Captive Of Fate. Lindsay McKenna

jerked off his cap, running his long fingers through his hair. Alanna had expected a crew cut. After all, Senator Thornton had painted him as a gung-ho Marine officer. Instead, his hair was neatly tapered to the base of his neck, and a rebellious strand dipped momentarily down across his forehead.

      Alanna compressed her full lips. “I said I’m sorry, Colonel. I’m as confused about all this as you are. I had no idea I was coming down here until the last minute….”

      Breckenridge jammed the cap back on his head, exhaling and glancing out the open bay at the continuing pall of rain. “Yeah, I bet you are, but not half as sorry as those poor souls up there on that damn mountain.”

      Her heart wrenched as she heard a note of anguish in his tone. For a brief instant, the official mask of the Marine Corps slipped away from his features, and she saw a man who was beyond fatigue…beyond hope. Alanna chewed on her lower lip, suddenly at odds with herself. Senator Thornton had accused him of being a machine. A ruthless automaton bent upon destroying anything and anyone who got in his way. But he didn’t appear to be that robot right now.

      “Look, maybe I can be of some help. I do speak Spanish quite fluently and—”

      He shot her a flat look of disgust. “An aide to Senator Thornton offering help? I’d rather take a peace offering from an enemy carrying a grenade.”

      Alanna’s temper flared. “I’m not your enemy!”

      “Aren’t you?” he asked wearily, standing with his shoulders slumped forward, his head down for a moment. “God, this is all I need.” He gave a helpless, bitter laugh. “Well, I guess I should be thankful that the old man didn’t come down here himself. At least you’re beautiful. You’re the only thing I’ve seen in the last two rotten days that makes me feel like there’s still some hope left….”

      She bridled, confused again by his sudden change in manner. One moment he was ripping her apart; the next, complimenting her. The man was unfathomable. Alanna gripped her bag tightly and muttered, “You’re stuck with me, Colonel, whether or not you or I like it.”

      Matt looked at her. “What?”

      “I’m down here to investigate reported losses of medicine and supplies from the relief efforts.”

      He shook his head, a cold smile replacing his sadness. “There’s always some pilferage, Miss McIntire. That’s to be expected.”

      Alanna steeled herself. “I’m not talking about petty theft, Colonel.”

      Matt rubbed the back of his neck in a weary gesture. “Yeah, I’m sure the senator would like to pin my hide to the wall by accusing me of some stupid black market ruse. Well,” he said, “you’re barking up the wrong tree. Whoever told him we were losing substantial amounts of supplies is inflating numbers.”

      “That’s for me to decide,” she answered firmly.

      “Not on my time it isn’t.”

      “I’m not asking for your time.”

      “Good. Then be a smart girl and stay in the capital here for a few days, go shopping, and then take a jet back to D.C. I don’t have time for a meddling woman in any way, shape or form. Especially one that thinks she is a detective out to prove I’m somehow involved in peddling relief supplies needed by those poor earthquake victims.”

      Alanna inhaled sharply. “I didn’t say that.”

      He came forward, standing scant inches from her to examine her closely. “The senator has an ax to grind with me. Our quarrel goes back a long way, and I’m sure you’re just as aware of it as everyone else is. He sent you down to do his dirty work, Alanna. I don’t think you realize what he’s handed you. He hates me enough to concoct stories to try to get me court-martialed or publicly embarrassed.” His voice became husky, coaxing, an invisible balm to her shredded composure. He had used her first name, and it sent an unbidden shiver throughout her tense body. “I wouldn’t have been without sleep for the past thirty-six hours if I didn’t care what was happening to the survivors up there on that mountain. Every case of medical supplies is being delivered, I can promise you that. No one knows better than myself the value of morphine and penicillin in this kind of situation, and I wouldn’t jeopardize people’s lives for a little cash on the side. Money doesn’t mean a damn thing to me when it’s measured against people’s lives. Now, why don’t you do us both a favor and find a hotel, get some sleep, and take the next flight home? There’s no story down here.”

      She was mesmerized by the sudden change in him: from tyrant to warm, responsive man whose virility seemed to affect her like a heady wine. Gone was the anger in his gray eyes, his mouth more relaxed, and a hint of a tired smile had replaced his earlier grim look.

      For an instant, she was caught within his web. But Senator Thornton’s voice reverberated through her head: “He’s a hawk, Alanna! A cold-blooded monster who feeds on war and chaos.”

      She fixed an icy smile on her lips. “The answer is no, Colonel Breckenridge. The senator’s sources are impeccable. You are going to take me along with you, one way or another.”

      A cold, impenetrable mask dropped over his features. Alanna shuddered at the ease with which he resumed his military bearing. “Have it your way,” he whispered. “You’re out to slit my throat for your misdirected boss. All right, Miss McIntire, the ball is in your court, but just stay out from under foot.” He turned to leave and then halted, turning slowly back toward her. “If you get in a jam with Costa Rican officials, don’t come crying to me. I have no authority down here except for delivering medicine and supplies.”

      “I have a letter from the senator, Colonel. I’m sure no one will give me any trouble except you.”

      “Don’t be so sure. A beautiful woman up in the mountains with a bunch of men. You’re taking your chances. I’m afraid they may not take time to read your precious letters. That’s if they can read it all.”

      Her eyes flashed with anger. He was deliberately trying to scare her into not going! “I’d rather take my chances with them than you,” she flung back.

      Matt grinned momentarily. “Contrary to popular opinion, I don’t rape women.”

      “I’m afraid your Marine image leads one to expect something of that sort, though,” Alanna retorted.

      “Typical civilian remark. I can’t say it’s been a pleasure meeting you under the circumstances. Too bad we never met in D.C. before this. It would have been interesting….”

      She blushed scarlet at the innuendo. How dare he! She called him a few expletives in her mind as she watched him stride down the ramp and back out into the rain, issuing crisp orders to his men.

      “Damn you, Colonel. You’re going to get everything that’s been coming to you. I promise. God, how I promise.” She pulled her coat tighter, walking quickly out of the plane and heading with determination toward the customs building.

      * * *

      Alanna waited impatiently for the phone connection with the senator’s home to be completed. She pushed her damp hair away from her face, still boiling with rage over the impudence of the Marine officer. Thornton’s voice came over the phone line, faraway and slightly distorted by distance.

      “He’s everything you said, Senator.”

      “Met him already?”

      “Unfortunately, yes. What an arrogant—”

      “A monster, Alanna. Look, can you start finding out about his supply routes?”

      “Yes. I just persuaded the police commissioner to allow me aboard the next helicopter flying to his staging area at the bottom of the mountain. It’s pouring rain here and getting colder. They’re having a lot of trouble with fog in the mountains, and the supplies are backing up at the base. I’ll start my investigation there.”

      “Good girl. Give me a call the first time you stumble