A Deadly Agent

By Susan R. Sweet

Penny MaGrath, an overly protected, painfully shy young woman, is suddenly torn from her sheltered home and family in Florida when her Aunt Les insists on taking her to Australia. Penny is greeted by family she never knew existed. Why were they kept secret all these years? Unless Devin MaGrath, only heir to the MaGrath lands and sheep herd, and his uncles can figure out what's killing the sheep, there may be no herd or land to inherit. Devin welcomes the arrival of his Aunt Les to help until he's expected to play guide for his cousin Penny. He resents being left out of the investigation of the sheep deaths because of this unwanted guest. Resentment turns to concern for her safety when an egotistical madman turns to murder to accomplish his greedy ambition. Will Devin's protective feelings lead to love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9781590881408

Book preview

One

As she stood by the ship’s railing, Penny couldn’t help but notice the twinkling of the stars and the cast of the moon’s shadow across the water. This breathtaking, beautiful scene was not lost on the young woman even though her mind was recalling the events of the previous months. Had it already been eight months since her dad died? As the midnight breezes whipped the hair around her face, she also remembered the day her mother had died seven years ago. Penny had been only thirteen at the time. Although her mother’s passing had made her sad, she knew she hadn’t felt the overpowering grief that had settled like a shroud over her dad. Her father, a writer, had withdrawn into himself, not letting anyone, including Penny, penetrate the wall of grief he built around himself.

Her mother had developed a rare form of cancer. Over a period of two agonizing years, Penny and her father watched the deadly disease eat away at her body and her mind. The illness transformed the once intelligent, healthy, beautiful woman into a frail, child-like creature. Her dad adored her mother and seemed to die with her.

Penny tried to fill the void her mother’s death left, but she knew it just wasn’t enough for her dad. Then her Aunt Lesley arrived from Maine. She moved in and, within a short period of time, took full charge of running the house, including Penny and her dad. She was the only relative Penny had ever known from either side of her family. Penny and Aunt Les had always been close, but now she grew to love and depend on her much more.

A month before her dad died, a friend of his told him about an estate being sold for taxes. As a favor, her dad agreed to go look at the property and give his opinion of it. For the first time since her mother’s death, Penny’s dad was actually excited and showed a little spark of life. Within minutes of returning, he rattled on to Penny and Lesley for hours about how beautiful the place was. He shocked them even further when he told them he purchased this dream ranch on sight. He dubbed this wonderful place MaGrath’s Paradise.

The next morning, Penny and Les were chauffeured out to see this paradise. One hundred fifty acres, deep in the north Florida woods and on the outskirts of a quaint little town called Cedar Cove, stood an even more beautiful place than Zack MaGrath described.

The house was huge. It was a log-cabin style home with decks that encircled the whole first and second story. From the minute they saw it, Penny and her aunt loved the place. On the inside were four bedrooms, each one with its own bath and double doors that opened out onto a gorgeous view. Penny chose one overlooking a small pond, and Les chose the room directly across the hall, which gave a magnificent view of the setting sun.

On their first morning after the move, Penny woke before her dad and aunt, so she dressed and went downstairs. After fixing a pot of coffee, she ran back upstairs to wake her father. When she entered his bedroom and didn’t find him there, she ran back down the stairs and went into his study. She figured he must have worked all night getting everything in place so he could start a new book. She found him slumped over the typewriter. Assuming he fell asleep, Penny walked over to the desk and tapped him on the arm. Receiving no response, she looked closer. It was then she noticed his grayish pallor and that his skin felt cold to the touch. The last thing she remembered before blacking out was yelling for her aunt and running from the room.

The paramedics took him away in the ambulance while she and Aunt Les held each other and cried. The doctors at the hospital said he died from a cerebral hemorrhage, which meant her father died instantly and did not suffer like her mother. That gave her a little peace. He was buried beside her mother with a small graveside service in accordance with his wishes.

The following week, the will was read, revealing that Penny’s father left everything to her. A sizable lifetime income was established for Lesley, who also was made trustee over Penny’s inheritance until she turned twenty-one, now only four months away.

Shivering, Penny was jolted back to the present as she realized just how cold it was on deck. She returned to her cabin, finding it warm and cozy. The reminiscing and late hour made her very tired so Penny decided to go to bed. As she passed by the full-length mirror, she glanced at her reflection. Her light auburn hair was similar to her aunt’s. She had a fair complexion, dark brown eyes, a full mouth, and a straight nose, and was a little on the large side. At five-foot, eleven, she could only guess that her size came from her dad’s side of the family.

She was also painfully shy and overly protected. She’d been on only a few dates and had never been serious about anyone. She, her dad, and Aunt Les virtually lived in seclusion. Penny always studied with a tutor and graduated at home a couple of years ago in a small family ceremony. Their lifestyle was private, which prevented Penny from forming friendships with people her own age. That hadn’t bothered her then, but now she felt entirely alone. Throwing herself on the bed, the young woman was finally able to release all the pent-up grief of the last few months and cried herself to sleep.

A few hours later, Penny awakened and stumbled into the small bathroom to splash some cold water on her face. Glancing up into the tiny mirror, she noticed her swollen eyelids. Grabbing a washcloth, she reentered the bedroom, filled the washcloth with crushed ice from the ice bucket, and draped it across her eyes. As she relaxed and waited for the homemade compress to do its trick, she again thought about the eight months that had passed since her father’s death.

The house was like a tomb. Penny and Aunt Les saw each other at meal times and for an occasional trip to town, but that was about it. Penny spent a lot of time in her dad’s study, hoping that being there would help her feel closer to him somehow. That’s where Aunt Lesley found her the morning she announced they were going to Australia. She said that Penny’s uncle had written and invited them both over for a visit. When the young woman balked about the trip, Aunt Les explained that she watched her brother grieve himself to death and was not about to watch her niece do the very same thing. Aunt Les went on and on about how they both needed a change of scenery and at least they would be around some family. Penny pointed out that she had never met this so-called family, but was ignored. Aunt Les had already reserved passage. Thankfully, she already had her passport. Because her dad traveled so frequently, he made sure both their passports were always current. Funny, she never used hers until after he died. At least the only thing left for her to apply for now, was her visa.

At first, Penny was scared to death. Why,she had never even been out of the state of Florida much less the country. Furthermore, just who were these uncles and cousins that she, before now, never knew existed? She certainly was not looking forward to being yanked out of her safe haven into God knows what! Penny made up her mind that she wouldn’t go and that, she thought, was that. She didn’t pack a thing. Once Aunt Les realized how strongly Penny opposed the trip, she’d surely abandon the absurd notion.

Boy, had she underestimated her aunt’s determination to get them to Australia. Penny smiled at the memory and drifted back to sleep.

WAKING UP THE NEXT morning, Penny showered, dressed, and went up on deck. She looked out over the ocean, thankful that she had been coerced into coming. Today was the last day of their voyage. She had to admit that the ship itself was nothing like she could have ever imagined in her wildest dreams. Aunt Les was right in making her come. She soon realized that her aunt was as serious as she was and even threatened to leave her alone at the house while she went by herself. Penny then changed her tune. So here she was, thoroughly enjoying herself. She also felt just a tad bit guilty for giving her aunt such a hard time.

They were coming into port when she noticed how beautiful the shoreline was and how the ocean was the most incredible blue-greenish color she had ever seen. Dolphins jumped along the side of the ship, and hundreds of silver fish under the surface of the water gave off shimmered rays of light as the sun reflected off their bodies. It was the most awesome spectacle she had ever seen. If only Dad were here.

As the ship docked, Penny noticed a black station wagon. The man leaning beside it looked very impatient. She guessed he was in his late twenties. He had sandy blond hair, kind of long and curly at the ends. His piercing blue eyes were staring right back at her, making her turn away and blush when she realized she was staring at him. Penny saw her aunt run over and embrace the man. His smile transformed his former scowl into an arrestingly handsome face. Advancing toward them cautiously, not wanting to impose on the happy reunion, Penny felt uncomfortable and like an intruder. Seeing her niece’s hesitation, Aunt Les motioned for her to join them.

Penny, I want you to meet your cousin Devin. Les pulled her forward.

Glad to meet you. Devin took her hand in his while appraising her with his eyes. My, you’re a tall one. You look like Uncle Zack, or rather, what I can remember of him. I met him and your mother a long time ago. Looks like she’s got your hair, Les, he said, releasing Penny’s hand. Penny shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. She never met a man, relative or otherwise, who ever looked at her like that. She had to listen closely to understand what he was saying as he talked in what she supposed was an Australian dialect. Clearing her throat and nodding her head, she tried to hide the all-too-embarrassing red, creeping up her neck.

Well, we need to get going. We have a two-hour drive ahead of us yet and don’t want to be caught by the dark. It’s been the rainy season—the Wet as we call it—and a lot of the roads are underwater. I want to be able to see where I’m going, he finished as he threw their luggage into the back of the station wagon and got into the driver’s seat.

Penny got into the back seat, while Les slipped into the front. She had a chance to study Devin without his being aware of it. He and Aunt Les were talking a mile a minute and, from the bits and pieces she could catch, things weren’t going very well for Devin and his family. She couldn’t hear much with the wind blowing her hair around her face and whistling in her ears, but she was too timid to ask him to put the window up a bit. She did, however, notice how very tan he was and that he had very large wide shoulders. A scar on his left cheek enhanced his rugged good looks. His eyes were as blue as the ocean. It feels weird to be related to this person. Probably a good thing though, Penny surmised, feeling once again the familiar hot flush stain her cheeks.

They were approaching a rickety-looking bridge when Devin started cussing. Damn! We’re going to have to speed up. River’s rising fast. He put his foot on the gas, making the car lurched forward. Penny’s knuckles turned white from where she was grasping the seat. They sped across the bridge at breakneck speed, bouncing and swaying recklessly. She felt a scream take form in her throat, but held it back. Aunt Les was pale herself. She turned around and looked at the frightened girl.

Don’t worry, Pen, Aunt Les comforted. Devin knows these roads like the back of his hand. There’s nothing to be afraid of.

The hell there isn’t, muttered Devin under his breath. If we don’t get over the next bridge before the river crests, we’ll be right smack in the middle of this river. If you know any prayers, I’d start saying them right about now.

Two

Penny bit her lip to keep back the tears that were stinging her eyes. She could see Aunt Les clasping her hands together in her lap, causing the knuckles to turn white. For the next hour, they strained their eyes and ears seeing and listening for the progress of the rising water beside them. It seemed like they were going a hundred miles per hour. Devin was intent on the road in front of him, and all conversation halted. The sun was starting its decline, and Penny was terrified they wouldn’t make it before darkness overtook them. Then she saw the bridge ahead of them. Water was at the top and some spilled over onto the bridge. Sweat popped out on Devin’s forehead. She could see him mentally measuring the rise of the river to their going across.

We have no choice. We can’t go back, and if we stay here, we’ll get caught up in the flood waters and likely drown. So hold on. It’s going to be rough, he said between clenched teeth.

They started across the bridge at a snail’s pace. Penny preferred the breakneck speed they took at the last bridge to this. She knew they would be washed off going this slow. Has he lost his mind? They inched their way across, Devin moving the steering wheel left and right as the tires slid back and forth. Penny closed her eyes, trying to blot out the sight, but she could hear the roar of the river. Oh please, God. Let us make it, she said in a whispered prayer.

Opening her eyes, she saw they were less than halfway across as even more water washed across the bridge. Aunt Les was now trembling in the front seat, and Penny moved forward to put her hand on her shoulder. Her aunt leaned back against the seat. Both women didn’t dare move, remaining in the same position the rest of the crossing. When they finally reached the other side, Devin continued on for about two hundred feet, then stopped the car and looked at his petrified passengers.

I’ve done that many times, and every time it scares the hell out of me. Sorry you had to experience this on your first trip here, Penny.

Penny was overwhelmed at the dazzling smile he was giving her. All she could do was stutter, That’s okay. I’m fine.

Well, let’s get going. We have about twenty-five more kilometers to make and we’ll be home, he stated, then resumed driving.

Once again, they all settled back in their seats, relaxed and silent for the rest of the trip.

WE’RE HERE, SAID DEVIN.

Penny leaned forward and glanced through the windshield. She gasped when she saw what was the exact replica of MaGrath’s Paradise, but on a much larger scale. Now she knew why her dad fell in love with the place she called home. It must have reminded him of his birthplace.

On the boat trip over, Aunt Les filled her in a lot about the MaGrath family history, telling her about the relatives previously unknown to her. Uncle Dan, she learned, inherited the place from her grandparents as he was the eldest and the only child still wanting to live in the house. Now that she was here, she felt peace and tranquillity envelop her. It was almost like coming home. She noticed the man standing on the porch, and for a minute her heart flip-flopped. He looked so much like her dad! The man strode out to the car, lifted Aunt Lesley up in the air, and twirled her round and round.

It’s been ten years, lass. Let me look at you! he shouted.

Penny stood back and watched the touching scene before her. She barely let herself breathe, hoping she wouldn’t break the spell. She hadn’t seen her aunt look this excited and happy in a long time. Aunt Les giggled like a school girl and yelled for Uncle Dan to put her down. He complied and gave her a great big bear hug. He looked across her shoulders and his eyes lit on Penny. All she could do was stand there and let the tears stream down her face. This man looked so much like Dad, it was unbelievable. Uncle Dan was eight years older than her father, according to her aunt, but he could have been his twin. He strode over to her and looked into her eyes.

You look like Zack, except that hair. Red like your mother’s and yours, Les. I’m glad to finally meet you honey. And if you don’t mind, I’d like to give you a big hug.

Penny didn’t waste a second. She flew into her uncle’s arms, relishing the feeling of being once more close to her dad. She felt like she belonged again. He hugged her until she thought he would break all her ribs, but she didn’t move. Penny felt alive again and looked back up into his eyes before giving him a kiss and a hug. She was now glad she came to Australia.

"Let’s go into the house and let you get a bath. I know Devin, and I can just imagine how many bugs must have splattered on you through the windows. He never uses the air conditioner in the car. Says it’s for wussies. Come on in. Myree has supper about ready, so go get cleaned up and we’ll eat. Then