Page 15 of Shadow of Death
“Not yet. We don’t know what the hell has been going on yet,” Hunter said.
“You just came in from South Florida today,” Meyer said, nodding toward Amy who had obviously explained their appearance. “I’m on this—I promise you. Get some sleep. We’ll still be here in the morning.”
Amy was looking at him, nodding. “Right. Teams are looking for Donald Blake and teams will rip up this place. Let’s get—” she said, and then paused. “Let’s get to our hotel room and get some sleep.”
“Right,” Hunter agreed.
Meyer smiled suddenly. “Good luck getting into a respectable hotel! You look like a kid who’s been rolling in the mud on a wet day at the playground.”
Hunter nodded, grinning. “Yeah. But Andy Mason had us all set up. We’re good.”
“Good thing. Try not to scare any kids in the lobby. Oh, wait. I think it’s three in the morning. Shouldn’t be too many people awake at this hour.”
“Right. Okay. Good night,” Hunter said.
Amy echoed his words and turned to make her way to one of the little boats. A man quickly jumped on it, ready to take them back to the bank. There, a police officer was ready to drive them to the hotel Andy Mason had already checked them into.
It wasn’t until they were alone in the hotel room that Amy turned and threw herself on Hunter to hug him tightly.
“I’m sorry, Hunter, but I was so scared. So damned scared when I couldn’t reach you.”
“And I’m sorry, but Amy—”
“Of course, I had just been with Carey, and she was so panicked about that place and her friend, her crush, Donald Blake. And really! What if it had been the other way around? What if you hadn’t been able to reach me? Come on now!”
“And that’s why they generally don’t let couples work on the same team,” Hunter said.
“Ah, but I’m not FBI. I’m FDLE on loan!” she reminded him. “Yes...anyway, go take a shower. You’re a mess.”
“You just hugged me. So now you are, too.”
“Good thing we at least changed into hiking gear. Our clothing may need burning.”
“So they may. Good reason to take it all off, huh?”
She grinned, dropped her bag and walked toward the bathroom. Even though there was a lock and a bolt on the door, she still carried her Glock with her into the bathroom. Hunter looked around their room quickly. Andy Mason had seen to it that their bags were delivered, and they sat on the racks provided for luggage. There were bottles of water on a small refrigerator, and the room also offered coffee and a coffeepot. Typical, perhaps—but he was grateful to his old coworker. Andy would have made sure they had immediate necessities like water.
And for the following morning—yeah, coffee.
He followed Amy into the bathroom, set his own Glock on a towel shelf and peeled off his clothing. He figured he was pretty ripe.
Amy was studiously scrubbing her hair when he stepped behind her. He edged around her and let the hot water sluice over him. He could see the dirt that pooled at his feet and before touching Amy, he grabbed one of the little bottles of liquid soap and poured the whole thing over himself, scrubbing furiously.
Amy laughed, easing a washcloth over his shoulders.
“Don’t remove any flesh!”
“Look at the tub.”
“Yeah, well, some of that was me!”
She was behind him, smoothing the washcloth down his back and then pushing him aside to rinse out her hair. She eased around him again, running her fingers provocatively down his lower abdomen whispering, “I’m squeaky clean and drying off. And...hmm. The bed is just a way more promising venue than this icky shower!”
She stepped out and he grinned. He’d never thought he could share such a bond with anyone. He loved her, and he was in love with her. And while the physical was damned amazing, it was something more. Something in their minds or souls perhaps.
“On my way in a split second,” he promised. “Okay, maybe a minute.”
He scrubbed and rinsed his own hair, rinsed again and again, and finally stepped out and grabbed a towel.
