A Clandestine Affair

A Clandestine Affair
Joanna Wayne

A CASE GONE COLD…AND AN UNEXPECTED ROMANCE HEATING UPJaci Matlock went to Cape Diablo to solve the thirty-year-old Santiago murders. And though the remote island had a haunting reputation, the forensics novice was determined to expose the reality behind the mysterious events that plagued her arrival.Now in order to uncover an age-old murderous conspiracy, Jaci had to team up with her only ally: Raoul Lazario. But trusting the ruggedly sensual adventure seeker proved to be a distraction she couldn't afford….Solving the cold case would secure Jaci's lifelong dreams, but with Raoul she faced an even more confounding mystery…. Would falling in love have life threatening implications?

“Welcome to Cape Diablo.”

The man’s tone didn’t match his words.

“Thanks. I’m Jaci Matlock, the new tenant.”

“Yeah, I know.”

So this was the caretaker. He didn’t look that bad for a recluse who’d spent half his life on a secluded island. He was as unfriendly as she’d expected. She’d have to play this just right to get him to talk to her about the past, or even let her into the boathouse.

“Follow me,” he said.

An icy tremble slithered down Jaci’s spine as she started up the shadowy path toward the house. The crimes might have occurred thirty years ago, but the air seemed alive with dark and possibly deadly secrets.

The situation was a forensic student’s dream, unless…

Unless it turned into a nightmare.

A Clandestine Affair

Joanna Wayne

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

To Amanda Stevens and B.J. Daniels who, as always, were a ball to work with. And a special thanks to Denise Zaza, our wonderful editor, who puts up with all three of us and whose editorial insight and guidance is invaluable.

And, of course, to all of you readers who help us keep writing the stories we love by buying our books of intrigue, passion and happy endings.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When not creating tales of spine-tingling suspense and heartwarming romance, Joanna Wayne enjoys reading, traveling, playing golf and spending time with family and friends.

Joanna believes that one of the special joys of writing is knowing that her stories have brought enjoyment to or somehow touched the lives of her readers.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Jaci Matlock—The cold murder case is just a project until she becomes obsessed with finding the truth about what happened that murderous night on Cape Diablo thirty years ago.

Raoul Lazario—He’d expected a challenge when he came to the island to see Carlos, but he wasn’t prepared for Jaci Matlock or the danger that threatened her.

Mac Lowell—He is the investigating officer who’d made detailed photos of the crime scene and blood splatters the night the Santiago family had disappeared.

Bull Gatlan—The man who delivers visitors and supplies to Cape Diablo.

Enrique Lopez—Friend of Carlos and Alma, but his interest seems to lie in seducing Jaci.

Ralph Linsky and Jack Paige—Detectives from Everglades City.

Carlos Lazario—Raoul’s great-uncle, a friend to Andres Santiago and caretaker of Cape Diablo. A man with secrets of his own.

Alma Garcia—She’d been the Santiago children’s nanny until they’d disappeared. Now she’s delusional and wanders the island in a tattered white dress.

The Santiago Family—Andres had run a smuggling operation and built the once-beautiful Spanish villa that dominates the island. Medina was the daughter of a fallen Central American dictator and Andres’s second wife. Their two daughters, Pilar and Reyna, disappeared alongside them thirty years ago.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Chapter One

Jaci Matlock could look at crime scene photos by the hour and never once get bored. But after a half hour in a Naples, Florida, art gallery with her mother, she was all but climbing the walls. Even the flute of bubbly the gallery owner had pressed into her hand didn’t help, though she’d have hated to face the evening without it.

Her mother stopped in front of an abstract that looked as if it had been painted by a menopausal chimpanzee. She stared at it for a minute. “I hate to imagine what the artist was thinking when she painted that.”