“Watch out.”
But Darin didn’t seem worried. If anything he seemed cautious. Why not? She’d all but scared him to death twice yesterday. First with a gun then with her screams.
He should run for the hills. Probably would when the sting was over.
An hour later, they had eaten all they could hold and were lingering over coffee. She lifted her cup. “This has to be the best coffee I’ve ever tasted.”
“Should be. It cost enough.”
“Now what?” she asked. “We have the rest of the day.”
“What would you like to do?”
“If we’re from Dallas, we should do some sight-seeing.”
“Great idea,” Darin said with a grin that made her heart turn over.
“If you’re ready I’ll call for our car.”
“Have you talked to the FBI today?”
“They’re working on getting Chavizi’s cell phone cloned. And they’re on standby. We’re covered. We may not get the call until tomorrow. Which might be better. It gives Peavy and his team enough time to get everything lined up.”
“I’m betting on earlier,” she told him.
“I’ve thought of that. I have the text to Peavy ready to go. All I have to do is punch the send button and he gets it. Let’s pray he’s ready on his end.”
“And if he’s not?”
“We’ll find Hunter’s killer another way.”
“Someone will talk,” Gina said.
“Right.”
“Will the message just confuse the team?”
“Peavy knows what we’re doing. If there are any responses, he’ll monitor them. It’s possible he’ll know who the mole is before we do.”
“We can’t afford any screw-ups.”
“There won’t be any.”
His confidence lifted her spirits. The sting would go down soon. Though the thought made her stomach clench, she was confident the two of them were ready. Her biggest fear was the mole. If they were recognized everything was blown. Everything. Maybe even their lives.
She had to change the subject. Not think about how close they were to the end.
“Do you think you could ever get used to this?”
“What?” He waved her arm to encompass the luxury suite. “Do you mean all this?”
“This and the money. It’s not us.”
“I could never get used to the luxury. On the other hand, I could get used to being with you,” he teased.
“Really?” Her stomach fluttered at the thought. If she were honest with herself she would admit how much she liked having him close. Living in the same place. Eating together. Her thoughts scattered.
“Oh, yeah! Really. Especially when you look Meg Farley hot.”
She smiled and mentally brought herself back to earth.
****
As Dutch and Meg Farley the driver took them first to visit the Space Center at NASA, then drove them through Herman Park where they took a ride on the train. While they were there they viewed the art at the Menil Collection.
“My feet hurt,” Gina complained when they were back in the Mercedes.
“Do you have to wear those stilts?”
“No. But Meg Farley does.”
“Where to now?” the FBI guy assigned as their driver asked.
Darin looked at his watch. “We don’t want to be too late. Let’s find something to eat then go back to the hotel. There may be word from Chavizi.”
“What do you feel like eating?” Darin asked.
She shrugged. “Anything. I’m not hard to please.”
“Okay. How about Italian? We could go to Tony’s.”
“Sounds high class. And expensive.”
“The Farleys can afford it.”
“Then go for it.”
Darin leaned over the front seat. “Do you know where it is?”
“Sure.”
“Ever been there?”
“Are you kidding?”
Darin peeled off a hundred-dollar-bill. “Enjoy yourself when this is over.”
“Is it okay?”
“We’re the Farleys. We can do what we want with our money.”
“Then you’d better call and make a reservation. I’m not sure even Dutch Farley can get in without one.”
It would be an hour before they could be seated.
“If we’re being followed we’d better do some more touristy stuff,” Darin suggested. “Have you seen the Williams Waterwall?”
Gina shook her head and hated the lie. She had to tell Darin the truth about why she had been sent here. Soon. Their relationship had taken a turn. She didn’t know where it would end, but he had to know the truth. Now wasn’t the time.
The Waterwall was spectacular. Near the Galleria, it was a soothing oasis among the chaotic Houston traffic. “It’s sixty-four feet tall and drops thousands of gallons of water every minute,” Darin told her.
“It takes your breath away,” Gina said as they walked around to stand in front of it. “I could stand here and look at this forever.”
Darin put his arm around her. She leaned against him. If anyone were watching, they were in Dutch and Meg Farley mode. It felt right for Gina Carlson, too.
When he leaned over and kissed her, she fell into the kiss without even thinking. His arms tightened around her shoulders. When the kiss deepened she stopped thinking and let that unfamiliar fist of desire take her away.
He pulled back, broke the kiss. “Wow,” he whispered.
“I thought…”
“If anyone’s watching, and I know they are, we have to give them a show.”
“I see.” Was that all the kiss was? A show?
It sure felt like more to her. A lot more. What if Darin was just doing his job? What if all the kisses were just that? A job well done?
For a moment, she was mortified. While Darin was doing a damned good job, she was acting like a woman who’d never been kissed.
A bubble of hysterical laughter caught in her throat.
The chauffer cleared his throat. “It’s time for your reservation.”
Gina barely touched the delicious grilled salmon with vegetables that looked just picked from the garden, They wouldn’t go down.
“You’re not eating.”
“Nervous, I guess.”
He put a hand over hers. “Don’t be. We’re doing fine.”
They were certainly putting on a good show. But her heart felt raw. Darin was doing his job, and she was falling in love.
This was what happened when you didn’t stick to your job.
She was glad when Darin finished and they were on their way back to the hotel.
“I’m here if you need me,” the FBI driver said as he dropped them off.
“We’re hoping for a quiet evening.”
“Good luck,” he said, and drove off.
Dutch and Meg Farley made a grand entrance into the lobby. It was easier now to act the part than to be herself.
“It was a nice day, sugar,” Gina said.
“Glad you enjoyed it, sweet one. Are you tired? Or would you like a nightcap?”
“Let’s go to our room. I’m tired after all the sight-seeing.” Tired. Period.
In the elevator, Darin gave her a long look. “It has been a nice day. Did you enjoy it?”
“Of course.”
He put his arm around her, pulled her close.
“Off-limits,” she reminded him and pulled away.
“You’re my wife, remember?”
The statement made her heart stop, then start again in an erratic rhythm.
What would it be like to be Darin Callahan’s wife? To not pretend? The thought stayed with her until they were in their room.
With barely enough time to note the fresh red rose in the vase and put her purse down there was a knock on the door.
They looked at each other. Was it going down now?
“Go to the door,” he whispered. “Signal if it’s someone from Chavizi.”
She looked
through the peephole and gave the signal.
Darin would send the text message that Agent Peavy would then send to every member of the squad.
Were they doing the right thing?
She prayed they were.
If not, they were screwed.
Chapter Nineteen
Gina opened the door. “Now aren’t you the lucky one? We just walked in from the most exciting day. Come in. I need a minute to catch my breath.”
Chavizi’s bodyguard stepped inside. “Sorry to bother you, but the boss said he’d like to see you now. The goods arrived earlier than he expected.”
“How wonderful. Sugar!” she called out. “The best news ever.”
Darin, a scowl on Dutch Farley’s face, walked into the room. He’d turned on the mike in his Rolex to inform Peavy the sting was going down, and made sure the small plastic gun was secure in his boot. It was time to roll. “What’s up?”
“The goods are here,” Kamu said. “I’m to take you to them.”
“We have our own car and driver,” Darin responded, putting a growl in his voice.
Kamu shook his head. “You’ll have to come with me.”
“As long as you get us back here tonight I don’t see a problem. Do you, sugar?”
Darin grumbled his displeasure. He was more than ready to go along with Chavizi’s plan, but didn’t want to let them know by acting too eager.
“It will be fine, sugar. They’re doing us a favor. We don’t know Houston well.”
“No,” he snapped. “But our driver does.” He frowned again, made his eye twitch. “Fine. But it would be nice to have a little notice.”
Kamu frisked Darin, looked at Gina. “Don’t even think about it,” Darin growled.
The man eyed her up and down. Shrugged.
Darin tucked a small fifteen-inch laptop under his arm.
“Can’t take that,” the thug said.
“No laptop—no money.”
Kamu took it from Darin. “I’ll keep it until you need it.”
“Fine with me.”
Minutes later they were in a black SUV with dark tinted windows.
“I can’t see a thing,” Gina complained loudly. She tapped the driver on the shoulder. “I can’t see out. Why are the windows so dark?”
“Boss didn’t want to blindfold you. This is the next best thing.”
“Well!” she huffed. “I thought Mr. Chavizi was a nice man. Are you telling me he doesn’t trust us?”
“It’s okay, sweet one. I would do the same.”
She folded her arms and sat back against the seat with a frown of disapproval.
In the darkness of the back seat Darin found her hand and held on tight. It was make or break time. Knowing Gina could get hurt, that both of them could, sent his concentration back to the job. There were so many things that could go wrong. He wanted to wipe his forehead. Not a good time to sweat. If the mole was there, would they be recognized?
His nerves were so wired he didn’t know if he could keep up the act much less confront Chavizi. Did he wish he’d never had this idea?
Not a chance. Not if they could nail his partner’s killer.
Thirty minutes later the SUV came to a stop.
“Are we there?” Gina asked.
Kamu opened the door to let them out. Darin had a feeling if they had wanted out of the SUV earlier, they’d have been out of luck.
He looked around. Warehouses lined both sides of the street. Who knew there were so many warehouse districts in Houston? Where this one was located was anyone’s guess. “Where’s the merchandise?”
“Straight ahead,” Kamu said.
They walked toward the darkened warehouse. It looked deserted. A small door was to the side of the closed overhead doors. Kamu held the door open. The interior was pitch black until Kamu flipped on a light.
Another door opened and Chavizi stood there smiling at them. “Good to see you. Sorry about the cloak and dagger stuff, but one can’t be too careful.”
“I agree,” Darin said. Keeping the frown on his face wasn’t hard to do right now. “Are you sure we won’t have company?”
Chavizi’s grin grew wider. “Positive.”
“Good. Let’s take a look at the merchandise.” Willing his hands steady and his heart rate normal, he followed Chavizi.
Unlike the outside of the warehouse the interior was a beehive of activity. Just as Darin had seen on the night Hunter was killed, men in baseball caps and jeans were busy loading a large box truck.
An eerie feeling swept over him.
The scene was too familiar. When nausea threatened to send him running, he grabbed Gina’s hand and held tight until it passed.
“A hundred kilos of heroin. Just like you ordered,” Chavizi said with as much pride as one would announcing he’d just won the lottery.
“Sample,” Darin demanded.
Expecting the order, Chavizi waved one of the men over.
The baseball cap was low on his head. A blue handkerchief around his neck partially covered his face. There would be no way to recognize him again.
Darin took a few grains between his fingers, touched it to his lips, and nodded his approval. He walked over to the truck and pointed to another bundle. “That one.”
Chavizi laughed. “Don’t trust me?”
“As much as you trust me,” Darin countered in Spanish.
Chavizi signaled to the man who once more presented Darin with a sample. “Good.” He pointed to three more bundles and sampled each.
“Satisfied?”
“It will do.” Darin watched the men expertly load the big box truck. “Mine, I presume.”
“My man will drive you out. Then it’s all yours.”
“Good. I guess it’s time to transfer the money.”
Kamu handed Darin his laptop.
“Hope you don’t mind, but I need to watch,” Chavizi said.
“I mind,” Darin said.
“Can’t be helped. I’m owed a lot of money. I intend to make sure you get it to the right account.”
Darin shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
The door Darin and Gina had entered flew open. Someone ran in as if they were in a hurry. This person was also in jeans and a baseball cap. Only the shirt was different. It was a long-sleeved man’s shirt worn on the outside, the tail flapping. Just like the photo Hunter had taken of the captain’s lover. Just like the person he’d seen before he was hit over the head when Hunter was killed. Darin stifled a gasp. Who was he? Were they about to find that the captain was in on this?
He found himself holding his breath. They’d made it this far with no trouble. Would this person blow it for them? Was he about to see the mole? Nope. Couldn’t be any of the men on the squad. Joe was about the same height, but much heavier, the other men didn’t fit. So who was it?
They would find out soon. Still holding his breath, Darin watched as the guy rushed up to Chavizi.
“Why did you want me here?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Chavizi snarled. “I told you specifically I didn’t want you within ten miles of this place tonight.”
Darin’s heart stopped. Gina gave a quiet hiss.
He squeezed Gina’s hand tight. They had just found their mole. The urge to go for the gun in his boot was so strong he leaned that way. As if knowing his thoughts, Gina gave his arm a yank that pulled him to attention.
He couldn’t control the shock that whispered through his body, and left him weak in the knees. Not in a million years would he have guessed. He looked over at Gina. The same shock showed in her eyes. It was a good thing Chavizi’s attention wasn’t on them.
So far there was no recognition. Then again, the mole’s attention was centered on the drug lord.
How would they have ever gotten this close without this gigantic sting?
Melanie Harris stood there with her hands on her hips glaring at Chavizi. The look on his face told Darin he was ready to strangle the woman with his bare hands.
/> So was Darin. Damn her to hell. She’d been everyone’s friend. How could she do this?
“What’s going on?” Chavizi’s attention swung to Darin.
“Why ask me? Who is this woman?” Darin hoped he could keep up the charade when all he wanted to do was pull his gun and make arrests. Where the hell was the team? And the FBI? This would be a good time to burst through the doors. If the GPS in Gina’s ring wasn’t working they were in more trouble than they could get out of on their own.
He made a silent vow. If they went down, Melanie was going with them.
Chavizi turned on Melanie. “Who gave you permission to come here?”
“You did! You sent me a text message to meet you tonight.”
“I didn’t send anyone a message.” His voice was so deadly Darin’s stomach clenched. Would Chavizi pull his gun now and kill his mole? Because of her connections, she was more valuable to him than a dozen of his men. The look on his face said he was thinking about it.
For the first time, Melanie turned to Gina and Darin. Darin’s guts shriveled. Would she recognize them?
Luckily, no recognition showed in her eyes. “Do you trust these two?”
“I don’t know you,” Darin said in his Dutch Farley voice, putting more anger into it than ever. Real anger. “This gentleman and I were about to conclude our business.”
Melanie yanked her baseball cap down as if to cover her face. “Fine. Get it over with.”
Chavizi dragged her out of hearing range. Darin could tell by the way the drug dealer was waving his hands and yelling that he was ready to blow.
Darin didn’t want that. If guns were drawn, he and Gina would be forced to enter the fray. Not good. Not planned.
Where were the cavalry? It was past time for them so show up.
They had all the proof they needed to put Chavizi away for life. They had the mole. They had the drugs.
If Darin knew anything about human nature someone in the bunch of guys loading the truck would give up the shooter.
Tom Hunter’s death would be avenged.
Darin wanted to see his team march in with guns drawn.
A dozen men ran through the door, their guns out. Before they were even close, they fired shots into the air, leveled the guns on everyone there.
Only it wasn’t the team and it sure as hell wasn’t the FBI.
Who were they?
Darin looked closer. His breath hitched when he recognized the lead man. Tony Ramiro himself. Were they going to be involved in a turf battle now? He gave Gina a quick glance. She knew as well as he did that their chances now were slim to zero.
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