The Darkest Hour, a Janie Ferguson Novel

By Jeanne Harrell

Secret Service agent Janie Johnson is recently married to Scottish accountant Craig Ferguson. Her new job in the U.S. Secret Service takes them to London, England where she gets caught up in a dangerous, international counterfeit case. The grueling hours expected of Janie causes her new marriage to become strained to the breaking point as Craig becomes disillusioned. As the case heats up, their fragile relationship falls apart. What will it take to put all the pieces back together? Being young and in love is all well and good unless you can't make it work. Will Craig and Janie fight for what they want or will the demands of her job become the last straw?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeanne Harrell
• Release date: Mar 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310143052

Jeanne Harrell

Jeanne Harrell is an author who lives and writes romantic stories occurring in the Wild West. Her sweet and relatively innocent Western books include the Rancher series, The Westerners Series and Avila Beach Winery Series. Cowboys, Indians, stagecoaches and John Ford movies captured her interest long ago and held it. She lives in Nevada and captures many beautiful Western scenes with photos, found on her website. What she loves best is to tangle two strong characters, emboil them in conflict and let them hash it out. P.S. Jeanne also writes mysteries as SJ Slagle and children's books as Sinda Cheri Floyd.

Book preview

THE DARKEST HOUR

Jeanne Harrell

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 by Jeanne Harrell

All Rights Reserved.

Published by Jeanne Harrell on Smashwords

Formatted by eBooksMade4You

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All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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Thank you for downloading my book! I am happy that you have made it part of your library.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author and/or publisher. No part of this publication may be sold or hired, without written permission from the author.

Actions in the book were inspired by real events.

Special thanks to my editor, Pam Kilrain.

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Dedicated to my guys, Mike, Matt and Tommy

Other books by Jeanne Harrell

Rancher’s Girl

Whisperer

Always and Forever

Being Emma

http://www.jeanneharrell.com

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

About the Author

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PROLOGUE

The Artist had taken his time getting to the restaurant that night. He sat out on the patio in the open air – Inside the restaurant was just too stuffy. He had dressed fashionably in his gray wool slacks with plaid vest and dark jacket. The fedora on his head was tilted at a jaunty angle and he felt like tonight would be his night. His partner didn’t want him showing up at all – Didn’t think he should chance it, but he just couldn’t stay away. The fruits of his long, agonizing labor were in the trunk of that car. He had spent a year working this project, and he wasn’t going to trust his work to that partner or anyone. The man had double-crossed him once before, so he was going to see this through himself.

A waiter came out to take his order and he decided to have afternoon tea. Nothing like tea and a little food to take the edge off. The food had arrived and he was enjoying the day. Music was softly playing and he recognized an old Mamas and Papas song. When they sang ‘the darkest hour was just before dawn’, he wondered if that were true. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his partner coming up the side of the restaurant. The man had told him to stay out of sight, and probably wasn’t happy to see him out on the front patio. That was just too damn bad. He had every right to be here – to watch the deal go down.

One of the Artist’s problems, though, was that he was just too trusting. Like this partner of his – The man claimed to be reliable, but had screwed up a few times in the past. Also, some of his business associates were known criminals. But the Artist decided he would stick to the plan and was reasonably sure he’d be all right. He continued calmly having tea and biscuits, and it was delicious – Simply delicious. The chef here was well known for his shortbreads. Still… shades of doubt about the buyer crept into the recesses of the Artist’s mind while he ate -- No matter how much he tried to keep them out.

The partner was sitting at a side table, out of sight from where the car was parked and nowhere close to where the Artist was sitting. The buyer had arrived by the time he finished his croissant. She parked her car on the other side of the restaurant and looked around. The Artist had waved at her and pointed at the car, their arranged meeting point. He made to rise from his table when he saw the partner move quickly to the car.

The buyer looked from the Artist to the partner and stopped momentarily. Then she smiled and continued walking over to the car. The partner opened the trunk and took out a box for her to inspect. The moment she picked up something from the box and handed him a briefcase, a slew of federal agents surrounded the whole area. Where they had come from, the Artist had no idea. He stayed where he was and watched the scene play out in front of him in slow motion.

Several agents came from the right and left of the vehicle as the partner pulled out a gun. The buyer saw she was in the line of fire and threw herself flat on the ground just in time. A federal agent tackled him from behind just as the partner got off three shots. Once the man was on the ground, searched and his gun confiscated, it was discovered that one of the federal agents had been shot.

After all was said and done, the Artist really wasn’t that surprised -- Even when he was in handcuffs, sitting in the back of a police car. He’d had his doubts about the buyer all along – She was just too good to be true. What it had come down to for him was just to see if he could do it. Was he a good enough artist to create a good counterfeit bill? But he was sorry that a Secret Service agent had been shot over the whole thing. Perhaps that had been the darkest hour.

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SIX MONTHS EARLIER…

CHAPTER ONE

It can’t be morning already. Janie yawned, stretched and reached over to smack that crummy alarm clock. A half-awake Craig caught her hand before she could smack him on the head and reached up to shut off the alarm. Then he pulled her into his arms and started kissing her sleepy face. She burrowed down into his side and he kissed the top of her head.

Morning, sweetie.

Mmm…

I’d move that blasted alarm clock to your side of the bed, but I really don’t want to miss this every morning. Craig had learned early on in their marriage that she was a creature of habit – She would only sleep on one side and, of course, it wasn’t the side of the bed by the electrical outlet. The cord probably would reach, but Craig didn’t really care. After she had smacked his head accidentally a few times, reaching for the alarm clock, he had learned to wake up quickly when he felt her arm drifting past his nose.

Janie? She burrowed in deeper with a contented sigh. Hmm… You must be remembering last night. He felt her smile. Of course, she remembered. It was a very memorable night.

Do you want some breakfast?

No, I want you to kiss me. She opened one sleepy eye from under his arm to look up at him.

But you know what will happen then. Do you really want to be late again for work? She closed the sleepy eye and pouted. Listen, Special Agent. Why don’t you get in the shower and I’ll make coffee? She opened the eye again.

Coffee? She began to move again, but it wasn’t towards the shower. Her hands moved downward on his chest. Why don’t you shower with me? He laughed and grabbed her roving hands.

Then you’ll be late for sure and flunk your probationary status.

Do you always have to be so logical?

She finally managed to haul herself into the shower. He watched her attractive behind walk into the bathroom and marveled at himself for not dragging her back in bed for a repeat of last night’s performance. There’ll be other nights, he thought, sighed and got up.

Craig was scrambling eggs and making toast when Janie appeared wrapped in his bathrobe. Her hair was damp and she smelled squeaky clean. She poured a steaming cup of coffee, before heading to the table. When he smiled at her, she smiled back.

What?

You’re wearing my robe again. He scooped the eggs unto a plate and handed it to her. Then he started buttering the toast.

You know I like yours better. Janie ate a bite of egg. Where’s the saltshaker?

And why is that when they are exactly the same except for size? Craig put the slice of toast on her plate and passed her the saltshaker. Then he poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down by her.

She smiled at him. It smells of you.

His cup stopped at his lips and he looked over the top of it at her. You say the most wonderful things to me, Janie.

That’s because I’m incredibly happy, honey. She leaned over to kiss him.

He put down his cup and caressed her face.

I love you, sweetheart. They kissed for a moment and then he shook his head. Eat up, sweetie. He took a sip of his coffee.

She ate happily for a few minutes and looked up. What happened to my Pop Tarts?

Another thing Craig had learned early on was that she was partially addicted to junk food at breakfast. Her mother, Lily, had warned him about it. Since he bought the majority of food for their house, it was surprising that Pop Tarts kept appearing in the cupboard. He thought they might be reproducing spontaneously until he finally caught her putting them in there.

He put more milk into his coffee and stirred it. You know those things are pure sugar and you need energy for your job.

They give me energy.

Yeah, for about ten minutes and then you’re hungry again.

I fed myself before you came along.

Not well, apparently, and Janie, I came along when you were four.

Okay, fine. I’m eating the eggs, see? She held up an empty fork and motioned toward her empty plate. He laughed and took another sip.

Will you be home the regular time? She stirred sugar in her coffee.

I think so, why?

Because my parents are coming for dinner tonight. I knew you’d probably forget. Janie winced.

Your parents? Oh, that’s right. Sure, I remembered. Her expression told another story.

Listen, I know Mom’s a little hard to take sometimes, but all you have to do is show up. I’ll cook.

No, I’ll help. When are they arriving?

Six.

Okay, I’ll be home at five and help with whatever we’re cooking. She looked into his grinning face. What are we cooking?

I’ll do it. I know you don’t like to cook, Janie. It’s all right. She squirmed in her seat.

Well, let me do something. He laughed.

You can keep me company in the kitchen.

… I can do that. She took another sip. Aren’t you going in today?

Sure. An accountant’s work is never done.

Yes, but isn’t it better now that you’ve got another accountant in with you?

Yeah, Bryan’s great. The business is expanding now that we moved from Naples to Reno. I did need help. He looked at the clock on the stove. You’d better get a move on. You’ll be late.

Bud didn’t mind if I was late now and then.

Yes, but Bud was your boss when you were a deputy sheriff in a small Sheriff’s Office in Naples. Now you’re a federal officer working for the United States Secret Service in Reno. And you know your supervisor, Ed, does mind. I don’t think I’d push it, if I were you.

…Okay. But she made no effort to move.

He knew why. Sweetheart, we’ve been married a whole year and a half now. I’ll see you tonight. They were still in the honeymoon phase of their marriage and didn’t like being parted from one another.

Janie shrugged and rose from the table. Putting her plate and cup in the sink, she kissed the top of Craig’s head and left to get dressed.

When she came back out to the living room, Janie was dressed in a no-nonsense dark blue suit with a white blouse. Her dark blonde hair was pulled back into her usual ponytail and she looked serious – Ready for business. Craig had finished clearing away the breakfast dishes and was almost ready for work himself. They stared at each other in their dark business suits.

We almost look like we’re going to a funeral, Craig.

Can’t be helped. We’re both in serious businesses.

She walked up to him and stood on tiptoes to put her arms around his neck.

Until tonight then. Looking into her cool blue eyes, he paused.

I don’t want to mess up your lipstick. Her stare became warmer.

Kiss it off. So he did. Craig reached his arms around her and pulled her close. It wasn’t a chaste kiss… He meant business and she responded eagerly. When she started making contented little sounds, he pulled back and smiled.

Will that hold you until tonight?

… Barely, she grinned. I hope your parents don’t stay too long. He laughed as she picked up her identification badge and purse, and started for the front door. Craig couldn’t stop watching as Janie turned back a last time to look at him and raised her eyebrows. She smiled slightly while pulling out her tube of lipstick, and went out the door. Craig exhaled the deep breath he’d been holding. Damn, she was something special. He pulled himself together and left as well.

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Walking into the federal building on Booth Street in Reno, Nevada, Janie was all business. She showed her identification badge to security at the door and put her purse into a bin for x-ray examination. Then she walked through the metal detector slowly to collect her purse on the other side. Janie traveled up an elevator to the fourth floor to her office, which was actually a cubicle amongst other cubicles in the center of a very large room. Looking around, she noticed the large soundproof rooms around the perimeter were already busy with conferencing and witness interrogations. She knew how confidential that information was that was being gleaned from various sources, because she had used those rooms many times over the past year and a half herself.

After locking her purse in her desk drawer, she grabbed a notebook and headed for the morning briefing with Ed Barker, her supervisor in the counterfeiting section, and the team she’d been working with for the past six months. They discussed relevant details of their cases before going to work for the day. Ed wanted to know where they were in those cases and what kinds of resources would be needed, if any. She walked into a conference room on the perimeter and sat down. The rest of her team was already in attendance. Ed was at the head of a long table and glanced up at her as she came in. He was medium height with a military haircut and piercing eyes that didn’t miss much.

I’m not late, sir.

No, but you’re pushing it, Special Agent Ferguson. Ed gave her a small smile. No, she wasn’t always punctual, but she had the makings to be one of the best damn agents he’d ever worked with. Smart, talented and willing to learn. He’d found a good one when he found her in Naples.

During daily briefings, all the agents on her team would take turns explaining the cases they were working on and how far along they’d gotten. Advice was given from Supervisor Barker as to how to proceed. The team of four people was broken into pairs. One pair of agents on her team, Mark Pollock and David Simms, had been busting some meth heads who had decided to dabble, unsuccessfully, in counterfeiting. It seemed like a majority of the team’s counterfeiting cases dealt with meth heads.

Mark and David had put together their cases built on traced toner purchases, witness identification and chemist reports of bleaching five-dollar bills to print images of twenties on them. Janie and her team had spent many hours in classroom training and on-the-job training during the past year about the processes of bleaching bills and image transference. They could all spot a meth head job in an instant. So could most store merchants, so those weren’t hard cases to prosecute.

Janie worked with a man named Bill Williams. She liked Bill well enough, since he was a solid professional and kept to the rules. Janie knew if they stepped out of line even a fraction with a counterfeiting case, all their hard work could go up in smoke – Or be thrown out of