The spy switch, p.1
The Spy Switch, page 1
“Now what do we do?” Jennifer asked.
“Clearly, they know where we live,” she added. “Are we going to be dodging bullets whenever we go home from now on?”
“No.” Micah turned to face her. “I need to go on the offensive and hunt down whoever did this. That’s the only way I’m going to stop it.”
Fascinated and more than a little afraid, she stared at him. “But...”
“I don’t have a choice,” he said, his expression going dark.
“In the meantime, are we able to go home?”
“Of course.” He pulled out of the parking lot. “Now, aren’t you glad you learned how to handle a gun?”
His half smile told her he might be kidding. Sort of. Again, she felt like a fish out of water. For an instant she longed to be back in her town house with her cat and her plants, living a life of boring normalcy.
But only for an instant.
This thing she was doing, while dangerous, was also the most exciting adventure she’d ever been on.
Dear Reader,
This story was a fun one to write. I got to visit one of my favorite places on earth, Denver! And I love how some ideas just pop up without warning. This one, a case of mistaken identity, long-separated twin sisters and an undercover operation with a sexy ATF agent, came about like that.
Jennifer Glass is a teacher who is enjoying her summer break. Her life, while maybe a bit predictable and dull, is satisfying. But she yearns for something else and has long felt something is missing, though she doesn’t know what that might be.
Micah Spokane is an experienced undercover ATF agent. When his partner goes on pregnancy medical leave, he’s aware he’s going to have to try to put a believable spin on her disappearance so he doesn’t blow his cover.
A chance meeting in a sporting-goods store with not only his partner’s double but the head of a dangerous weapon-smuggling ring leaves him no choice but to involve the pretty teacher in a fast-paced operation. Jennifer agrees, but only because Micah reveals the existence of her twin sister, whom she’s been subconsciously missing her entire life.
Danger wars with an undeniable physical attraction. Micah realizes that more than the mission is at stake. He must not only protect Jennifer, but his own long-guarded heart. As for Jennifer, the undeniable thrill of the risky case matches another kind of joy—realizing Micah might be the one man for her, if she can get past the wall around his heart.
Happy reading!
Karen Whiddon
THE SPY SWITCH
Karen Whiddon
Karen Whiddon started weaving fanciful tales for her younger brothers at the age of eleven. Amid the gorgeous Catskill Mountains, then the majestic Rocky Mountains, she fueled her imagination with the natural beauty surrounding her. Karen now lives in north Texas, writes full-time and volunteers for a boxer dog rescue. She shares her life with her hero of a husband and four to five dogs, depending on if she is fostering. You can email Karen at kwhiddon1@aol.com. Fans can also check out her website, karenwhiddon.com.
Books by Karen Whiddon
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
The Rancher’s Return
The Texan’s Return
Wyoming Undercover
The Texas Soldier’s Son
Texas Ranch Justice
Snowbound Targets
The Widow’s Bodyguard
Texas Sheriff’s Deadly Mission
Texas Rancher’s Hidden Danger
Finding the Rancher’s Son
The Spy Switch
Colton 911: Chicago
Colton 911: Soldier’s Return
Visit the Author Profile page at
Harlequin.com for more titles.
To all my amazing rescue peeps. Saving dogs and finding happy homes for them brings so much joy!
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Excerpt from Kidnapping in Cameron Glen by Beth Cornelison
Chapter 1
Situational awareness. When Jennifer Glass had taken a basic self-defense class for women, those two words had been her single biggest takeaway. The instructor had drummed that into the entire group: the best defense is prevention and being attuned to what’s going on around you can help you prevent trouble before it even begins.
If Jennifer, along with several hundred other eager shoppers, hadn’t been so enthralled by the amazing sale going on at Mountain Rocks Sporting Goods Company, she might have noticed the big man with dark sunglasses staring at her. She might have also been aware of another man hovering right behind her, almost as if he was trying to protect her.
Instead, she’d been so intent on finding her size in an insanely good, sale-priced pair of the hiking boots she’d been coveting for months, that she jumped when the man behind her grabbed her arm. She tried to jostle into position to elbow him or knee him or something, but he’d pressed her up against the display and held her tightly enough that she couldn’t move.
“Whatever you do, just play along,” he murmured, his mouth right against her ear. “I’ll explain later, Jennifer Glass.”
How did he know her name? Jennifer stiffened. Though her first instinct was to twist out of his grip and move away, she’d just gotten her hands on the last remaining box of size-seven boots in the color she wanted. They were in a crowded space as well, which meant whatever nefarious plans he might have wouldn’t go down easily.
Turning, she forced herself to relax, letting her body go limp. It would be much easier to get away if her assailant wasn’t expecting her to flee.
She looked up, into the bluest pair of eyes she’d ever seen, bright enough to make her blink in surprise. “Please,” he said, his deep voice pleasant. “Just follow my lead.”
“Let me go,” she insisted. “Right now, before I—”
“Lania!” A huge, hulking brute of a man stepped in front of her, smiling. He wore mirrored sunglasses and skinny jeans. “And Mike, of course.” A quick nod at the blond man still holding her arm. “Great to see you two here. I think half of Denver is shopping today.” He pointed to Jennifer’s hiking boots. “Of course, these deals are phenomenal, aren’t they?”
Jennifer stared, trying to figure out why this man thought he knew her. And Mike, who clearly must be the blond man.
“You know it,” Mike said cheerfully. “Lania’s been waiting for this sale all week, haven’t you, honey?” A syrupy, fake smile accompanied the questions.
Play along, he’d said. Curious now, and still not feeling any real danger, she decided to do exactly that.
“I have,” she agreed, her voice equally bright. “These hiking boots are almost sixty percent off.”
“Hiking boots?” Removing his sunglasses to reveal cold brown eyes, he eyed her with a quizzical expression. “I can’t picture you, with your high-fashion designer clothes and high heels, wanting to climb around rocks in the wilderness.”
“She’s considering taking up a new hobby,” Mike interjected before she could respond. “We both are. Together.”
Sliding his sunglasses back on, the stranger laughed, a hard, cold sound without a trace of humor. “Let me know how that goes. I’ll be seeing you two tomorrow night, correct?”
“Tomorrow night?” she started to ask. Mike squeezed her arm, a clear warning.
“Of course,” he responded. “Lania and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Perfect.” With a quick dip of his chin, the other man turned and walked away, the crowd of people appearing to magically part for him. Struck dumb, Jennifer could only stare after him, trying to figure out what the heck had just happened.
Finally, the man named Mike let go of her arm. Glaring at him, she rubbed the red spots where his fingers had gripped her.
“Mind telling me what all that was about?” she asked, stepping away from him with her boxed boots held close to her chest. “Or do I need to call for store security?”
He shook his head, dragging one hand through his short blond hair. “Please don’t. It’s a long story. How about we go for coffee so I can explain?”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Staring at him with mounting disbelief, Jennifer started backing away carefully.
“Wait.” He held up one hand. “You have an identical twin sister,” he said. “You and she were adopted separately, and the records were sealed. I know your sister very well. That man who called you Lania? He thinks you are her.”
This stopped her in her tracks, as no doubt Mike intended. First, he was correct in that Jennifer had been adopted and knew absolutely nothing about her past. For all her life she’d had dreams of a sister, though she’d never known for sure she had one. But a twin? That would explain the sense she had sometimes of experiencing someone else’s emotions.
But how did she know he was telling the truth? He was a total stranger, so why think she’d believe him? Then again, how would he know she’d been adopted? No way she could chalk that up to a lucky guess.
“Please.” He must have noticed her prevaricating. He flashed her what under any other circumstances would have been a devastatingly charming smile. “We need to go somewhere else and talk. I can’t risk being overheard.”
Somewhere else. Torn, she almost put the boots back, but common sense prevailed. “Let me pay for these.” Glancing around, belatedly using her situational awareness, she noticed the other man, the one who’d called her Lania, lingering over by the kayaks. Reaching a quick decision, she nodded. “There’s a coffee shop two blocks west of here. Java Jones. I’ll meet you there.”
“Okay.” He, too, glanced at the other man. “Please don’t stand me up. This is too important. Your sister’s life could be at risk.”
Now he definitely had her attention, as he’d no doubt intended. “I’ll be there,” she finally said, in shock but deciding to believe him for now. A sister? Not just any sister, but an identical twin? All this was news to her. “But first, tell me my sister’s name.”
“Laney,” he answered promptly. “I’ll explain the Lania part later.”
“Sounds good.” Turning to make her way toward the cash register, she frowned when he went along with her. “What are you doing?”
“I can’t leave you alone as long as he’s here,” he explained. “He’s not only dangerous, but it’s important that he believe we’re a couple.”
“Are you?” she asked, stepping into line while still trying to process that he’d used the word dangerous. “Are you and my sister together?”
“Not in the way you think.”
Since she didn’t want to ask too many questions and risk being overheard, she simply nodded. Once she’d made her purchase and headed toward the door, with him still right there by her side, she panicked. “I’m not comfortable with you walking outside with me.”
“The parking lot is just as crowded as the store,” he said, gesturing. “I promise you have nothing to worry about from me.”
Even though he was right about the crowds, she still didn’t like it. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more tempted she was to get in her car and drive away, washing her hands of this entire thing.
Except...what if he was telling the truth? What if she really did have a twin sister?
“You go in front of me,” she said. “Stay at least six feet away and I’ll follow you. Don’t look back. I’ll get in my car and drive to the coffee shop, and you can do the same.”
“That will work, as long as he doesn’t follow us outside. If he does, we’ve got to go in the same car.”
Ignoring the certainty in his bright blue eyes, she shook her head. “Then you’d better hope he doesn’t come out. Because there’s no way you’re getting in my car with me.”
Outside, the parking lot teemed with cars and shoppers, all eager to check out the huge semiannual sale. Mike stayed close to her as she wove her way toward her car. She couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder toward the exit, just to see if they’d been followed.
“I don’t see him,” she said, reaching her Mazda and hesitating before using her key fob to unlock her doors. “I’ll see you at the coffee shop.” She slid into her car, quickly locking the doors after her. Though she started the engine, she didn’t back out until he’d walked away.
Then, heart pounding, she took a deep breath and drove to Java Jones.
At this time of the day, the popular coffee shop had a few open parking spots. Jennifer pulled into one and sat for a moment, trying to calm herself down. She vacillated between feeling foolish, a bit worried and also a sort of eager anticipation. Did she truly have a twin sister? How did this man Mike even know about this while Jennifer knew absolutely nothing? She’d been told her adoption records had been sealed, and despite numerous attempts, she hadn’t been able to unearth anything about her past.
Taking a deep breath, she got out of her car. Looking around, she kept her keys in one hand as a potential weapon in case she needed it. She walked inside the coffee shop, the blast of cold air a welcome respite from the summer heat. She found an empty table near the front window and took it, watching the door.
When Mike strode in, the instant his blue eyes found hers, a shiver snaked down her spine. Every female eye in the place was on him—tall and broad shouldered, with his short blond hair and chiseled features. Jennifer couldn’t blame them. She might as well admit to herself that she found him attractive. Far more than she actually should, considering.
Smiling, he walked over to her table. Her traitorous body sizzled at the power of that smile. “What would you like to drink?” he asked. “My treat.”
“Just a coffee,” she replied, some of her tension easing at the utter normalcy of the conversation. They weren’t alone, just a couple among many in a busy coffee shop. “Two creams and one sweetener.”
He nodded and went to the counter to place the order, returning a few minutes later with both their drinks, which he placed on the table. “Here you go.”
Dropping into the chair across from her, he cocked his head and studied her. “It’s amazing how much you two look alike,” he said. “Uncanny, even.”
Nodding, she sipped her coffee and watched him. “I’m still trying to decide if I can trust you.”
The sounds of the busy coffee shop were all around them, effectively keeping the atmosphere both private and impersonal.
“Here.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a plastic badge with the letters ATF emblazoned on top and slid it across the table.
She picked it up. “Special Agent Micah Spokane,” she read out loud, turning it over in her hands before handing it back to him. “Why don’t you tell me what’s really going on?”
Slowly, he nodded. “Your sister’s name is Laney Peterson. She and I are part of the same undercover operation, involving that guy you met back at Mountain Rocks. She and I are pretending to be married business partners.”
“Which is why that man thought he knew me.”
“Exactly. The thing is, Laney is pregnant, and she’s had some complications. Her doctor has ordered complete bed rest. We’ve been trying to figure out how to handle this without blowing anyone’s cover.”
Pregnant. “I take it you’re not her husband?”
“No.” Again, that flash of a smile. “Not in real life.” He took another sip of his coffee, leaning forward. “There’s a party tomorrow night she and I were supposed to attend. All the big players in Igor’s ring will be there. Obviously, that’s not happening now.” He eyed her, his expression intent. “I was planning to attend alone and make up some excuse about Lania.” He took a deep breath. “I have a better idea. How about you fill in?”
What the what? She fought back a sudden urge to push back her chair and scramble for the exit. Instead, she forced herself to stay planted in her seat. She took a drink of her coffee and shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’m a teacher. Since it’s summer break, I’m taking it easy.”
“A teacher?” he repeated. “What grade?”
“Fifth.” Exhaling, she gathered up the courage to ask what she so badly wanted to know. “I’d like to meet my sister. Where is she? I’m guessing she knows about me, since you knew my name.”
Slowly, he nodded. “She does. Though the adoption records were sealed, the agency took a look at them as part of her vetting process. She was allowed to know the results.”
Each word felt like a knife into her heart. “That’s not fair. I know nothing, but she knows...everything.” She pressed her hand to her chest, willing away that familiar ache. “Why hasn’t she ever contacted me?”
He held her gaze, his own steady. “She said she thought long and hard about doing so, but in the end she decided she didn’t want to disrupt your life.”
Disrupt her life? Unexpectedly, her eyes filled with tears. Her twin mustn’t be very much like her if she thought meeting your long-lost sister would be anything but joyful.
She pushed away the hurt. “What about our parents? Why were we given up for adoption, and more importantly, who would split up twins?”
Instead of immediately answering, he continued to drink his coffee. “I understand you have a lot of questions. I can tell you that your birth mother is deceased, but other than that, you need to talk to Laney.”
