Chapter 6
Confrontation
The weather was perfect Thursday night for Rollin to cook on the grill. He
carefully set the patio table for two with candles in globes for lighting.
Cinnamon had called the theatre and said she wouldn’t be there until nearly
eight. The next night they would be dining in
He heard the back door open and Cinnamon’s voice calling hello. She sounded just a bit timid and uncertain. Rollin had a flash of insecurity. They would be married tomorrow. Would she feel uncomfortable in his house? Or he in hers? Were they rushing things? Then he saw her and his doubts melted.
“Sorry I’m late,” she smiled and set her purse and keys on the counter.
“Not a problem. It gave me a chance to get dinner ready.” He kissed her quickly on the lips, but she put her arms around his waist and held him. He leaned down and gave her a more leisurely kiss.
“This is giving me a chance to see your domestic side,” Cinnamon joked. She looked past him into the kitchen at the food on the counter.
“Hungry?” he asked.
“Starved.”
“How about a glass of wine?”
“Sounds great.”
He ushered her into the living room where he’d left a bottle of wine in a cooler. Two glasses waited next to the cooler on the coffee table and a small tray of vegetables and dip accompanied the wine.
“I’ll put the fish on in a few minutes,” Rollin said as he poured the wine. “All ready for tomorrow?” He watched her carefully.
She nodded and relaxed onto the sofa, wine glass in hand. “All packed.” Her eyes twinkled. “Not getting cold feet are you?”
“Not me,” he said stoutly. All his doubts were about her, but he didn’t intend to admit that.
Cinnamon eyed the cigarette case on the coffee table and Rollin took the hint. He lit one for each of them and they settled back on the sofa.
“What time does our flight leave?” she asked.
“A little after ten. I’ll pick you up at eight-thirty.”
“I’ll be waiting,” her voice was husky and seductive. He was tempted to invite her to stay the night, but put the thought aside. They only had twenty-four hours to go now. Surely he could wait that long.
He moved toward her, covering her lips with his. Her hand crept to his chest and the kiss deepened. It was a long time before they came up for air. “I should put the fish on,” he murmured softly, placing his forehead against hers.
“I am still hungry,” she said softly.
He pulled himself reluctantly away from her and headed for the kitchen. She slipped out of her pumps and followed him to help. They talked about her photo shoot and his rehearsal and relaxed while he moved out to the patio.
The salmon was perfect. She seemed amused when he fussed over getting the brown criss-cross stripes from the grill just right. They lingered at the table, enjoying the wine, the moonlight, and most especially the kisses.
It was after ten and Rollin poured them each a brandy. She told him she would need to leave soon and he nodded reluctantly. Neither made a move to leave the balcony. They sat hand in hand, enjoying the view, the liquor and each other. The scuff of a shoe on the steps by the side of the house drew their attention. Rollin tensed and felt Cinnamon do the same. Agency trained defensive reactions set in.
Jim’s white-blond hair gave him away instantly and Rollin relaxed slightly.
“Jim,” Rollin greeted him casually, as if he had been expecting him.
“Rollin, Cinnamon,” Jim Phelps responded just as casually.
Rollin played the perfect host, waving Jim to a chair almost before their agency boss could hesitate. “I just poured us some brandy. Would you like a glass?”
“I think I’ll pass,” Jim said, folding himself gracefully into a chair across the table from the pair. He pulled a cigarette case and lighter from the coat of his dark suit and spent a moment lighting the cigarette and returning case and lighter to his pocket.
Cinnamon took a sip of her brandy, remaining her ever-collected self. Rollin knew it was an act since he was holding her hand which had gone clammy almost as soon as Jim appeared.
“I was wondering what the two of you were up to,” Jim said quietly.
Rollin smiled easily and gave Cinnamon a reassuring squeeze of the hand. “I was introduced to this lovely lady at a party last week.”
“So I read in the paper. Did you think it would go unnoticed?” Jim asked.
“No. In fact, we were hoping everyone would notice,” Rollin responded.
“How are we doing so far, Jim?” Cinnamon asked. Her tone held just the right touch of amusement and rebellion. She was such a good actress. Rollin wondered if he could persuade her to try out for a part in a play with him sometime. His heart beat faster thinking of playing beside her to an audience. That would be more thrilling that the parts they played on the team.
“You have my undivided attention,” Jim said softly. “What’s the plan?”
“I was immediately smitten,” Rollin said, exchanging a smile with Cinnamon. “And was delighted to find that the feeling is mutual. In fact, we’ve decided to elope. Tomorrow.”
Cinnamon added, “It’s been one of those whirlwind
“Very funny. I didn’t know the two of you had such a flare for comedy. You are aware that there are people who will not find this amusing.”
Rollin dropped Cinnamon’s hand and leaned forward. He gave Jim an intense look. “This has nothing to do with our mutual employer,” he said softly but earnestly. “We met in our ‘public’ personas, and have taken great pains to make sure our behavior has been open and above-board.”
“I think it has been very carefully staged to look like that.”
“Planning is frequently the key to success,” Rollin countered with a shrug. “You should know that.”
“Have you considered how this might effect your future?”
“Jim,” Cinnamon said. “That’s exactly what we are thinking of.” Very softly she continued, “We won’t be spies forever you know. We both want a family, a future together.”
“You plan to resign?”
“We were hoping this would allow us to continue working,” Rollin said. “Our careers still allow us to travel when needed. Whether we’re working together or separately, we won’t have to make up excuses any more than we do now. And we’ve made sure we haven’t compromised any security by suddenly being together.”
“Yes, I noticed. Very well done, by the way,” Jim said dryly. He turned to Cinnamon. “Have you told your father yet?”
“It’s not exactly customary to inform everyone beforehand when you plan to elope,” she replied, amused.
“Perhaps not. Rollin, how will you feel about her playing someone else’s wife, or seducing someone during a mission?”
“Jim, she’ll be playing a part. Actors do these things all the time.”
“And you’re completely comfortable with it?”
Rollin turned and looked into Cinnamon’s eyes. He lifted her hand to his lips and said, “I know her heart.” He turned to Jim. “I understand the risks.”
Jim looked at the two of them for a long moment. Finally he nodded and stood. “You are aware that this may effect my decision about using you on occasion.”
Cinnamon answered after glancing at Rollin. “You have a talent for choosing the right person for the job. We’ll trust your judgment.”
Rollin stood and held out his hand. Jim shook it briefly, nodded to Cinnamon and left without another word. They sat quietly together and listened as Jim’s car started up and pulled away. Rollin let out a sigh of relief and squeezed Cinnamon’s hand.
“That went better than I thought it would,” he said. “More brandy?”
Cinnamon shook her head. “I wish I could, but I really do need to leave. I have to finish packing.”
They stood and Rollin walked her to the car. They lingered over good night kisses until Cinnamon finally pushed Rollin back and stepped into the car.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said.
He kissed her hand again and stood back as she started the car. “Good night Mrs. Rollin Hand.”
She smiled and winked at him. “Tomorrow,” she promised, and drove away.
End part 6