Taking the Fall

By Margaret Chatwin

Karen Hill does not need a hero clad in shining armor! She has never been saved by anyone except herself, and the last thing she needs is Michael Tanner claiming he’s going to save her now. Save her from what? As far as she’s concerned, he’s the only thing she needs saving from!
Under Cover Narcotics Officer Mike Tanner is accustomed to being patient. Waiting and watching to see how things will play out. During his latest case, he has discovered that SharShay Cosmetic Company is distributing a major amount of pure cocaine and that the owner of the company, Miss Hill, is oblivious to it all. He’s content to let it stay that way, until a naive comment she makes put her life – and his – in jeopardy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Margaret Chatwin
• Release date: Jul 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301631773

Margaret Chatwin

I love to laugh, which is weird, considering that my favorite types of movies are dramas. I guess I just crave the emotion they create and their ability to let me inside the head and heart of the character.I like my books the same way - soulful and raw.I don't pretend to be a professional writer. I'm not schooled in all the ins and outs of forming a perfect paragraph, etc, but I do work my tail off to build characters that you can really "feel." Characters that you can fall in love or hate with. Characters that will make you want to turn the next page.You can read reviews of my books or leave one of your own at: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5342646.Margaret_Chatwin

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by Margaret Chatwin Smashwords Edition

Cover photo by Margaret Chatwin

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, dead or alive, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise – without the prior written permission of the author. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Whisk Away Books

108 S 200 W 40-15

Roosevelt UT 84066

ISBN 9781301631773

Other Novels by Margaret Chatwin

Sweet so Fragile

101

Erased

Taking the Fall

A novel

Margaret Chatwin

Chapter 1

She was bound and determined to get through this on her own and that was why his presence there was so downright annoying. Besides, he was a man, and Karen Hill did not need help from any man. Especially not a man as good looking as Undercover Narcotics Officer Michael Tanner.

Karen despised good-looking men. In her thirty years of life she hadn't met a single good-looking guy that wasn't at least one of the following: cocky, full of himself, arrogant, childish, immature, overpowering, controlling, vain, or selfish. Not one. Come to think of it, she hadn't met a man period who wasn't at least one of those things.

Now, she sat in police chief McClellan's office surrounded by men and special agent Mike Tanner had just been introduced by the chief of police himself. Karen had wanted to vomit when she'd seen him enter wearing his snug fitting blue jeans that flattered his behind. Never mind the tight black T-shirt that bragged of the well toned, but not over bulky, muscles that were not so hidden beneath. She was sure if it were allowed Michael Tanner wouldn't have covered his chest at all. Announcing to everyone, ‘hey, look at me, I work out.’

Though she’d said nothing, Karen was certain she'd rolled her eyes when he’d entered, with his dark hair combed to perfection and his dark eyes screaming, ‘I'll have you in my arms by hours end.’

Listen, Chief McClellan, I appreciate you trying to help and such, but really, I’m fine and . . .

It was first the glance that the Chief and Mike shared with one another that began to slow Karen’s statement, but it was the way McClellan cleared his throat that forced her to stop altogether.

What exactly is going on here? she wondered, more confused now than she’d been in the very beginning.

Miss Hill, I'm most certain you've no idea what it is we’re dealing with, McClellan said. And that is why I've called in Tanner. With a glance which seemed to say, ‘lay it on her,’ Mike stepped toward the chair Karen sat in.

Now hold on just one minute! Karen threw a hand up to prove her indignation. I'm not the criminal. I'm – I'm not even a victim – at least I don't think. But I am certain that I'm not going to allow you to stand so close to me and act like this is so serious.

This is serious, Miss Hill, Mike informed.

It was the first time she’d heard him speak and his voice was just as it should be, low, baritone, manly, attractive, and – very familiar in a strange sort of way. It sent a chill up her spine, and she wracked her brain trying to place the voice, but she couldn't.

Whatever it was that was familiar about it was the same thing that was so odd. She tried to tell herself that she didn’t recognize it, but something deep inside screamed out that, yes she did.

It only added irritation to the situation when he continued to speak, demanding her attention, not allowing her the time she needed to figure out where she'd heard his voice before.

Karen squeezed her eyes closed momentarily and fought the forceful urge to snatch up the stapler from the corner of McClellan’s desk and staple Mike’s lips shut.

. . . name Castro ring any bells? he was saying.

No, she replied impatiently, why should it?

Jumping in to answer that one, McClellan said, Castro is a major drug lord dealing mostly in cocaine. We’re not talking the corner chump selling two dollar bags, either. This guy is big business and bad news. My undercover team, Tanner in particular, has worked their way from the ground up on this case. In the process they’ve discovered that you have seven of Castro’s people working for you, some in your plant, and some in your office.

What – I didn't . . . Karen’s eyes widened with shock and dismay.

We know you’re innocent. Tanner has been watching you for a long time.

I've been undercover on this case for nearly a year now, Mike cut in, and I'm afraid it's just about to explode.

Well, Karen drew in a deep breath, I just don't understand what it is that you want from me. And honestly, I'd like to keep it that way because, she slid out of her chair and stood up, I don't have time for this. I've a business to run, boys, so I'll be seeing you.

They think you’re onto them, Mike spoke quickly.

What? Karen reeled around to face him. She was unsure of how to feel about all of this sudden and shocking news. She was rather dazed and confused by it, and frankly, it all seemed a little too Hollywood, to be true.

They think you know that . . .

Well, I don't, she interrupted; loathing the sharp blade of fear he'd stabbed her with.

Karen had already spent far too much of her life living with that despicable emotion. No good had come from it. It had done nothing except torment and torture her. It had crippled her and held her back, and because of that, she’d made up her mind, long ago, to rid herself of it. And, for the most part she had. Now, he was forcing her to feel fear again. She didn’t want it. She didn’t need it.

And something else she didn’t want or need was Michael Tanner’s soft brown eyes on her body or inside her head.

Stop looking at me that way, she barked coldly.

But he didn’t. He held steady, and said, I really think you're in great danger.

Yes, the kind Chief here has already informed me of that. Maybe you should understand that I grew up in a rough home, in a rough neighborhood and that I, she touched her chest proudly, "I survived, okay? That means that I can take care of myself. Maybe you should check your facts again, because I can’t even begin to imagine how my cosmetic company has anything to do with your drugs."

Bonnie Lidder.

It was all Mike said, but the very familiar name perked Karen’s ears if nothing else. But, there was something else; it put a knot in her throat as well. One she could hardly breathe around. However, she wasn’t about to let that show. She squared her shoulders and tried to stare the man down, but he, too, stood strong.

Have you ever met her in person? he asked.

Bonnie is one of my biggest clients! She runs a very large distribution company that sells cosmetics all over the world. She contacted me, by phone, about a year-and-a-half ago to tell me she’d been introduced to my line of compact products and had fallen in love with them. She wanted to start offering them to her clients, so we worked up a contract.

You’ve skillfully avoided the question, Miss Hill, so I’ll answer for you. You’ve never met her in person.

It was the way his voice insisted that his statement was true that caused Karen to shout, I haven't met 90 percent of my clients in person, Mr. Tanner. I deal with them mostly by phone or internet.

She doesn't exist.

Does too! Karen childishly argued back. I’ve never met her, but I've met her personal assistant, Camille. In fact, we talk on the phone all the time. I send two hundred ninety-five cases of cosmetics to Bonnie per month. That’s cases, not units. Each case holds . . .

"I know exactly how many units your cases hold, Miss Hill, Mike stopped her, but what you’re really sending out are two hundred ninety-five cases of pure cocaine, cleverly disguised as powdered cosmetics. Someone; and I certainly wish I knew who, but we haven’t gotten that far yet, is shipping the coke to your plant from outside the country. You’re then packaging it up and sending it straight to Castro’s street distributer, A.K.A. Bonnie Lidder. Castro doesn’t even have to touch or see the stuff. You’re doing all his dirty work for him. Two hundred ninety-five cases worth. That's nearly one hundred pounds of pure cocaine that is being passed through your plant each month. One hundred pounds."

He repeated the words with precision, so exact, that it made Karen’s skin crawl.

"I’m sure you can’t even begin to understand the magnitude of that kind of volume, so let me help you out. This is pure cocaine we’re talking about, Karen. Coke that is later cut – mixed with other things – doubling, tripling, and often quadrupling in weight. That means that there are up to four hundred pounds of cocaine out there per month, compliments of SharShay Cosmetic Company. That’s enough coke to service every low life dealer in this state, and probably two others. That should look pretty good on your next resume.

Now, Mike started anew, you have to believe me, because not long ago you caught onto something you were never supposed to. After looking through the book work that was supposed to have stayed hidden from you, you realized that someone was ordering triple the amount of cosmetic containers than they were ordering ingredients to fill those containers. Yet, somehow, everything was coming out even in the end. You then told Missy Jensen that you were going to have to hire a private investigator to look into the matter for you.

I was kidding! Karen exclaimed, stunned that he knew these things. I only meant that I didn’t have the time to figure it out myself. I didn’t even think it was that big a deal. Since my bottom line was even, I figured it had to be just some silly accounting error, like someone entering the wrong numbers or something.

"Kidding or not, someone took you very seriously

and . . ."

"And now it is a big deal, she finished for him with a mumble. Okay, so what do I do? Fire all the bad guys? Give me their names, I'll do it."

The comment made him close his eyes, and that, coupled with the quick puff of air that he forced through his nose, gave her the feeling that she must be the stupidest woman on the planet.

Doing that most certainly wouldn't look like you knew anything, would it?

So, what is it that you want me to do then? Play dumb? Karen snapped. If that is all you wanted then you should’ve just left me alone because I was dumb to this.

Miss Hill, McClellan stood up from his desk, what it is that we want for you to do is to get out. Just leave the business for awhile and . . .

Are you out of your mind? No way! she raged. Spring is my busiest time of year. I cannot afford to walk away right now. Besides, I will not allow you to make me afraid.

Good, he said, I'm glad, but it's not safe there for you anymore. You need to leave and let our agents that are already in place at your business take care of things.

What? In pure bewilderment, Karen fell back into the chair. "Exactly who do I have working for me? Perhaps I should be considering a more thorough background check before I hire again."

Mike's chuckle caused her to glance up at him. His charming smile, and twinkling, dark eyes infuriated her. She wanted nothing more than to slap the grin right off of his face then poke out both of his eyes, just for fun.

I was talking to myself, not you, she’d have to settle for being rude.

Clearing his throat, McClellan continued, What we need for you to do is put Becky Rolands in charge of the office and the plant while you take, what we'll call, a ‘much-needed’ vacation.

I don't need a vacation.

Oh, for crying out loud, McClellan threw his hands into the air. "Okay, we can certainly do this the ugly way. It wasn’t my idea to send you on vacation, anyway. I’ll have you arrested, Miss Hill, and you can spend the time we need behind bars instead

of . . ."

Instead of where? Karen almost shouted. Just where am I supposed to go?

Not home, Mike said with a bit of warning.

Now home? She had to worry about going to work and now home, too? She was enraged. Angrier then she'd been in years.

I refuse to run away from this and hide away somewhere.

Then expect someone to stop by your business tomorrow morning with a badge and some handcuffs. You will be arrested in front of everyone, just so that it’s crystal clear you're gone, McClellan was practically inking it in.

Karen glared at the man. You just said it yourself, I’m innocent; so what could you possibly charge me with? She thought she was being clever, getting the better of him, but he really sank his teeth into her with his biting reply.

Harboring criminals. Knowingly distributing cocaine, which you now know you’re doing, he smiled revengefully, or, just plain old interfering with police business. You can have your pick. None of them are going to look good on your permanent record.

Karen, Mike spoke up with more patience than the Chief currently had, think about what this is going to do to your business when the press finds out. They are going to make it known to the world that SharShay Cosmetic Company is nothing more than a drug transportation station.

It's not, Karen shouted in dismay. I’ve worked hard, really hard, to make it what it is. I’ve nothing to do with this whole drug mess. I had no idea it was even going on.

The thought of losing her business or having her name tarnished left her in near tears. SharShay Cosmetics had been a lifelong dream of hers. Even as a very young girl she’d wanted to create beauty for women. She hadn’t exactly planned to start her own company at the age of twenty-two, but after leaving home at seventeen, and five years later having the perfect opportunity present itself, she’d found it necessary to follow the dream and do something useful with her life. Thanks to friends she’d made during the five years prior to starting her business, she’d done well. But even with their help, it had by no means been an easy road. She’d endured many hard times and years of back breaking work to build her dream into the success it was now.

Chief McClellan has the power to tell the press that you’re innocent and that you co-operated well with the authorities. Don’t you, Chief? Mike hinted.

When the man agreed by nodding, Mike turned his hopeful brown eyes in her direction again. Take the out, he encouraged in a whisper.

Karen was trapped. No two ways about it. They had her right where they wanted her.

Fine, she shouted in frustration. When shall I leave for my ‘much-needed’ vacation? If there was anything Karen Hill hated worse than being forced into something, she couldn't think of what it was.

Is tomorrow too soon? McClellan wondered.

Much!

Well, tomorrow it is, just the same. Becky will be prepared to tell anyone, including your friends, who feel your quick leaving is strange, that you have been discussing plans with her for quite some time and that you really need this vacation.

So, Becky is an undercover agent and Missy is a drug dealer? Karen snorted.

Mike's suddenly serious gaze interrupted Karen’s anger for a moment, and caused her to wonder what he was thinking. He didn’t keep her in suspense long.

"If I were you, I would leave the details to us. You may just miss out on the whole court thing, if you do. Be packed and ready to go dark and early tomorrow morning. Don’t even think about bringing a cell phone or any other trackable electronic devices. We’re going in clean, you hear me? I’ll be checking your bags to make sure.

Take a taxi to the bus station that is two miles east of your house. I’ll pick you up there around four A.M.

Four A.M.? East of my house? How do you know where I live? Oh, yeah, she recalled, he’d been stalking her for a year. And, why you? Karen suddenly wondered.

Because he'll be staying with you, McClellan unveiled the big plan.

"Oh no, he will not! Look, you just hand me a ticket to Puerto Vallarta and I'll stay gone as long as you need me to. But, no way, am I going to be spending my ‘much-needed’ vacation with him."

You weren’t kidding about her, were you, Tanner? You’re going to have your hands full, McClellan shook his head in pity.

The delight in Mike's eyes, and his slight grin, set Karen’s fury ablaze. It was almost like he wanted this. Like he couldn’t wait to get her alone. Ha! So, he thought he was up to the challenge of a woman like her, did he? Well, she’d show him.

Miss Hill, Mike isn't any safer at this point than you are. We feel it's best for him to back out, too. So why not kill two birds with one stone? You need protection, and he’s the one who needs the vacation.

"I do not need protection. Especially if it’s provided by him." she piped up for the millionth time. After all, she'd seen no signs of danger. Ever. For all she knew, they could be making the whole thing up. Why they would do that she wasn't sure, but still they could be.

What Karen felt was really needed, was some time to digest all of this. In less than one hour she'd been pulled over while in her car downtown, by an officer of the law, who'd given her a note instead of a ticket. The note told her to report to the police station, immediately.

Once there, she'd been escorted, like a guest of great importance, to the police chief’s office and then told her life was in danger. Told that she had seven drug dealers working for her, and who knows how many cops, and that she was just a pawn in Castro's cocaine game. Not to mention the fact that she’d be taking a vacation, for who knows how long, to who knows where, with Mike, who knows what, Tanner. What was next? She didn't want to find out.

In a wave of confusion and discontent for that which she had no control over, she rose from her chair. May I go now? she asked McClellan.

You may. But, remember; don't breathe a word of this to anyone. Don’t even talk aloud to yourself about it.

Oh, of course not.

It was the nonchalant way she said it that caused Mike to slam the palm of his hand against the door that she was just about to open. It made Karen jump, and with defiance, she lifted her eyes to meet his.

In dead seriousness he spoke, I don't know about you, Lady, but I value my life, so how about you try not to get me killed within the next twenty hours. I've got a lot of important things to do within that amount of time. I'm in this a lot deeper than you’ll ever even begin to understand.

Well, I had no idea that you were in it at all, so there. she mocked. I'll keep my mouth shut, okay?

He flashed her a look of skepticism then reluctantly stepped away from the door.

You were just in here to argue a traffic ticket, if anyone asks.

"Don’t flatter yourself, Special Agent, no one will ask," Karen belittled his title just before she walked out the door.

But someone did ask. Missy Jensen not only asked, but wanted every detail. It was for that reason that Karen left with Mike as planned the very next morning.

Chapter 2

The deadly appendage on Agent Tanner’s right side was made of cold, black steel, and could easily end a life with one squeeze of the trigger. Sitting next to it left Karen feeling uneasy. So did the very long car ride. Even though it was full of beautiful spring colors, it took her farther and farther away from the city. Away from civilization and away from what she considered safety.

There had been a few stops along the way for bathroom breaks, gas, lunch, and lastly a grocery store for fresh food that Mike claimed they were going to need, but mostly it had been hour after hour of driving. Where in the world he was taking her, she did not know, but she was asleep, and the sky was nearly dark when they finally arrived.

The halted movement of the car caused Karen to wake quickly. Rubbing at her eyes, she sat up properly and gazed at their destination, which happened to be a small cabin in the very secluded woods.

What? This is it? Are you serious? She cast a skeptical glance Mike’s direction to find out.

Shutting off the car’s engine, he spoke his first words in several hours; It’s time for bed.

Bed? I just woke up, she cried in protest.

Yeah, well I’m exhausted. I've been awake for nearly forty-eight hours straight.

And you drove? We could’ve been killed! You could’ve fallen asleep at the wheel and . . .

He wasn't listening. He climbed out of the car and shut the door before she could finish.

Well, now I certainly recall why I don't need men. Especially rude ones like you, Michael Tanner.

Insulted, she folded her arms across her chest and refused to get out of the car. Mike paid her no attention. He extracted the groceries from the trunk and moved toward the cabin. After unlocking the door, he disappeared inside. A moment later the windows lit up when he flipped on the power.

By the time Karen was finished stewing, and entered the cabin, Mike had put away the fridge items and taken off his shoes and T-shirt. The taut gathering of muscles that had settled in his chest, arms and abdomen caused her to roll her eyes at him.

"Oh dear, what will you do without a weight bench?" she mumbled.

The bedroom is right through that door. I'll sleep out here. Good night. After shaking open a blanket and spreading it across the dusty, gray couch, he laid his long lean body down and closed his eyes.

Karen studied the man for a moment. It felt odd to know she was going to have to share space and time with this total stranger. Besides his name and job title, she knew virtually nothing about him. Well, she knew he was tired. Extremely tired. Which might explain why he still hadn’t removed the weapon strapped to his side.

I certainly hope the safety on that gun of yours is set. You could shoot off something important if it’s not.

Mike made no attempt to respond. Other than his smooth rhythmic breathing, he lay perfectly still and silent. Was it humanly possible that he could be asleep already? Karen doubted it, but she shrugged him off and began to explore the cabin.

It was extremely small. The kitchen and living room were