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departs from the normal when it comes to his sister.”
    “This is good news,” Kevin said, pleased. “Maybe the tables are finally turning our way.”
    “You called it, SAC,” Scott interjected. “It’s like you thought. When Santiago first decided to bankroll Daniela’s restaurant, you figured it might open some doors.”
    “ Might ,” Kevin stressed, “is the key word. I hope you’re right, Armando. It sure would be nice to lure Santiago away from the safety of his hacienda. Now, thanks to you two, we might have another snare.”
    “Alexandra Callet?” Conner asked.
    Kevin slowly and mechanically pushed two black-and-white photographs toward the front edge of his desk. “Who’s who?” he asked.
    All three agents merged for a closer view.
    “Wow,” Conner said.
    Armando shrugged while saying, “I have no idea.”
    “Have these been altered?” Scott asked.
    Kevin shook his head. “Not in the least.”
    “Wow,” Conner repeated.
    “You already said that,” Armando taunted.
    “I don’t know what else to say! I knew they looked alike, but this is weird. Are you positive they are not identical twins?”
    Scott responded first. “I couldn’t find any trace of that.”
    “I don’t see how that is possible,” Kevin added. “All of the records point to them having different mothers.”
    “I know. It’s hard to believe.” Armando looked slyly at his partner. “Can you imagine another Conner Reeves walking around?”
    Conner playfully nudged Armando before growing serious. “What’s your next move, SAC?”
    “I’m scheduled to meet with Miss Callet at three this afternoon.”
    “What if she doesn’t agree to help?” Armando asked.
    “I don’t plan on leaving until she does agree.”
    “What then?” Conner pressed.
    “We prepare and we wait.”
     
    ***
     
    Alexandra
     
    Alexandra kept a constant monitor on her antique wall clock as she paced out the perimeter of her office. Each time Kathryn, her assistant, entered the room, Alexandra pretended to either be walking toward a file cabinet or returning to her desk. Fortunately, Kathryn was too preoccupied with her own agenda to notice Alexandra’s inadequate attempts at looking busy.
    Kathryn attempted to update Alexandra by systematically reviewing each of their active individual design projects, but Alexandra found it difficult to process what she was saying. She struggled to concentrate while the thought of her three o’clock meeting nagged at her like a constant headache. While she was speaking to Kathryn with her back to the door, an unexpected and partially unwelcomed respite came when Jake burst into her office. He approached Alexandra from behind and wrapped his strong arms around her shoulders. Being an even six feet, Jake could almost rest his chin on the top of her head.
    “I know you need her,” he joked with Kathryn, “but I need her more! May I please steal Alex away for lunch?”
    Alexandra’s body instantly responded to his touch, and no matter how hard she tried, that never seemed to change. She always fought to appear unaffected, but even the slightest brush of Jake’s hand would ignite a battle between her body and mind. “You’re such a con artist,” she accused while escaping from his grip. “Can you believe him?” Alexandra purposefully addressed her question toward Kathryn. “He pretends to want a lunch date, but we both know he probably just needs my help with something.”
    Jake tried to suppress a grin while holding his thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “I only need a little help.” He emphasized the word little .
    Not today , she thought. Even if it would help to pass the time, Alexandra knew her emotions could not handle Jake. “I’m sorry, whatever it is will have to wait,” she insisted. “We have way too much to do.”
    “But I’m starving,” he whined. “Besides, it’s past noon. What about Kathryn?” Jake winked at her. “Are you going to deprive your assistant of a lunch