Page 87 of Once a Hero

For now, he was getting to know Beatrice, and they were at a good pace.

“While I have you on the phone, Helen has a secret project coming up in a few weeks,” Earl said. “I might be well enough to resume work, but might you be interested?”

Jake knew right away that the answer was no. “I don’t know, Earl. I’m in transition, but my goal is to return to the bureau.”

“A career agent. You think they’d take you back?”

“If God wants me back there, I’ll be back. If not, Helen has offered me a permanent position.”

“We have great benefits.” Earl panned his phone around so that Jake could see the panoramic view of the sand and surf.

“Wow.”

“I know, right. All paid for.”

“You had to get shot to earn that view.”

Earl nodded. “Perks of working for Helen, is all I can say.”

“Speaking of houses and cottages, did you ever find out who died in that lake cabin I told you about?” Jake asked. “The one outside Eureka?”

“Yeah. Glad you asked. I almost forgot. Some woman who had lived there by herself for many years. She just up and died one day, and that was that. I’m not sure what the cause of death was, but the cabin was locked from the inside, and there were no signs of break-ins. According to my contacts.”

“How sad.” Jake determined that he did not want to die alone, if at all possible.

“Well, I’m putting in an offer for this cottage right here,” Earl declared.

“Must cost some serious money to buy that view.”

“Yeah.” Earl pointed to the camera. “I couldn’t do this if I were still back at the CIA, you know?”

Jake agreed with him, but he also knew it was a matter of perspective. “Well, serving the country is a different mindset. I’m all over the place all the time. If I bought a beach house, I’ll probably wouldn’t see it most of the year.”

“True.”

“Someday, when I don’t travel as much, I’d love to settle down in a house like that.”

“Settle down? Did I hear you right?” Earl laughed.

“I meant, stay put in one city.” It was too late to correct what he had said. “Isn’t it obvious that I can’t do this forever?”

“Maybe you got fired because it’s God’s way of telling you to move on already.”

“I don’t know.” Jake wondered whether he would have been able to get that close to Beatrice if he were still in the FBI.

Maybe not that close. He would have crossed the line with his feelings for her.

His strong, unshakable feelings for her.

He missed her every day he did not see her. Like today. And it was only morning.

Is this real, Lord? Am I in love?

After lunch, Jake was scheduled to head back to the lab, but Beatrice might not be there. Kenichi had said she was supposed to have a long budget meeting with Benjamin. When Jake found out that he wouldn’t see her all day, he felt bereft.

Bereft?

Yes, bereft.

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