by Taylor Lee
“I have a suggestion, Sergeant Moreau. How about we deal with the first issue? Can we agree that I am your commander and you are a senior member of my team? Which means we trust each other and are honest with each other. And that together, we will solve the violent crimes that come our way.” He waited, and when she refused to meet his gaze, he said softly, “Agreed?”
After a long moment, Viviana nodded in agreement.
Jax sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. “As for that other troubling issue between us, how about we put it on the back burner and deal with it at a later date?”
Swiping at the tear on her cheek, she glared at him and spit out, “Pretend it didn’t happen?”
Jax barked a short, mirthless laugh. “I’m a tough guy, Viviana. As tough as you’ll ever meet. But forget what happened between us in Belize?” He shook his head. “Not gonna happen, sweetheart. Not in this lifetime.” He added grimly, “Not in any lifetime.”
Chapter 15
Jax went to the refrigerator and took out two additional bottles of water. He grinned at her as he handed her one. “It’s a little early to cement our agreement with a healthy belt of scotch, but at least I can give you a fresh bottle of water.” He raised his bottle to her. “How about it, Sergeant Moreau, do we have a deal? Do we agree that we are on the same team?”
Still reeling from Jax’s declaration regarding their affair in Belize, Viviana did her best to mimic his bonhomie and said with a nonchalant shrug, “I would prefer scotch, but in lieu of that, water will do.” She raised her bottle in a salute and took a sip. Given how constricted her chest was, she was relieved that she was able to swallow the cool liquid.
Jax did the same and shrugged. “Who knows, Sergeant Moreau, perhaps at some point we can actually have that scotch and truly cement our agreement.” When she didn’t answer, he said, “In the meantime, we agree that being on the same team requires honesty and trust. Correct?”
Viviana debated how she would answer him and then decided that if it was honesty he required, why not tell him the truth? “Given that you put it that way, Commander Hughes, I’ll be honest. Trust is challenging for me. There are very few people that I have ever trusted. One of them is Mick O’Reilly and the other was Captain Michels.”
Jax’s lip quirked up, confirming his amusement. “Hmm, that’s interesting, Viviana. It’s also a bit of a giveaway, in that you had both of those men tied around your finger. I imagine you felt you could trust them because you had them thoroughly cowed.” When she shrugged and allowed a fleeting smile to cross her lips, he said, “How about someone you don’t control? Someone you consider a true confident, one that you can trust. Anyone like that in your universe, Sergeant?”
Viviana thought hard for a long moment, then surprised herself when she said, “My CI.”
Jax studied her for a long moment, then said carefully, “That’s interesting, Viviana. If you are telling me the truth, and I believe that you are, that says a lot.”
Immediately on the defensive, Viviana reared up. “And what, oh wise one, does that say about me? Or did you think that I don’t trust anyone, and no one trusts me?” She stood up and said, “You know what, Commander? I think you’re right. I actually don’t trust anyone, most especially you.”
Jax rose to his feet, and for the second time in their conversation he took her hand and led her back to the table. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he gently pushed her onto her chair and said with a smile, “Down, girl.”
He hesitated, then ambled over to the side bar and brought out a bottle of Glenmorangie 18 single malt scotch. Grabbing two glasses, he returned to the table and set the bottle and the glasses in front of her. Pouring a healthy portion in each of the glasses, he handed one to her. “I changed my mind. I’ve decided that some conversations require good scotch no matter what time it is.” He lifted his glass and said, “To you, Viviana.”
When he waited for her to pick up her glass, she stammered, “Why . . . why are you doing this, Jax?”
“Why am I toasting you, or why am I pouring us both a drink at ten thirty in the morning?”
Viviana couldn’t help but be amused, although she tried hard not to show it. Instead she answered curtly, “Both.”
He shrugged. “I decided this expensive libation is appropriate to acknowledge how important this conversation is. As for my toasting you, I appreciate you being honest and telling me something that I doubt you’ve told anyone else.”
She sniffed. “What, that I’m so pitiful the only person I trust is my CI?”
“How about you accept my toast and we each take a swallow of this fine liquor and then we can discuss it.”
Viviana closed her eyes, fighting against the sudden moisture stinging the backs of her eyelids. When she thought she could speak in a relatively normal voice, she said, “Fine!”
She touched his glass with hers and took a healthy sip of the potent alcohol. He did the same and sank back down in his chair. He was quiet for a long moment, then met her gaze.
“You’re right, Viviana, at least partially right. First, to repeat, I appreciate your honesty. And to explain, the reason I know you are being honest is that you were as surprised as I was that you singled out your CI. Let’s face it, CIs aren’t known to be particularly trustworthy. The fact that you trust yours indicates that you two have an important relationship. It indicates to me that he or she also trusts you.”
Viviana took another draught of the scotch and said with a short, dismissive laugh, “I realized the other night that he is the one person I never try to snow.” She added with a dismissive snort, “He’d see right through me if I tried.” She glanced up at Jax and said, “And he is real with me. He is such an accomplished chameleon that I doubt he is with anyone else.”
Jax pursed his lips and looked thoughtful for a long moment, then refilled their glasses.
Viviana laughed, but even she heard the catch in her voice. “Are you trying to get me drunk, Commander? You think I’ll make an even bigger fool of myself now that I’ve confessed that my crazy CI is the only person I trust?”
Jax smiled. “No, I think we both can handle our liquor, although I won’t push any more on you. To be clear, Sergeant, you have not made a fool of yourself. You took a chance and revealed something important to me. I appreciate your honesty and your courage. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that over time, I hope that you will begin to trust me. I know that’s asking a lot, given our history, but I hope that you will give me a chance to earn your trust.”
Surprised at his candor and what could almost pass for humility, she decided to push him. “Are you saying that you trust me, Commander?”
Jax raised a brow and said emphatically, “Hell no!” He added with a grin, “You think I’m crazy, Sergeant?”
Viviana couldn’t help but laugh. Feeling the tension in her overwrought body lessen somewhat, she admitted it felt good. She realized that it was the first time since he’d arrived, actually since she last saw him in Belize, that she felt anything but hurt, distrust, and anger towards him. She thought that she might even be able to work with him. She must have telegraphed her feelings, because he pointed at her report. “Tell me, Sergeant, is your confidant CI number four on your report?”
Acknowledging that he’d outed her, she nodded. “Yes, he’s my most important CI.” She said with slight smile, “You were right. I listed the other three to distract you.”
Jax laughed and shook his head. “Damn, woman, I really do have to stay on my toes. Okay, so out with it. Who is CI number four, and what’s the nature of the case you’re working?”
Viviana hesitated, not sure how much she wanted to say. She looked up to see Jax smiling and shaking his head. She realized with a start that he saw through her hesitation. Confirming that he was on to her, he said, “I know, Sergeant, old habits die hard. Especially when you’ve spent a lifetime practicing them. Let’s start with a couple of easy questions. What’s his name, what does he do, and what are yo
u working on with him?”
Viviana snorted. “Is that all you want to know, Commander? In that no one else in the world knows that this person is my CI?”
Jax looked serious. “Don’t misunderstand, Viviana. I know you’re taking a big step. All I can say is that your information is absolutely safe with me.” He added, “And yeah, you are going to have to trust that I will keep your confidence.”
Viviana hesitated, then took a big breath and held it for a long moment. Breathing it out, she said, “His name is Sly Flaco. He’s a tranny and a pimp, although he refers to himself as a madam. He has a relatively small stable of seasoned whores. As for his CI role, he has never given me information that didn’t pan out. He has his fingers, his toes, and his dick buried into the underside of our city like no one else. I’m not the only one he supplies with information. But he always gives me first crack. And, yes, in answer to your next question, ours is a business relationship. I get what I pay for.”
Jax nodded. “I see. An obvious question. How do you pay for it?”
Viviana shrugged. “In the past I paid him out of my own funds. After the information paid off, I submitted a requisition.”
“And Captain Michels saw that you were reimbursed?”
When she nodded, he asked, “Did he know what information you were paying for or to whom the payment was given?”
Viviana shook her head. “No, we agreed that it was better if he didn’t know.”
“So in other words you created—”
Viviana interrupted. “We . . . I created an unofficial money laundering protocol.”
Jax’s eyes widened. He was quiet for a moment and then said, irony tingeing his voice, “Protocol? Hmm, Sergeant, that’s a descriptive way of describing what is usually called a crime.”
Viviana tossed her head. “I prefer ‘protocol.’ ”
Jax smiled and said blandly, “I can understand why you might.” He stood up and began pacing the room. After a long moment he faced her. “As of now, Sergeant, that protocol no longer exists.”
Viviana tried not to show her concern. Instead, she attempted to mimic his flat tone. “You must know, Commander, that I don’t have access—”
He held up his hand, stopping her in mid-sentence. “As usual, Sergeant Moreau, you conclude that you are the only one who can manage this delicate situation. Know that, from this point forward, I will handle the payments to your CIs.”
Viviana did her best to sound calm although her heart was pounding dangerously against her chest. “You do understand, Commander, that it’s often necessary to pay a CI before we can determine if a payment is warranted.”
“I’m quite aware of that, Sergeant Moreau.”
He stopped pacing and faced her. “Today, I’ll create a budget entry called Investigation Expenses. To protect the identity of our CIs, the line item will not identify the particular CI, the case we’re working on, or the specific detective working the case. To be explicit, you and I are the only ones who will know the particulars of this account.”
Not quite believing what he was saying, Viviana sucked in a breath, then asked, “How . . . how can I access that fund, Commander?”
Jax shrugged. “Simply by telling me how much you need. That amount will be in your personal bank account by day’s end.”
Viviana bit down hard on her bottom lip, not knowing what to say. Jax made a response unnecessary. He walked back to the conference table, picked up her report, and sat down. “Now that we’ve settled the financial elements, if you don’t mind, Sergeant, let’s get to your report. Fortunately we can ignore the first three ersatz items you’ve listed and focus on CI number four. Now that I basically know who he is and the level of information he gives us, I’d like an overview, please, of the current case you’re working.”
Taking a deep breath, Viviana forced herself to mimic his matter-of-fact demeanor. “I met with Sly two nights ago.”
Jax interrupted her with a grin. “Can I surmise that it was him you were going to meet when you stopped in the office wearing what can only be called a cock-teasing outfit par excellence?” He added with a low whistle. “Damn, Viviana. Those boots . . . ”
Viviana tried to respond carelessly, knowing that her cheeks were flaming. “Yes, part of the ritual Sly demands is that when I meet him on his turf, I dress like one of his whores.” She added with a nonchalant shrug. “It’s fun. I like playing the part.”
Jax smiled. “I’m sure you do. Just as I’m sure your disguise is effective.”
Trying to get back on even ground, Viviana described the case in short, straightforward sentences. “Sly said that one of his whores told him a young girl asked her for help. She said her pimp was forcing her to participate in parties that scared her. She said that they were forcing her to have sex with a lot of old men and do kinky things. Sly met with the young girl and said that her story rang true. Her information was startling enough that he called me in.” Viviana hesitated, not knowing if she wanted to tell him the rest.
He frowned and gave an impatient flip of his fingers, saying, “Go on.” As an apparent afterthought, he added, “A pimp with principles. Interesting.”
She frowned, then said carefully, “Sly abhors teenage prostitution. According to Sly’s info, the purveyors are hosting high-level parties using underage girls as well as professional call girls. His source told Sly that bigwigs from every important sector of this city were attending the parties.” She hesitated, then added with a shrug, “Including the political, legal, and law enforcement communities.”
Jax raised a brow, then nodded. “Did he mention any names?”
“No, and he won’t until I pay him.”
“Have you questioned the girl? Is she credible?”
Viviana returned his frown and said accusingly, “Sly managed to convince her to meet with me. Except that I was on ‘desk duty’ and couldn’t meet. To say the least, my CI was not happy.”
A half-smile curved Jax’s full lips. “Ah, yes.” He stood and moved behind his desk, then took out a checkbook and began scribbling in it. “Let me know how much you need, then meet with the girl. Here’s a blank check made out to you. No fair adding crazy, sexy boots to the tab, Sergeant. You already have the sexiest ones I’ve seen.”
Viviana was stunned. She took the check that he handed her and mumbled her thanks. Trying to get control of the situation and her emotions, she looked up and him and said saucily as she folded the check and put it in her pants pocket, “Does this mean I’m off desk duty?”
Jax rounded his desk and grasped her elbow as he walked her toward the door. He gazed down at her, a smile lurking in his twinkling emerald eyes. “Yeah, Sergeant, you’re off desk duty—at least for now.” He added, squeezing her arm, “Now, get the hell out of here and go do what you do best.”
Viviana swallowed hard. “What’s that, Commander Hughes?”
He laughed. “Scaring the bejesus out of the bad guys. From what we know of your case so far, there may be some very significant bad guys involved.”
At the door Viviana forced herself to meet his gaze. “Uh, thank you.”
He smiled and she didn’t miss the mix of emotions in his darkening eyes.
“Thank you, Sergeant.” As he opened the door, he added softly, “Just so you know, I’m open for scotch at ten thirty in the morning anytime you’re up for it.”
Not sure how she could respond past the giant lump in her throat, Viviana managed to nod and said, “Ditto.”
****
As she walked through the squad room, Viviana made a point of stopping at Mick’s desk. Meeting his surprised glance, she said, “Hey, partner, just so you know, I’m almost always willing to admit when I’m wrong or least open to suggestion.”
At his questioning frown, she said, “I think you’re right, Mick. We owe it to the commander to give him a chance.”
Mick lounged back in his chair and snorted in surprise. “Damn, Viv, I never thought I’d hear that from you.”
She shrugged and said over her shoulder as she closed her computer and tucked her Glock 19 into her side holster, “Neither did I.”
Chapter 16
Sly’s voice over her cell was crisp, indicating that he was at Flemings and in his bartender/owner persona. Knowing that he was likely surrounded by patrons and staff, Viviana wasn’t surprised by his couched response to her assertion that she was ready to meet with the young girl.
“Of course, I’m always pleased to meet with you, particularly since you are one of my best suppliers. The only problem is that I’m not sure I’ll be able to convince my colleague to join us. She’s proving to be unreliable at best. And I should tell you that her prices are going up by the minute.”
Knowing that she had a blank check in her pocket but wasn’t about to let her informant know that, Viviana said, “Cut the crap, Sly. If it’s more money you want, know that as always, I’m good for it. As long as you hold up your end. And, friend, know that I only pay for legitimate information. Information that I can’t get anywhere else.”
His voice over the ether was smooth. “But of course, that has always been our arrangement. Let me make a few calls and then get back to you. I’ll know then if and where we can meet.”
Viviana barked into the phone, “No ifs, Sly. I’ve got money burning a hole in my pants. Please remember, you are not the only CI I have.”
He answered coolly if impatiently, “Yes, yes. We both know that is true. However, I’m confident that none of your other sources has the quality product that I have. Please, understand that I will do my best to convince my colleague to meet with us.”
Viviana knew that Sly would take his damn time getting back to her if only to annoy her, which he always enjoyed doing. Although she had to admit that it was likely he was having a hard time convincing the young girl to meet. He’d been furious with Viviana yesterday when she’d told him she couldn’t make the appointment he’d arranged. He’d warned her at that time that he didn’t know if he could get the skittish girl to agree to another meeting.