Now and Always Read Online Free PDF

somewhere else, just as he would. He suspected Carmen, or her family, might have little need for this kind of show. If and when they went to the ballet, it was because they wanted to, and not just because it happened to be an event on this week’s list of things to do. If and when they wanted to have fun, they would.
    Not like this elegant, decidedly boring gathering
, he thought with a wistful sigh, recollecting the much more joyous parties of his childhood.
    He would run around in his modest home, chased by an assortment of cousins and friends, engaged in game of tag. Adults mingled and as he played, he would hear the snippets of conversation about Cuba and Fidel. About last night’s Yankees game and whether Miami would ever have its own baseball team or when it had finally happened, if they would ever win a Series.
    In the kitchen, the women would be preparing mounds of food redolent with aromas that spiced every molecule of air in the house and even wafted outdoors.
    He sighed deeply, shaking his head. Those had been the days of fun and good times.
    His mother grasped his forearm, startling him out of his reverie.
    “Time to go in, Victor,” she said.
    Victor turned to go with her, but then he spotted the woman at the far edge of the crowd. He was lucky to have seen her, he realized. She was all of five foot, two or three inches over, at a maximum. Petite, but with curves that a sequined, sapphire blue gown clung to lovingly. She took a step and the gown parted, revealing a surprisingly long, well-shaped leg for someone that petite. Desire roused and he took a deep breath to control himself.
    “Victor, come on,” his mother chided and plucked at his arm.
    He spared one last glance at the young woman and wondered what her shoulders would look like when she removed the short gold bolero jacket that hid them from his eyes. He would have to track her down after the ballet. He noticed with amusement that beneath the sleeve of the jacket there was the clear bulkier line of a cast that continued downward to her wrist. A perfect way for him to start a conversation.
    Later
, he thought, and reluctantly followed his parents into the hall.
    #
    Connie checked out the crowd, searching for her suspect. The vestibule was nearly filled, people packed back to back, making it difficult to identify the man for whom they were searching.
    “Well, Gonzalez? Any luck?” she heard over her earpiece.
    “No. Are you sure your informant’s reliable?” The hidden mike registered her voice, sending it to her partner. She strolled to the edge of the crowd as they filtered into the hall for the ballet.
    “He’s always been right on before,” came the loud reply in her ear.
    “Easy, Roberts, or everyone will hear you,” she joked and hoped he would take a hint and tone it down to save her hearing. She walked around slowly again, remaining in the lobby as the last stragglers filtered in for the performance.
    “No luck. I’m on my way in,” she replied and headed out to the mobile communications unit parked behind the Convention Center. Her partner, Jeff Roberts, a fifteen year veteran of the FBI, met her in the truck, which was being manned by two other agents. Portable cameras had been set up as well, providing views of the entrance and the back of the Convention Center.
    “Didn’t see him outside,” Jeff advised and reached for a cup of coffee.
    “Maybe he’s a latecomer,” Connie replied. She sat down on one of the stools and took off the three inch high heels necessary for the dress. “I’ll be glad when tonight is over. My feet are killing me.” She accepted a cup of coffee from one of the agents monitoring the cameras and radio.
    “I bet he shows for the end of the benefit. He’ll have the money and his contact will have the plates,” Jeff advised.
    “I hope you’re right. If those plates get into the wrong hands, there’ll be a lot of fake hundreds hitting the streets,” Connie acknowledged, then sat back for a