Chapter 2

Bubble Bath

Two days later Cinnamon was enjoying the luxury of a bubble bath in a Swiss hotel.  Her feet were blistered and the hot water was stinging in a comforting, healing sort of way.  She leaned back, closed her eyes and relaxed.  They had walked to the nearest train station, sent a wire for funds and taken the first available train to Switzerland.  Rollin had secured them a private car and she almost immediately fell sound asleep tucked safely in Rollin’s arms.

Jim met them at the train station and brought them to the hotel.  They were scheduled for a debriefing the following morning.

The door opened but Cinnamon remained still.  She had a good idea who it was.

“Want some wine?  I thought it might help you relax.”

“My door was locked, sir.”

“Yes, it took me nearly ten seconds to get in here.”  He dangled a full glass of wine in front of her.

He settled on the floor next to the claw-footed tub, their eyes met and she leaned her glass toward his.  They sipped the champagne together without talking.

“You okay?”  he asked.

“Yes, I’m fine.  A little stiff.  My feet are a little sore.”

“They were better than the alternative.  Rollin, thank you.  For being there, and taking care of me.”

Rollin reached for her hand and brought it to his lips.  “I did what I could.  You deserve the best.”

She smiled at him then leaned back with a sigh.  “And now what?”  She looked at him with regret.  After admitting her feelings, her vulnerability, she wasn’t sure they could put things back the way they’d been before.  How could they possibly put things back the way they had been?  She no longer wanted to be just his pal and his co-worker.

He kissed her hand again, and massaged her palm.  “I have an idea.”

“Oh?”

“Of course, fraternization among team members is frowned upon.”

“Of course.”

“But we both have other lives—public lives.”

“Yes—“

“If you just happened to attend a party given by a friend.  And that friend just happened to introduce you to a charming young actor…”

Cinnamon’s eyes went wide.  “Well, a charming young actor.  I might be interested.”

“Well I would hope so,” Rollin said indignantly.  “He’s quite eligible.  Women are always throwing themselves at him.”

Cinnamon lay back again, but did not let go of his hand.  She continued to tease him.  “I hear he’s modest too.  I like that in a man.”

Rollin shrugged. “Upon occasion, he can be.”  He grinned.  “In any event, if a beautiful young model and an up and coming actor met at a party and had a very public whirlwind romance, what could the Secretary say?”

“A whirlwind romance?”

“Very public.  And culminating quickly in a nice simple wedding ceremony.”

“A wedding?”

“Marry me, Cinnamon, as quickly as we can arrange it.  I want to spend my life with you.  I want to be your partner, forever.”

She moved to sit up. 

“No, don’t.  We’ve waited this long.  I want everything to be perfect on our wedding night.”

He squeezed her hand.  “If our public lives mesh, it doesn’t mean we need to give up our ‘private’ career, of course.”

“They may have some thoughts on that.  Jim, and the Secretary.”

“We’ll convince them that we can still play the game.  But on our terms.  We play husband and wife often enough.  Why can’t we be husband and wife?  Are you willing to play the part?”

“It’s the part I’ve always wanted to play,” she told him with a smile.

“You’ll be a natural.”  He leaned forward and kissed her then slipped out of the room.  “Be ready!”

“I will,” she called with a laugh.  She settled back into her bath and sipped the rest of the champagne.  She was now very anxious to get home.

end part 2

<return to Conspiracy> <part 3>