The Wedding Deception: A Gathering Storm Short Story

By Marlow Kelly

Supervisory Special Agent Finn Callaghan is impressed. While teaching a course at Quantico, he witnessed trainee agent Kennedy Morris take down a bully twice her size. Before leaving Washington DC, he stops by her apartment to offer her a job as his partner in Granite City, Montana and is surprised to see a wedding reception in her building during the worst storm of the year. 

Kennedy is having a bad day. Her FBI training isn't going well, her dysfunctional family is visiting, there's a category one hurricane bearing down on them, and now she has to deal with her attraction to her superior Finn Callaghan.

When the bride from the reception, Vanessa Stevens, disappears, Finn offers to help. With Kennedy's aid, they delve into the world of the rich and powerful. But their investigation reveals that no one really knows Vanessa. When the storm cuts the power and phone lines, they must ascertain if kidnappers have taken advantage of the weather or if the bride is a clever con woman.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marlow Kelly
• Release date: May 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9780995230156

Marlow Kelly

After being thrown out of England for refusing to drink tea, Marlow Kelly made her way to Canada where she found love, a home and a pug named Max. She also discovered her love of storytelling. Encouraged by her husband, children and let’s not forget Max, she started putting her ideas to paper. Her need to write about strong women in crisis drives her stories.  

Book preview

Chapter One

Finn Callaghan peered through the torrential rain at the upscale apartment building. He must be at the wrong address. The tower block was situated in an expensive neighborhood of Washington DC near the Anacostia River. A sign in front read The Gem, Luxurious living at its finest.

It wasn’t the kind of place he’d expected when he’d asked his superiors if he could contact new FBI agent trainee, Kennedy Morris.

A gust of wind launched him sideways as he climbed the front steps. He grabbed the handrail and used it to lever himself the last few feet to the front door. Hurricane Carol was expected to hit Washington DC at full force by nine o’clock tonight. But even now, less than four hours before, the weather was already treacherous. It was rated as a category one storm, which was enough to damage buildings, break tree branches, and cause blackouts. That meant he needed to deliver his message and get out of here. It was only a short drive to Ronald Reagan Airport. With any luck, he would make his flight with time to spare.

The lobby was stylishly decorated with dark wood paneling and white tile floors. A Harry Potter clone stood at the reception desk, wearing a suit that was nicer than Finn’s. He sported a name tag that read Jimmy.

Jimmy smiled, revealing his dimples. May I help you? His eyes flickered over Finn’s cheap suit and bedraggled appearance.

Finn completed the image by shaking the water from his hair like a wet dog.

Oh, my. Jimmy grabbed a towel, walked around the desk, and thrust the cloth at Finn. Here. Did you break down? We don’t usually allow people to shelter... That is to say, The Gem expects their... What I’m trying to say—

I’m looking for Kennedy Morris. He flashed his credentials, putting an end to Jimmy’s discomfort.

Jimmy took a step back and swallowed, obviously shocked at the arrival of an FBI special agent.

It wasn’t the first time Finn had witnessed this reaction and wouldn’t be the last. But he was in a hurry, so maybe a little reassurance would speed things along. She’s not in trouble.

I’ll see if she’s in. He ran behind the desk and picked up the phone.

Using the towel, Finn rubbed the moisture from his face as he strolled around the foyer. Past the concierge desk was a short corridor with a bank of elevators on the left; to the right were several large doors. One was jammed open. An arch of white flowers stood just inside the door. Laughter, the chatter of friendly voices, and the clink of glasses rang out. It was a startling contrast to the storm that raged outside. Someone was getting married in a hurricane. The guests had either decided to stay at The Gem overnight or had risked being stranded here.

Jimmy coughed. You can go up now. She’s on the twelfth floor.

Someone’s getting married? Finn had a soft spot for weddings. Marriage might not be for him, but he always enjoyed the celebration.

Yes, Blake Sheldon and his fiancée, Vanessa Stevens. Jimmy’s chest puffed. The ceremony’s over. This is their reception, so I guess they’re Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon now.

You made it sound as if they’re important, Finn said as he strode toward the elevators.

Everyone who resides at The Gem is important, Jimmy called after him.

****

Kennedy Morris opened her door a crack. Have you come to tell me I’ve been dismissed from the program?

She wasn’t wearing any makeup, but had the polished look that came with money.

Finn shook his head. No, I’m Supervisory Special Agent Finn Callaghan. He took her cool hand in his and was relieved to see her nails were short-clipped, unpolished, and practical.

As a supervisory agent with the FBI, he was required to take his turn in the instruction of new agents in training, or NATs as they were called, on the complexities of work in a resident agency.

I remember. She scooped up her dark shoulder length hair and tied it in a ponytail. You didn’t answer my question.

He smiled, hoping to reassure her. No, I’m not here to fire you. I’d like to talk to you.

She tugged her lower lip with her teeth as if deciding