He pointed at the paper. “He and I noodled this for a bit. Be at his office tomorrow morning in New Scotland Yard and then meet your partner on this.”
The order of things sounded odd. I pointed out the obvious. “I have two more of the US cyber lectures scheduled.”
He shook his head while chewing. “That will have to wait. You’re on this now.”
When he showed more interest in his lunch than me, I folded the paper and stood to leave.
“And Blakewell…”
I turned.
“You’re assigned to the Specialist Crime Directorate for duration of this. You report directly to Superintendent Maxwell. Do me proud.”
I nodded and left with more questions than answers. SO10 was the old-timer’s shorthand for the covert operations group that had since been designated SC&O 10.
After the lunch break, my lecture delivery wasn’t as good as it should have been. The words covert and partner kept coming back to me. A covert assignment with an unnamed partner, and important enough to put my lectures on hold, was something I wouldn’t have guessed in a million years. And, I was reporting directly to a superintendent in covert operations.
Chapter 4
Rebecca
My sister’s place was nice, as London units went—not nearly the place I had back home, but the location in Kensington was convenient.
I’d managed to stay awake until almost supper time and then eaten a microwaved dinner from my sister’s refrigerator before crashing into bed.
I was up the next morning before first light. It would take a few days to get my body acclimated to London time.
Since exercise had always helped me adjust after a long flight, I suited up for a run. I’d need to stop by an ATM for some UK currency. My only ten-pound note joined my ATM card in my pocket for my stop at City Caffeine, which seemed to be the only coffee shop to open early in this town. The unit key went in my tiny shoe wallet.
The street outside Lizzy’s building was better lit than my street back home. I looked both ways before starting my run. It took three blocks before I limbered up. Spending what seemed like an entire day in that airline seat had taken its toll. The company didn’t splurge on first class for me, and I’d been saving my miles for a vacation trip.
I was fairly winded by the time I rounded the corner to the ATM.
Ethan
I hadn’t been to the New Scotland Yard facility often, but I found Superintendent Maxwell’s office with a modicum of difficulty, and arrived only five minutes late. I knocked.
He looked up. The man was older than I’d envisioned.
“DI Blakewell,” I said as I entered.
He rose and checked his watch before offering his hand across the desk. “Welcome to the section, Blakewell.”
We shook. “Thank you, sir.”
He closed the folder on his desk.
I noticed my name on the jacket.
He tapped the folder. “Impressive list of accomplishments.”
I nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
“None of this will help you in this next assignment, however. Your brother is Lord Blakewell, and your parents the Duke and Duchess of Lassiter?”
I nodded, already feeling the blood drain from my face. If this was going to be about my family, it never went well within the Met. “That is correct, sir, but I’ve never played upon my family name. I’m second in line. Being firstborn of twins made my brother heir to the dukedom, not me. In the end, I’m a nobody.”
He smiled. “No need to be defensive, son. It’s your family tree that makes you perfect for this assignment.”
I blew out a breath of relief. “How so?”
“What did Chief Harcourt tell you about this case?”
“Nothing, sir.” Repeating the chief’s disdain for the command structure making the case a priority wouldn’t do me well. “Missing jewels or some such.”
“Try forty million pounds of missing jewelry and not a clue how it’s being done.”
I didn’t hide my surprise at the size of the heist.
“Some very influential people have been targets, and they are not happy.”
I waited for him to echo my chief’s complaint that the victims were getting special treatment due to their titles.
My phone rang. I declined the call without looking at the number.
“This, however, is secondary to the mayor’s main concern.”
If this had reached the level of the mayor, it was major.
“We want our city to maintain its status as the financial hub of Europe and the premier safe destination for wealthy expatriates and visitors,” he continued. “A series of high-profile jewel thefts would tarnish that reputation.”
Now the problem came into view, and it wasn’t a bunch of whiny Brits, but a fear of what would happen if the rich from around the world didn’t feel comfortable here.
My phone rang, and again, I declined the call. “And what part can I play in the investigation?”
He smiled. “We need someone who has the name and family connections to fit in and mingle in the target crowd.”
That explained it. I’d been chosen because of my family. He wanted me to be undercover in my parents’ world.
My phone started up again.
He sat back in his chair. “Be back in an hour to meet your partner.” He waved me away. “Go ahead. Get the blasted phone. Molly will find you a desk.”
I moved to the hallway. The number was one I didn’t recognize. “Blakewell,” I answered.
“Ethan M. Blakewell?” the caller asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m calling from St. Lucia’s Hospital. There’s been an accident and a patient is asking for you—a Rebecca Sommerset.” The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
Return to London is Available on Amazon HERE.
Also By ERIN SWANN
Why romance? Because we all need a chance to escape doing the next load of laundry.
We deserve a chance to enjoy love, laughs, and intrigue, and yes, fear, heartbreak, and tears, all without having to leave the house.
If you can read my books without feeling any of these then I haven’t done my job right, or you should go back to video games.
The Billionaire’s Trust - Available on Amazon, also in AUDIOBOOK
(Bill and Lauren’s story) He needed to save the company. He needed her. He couldn’t have both. The wedding proposal in front of hundreds was like a fairy tale come true—Until she uncovered his darkest secret.
The Youngest Billionaire - Available on Amazon
(Steven and Emma’s story) The youngest of the Covington clan, Steven, avoided the family business to become a rarity, an honest lawyer. He didn’t suspect that pursuing Emma could destroy his career. She didn’t know what trusting him could cost her.
The Secret Billionaire – Available on Amazon, also in AUDIOBOOK
(Patrick and Elizabeth’s story) Women naturally circled the flame of wealth and power, and his is brighter than most. Does she love him? Does she not? There’s no way to know. When Pat stopped to help her, Liz mistook him for a carpenter. Maybe this time he’d know. Everything was perfect. Until the day she left.