Dating for Keeps Read Online Free PDF Page A

unloading his goods, and then tipped his hat goodbye to Lauren. "I'll be in same time next week."
    "See you then," Tessa called as he walked out the door. As soon as Thomas was gone and she was alone in the shop, she excitedly went back to the violin. It was a magnificent piece. Turning it over, she noticed a Latin inscription. She pulled out her magnifying glass and looked closer at the inscription, delighted to find that it indicated that the violin was from none other than the maker Antonio Stradivari. His Stradivarius violins were known to be some of the best in the antique world.
    "I have to call Lucas," she muttered to herself. "He is going to die when he sees this!"
    Before she had a chance to pick up her phone, she heard the bell on the front door jingle, indicating that a customer had entered the store.
    "I'll be right with you," she called from the back.
    "Miss Brewster," a rich, masculine voice caused her to pause what she was doing.
    "Yes?" She turned around and gasped. Before her stood a tall blond-haired man with a muscular build. He had piercing blue eyes and a dimple that seemed to show even when he wasn't smiling. "Hello...You're the man that was watching us at dinner the other night."
    "Yes, sorry about that," the stranger replied. "Undercover work isn't really my forte."
    "Undercover?" Tessa questioned.
    The man hesitated, then pulled a badge from his wallet. "My name is Michael Levy, and I work for the FBI. Is there somewhere we can talk in private?"
    Tessa blanched. Becky had been telling the truth. She knew Becky wouldn't have lied to her, but she had a way of exaggerating things sometimes, and Tessa's unwillingness to want to believe that the FBI was after Lucas made her almost forget that Michael had said he would visit her. She glanced at the badge he thrust in front of her face. It looked official enough, but then again she didn't really know what a real badge looked like.
    "Here is as private as we're going to get. I have to run the counter. Don't worry though, we don't get very many customers."
    Michael looked around and then decided that the showroom was safe enough to proceed. "Miss Brewster, I am here to speak with you about your boyfriend, Lucas Griswold. I regret to inform you that I believe he has been misleading you. He likely hasn't told you his profession, has he?"
    Tessa shifted uncomfortably. "Um, well, no, not exactly anyway. He's only said that he is in international business."
    Michael laughed, "Oh, its international alright. Lucas Griswold runs a very successful smuggling ring. He is the man behind the operative. We've had him on our most-wanted list for years."
    Tessa gasped. "You mean to tell me that that's where he gets his money? He's a wanted felon?" She then looked at Michael suspiciously. "Why should I believe you? Why are you telling me this?"
    "Because," he said, "I need your help. We haven't been able to nab Lucas yet because thus far he has alluded us. He has a wide network that does his dirty deeds for him; he himself has never been caught in the act of a crime. I have reason to believe, however, that that may soon change. Lucas and his network succeed by smuggling goods through a wide array of unusual items. Last month an expensive violin that was running through their network went missing. While the violin itself is of tremendous value, it was holding something that itself is worth millions. This happened because one of the handlers got into a bind, and needed money quick. He decided to sell the violin for its antique value and pocket the money. Of course that was a foolish move for him, since he didn't live long enough to enjoy the thousands from the acquisition of the sale. It was too late for Lucas though, because the violin soon disappeared from their radar."
    Tessa listened to Michael's story with interest. "You don't mean to tell me that the violin I received today is the one he is looking for?" she cried.
    "Indeed it is. Lucas may have slipped with hiring a soft