Deep Cover

by Kimberly Van Meter

  Shaine didn’t ask unnecessary questions, just affirmed he was on his way. She texted the address and returned to Brandi, who looked nearly delirious with pain.

  Honestly, if Brandi hadn’t been in such pain, chances were she would’ve shunned Poppy’s help. As luck would have it, Brandi must’ve been at her limit to even allow Poppy into her apartment.

  So much for asking Brandi questions about Darcy.

  Shaine arrived fifteen minutes later and Brandi had already passed out from the pain.

  “Holy shit. What happened to her?” Shaine asked, frowning as he surveyed the damage. “She’s almost unrecognizable.”

  “Someone beat the snot out of her,” Poppy answered. “I think it was Angelo.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Brandi can’t talk. Her mouth is too swollen. Whatever happened, it must’ve been bad. Can you smell the blood?”

  “Yeah, and the bleach.”

  Chances were Angelo had tried to clean up the evidence of the blood splatter after he’d beaten the shit out of Brandi.

  “Can you carry Brandi to the car? We can’t call the ambulance.”

  Shaine nodded and Poppy cautioned, “Be careful. She may have a broken leg.”

  Brandi’s eyes fluttered open and she groaned when she saw Shaine, trying to turn her head away as if she were embarrassed at being seen so vulnerable.

  “I got you, girl,” he murmured as he gently scooped Brandi up out of the chair, hoisting her up.

  A choked cry of pain escaped Brandi’s damaged lips, but she didn’t fight Shaine.

  Shaine carried Brandi to the car and they all climbed in. Poppy sat in the back with Brandi to help her with the seat belt and to keep her upright.

  “Why are you doing this?” Brandi mumbled, wincing as her lip began to bleed anew. Poppy gently blotted the blood away as well as the fresh tears that had begun to fall down Brandi’s cheeks. “Why?” she croaked.

  “Because you might be a bitch but you’re still a human being and no one deserves to be beaten and left to die.”

  Shaine drove quickly to the hospital and the emergency personnel took over.

  As Brandi was wheeled away, Poppy resisted the urge to hug Shaine desperately, so grateful he’d been a phone call away. But they didn’t know who was potentially watching so they played it cool.

  “Want to grab a coffee?” Shaine asked, which was code for “let’s talk,” and Poppy gladly agreed.

  Once they were certain they were alone, Shaine jumped in. “Why would Angelo beat Brandi like that? He nearly killed her. Do you think she was threatening to tell something she knew?”

  “I can only imagine. Did you get the text from Ramirez about her package?”

  “Yeah, had to be from the Hernandez duo. And if it is, they are stupider than I thought, which tells me, whatever they are, they aren’t El Escorpion.”

  Poppy had to agree. El Escorpion was clever and sneaky. Selena and Mateo were accustomed to using a blunt object when finesse was in order, which is something El Escorpion would never do.

  “We can’t let Brandi go back to the club. If Angelo was the one who did this, he shouldn’t be around her,” Poppy said. “I think we should put Brandi in protective custody. Let Angelo think she ran away because of what he did.”

  “That’s taking a big risk to our operation,” Shaine warned.

  “I know it was Angelo who did it. I’ve been asking for days where Brandi was and he just kept saying she was sick. He knew she was beaten to hell and he didn’t try and get her help because he knew the hospital would be required by law to alert the authorities.”

  “If we put her into protective custody, she could be there for months, depending on how long it takes to close this case,” he reminded Poppy, but she wasn’t going to budge.

  “My gut says we need to do this.”

  Shaine considered it, then said, “All right, I trust your judgment. I don’t think Ramirez is going to like it but I know my director will back me if need be.”

  “She’s so hot for the Hernandez brother and sister that she’s ignoring what’s right in her face. If anyone is losing their judgment on this case, it’s her. It feels personal and that’s dangerous.”

  Shaine nodded. “You might be right. I’ll discuss our concerns with Hobbs so he’s aware. In the meantime, we need to get the paperwork started so that we can have Brandi moved to a more secure location immediately.”

  Poppy jerked a short nod. “I’ll stay here and make sure that no one finds out that Brandi is here. You go start the wheels turning.”

  “You sure you’re going to be okay?” Shaine asked. “What if Angelo shows up?”

  “Then I’ll handle it,” Poppy answered without blinking. She’d love to show Angelo a few moves of her own, teach him that it wasn’t nice to beat women. If she got her hands on him, Angelo would be drinking out of a straw for the rest of his life.

  Shaine seemed satisfied with her answer but he hesitated, looking as if he wanted to kiss her. For a split second she held her breath, hoping recklessly that he would, but the moment passed and he bailed, leaving her missing the kiss that had almost happened.

  CHAPTER 23

  Shaine met Ramirez at the debriefing site, along with Victoria.

  As predicted, Rosa wasn’t pleased with the newest development.

  “There’s no need to put Brandi into protective custody,” Ramirez said, shaking her head. “The most recent development with the Hernandez siblings points to them acting as El Escorpion. I have a search warrant being served as we speak to collect their records. They’re as good as caught.”

  “El Escorpion wouldn’t be so sloppy as to send you a threatening message like that creepy doll. I don’t doubt it was the Hernandez siblings who sent you the messed-up message, but they aren’t smart enough to be El Escorpion.”

  “I disagree. I think it’s their hubris that is blinding them to how close they are to being caught,” Rosa argued vehemently. “They had motive, means and we have evidence that they’re receiving illegal compounds from Shenzhen. Sometimes if it walks and talks like a duck, it’s a duck.”

  “Under most circumstances, I would agree with you, but we’re not dealing with your average criminal. Whoever El Escorpion is, they are crafty and used to flying under the radar. That’s why no one knows who it actually is. I think we’d be making a big mistake if we didn’t put Brandi into protective custody.”

  Ramirez’s gaze narrowed. “I’m aware of your past history with Agent Jones. I hope this is not misplaced trust in action. Agent Jones seems to be getting attached to the girls she’s embedded with, which would cloud her judgment. I can understand Agent Jones wanting to keep Brandi safe, but putting her into protective custody would put this investigation at unnecessary risk.”

  “You’re misreading the situation. Jones isn’t attached to Brandi—the girl is a bitch. Jones is trying to prevent someone getting killed. That’s all.”

  “Collateral damage is inevitable, you and I both know that,” Ramirez said, not budging. “As I told Jones already, you can’t save them all.”

  “She’s more valuable alive than dead,” Shaine countered. “Whether or not Angelo did this to Brandi, Brandi knows Angelo better than anyone. She’s our best bet to finding out if Angelo is El Escorpion.”

  “We have solid evidence pointing to the Hernandezes as our target,” Ramirez argued, leaning on the table with a glower. “I’m sure forensics will come back with evidence that the Hernandezes had that doll delivered in order to scare me.”

  “That’s just it...El Escorpion isn’t that sloppy or obvious. You’re right in that Selena or Mateo may have sent you that package, but they don’t have the mental dexterity to pull off what El Escorpion has been doing for years.”

  “Are you sure you’re not siding with Jones in some misguided attempt at picking up where you left off in the past?”

  Shaine flexed his jaw as he tried not to take immediate offense because he knew that would
only make things worse. He chose his words carefully. “If I thought Agent Jones was being biased, I would say so. Our past history has nothing to do with my decision to agree with Jones on her recommendation. We believe that by not putting Brandi in protective custody, we are jeopardizing not only her life but also a valuable lead. We discovered Brandi was good friends with another stripper who ended up dead a few months ago. Either Brandi knows who killed Darcy Lummox or she knows something about why she’s dead. We need to know what Brandi knows and the only way to do that is to ensure her safety.”

  Ramirez didn’t like what Shaine was putting down but at least she was beginning to listen. Victoria stepped in.

  “With Marcus dead...I think we need to be more cautious. I agree putting Brandi in protective custody is the right move.”

  Shaine sent a silent look of gratitude to Victoria but awaited Ramirez’s decision. He knew it wouldn’t do any good to gang up on the director. He had to trust that her training would kick in and override whatever personal bias she had working overtime in her brain.

  “Fine, file the request,” Ramirez finally ordered, not happy. “But I’m still pursuing the Hernandez lead.”

  There was nothing he could do about that. Shaine nodded, accepting Ramirez’s answer.

  He looked to Victoria and Victoria nodded. “I’ll get it started. You get back to the hospital. I’ll have officers Rocha and York on scene to keep out any undesirables until we can have her moved. We’ll have the doctor report directly to Rocha or York so they can relay that information to you.”

  Shaine nodded in agreement. “Thanks, Victoria. I owe you a beer when this is all done.”

  Victoria rolled her eyes because they both knew he’d never be able to buy enough beer to pay her back for all the paperwork she’d fielded for him.

  Shaine returned to the hospital and found Brandi had been moved to a more secure section of the hospital and both officers York and Rocha were posted as sentinels at the door.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  Rocha answered. “Smooth transition and no one is the wiser. The doctor came and took her for X-rays. It’s as Jones guessed—broken orbital bone, broken nose and a hairline fracture to her left leg. She’s sleeping now. Jones went to get something to eat.”

  “Thanks. I’ll find Jones. You stay here with Brandi. Don’t let anyone in or out that isn’t wearing a medical badge.”

  Rocha nodded and Shaine went to find Poppy. He sent a quick text and she replied with her location. He found her in the cafeteria grabbing a snack.

  “Well, how’d it go?” she asked.

  “Ramirez agreed to put Brandi in protective custody but she wasn’t happy about it. She really wants Mateo and Selena Hernandez for our target. She’s got years of experience. Do you think we’re wrong and she’s right?”

  “It’s possible,” Poppy conceded with a sigh. “But I can’t escape the feeling in my gut that Brandi is important to this case, whether it’s connected to the Hernandez siblings or not.”

  “She brought up our past relationship,” Shaine said, feeling the need for full disclosure.

  “Why?”

  “Because she questioned whether or not I was being unbiased based on our previous relationship. I assured her my feelings or my past had nothing to do with my decision to back you up.”

  “Thank you,” Poppy said, smiling. “I appreciate that.”

  “It’s nothing that isn’t true. If I didn’t agree with you, I’d say that, too,” Shaine said gruffly. “I mean, you’re my partner. We work together. We have to be able to trust each other’s instincts.”

  “And you trust me?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said without hesitation.

  Her eyes took on a glassy sheen and she looked away with a short nod. “Good.”

  There was so much left unsaid between them that a simple acknowledgment was almost too much to bear.

  And now wasn’t the time to scratch at that particular wound.

  “Let’s go and see if Brandi is awake yet,” Poppy suggested as she walked away.

  He followed Poppy back to the secure section of the hospital reserved for those with police protection or security, usually for criminals needing medical care before being packaged up for a jail stint, and walked into Brandi’s room.

  Brandi looked like hell. Nothing like the beautiful brunette she’d been. Whoever had done this had really worked her over.

  Brandi’s eyes fluttered open and she focused blearily on the two.

  “How are you feeling?” Poppy asked, going to the bedside to gently grasp Brandi’s hand. “You’re lucky I thought to bring you some soup or else you might’ve died in your apartment.”

  “Who did this to you?” Shaine asked.

  Brandi winced and closed her eyes, trying to fight through the painkillers she’d been given.

  “Does Angelo know I’m here?” she asked.

  “No. And he won’t,” Poppy answered. At Brandi’s confusion, she said, “You’re going to go away for a few days for your own protection.”

  “What are you talking about?” Brandi tried to frown. “I need to talk to Angelo.”

  “Did he beat you?” Shaine asked.

  But Brandi wasn’t interested in talking about that. She tried to sit up but didn’t have the strength.

  “Damn, even drugged up and beaten within an inch of your life, you’re still a pain in the ass,” Poppy muttered. “Look, if you want to play the part of the abused lover, you can do it when things are all clear, but for now, your happy ass is going to go into protective custody and you’re going to answer a few questions.”

  “Screw you.”

  “That’s a fine bit of gratitude for saving your life,” Poppy retorted, releasing Brandi’s hand. “Fine. If you don’t want the gentle treatment I’m okay with doing things the other way.”

  “Who are you?” Brandi asked, her one good eye brimming with suspicion. “What the hell is going on?”

  “I’m DEA agent Poppy Jones and this is Special Agent Kelly with the FBI. We’re here to take down El Escorpion and end the exportation of Bliss. Now that you know who we are...you are going to go into a building where there are no phones, no cell phones allowed and no communication with the outside world until we solve this case. So, how long you end up in that place depends on how cooperative you are.”

  Brandi blinked, shocked by Poppy’s revelation. “I knew you weren’t a dancer,” she said, shaking her head. “Too uppity to have ever struggled.”

  Poppy didn’t deny Brandi’s assumption. “So tell me why Angelo beat the shit out of you.” When Brandi remained stubbornly silent, Poppy followed with, “Okay, how about this... Tell me what happened to your friend Darcy Lummox...the one you brought to the club and then ended up dead a few months ago. Ring a bell?”

  At the mention of Darcy, Brandi paled and she actually started to shake. She dropped her gaze to her bandaged IV and wouldn’t meet Poppy’s stare.

  Poppy looked to Shaine and Shaine tried to get her to open up. “We know you were close. We talked to Darcy’s sister, Olivia, she said you two were very close in high school. She showed us the picture of you two on the mantel. What happened? Did you have something to do with her death and you’re afraid to come forward?”

  A tear slipped down Brandi’s face and she wiped it away clumsily. “I can’t talk about it,” she whispered.

  “Yes, you can,” he assured her. “You’re safe now. Angelo can’t hurt you. There’s no way he’s going to get to you.”

  “It’s not Angelo I’m worried about,” she said, shocking both Shaine and Poppy.

  “Then who are you worried about?” Shaine asked.

  Brandi slowly met their stares and said, “Raquel. Raquel did this to me.”

  * * *

  Poppy stared. Raquel? “Why? I don’t understand...”

  Brandi reached for a tissue and blotted her nose gingerly when it began to run. “Raquel found out that Angelo was sleeping with her and me
at the same time and she wanted to get even. She came to my house and we fought, but she overpowered me and the next thing I knew I was on the floor and she was kicking me with combat boots.”

  “You’re saying Raquel did this damage?” Shaine asked, incredulous. “That’s a lot of force. Was she alone? Or did she have help?”

  “Don’t let Raquel fool you, she used to be an MMA amateur fighter. She only started dancing because she tore a shoulder muscle at her last fight. Otherwise, she’d still be in the ring and not on the stage.”

  How’d they miss that? Poppy tried to regroup. “So you’re saying the reason Raquel beat you up was because she was angry at Angelo?”

  “Essentially.”

  “No. I don’t buy that,” Poppy said firmly. “Try again. What happened with Darcy Lummox? She was your best friend. Tell me who killed her. Don’t you think her sister deserves some answers?”

  “What does it matter? She’s gone. Knowing the details won’t bring her back.”

  “No, but we can give Olivia some closure and maybe some justice to Darcy. As her best friend, don’t you think you owe that to her?”

  “I don’t know who killed Darcy,” Brandi said dully, wiping at the tears on her cheek. “Leave me alone. I want to sleep.”

  Poppy withheld her frustration, knowing Brandi was too muddled with painkillers to think straight. “We’ll be back. This isn’t over,” she told Brandi, and then she and Shaine walked out.

  “So what do you think? Raquel? She’s certainly vicious enough to do something like this, but to be the person behind El Escorpion? I don’t see any connection aside from the tattoo that was probably an adolescent decision geared toward looking badass.”

  Shaine offered, “Maybe that’s the point? The reason we haven’t been able to track down who El Escorpion is, is because we’re looking for logical evidence. Maybe we ought to start looking at people who have seemingly no motive. Start digging around in some backgrounds and see what we can find out.”

  “I guess that’s a start. I’ll be really pissed if Ramirez was right and we just put a ditzy broad into protective custody over a lover’s spat.”