“Wow! I guess there's more to Cole than I thought.”
Will put his hand around her waist and pulled her in tight. “You look beautiful this morning. Getting out of your bed was the hardest thing I've ever done.” He leaned down and gave her a quick but passionate kiss. “The rest will have to wait until the limo ride up to Louisville. Come on, let me introduce you to some of my friends.”
Kenna spent the next hour being introduced to Will’s old coaches from UK, coaches and teammates from the NFL, high school buddies, and even old teachers from grade school. In between meeting the special people from Will’s life, she also met the Governor of Kentucky and a slew of Kentucky celebrities including Ashley Judd, Diane Sawyer, and William Shatner.
Kenna was whirling from all the names of the people she was meeting. She sighed in relief as she saw Mo and Ahmed approaching with Cole and Paige not far behind. She smiled from ear to ear as she watched Paige and Cole treat each other like two cats about to be thrown into a bag together.
“Well, we have some more news we thought we should share now that we have everyone together,” Mo said. “Go ahead, Ahmed. Fill them in on what you found out.”
“I took Chad’s champagne glass from the party and ran his prints through my software. It triggered nineteen names. Chad has had a long history of identity theft and fraud in his life. Every time a warrant is issued under a name, he tosses it out and starts all over again. He has pulled jobs all over the world and is wanted by numerous countries, including England, France, Spain, and Russia. He's wanted for embezzlement, rape, suspicion of murder of a lovely young girl in France, and much more.”
“Since I'm not acting in official capacity at the moment, I'm not even going to think about how many laws your software broke running criminal checks through all those countries’ databases. I'm guessing they didn’t give you permission.” Cole pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.
“As you said, you’re not going to ask. Now, the real question: What are we going to do to catch him?”
Cole filled Ahmed in on his activities off the record and agreed that Ahmed should keep digging to see what he could find on Chad and his patterns. “Now that we know Cole and Ahmed have a loosely based game plan, let’s try to enjoy the rest of the day. Is everyone ready to head up to the Derby?”
“I guess that is my cue to head on home and crank up the TV. Smile and wave to me if you’re on camera,” Paige said as she hugged Kenna goodbye.
“You’re not going?” Cole blurted. Everyone turned to stare at him. “What?”
Will cleared his throat and stared off in the distance. Mo and Ahmed stared at their feet as Paige flushed red.
“My dear, I would be honored if you allowed me to escort you. You look splendid. It would be a shame not to get you on TV as well.” Mo gave an elegant bow that had Paige giggling.
“Really?! Here I design Derby hats and I've never even been before! Thanks, Mo!” Paige squealed as she jumped over and gave Mo a big smacking kiss on the cheek.
“Okay, we’ll see you at the red carpet,” Will said as he took Kenna’s hand. They started to make their way to their limo.
“They were supposed to move my things into your limo when we got here. I hope they did.” She opened the back door and leaned in, “Oh good! It’s all here.”
“What did you have moved into our car?” Will slid in behind her and started at the hatbox, makeup case, shoe boxes, two hanging bags, and a duffle bag.
“You didn’t think I was going to wear this same dress to the Derby and to the Derby Ball, did you?”
“Well, no. But...” He waved his arm at all the items.
“Stop complaining. Help me get out of this dress so I can change.”
Will grinned ear to ear, his dimples coming out. “Now that is something I am happy to do.”
* * *
“Stop it,” Kenna laughed as she smacked his hand away from the hemline of her dress. “We’re about to get out of the car and I see photographers. I don't want a picture of you with your hand up my skirt.”
“I can’t help it. It’s those sleeves that look like little bows on your arms. They make me think of you as a present. I just can’t wait to unwrap you… again.” He kissed her above the little bow on her arm, and she felt his lips lay seductive kisses along her clavicle.
She felt her eyes close and her head loll to one side, allowing him better access. He nibbled his way from the hollow point of her neck up to her ear.
“We’re here.” Then she felt him pull away suddenly and saw the door open. As the cameras flashed, Will stepped out and held out his hand for her with a huge smile on his face. That little... she’d get him back.