The man stood atop the dunes and looked down the beach. His quarry was sitting 20 yards away from him. Close to the ocean. Crying. Even from this distance, he could see the shuddering sobs wracking the woman's body. She held herself in as if afraid a gust of wind would blow the pieces of herself away, with no hope of ever finding herself.
With a sigh, Jared started to walk toward the woman. He looked around the otherwise empty beach and appreciated the beauty of vista before him. He's spent the past six months trying to find this woman. He wasn't surprised that he would find her here, it had been a last resort. A slim hope. But his instincts had paid off. Clouds were rolling in, painting a beautiful sunset of orange, pinks and violets.
He stopped a few steps behind the woman.
"So you found me," she said, without looking at him.
Jared moved the couple of steps to stand beside the woman. He looked down at the top of her head and said, "Mrs. Fielding, it's time for you to go home."
A derisive laugh. "Don't you read the papers? I've been divorced. I am no longer Mrs. Fielding." She looked up and stared straight into Jared's eyes.
Jared should have been prepared for the impact of her eyes on him. He'd studied her pictures throughout this assignment. He knew her habits, her favorite food, how she takes her coffee. He caught his breath and took in the face before him. Eyes so clear and guileless. Lashes still spiky and wet from crying. Pink generous mouth. She was not a striking beauty but she had the open, welcoming face of the girl next door.
Married more for her money and connections than her beauty, Rosalie Beth Perez-Fielding had been an unwilling pawn in her father's and husband's quest for more money. The press had loved her innocence and naivete. And when her husband's affairs had become public, the press and the public had loved her for her poise and grace. As the scandal had grown, she had withdrawn from public appearances and let her lawyers and PR staff handle her affairs. Six months ago, she disappeared. Until now.
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