later the receptionist answered. Josh asked for Matilda.

“One moment, please.”

The sound of ringing filled the office. After the third ring, a woman answered.

“Perfect Family Adoption Agency, Matilda speaking. How may I help you?”

Josh met Serena’s gaze as he spoke. “I hope you can. My name is Jack Andrews. My wife and I recently relocated to St. Louis. We were told your agency was the one to call. We are desperate to adopt a baby.”

“You have called the right place,” Matilda said. “Let’s schedule an appointment. When can you and your wife come in?”

“This afternoon?”

“Three would be perfect. We’ll see you then.”

Josh disconnected. “Are you ready, Susan?”

Serena inhaled and let it out slowly. “I’m ready, Jack.”

Ready to take down Fred Munders and the Perfect Family Adoption Agency.

Unease slithered down her spine. So many people had died trying to keep the authorities from bringing Munders and the adoption agency to justice.

Serena prayed there would be no more casualties.

FOUR

“S
top fidgeting. You look beautiful, the perfect wife and wannabe mother. And the red suits you,” Josh said, pausing at the steps leading to the entrance of the Perfect Family Adoption Agency. He shifted the metal briefcase full of marked hundreds from one hand to the other. “Of course, you always look beautiful.”

Serena’s hands stilled on the skirt of her floral summer dress. Was Josh mocking her?

She forced her gaze to meet his. The genuine male appreciation in his warm eyes behind the black hipster-framed glasses—which, along with his newly dyed black hair, made her think of Clark Kent—and the soft smile curving his well-formed mouth made heat creep up her neck to settle in her cheeks. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d blushed. The sensations rocketing through her weren’t unpleasant.

Josh thought she looked beautiful?

She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. She didn’t wear dresses often, only on special occasions and never something as flowy as what she wore now. She preferred tailored, professional attire. Power suits that made her look and feel capable.

But the salesclerk had said the A-line silhouette flattered her figure. Serena guessed “Susan Andrews” would wear a dress that flattered her figure. Serena had to admit she felt feminine in the flowery dress, a coral-colored cap-sleeved shrug and strappy wedge heels.

But the biggest change had been the haircut. Linda had convinced her she needed to go shorter and dye her dark brown hair a light shade of auburn. She’d hardly recognized herself in the mirror. The bob curling around her chin emphasized her eyes and the length of her jaw. And the wispy bangs brushing across her forehead would take getting used to.

She dropped her gaze from Josh’s and stared at her bright pink painted nails. Another first.

Not sure what to do with his statement or how to feel about her reaction to his words, she straightened her shoulders and fought for the professional persona that had served her well over the course of her career. She was a marshal doing a job. And the man beside her was her partner. This was all pretend.

She must never forget that.

“Thank you, Jo—Jack.”

Josh grinned. “You’re welcome,
Susan.
” He held out his arm. “Shall we see about adopting a baby?”

She hesitated, chewing on her lower lip. Could she convince Mrs. Munders they were a loving couple? Could she act like she adored Josh? So much was riding on their effectively gaining Mrs. Munders’s trust so they could catch her and her husband in the act of illegally selling a baby to them. Her heart cramped.

“You’ll do fine,” Josh whispered, taking her hand and tucking her arm through his.

His uncanny ability to read her left her mouth dry. She averted her gaze from his probing brown eyes. She prayed he was right. She would need God’s strength to convince anyone they were a devoted couple.

She stared at the brick single-story building before her, trying not to quake. Pretending to be a married woman in love wanting a child was completely out of her wheelhouse. She’d rather be chasing down a bad guy on the street. Where was her well-earned professionalism when she needed it?

The place looked well maintained. Flower beds filled with blooming roses and azaleas lined the concrete stairs leading to the entrance. A knot in her shoulders tightened with each step she took toward the entrance.

Josh ushered her through the glass door, his hand skimming over her lower back. She quickened her step to outpace his touch and the ensuing tingles racing over her.

The reception area was small with six chairs, a coffee table covered with magazines and a desk behind which sat a young, blonde-haired woman in her mid-twenties. A name plaque read Jill Treehill.

Jill smiled, showing pearl-white teeth behind ruby-red lips. “Welcome. How can I help you?”

“We have an appointment with Mrs. Munders,” Josh said.

“Just one moment.” Jill gracefully rose from the desk and glided down the hall to the closed door on the right.

She returned a few moments later. “Mrs. Munders will see you now.”

They were escorted down a short hall to an office. Serena stopped short when her gaze landed on a collage of baby photos covering the wall opposite the door. Her heart lurched. How many of these little faces were children ripped away from their parents and sold to other families?

Josh touched her elbow. She started, swinging her gaze to the woman rising from behind the desk. Petite, with gray hair in a bun and a kindly face wreathed in wrinkles. Pale blue eyes regarded Josh for a moment before turning to Serena.

Mrs. Munders’s eyes widened. “Jeannie, darling, where have you been?”

Taken aback, Serena shared a confused glance with Josh.

“Mrs. Munders,” Josh said. “I’m Jack Andrews and this is my wife, Susan. We have an appointment with you.”

Confusion clouded Mrs. Munders’s eyes. She blinked several times and then said, “Please have a seat.” She gestured to two chairs facing the desk, her gaze never leaving Serena.

They sat. Josh tucked the briefcase under the chair. Serena folded her hands together to keep from fidgeting. Josh placed his big, warm hand over hers. She shivered from the electric current zinging up her arm. Her first impulse was to pull away but she forced herself to remain still.

Mrs. Munders smiled. “What can I do for you?”

“We want to adopt a baby,” Josh stated. “We’ve been married for five years now and have been unable to conceive.”

The sympathy in Mrs. Munders’s eyes had Serena threading her fingers through Josh’s to keep from reaching across the desk and shaking the money-grubbing woman. The sympathy couldn’t be real. Not with all they’d learned about the Munderses and their illegal organization.

Instead, Serena sat forward and played to the feigned emotion in the older woman’s gaze. “I really would like to be a mother.”

The words sounded sincere even to her own ears. A desire for children, for a family, bubbled inside Serena. She pushed the distracting sentiment back into a dark corner of her mind and concentrated on the woman sitting across the desk. Now was not the time to think about herself and her lack of a love life.

Mrs. Munders nodded. “Of course you do, dear. Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have had hundreds of successful adoptions over the years.”

Hundreds
of adoptions? Serena’s gaze drifted to the photo board as a sick feeling churned in her midsection. A gentle tug on her hand by Josh gave her the strength to refocus.

“I have forms you’ll need to fill out,” Mrs. Munders continued. “And then we’ll schedule individual interviews and a home visit.”

Serena swallowed. “Individual interviews?”

“Yes. I like to talk to each parent to get a feel for who they are apart from their partner.” She turned her gaze to Josh. “I like to see how the house is set up for a child, the yard and neighborhood. We can’t be too careful. I take placing children in adoptive homes very seriously.”

“That’s good to know,” Josh said in a neutral tone.

But Serena could see the angry tic of muscle in the side of his jaw. No doubt he was thinking of the babies taken from their mothers through coercion. The thought made Serena’s blood boil as well, but she kept a tight rein on her emotions.

Mrs. Munders opened a desk drawer and withdrew a manila envelope. “The first step will be filling out the application. There is an application fee of five thousand dollars. Cash up front.”

“Of course,” Josh said and reached for the briefcase. He popped the lid and counted out the money. Mrs. Munders stuffed the stack of bills in a drawer, then made a notation in a ledger before offering Josh an envelope with the application inside.

“How long will the process take?” Serena asked.

Mrs. Munders smiled kindly. “It could take up to a year.”

Serena winced and cast a frantic glance at Josh. No way could she keep up the facade of Susan Andrews for a year.

“We’d like to expedite the process,” Josh said. “We are anxious to start our family.”

“I understand,” Mrs. Munders replied. “We will do our best to find you the perfect child as soon as possible.”

“I’d like an infant,” Serena said, thinking about Baby Kay. Where was the little girl now? Was she safe? Being cared for? Concern squeezed Serena’s heart.

“That will cost more,” Mrs. Munders said, her shrewd gaze on Serena.

Of course it would. Every time they ordered off the menu, the price went up. Red flags blazed in Serena’s mind.

“What is the price?” Serena asked, careful to keep her face from showing how much she detested the idea of buying a baby.

“Doesn’t matter how much money,” Josh stated before Mrs. Munders could respond. “My wife wants a baby and I’ll pay whatever it costs.”

“Excellent.” Mrs. Munders opened a ledger on her desk and wrote down their names by hand.

Her old-school way of keeping track of clients would make tracking down the babies and their adoptive parents harder. And if they asked for a warrant, the leak in the department would be able to warn the Munderses.

Subtly straining to see the names listed, Serena couldn’t make out a single word. Mrs. Munders’s shaky handwriting was illegible at this angle. Serena fiddled with the hem of her sweater.

They had to get a look at that ledger.

Josh placed his hand over hers again. She jerked slightly at the contact. Hopefully, Mrs. Munders didn’t notice.

“I can see how anxious you are, Susan,” Mrs. Munders said.

Rats! Serena tried for a smile but was sure it turned out to be more of a grimace. “This has been a trying time.”

In so many ways. Her brother had been murdered. Innocent babies were being bought and sold like chattel. And she was pretending to be Josh’s wife so they could “start” a family. Her stomach curdled.

Her face wreathed in what had to be artificial concern, Mrs. Munders rose and came around the desk.

If Serena didn’t know the truth about this woman, she might believe Mrs. Munders actually cared, that her heart was truly pierced by the pain of those who sat across from her each day desperate for a child.

Mrs. Munders held out her hand.

Compelled to take the offered compassion or appear rude, Serena placed her hand into the older woman’s. Mrs. Munders’s skin was soft and smooth, her bones fragile in Serena’s grip. Yet there didn’t seem to be anything soft about this woman.

“Don’t worry, my dear Jeannie,” Mrs. Munders crooned. “I will take care of everything. You’ll have a child in your arms before you know it.”

That was the second time she’d referred to Serena by the name of Jeannie.

“I’m Susan. Who’s Jeannie?”

Panic marched across Mrs. Munders’s face. She recoiled slightly, her gaze focusing on Serena. “Oh, dear. I’m so sorry. It’s just you look so much like my daughter.”

Surprised sympathy tugged at Serena. She remembered from the background check that the Munderses had had a daughter who passed away years ago. “What happened to Jeannie?”

“A car accident. She was twenty. She had auburn hair like yours.”

Serena couldn’t help sending Josh a quick glance, but his gaze was fixed on Mrs. Munders, his expression appropriately sympathetic but intent.

Mrs. Munders gave herself a little shake. “Forgive me.” She paused, cocked her head and said, “What was it you wanted?”

“We gave you the money,” Josh supplied.

Serena tucked in her chin. “You gave us the adoption application.”

“Oh, right.” She let go of Serena’s hand. “You two fill out the application. Then we can schedule a home visit.”

“Does your husband handle the legal paperwork?” Josh asked. “Will we receive a receipt for the amount we’ve paid?”

Serena watched Mrs. Munders’s reaction closely. The woman didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, he does. And I’m sure you will be given a receipt.”

Josh sat forward. “When will we be able to meet with him?”

“Oh, not until I’ve vetted your application and we have a child available,” came Mrs. Munders’s reply.

The expression of utter confidence grated on Serena’s nerves. Obviously the woman believed she and her husband were beyond the law’s reach.
We’ll see about that,
Serena thought.

Josh rose. “We’ll be in touch.”

Serena stood and hesitated. She wanted a look at the ledger. “Could I use your restroom?”

“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Munders said and walked to the door. “At the end of the hall on the right.”

Serena met Josh’s confused gaze. Keeping her back to Mrs. Munders, she raised a hand in front of her and pointed one finger toward the ledger on the desk. Since the woman left the book open and in plain sight, Serena had no qualms about taking a peek.

A frown appeared on Josh’s face then quickly disappeared as he apparently realized her intent. One corner of his mouth lifted and he gave her a subtle nod. He placed his hand at the small of her back, sending those little tingles shimmering up her spine again. He ushered her into the hall.

“I’ll only be a moment,” Serena said and walked down the hall toward the restrooms.

“Mrs. Munders, would you be so kind as to take a look at our new vehicle?” Josh asked. “We bought it with a baby in mind.”

“Of course I can,” Mrs. Munders replied in a pleased tone.

Serena slowed and waited until they’d disappeared into the reception area. She heard them talking to Jill before going out the front door. Quickly Serena darted back into Mrs. Munders’s office and hurried to the desk. The ledger sat open on the desktop. She fished out her smartphone from her purse and snapped a picture of the page. She flipped back a page and took a snapshot of that one, too. Then, fearing she was running out of time, she hurried from the office and entered the reception room as Josh and Mrs. Munders were coming back inside.

“That is a lovely vehicle, and I can already tell you two will make great parents,” Mrs. Munders exclaimed with a wide smile.

Josh took Serena’s hand. She started to pull away but noticed Mrs. Munders’s interested gaze. She tightened her hold and leaned into him.

“We’ll be in touch soon,” Serena called out.

They left Mrs. Munders standing in the doorway of the Perfect Family Adoption Agency.