But they were home, and she was invited in for coffee. The kids were delighted with the cookies. Ernie and his wife Amy were gracious in their welcome. Melanie’s condo being the exception, their home, like the others she’d visited, showed no signs of wealth. If Amy didn’t work, they probably couldn’t make it.
As far as Gina was concerned Ernie was in the clear. And the more she thought about Leya, she cleared her as well.
After investigating Joe, her personal opinion was he hid behind jokes and good humor, but underneath he had issues. What they were she didn’t know. He did a good job, and had no extra money in his account. His small apartment was sparse. Still, she hesitated. Maybe it was just the jokes, but Joe was out.
Because Melanie was Joe’s partner, Gina gave both a thumbs down.
They had what they needed.
“It’s time to meet with those we picked and see if they’re willing to go along. If they turn us down, we’ll have to do it without them,” Darin said when they met up again.
Thank God, she’d convinced Darin it would be impossible to do this job without backup. “When and where do we meet?”
They were in the breakroom with the door closed. “What night is good for you?”
“I’m free anytime,” Gina said. “But the others may not be.”
“I’ll ask them.”
“Why don’t I send Dwanda in? I’ll wait a few minutes and send Leya to join you. I’ll keep it up until they’re all here.”
“You’re really getting into this, aren’t you?” He chuckled.
“We can’t wait much longer. We have word out on the streets about a buyer. We’ll get a hit soon. We have to be ready.”
“Let’s do it.”
“Okay. Here goes.”
Within fifteen minutes they were all in the breakroom except Gina, who was guarding the door so no one else could go in.
Sure enough, Melanie headed that way.
Gina stopped her. “Hey Melanie. Got a minute?”
“I was just going for a cup of coffee.”
“This won’t take a sec.”
Clearly put out, she went to Gina’s desk where she made a show of not understanding how to fill out one of the many forms the job demanded.
By feigning ignorance, she managed to keep Melanie occupied until Dwanda sauntered out of the breakroom.
A minute later, Leya came out with a cup of coffee in one hand, a bagel in the other.
Good! Darin was finished.
“Sorry I took so much of your time. But thanks.”
“Sure,” Melanie said. “Any time.”
As Melanie went through the door of the breakroom, Darin backed out. Before the door shut, she heard Hank and Ernie’s laughter.
Nothing suspicious looking as far as Gina could tell.
But she was a bundle of nerves. They had to find who killed Tom Hunter, and they had to find the drugs, hopefully before they hit the street.
They could be too late already.
But were they ready? Could they pull this sting off?
She went in search of the aspirin bottle.
****
They met at Darin’s that night at eight.
He didn’t know whether it was because of curiosity or whether they were as anxious as he was to find Hunter’s killer. Since he hadn’t had time to go into detail earlier, he told them what they were going to do. And why.
When he was finished there were dozens of questions. The biggest being: was the sting authorized?
Gina answered the question. “We, Darin and I, thought it best to keep it close. The captain doesn’t know. Neither do any of the other squad members. Not because we don’t trust them, but because the fewer who know what we’re doing the better. However, Chief Hamilton does know and approves.”
Since when?
Gina was too busy explaining the plan to the others to notice how upset he was. How could she pull this on him? She was supposed to be a team player. Maybe he didn’t know her as well as he thought.
When she finished, Darin asked, “If any of you have reservations, tell us now. It will be the first time we don’t have the captain issuing orders. Trust me when I tell you the reason to keep this between the six of us is imperative. So—” He looked at each of them. “—does anyone want to bail?”
Silence. “I guess that means no.”
Dwanda chuckled. “We want Hunter’s killer as much as you do. Just tell us what you want us to do.”
“Right now, nothing. Gina and I will go undercover some time next week. I’ve put in for vacation time. Gina will have a family emergency. When she’s out of pocket, the four of you will cover for her. If we get close—No. When we get close, we’ll let you know. You’ll be on standby in case we need backup and for the take down.”
“Doesn’t seem like much,” Leya protested. “Give us something juicy. Like be part of your gang or something.”
Darin laughed. “Not a bad idea. If I need anyone, Leya, you’ll be the first one I call.”
“Don’t forget me,” Dwanda said.
“Don’t leave out the guys.” Hank smiled his easy smile.
“Trust me, you’ll have plenty to do when this goes down,” Gina promised.
“We may have to put our lives in your hands,” Darin said seriously. “What you’re volunteering for is vital. Remember, we probably won’t know who we’re up against until the last minute. It could be Tony Ramiro’s cartel or Zeb Chavizi’s, or both. This entire operation could be the most dangerous we’ve ever undertaken.”
With assurances they were onboard, the team streamed out, telling both Darin and Gina they were one hundred percent behind them.
When the door closed, Gina gathered her purse. “Not yet, Gina. What’s this about the chief? And why did you get him involved without discussing it with me first?” He should have kept this a one-man job and not involved Gina or anyone else.
She hesitated, one hand on her purse, the other stilled in mid-air. What now? She looked a little flustered. She’d damn well better be able to give him a plausible explanation. This was a huge breakdown in communication.
“Let me explain. This operation is bigger than you seem to think. Without help from someone in authority, we could all end up losing our jobs, even our lives. We need his help, Darin. We need money and we need the chief’s stamp of approval.”
Yeah, but they were supposed to be partners. It seemed Gina was into doing her own thing instead of talking things over first. That wasn’t the way partners worked.
“I apologize for going behind your back. I’ve known Chief Hamilton a long time. He was the one who sought me out in Dallas and asked me to come here. It’s obvious we can’t go to the captain. The chief is another story. He’s a straight shooter. I trust him with my life.”
“Hope you’re right or both our lives could be in jeopardy.”
“I trust him,” she said firmly.
Reluctantly, he relented. She did have a point. “Okay. I respect your decision. This time. Just don’t make any more decisions like this without talking to me first.”
“Promise.”
They were sitting in the den in opposite chairs. Now what? “What about the captain? Have you checked him out?” Darin ventured.
Gina nodded, looking oddly grateful. “I did background on him, came up empty. His bank account is low, his savings almost nonexistent. If he has drug money he’s hiding it.”
“I asked Max to put his computer expert on it,” Darin told her. “He didn’t find anything either and he looked way past stateside.”
“Then Hunter must have been right. He’s having an affair.”
“Looks like. Want something to drink?” Darin finally figured out he was dragging out her visit. Despite being upset with her, he wanted her here. Sitting opposite him, she looked as if she belonged. He shook his head at the notion.
“No, thanks,” she said. “I’ve had enough coffee today to keep me awake for a week.”
“Then tell me when we’
ll get our new identities.”
“Papers, including driver’s license and credit cards, should be here any day. Almost forgot.” She opened her purse, lifted out a few papers. “Here’s the background. It was like writing a book. The characters have to not only be believable, but traceable as well. My connections in Dallas helped a lot.
“Your name is Dutch Farley, mine, Meg. When your dad, Tony, died, you took over his drug business. Mostly, he dealt directly with connections in Mexico. Because of the crackdown on the border, your contacts are drying up and you need a new source.
“I was a wild child from a wealthy family, which is so far from the truth as to be hysterically funny. Anyway, I love danger, and Dutch Farley spelled danger. After we married, my family disowned me so I decided to make my own millions. Hence, I make a good partner.”
“Sounds good so far.”
“There’s more: birth dates, addresses of where we’ve lived in the past, and where we live now. We’ll have to memorize them.”
“You’re thorough. Tell me, are all the dates and addresses traceable?”
“Of course they are. We can’t be flipped because of something that simple.”
“I’m impressed. Your talents are lost as a squad member.”
She gave him a quick look before continuing. “We’ll need a dress rehearsal before we take this show on the road. Maybe several. We can’t sound like actors playing a part, we have to be the part.”
“May take a while.”
“We’ll have to do this on our own. We don’t have time for acting lessons.”
“Every day after work, then,” he suggested.
Gina nodded. “Whatever it takes to get our parts down pat.”
“We don’t have a choice.” Not that he wanted one. Being with Gina every evening sounded damned good.
“No, we don't.ˮ
“Every minute counts.” The thought sent knots to Darin’s stomach. Not only would he put himself in danger, but Gina and possibly four members of the squad as well.
It was a big responsibility. They had to succeed. They had to become Meg and Dutch Farley. Hunter’s killer wasn’t going to go free.
“Are you sure you want to do this? We can go back to my original plan. I can go it alone. You can stay with the team and come in if I need help.”
“Not on your life. I’m in.”
There went that stubborn lift to her chin again. Gina Carlson was intriguing as hell. And smart.
Still, for a brief moment, he wondered if they were both nuts.
Not nuts, but determined. He was no actor so he’d damned well have to play this the right way. Yet he had to be good enough to fool a drug lord or two—good enough to find Hunter’s killer. His spine stiffened.
He would and could do this.
Chapter Ten
Darin and Gina practiced. And practiced some more. Every day after work, no matter the hour, they met at Darin’s. Not only did they have to act the part, the words had to ring true. Though they would be playing by ear they practiced dozens of scenarios.
Gina was a natural. She had her sweet, southern drawl down to a T. He, on the other hand didn’t have to worry about the drawl, only the pitch of his voice. It wasn’t easy.
Today was full dress rehearsal.
Darin was uncomfortable and nervous.
He struggled into his jacket, added the wig, and looked in the mirror. A stranger stared back. He frowned and wondered what Gina would think. Brownish red hair that normally didn’t get longer than his shirt collar was now dark, almost black with silver at the temples, and fell an inch below his collar.
He’d added brown contacts, pasted on a small fake scar under his left eye. The scar looked real and gave him a look saying he wasn’t one to be messed with. Just the look he wanted.
Making a face at the new Darin, he left to meet Gina.
Anticipation made his heart kick up a notch. Gina wasn’t like other women. She was a take-charge woman who obviously knew her job. He trusted her instincts and her ability. And he felt more for her than mere attraction. Would that hamper the sting? He wouldn’t let it.
As with all the Callahans, trust was a big issue. Donovan had suffered the most when he found out the man who raised him wasn’t his biological father. He’d felt betrayed by those he trusted most.
Dugan fell in love only to have the woman he thought he was going to marry leave him at the altar. It took a long time to gain back enough trust and believe in their love again.
Thank God, both issues had been resolved long ago.
To Darin, trust was the biggest thing in a relationship. Whether the relationship was between partners, friends, family, or would-be girlfriends.
He got out of his pickup at the apartment complex where the sisters lived and headed inside. A woman coming his way saw him and turned the other direction. Did he look that scary? If so, it wasn’t the impression he wanted. Dangerous, yes. But not frightening.
He knocked on the door, heard her coming. He knew it was Gina by the sound of her footsteps. She opened the door and burst out laughing.
“Is that you, Darin?”
“Sure is, Dolly.”
She ran a hand down the sides of her form-fitting, low-necked top and past her waist. Tight black jeans proved she had the legs to go with the body.
“How do I look?”
“Can you sing? If so, you could give Dolly Parton a run for her money.”
“Good. You can’t tell it’s me beneath all the glitter, big hair, boobs, and tight jeans?”
“Sure can’t.” He took her hand, turned her in a circle. “Nope. Nothing there of Gina Carlson.” He studied her. Even in her outrageous costume she was gorgeous. Her tiny waist accented boobs spilling out of the skimpy top made his mouth go dry. Her jeans were like a second skin.
He couldn’t catch his breath and felt as if he’d been slammed between the eyes.
“Let me take a look at you,” she said, turning strictly professional.
She examined him from head to boot—had him put his Stetson on, then take it off.
“Well?” he asked after five minutes of being scrutinized. She was making him nervous. She didn’t smile. There was no glint of approval in her eyes.
“Okay. Let’s start at the top. Your Stetson?”
“Yep.”
She took it from him. “Has to go. Neither of us can wear anything the mole can point to and be curious about.”
“Okay.” Didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it.
“The Rolex? Is it the real deal?”
“Of course not. Got it in a pawn shop for ten bucks.”
She slipped it off his hand. “Gotta go. The people we’re dealing with will spot a fake a mile away.”
“Where do we get a real one?”
“I saw one in the evidence room the other day. I’ll get the chief to let us borrow it.”
Darin’s mouth clenched tight. Remembering how she’d gone to the chief without telling him still grated.
“Okay. What else?” Gina had a gift for detail and for a moment Darin wondered if his entire wardrobe would be nixed.
“I like the way you buffed up your weight. It changed your look. The contacts are a good addition. I’ll do the same; maybe go brown like you. The scar looks real. Wanna tell me how you put it on?”
“Not unless you tell me if the butterfly tattoo on your hand is real or fake?”
“It’s a good fake. I have a special soap to remove it when I’m ready.”
With her chin in her hand, she circled him once more. “Boots? Do they belong to you?”
“Are you going to make me lose them, too?”
She laughed. “What did I just say? Anything we’ve worn in public can stir up suspicion. The first thing on our agenda today is a new pair. Not new, worn.”
“I’m assuming the jacket is yours,” she said, adjusting the wide shoulders.
“Nope! Figured that one out on my own. Borrowed a couple from my brother, Douglas.”
/> “It’ll work.”
Before they left, he asked, “Where’s Maddy?”
“Hank and Jake asked her to go with them to the zoo, then to lunch.”
“Good, I guess. Hank hasn’t dated since his wife died.”
“Maddy has never dated.”
The statement startled him. “C’mon. Hard to believe as pretty as she is.”
“Believe it.”
Their first stop was at a thrift store where they found a Stetson right away. “How does it look?”
“It’ll do. Where are the boots?”
“Over there.” He pointed to the other side of the store.
A woman walked over to help them.
“I like these, sugar,” Gina said with a tilting southern accent.
Darin wanted to laugh. Gina was in character. She was good, too. Better than he imagined. He followed suit. “I don’t know, sweet one. I like the brown ones better.”
“Why don’t you try them on, sugar. You know how hard you are to fit.”
Darin found a place to sit, took off his boots and tried on the pair she handed him. “These are fine, sweet one.” He stood, walked around a bit. “Look okay?” He was finding it difficult to keep up his exaggerated drawl since he didn’t know what was going to come out of Gina’s mouth next. He’d have to ask if she’d taken acting in college.
The acting was hard for him, and Darin found it difficult to concentrate on what to say and how to say it while at the same time keeping his voice pitched several octaves lower than normal. He had to get better at this.
“Try these on, sugar,” she said, holding out a pair of black ostrich boots.
He liked the way she called him sugar and hoped to hell he didn’t get used to it. This was an act—an elaborate act. One that could get them killed if they didn’t play it right.
He wasn’t very good at it. The thought chilled him. He had to portray his character more forcefully.
His attention went to the boots. “Both pairs have a new shine, but you can tell they’re far from new.”
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