An adjacent island is Wallops on which NASA has a flight launch. The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Wallops Flight Facility, established in 1945 on the Eastern shore of Virginia, is the agency’s premier location for conducting research using suborbital vehicles – aircraft, scientific balloons and sounding rockets.
Where there are secret research facilities, you will likely find spies. The problem the heroine Addison has, is who is a spy and who isn’t?
Blurb
Will the wind whip her token from the Wishing Tree and make her wish come true?
Addison Steele dreams of the day her husband—lost at sea—returns to her. Instead, she meets Nick Savage, whose every word may be a lie. She is soon embroiled in mystery, all related to the top secret science station at Wallops Island, Virginia.
After a Belarusian scientist at Wallops is murdered, the questions multiply. Was it because he caught the person stealing classified documents or because he wanted to defect? Is Nick the spy—or is it his brother? How can she trust the man who is slowly claiming her heart when his story keeps shifting?
Excerpt: Eric’s threat
The three of them got in the back of a gray limousine with the NASA emblem on its door. Klopman leaned over the front seat. “Eric, take us to the base.”
They drove in silence until they’d gone through the security gates. Klopman’s driver left the car with an attendant and followed them to the director’s office. He stood, arms folded, leaning against the door. Addison studied him. He hasn’t said a word this whole time. Klopman called him Eric. He must be the newcomer Walter mentioned. Walter had implied there was some history between them. He doesn’t look all that threatening. Slender and short, he sported a filmy goatee and a man bun, both of which heightened the slightly feminine aura.
Klopman sat down and steepled his fingers. “Now, what’s this about defecting?”
Grigory was nonplussed. “Um. Defect. Means stay in United States. Is correct word?” When Klopman didn’t answer, he said firmly, “We don’t like communist dictator. We like America. You understand?”
While both Addison and Grigory thought this was more than enough explanation, apparently Klopman did not. “Um. I hope you’ll reconsider.”
Grigory looked at Addison. She asked, “Reconsider?”
“Yes. You see, if I let your group seek asylum it would cause an international incident. Our program has had to strike a very delicate balance between national security and the need for scientific cooperation. It took years of negotiations. The Belarusians have our word that we won’t let you stay in the US when your project is complete.”
Addison spluttered, “But that’s preposterous. Are you saying you’re comfortable ignoring the petition of these long-suffering men?” She stood and held her arms out. “Men who are on their knees, begging you to liberate them from subjugation, to fling aside the last obstacle to their freedom?” She sat down, out of breath but proud of herself.
Klopman was unmoved. “My hands are tied.” He stood up. “Mr. Ivanov, your colleagues await you in the lab. Miss Steele, allow me to see you out.”
“But—”
Eric stepped forward. “I’ll escort her.”
The young man hustled her toward the front gate. She wrestled out of his grasp. “How do you expect me to get home? I don’t have a car.”
He held up a set of keys. “I’ll drive you back to the police station.” He opened the rear door for her.
She got in the back seat. With an effort, she calmed down. I’ll probably get further with Eric if I cozy up to him. “So, how long have you worked for Director Klopman?”
“I was assigned to him a month ago.”
“Are you a scientist?”
“No.”
“Oh.” She tried again. “Where were you before?”
“DC.”
“With NASA?”
He pulled over onto the verge and turned his head. “I would remind you, Miss Steele, that you are a private citizen. It would be healthier if you kept your mouth shut and your idle hands busy with whatever it is you normally do. Am I making myself clear?”
She said meekly, “Yes.”
He dropped her off. She watched the official limo drive away, her thoughts tumbling over and over. Eric had most assuredly threatened her. But why? Who is he really?
The Wishing Tree: Love, Lies, and Spies on Chincoteague Island
The Wild Rose Press, July 17, 2023
First Edition, 2023 368 p.; PG-13
Murder mystery (Cozy), Romantic Suspense
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Librarian, anthropologist, research assistant, Congressional aide, speechwriter, nonprofit director—award-winning, multi-published author M. S. Spencer has lived or traveled in five of the seven continents and holds degrees in Anthropology, Middle East Studies, and Library Science. She has published sixteen romantic suspense and mystery novels. She has two children, an exuberant granddaughter, and currently divides her time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
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Thanks for joining the Wranglers today. I loved reading about the ponies of Chincoteague when I was a kid!
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me! It's funny: I mention Misty of Chincoteague and every woman says "Oh, yes." and every man looks blank. A girl thing?
ReplyDeleteOops--I forgot to write in my name!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting us today with your book of mystery and espionage! Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an exciting book, M.S. Wishing you all the best with it.
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