“So,” Chloe murmured. “We really should get some sleep. Edward is safe with George, but...”
“But the others are dancing or in the casino,” Wes said dryly. He shook his head. “I think we’re safe to get some sleep tonight.”
“Because you think that something is going to happen tomorrow,” Chloe said.
He shrugged. “And how would we stop it? Call it in with absolutely nothing conclusive? We have no leads except what the tech departments—our own—already discovered for us as far as suspects, no way to just say that hey, something is way off in big tech, stop the world?”
Chloe sighed softly. “Yeah, you’ve got a point. And... I don’t know why. I don’t think that anything is going to happen tonight, either. Whatever they’re doing now... Well, whoever it is might have figured out that law enforcement just might decide that something wasn’t right about several people shot dead without seeming to have protested or fought back in any way. And if so, whatever they do now is going to need to appear as an accident.”
“Are you doing all right?” he asked her.
She frowned. “Of course. Hey! Okay, state law enforcement, not as big and bright as that going around the country, but we’re incredibly well-trained, we work—”
“Stop! Please!” he begged her, grinning. “I didn’t mean in that way. I just meant, well, you know, this takes an emotional toll. I mean, I’m not bugging you when I play with your hair or—”
“You stop! Yes, you’re cute enough, but not to worry—I’m not going to turn around and attack you or throw myself into your arms!” she told him, grinning.
He shook his head, laughing, as well. “I’m just asking because it’s natural to become frustrated!”
“Well, in this field, we spend most of our lives frustrated.” She winced. “Now I didn’t mean—”
“And I didn’t mean to imply!”
Chloe laughed again softly. “Okay, so I say that we get to Ocho Rios and do the Dunn’s River Falls. Have a lovely lunch—and another hour and a half bus trip back to the ship. Then, we shower and change, grab dinner—and hit the dance floor and then the casino. You a gambler?”
“Not really, though the powers that be have allowed us a little bit of a budget. And, yeah, I can play poker, craps, or... Well, anyone can play roulette,” he said with a shrug. “And you?”
“I can play a mean slot machine if I must,” she told him, before frowning. “Hm, not. I’m not taking taxpayer money into any big games!”
“Fine, you can play the cheapest slots, and I’ll see what’s there when we go in. And, more importantly, who’s there,” he said.
“That works for me!” Chloe agreed. “I can take the couch—”
“Take it tomorrow night,” he told her. “We’ll be a great deal more tired!”
Chloe, grinning, shook her head and retired into the cabin’s bedroom.
She peeked out for a minute. “Such a gentleman!” she told him.
“I told you when we boarded—”
“Just kidding! I don’t mind my nights on the bed at all!”
Chloe disappeared into the bedroom.
Wes sat on the sofa, smiling for a minute. Playing husband and wife on this was no hardship. The longer they worked together...
The more he liked her.
The more he respected her, too.
But, of course, he was human. And no matter what the color of her hair, Chloe was a truly beautiful young woman. She could be quick to smile...
She could play a part incredibly.
And he was one hell of a liar. Frustrated? Oh, hell yeah! He could get frustrated.
But he could stop emotions and physical responses, too. He could, did and would. And most of the time, he was too busy reading people to give much thought to his emotions or reactions to any stimuli.
