She willed herself to her feet. When that didn’t work, she decided she needed to engage her muscles and actually move. Once she was standing, she grabbed Max’s leash, her keys, and was out the door in moments. The faster she got out of there, the faster she could get back.
Although the day had been tiring, it had been worth it. Thanks to the information Krantz had given them, what she’d found out at the warehouse, and Ryan’s magical fingers, they had finally managed to put a name to the guy who was behind the robberies and the scopolamine gas. Carl Granger. As Finn had said, he was a poor little rich boy. His father had cut him off because he was too wild.
Carl Granger didn’t have a rap sheet, but if his dad hadn’t been one of the richest people in the city—in the country—he would have had one as long as her arm. From drug possession to violent behavior, Granger had done it all. But none of the charges ever stuck, thanks, no doubt, to daddy’s money.
Eventually though, Granger senior had had enough. She surmised that when Carl Granger realized that he did not have a cent to his name, he used his connections with the seedier element of Vancouver and beyond to put this scopolamine operation together.
Diana had to give him some credit. It was the first time anyone had considered running a promotional campaign for a drug. And what a campaign! Not only had Granger proven the drug and the delivery system were highly effective, but he had driven the price ever higher and created a revenue stream from the proceeds of the robberies in order to continue funding his operation. It was very clever.
Donaldson had been especially pleased with their results so far. When he had heard about Diana’s little act at the warehouse, Donaldson had congratulated her and promptly put a call through to a judge to get a warrant.
But they still had a problem. They didn’t have sufficient evidence to take the case to trial. They needed proof of a direct connection between Granger and the scopolamine. The Chief Prosecutor would never take the case to trial if they didn’t have a stronger, more direct link. At the moment, all they had was a vague connection to a company in the British Virgin Islands and a voice Diana had heard. That wouldn’t be enough.
Peter, of course, had brooded all night, giving her dirty glares every now and again. She knew he was angry with her for running off, but there was no way to placate him. No matter how often she told him she could handle herself, he wouldn’t believe her.
While they were in the midst of this awkward standoff, Finn had called with interesting news.
“Diana, I’ve nailed two invitations to the Firefighters Ball. I wondered if you would do me the pleasure of accompanying me.”
“Awesome! How’d you manage that, Finn?”
“Ah, you know, connections. But let me tell you the real news. There is no robbery planned, this time. Something completely different is in the works.”
“Oh?”
“There’s going to be an auction for the Devil’s Breath. They’re using the Firefighters Ball as cover for the great and the good and the decidedly criminal of Vancouver to bid for the drug. Bidding’s going to be done via a mobile app. Unique access passwords will be distributed at the ball.”
Diana had laughed when she heard this. It was an ingenious strategy. Anywhere else, Granger would have stuck out like a sore thumb. But at a charity event? He was in his element. And no one would think it odd that he was there, which was how he intended to maintain his anonymity.
Nik had suggested they just go and arrest him, but Donaldson reminded him they didn’t have enough evidence. And that’s when Diana got an idea.
“I can get him to talk,” she’d said.
Donaldson cocked an eyebrow. “How?”
“I’ll attend the Ball. I’ll wear a wire and get him talking.”
Donaldson considered this for a moment.
“Get him to incriminate himself? You sure you can do that?”
“I think so. We have no other options. It’s worth a shot, isn’t it?”
“It might be dangerous.”
“We can look for evidence that places Granger at the warehouse, but that would be construed as circumstantial. His lawyers could easily invent a story that would render it worthless. Getting him to admit his involvement in this scheme is the most effective way to resolve the case. It’s a crowded event. I’ll be fine.”
Donaldson still hesitated.
“Sir, I think it’s too risky.” Peter was pouring cold water on her idea. Donaldson looked at him. “What if they do use scopolamine in the room again? Diana would come under his spell,” Peter added.
“Granger’s hardly likely to use it if he’s there himself,” Diana retorted.
“Did we ever see any sign of a crew installing canisters in the vents?” Donaldson asked.
“No, sir, nothing. The stakeout drew a blank,” Scott replied.
“So it doesn’t look likely that there will be an attack as before.”
Peter tried again. “Sir, we’re looking at a crowded room of innocents mixing with some of the shadiest people this city has to offer who are intent on criminal activity. All hell could break loose if we provoke Granger.” Diana opened her mouth to argue, but Peter ploughed on. “I say we pursue the evidence angle at the warehouse and pick everyone up afterward.”
They all stood in silence as Donaldson turned the idea in his mind.
“Okay, I think we should do it. Get Diana kitted up with a wire.”
There was a big sigh from Peter. “You must wear an earpiece so we can talk to you.” Would he ever give up? He was like a dog with a bone. Max had nothing on him.
Diana shook her head, “Too obvious. I’d be rumbled within minutes.”
“You do know this is clearly no idiot. What makes you think he’ll tell you anything?” Peter snapped.
She glanced at him. “Because men simply can’t help showing off to a woman.”
Peter snorted. “I’ll go with you.”
“No, I’ll go with Finn. Showing up on his arm will make me credible to Granger. Everyone knows who Finn is, and Granger will think I’m part of his world.”
“I don’t like it,” Peter grumbled. “If we’re not there, how can we protect you?”
“I don’t—“
“Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re Wonder Woman.”
Donaldson intervened. “She won’t be alone. The three of you will be going in as wait staff. We’ll speak to the Fairmont in the morning. Let’s reconvene tomorrow.”
When Max had finished, Diana went back up to her apartment, locking the door behind her. She had to get to bed. She had a busy day ahead of her tomorrow. There was shopping to do. She needed to find the perfect dress. Something elegant but sensual. Something that would draw Granger’s eye and make him very, very talkative.
CHAPTER 9
DIANA EYED HERSELF critically in the mirror, pleased with her appearance. She had indeed found the perfect dress. It was a black, mermaid-style, evening gown with a short, sweeping train and a split up the side that verged on indecent. One side of the dress seemed transparent but was in fact lined with flesh-toned satin. The other side was covered in black sequins. A swirling appliqué snaked its way up the strapless dress stopping at the neckline. It was beautiful, and it fit her to a tee. Sensual, intriguing, dangerous.
She had teamed the dress with a pair of black stilettos with gold metal heels, a black and gold clutch bag, and long, gold earrings. Her hair had been transformed into a complicated up-do that had involved a lot of pulling, braiding, knotting, pinning, and poking of her hair and scalp. She classified it as cruel and unusual torture. Dark, smoky, dramatic eyes, sheer lip gloss and a little gold shimmer over her shoulders and chest completed her look.
Diana pursed her lips in satisfaction. She was going to do this. She walked out of her bedroom and stopped for a moment next to the guest room. She placed her hand on the doorknob and opened it. She glanced quickly over all the photos, newspaper clippings, and sticky notes that littered the walls. She walked over to one and smoothed her f
ingers across it.
“For luck,” she whispered. “Don’t worry, Dad. I haven’t forgotten you. I will find out what happened. This is just the first step. Wish me luck.” She smiled gently and walked over to the safe hidden behind a whiteboard. She punched in the code and took out her handgun and a magazine.
She loaded the gun and put it into her purse. If Peter discovered that she was carrying, he would have a fit. She giggled. She could just imagine his face. In truth, it was unlikely he would find out. She was taking it with her as a precaution. She didn’t expect to need it. She highly doubted Granger would do anything stupid in such a crowded place.
She left the room and closed the door behind her. She walked over to the mirror in the hallway and picked up the pin-sized microphone she had been given. She affixed it to the inside of her dress. The microphone would transmit everything to earpieces that Peter, Nik, and Scott would be wearing, as well as to Ryan’s laptop. Ryan would be sitting in the lobby of the Fairmont, recording everything.
Diana glanced at the time. She had better get going, or she would be late. Finn offered to pick her up from home, but she had declined, preferring to keep her personal address private. Of course, Finn could find out where she lived if he wanted, but she knew he would respect her wishes. She had suggested they meet outside O’Malley’s.
Opting to call a cab to take her, Diana ordered a car and waited. Her phone beeped with a message about five minutes later, indicating it was waiting for her outside.
“Bye, Max,” she said with a finger wave at her dog, who was looking up at her so forlornly that she felt guilty. “You’ve become an expert at emotional blackmail, haven’t you?” she asked. She bent over and gave him a quick scratch on his head, loathe to leave him looking quite so dejected. “Okay, now mommy really has to go.”
She grabbed her shawl and swept out of her apartment, locking the door behind her. Shortly afterward, she was watching the Vancouver scenery pass her by from the comfort of her cab. She felt very alone.
Twenty minutes later, the cab pulled up in front of O’Malley’s. Finn was already outside, waiting for her. There was a town car with a driver right outside the pub.
When he saw the cab arrive, Finn hurried over.
“I’ve got this,” he said to Diana. He paid the cabbie while Diana got out.
“Thanks, Finn,” she said with a smile when he straightened up.
Finn’s eyes widened when he got a good look at her. “Good evening, my dear. You’re looking a vision,” he said softly. “More beautiful than any sprite or fairy.”
Diana laughed. “Not a leprechaun, then. You are such a charmer, Finn Cavanagh.”
He grinned but then sighed. “If only I were twenty years younger, I’d show you precisely how charming I can be,” he said wiggling his eyebrows.
Diana gaped at him. “You are positively naughty, Mr. Cavanagh.”
“That’s me, alright. So, shall we go paint the town and get rid of some scum from this earth?”
Peter kept glancing at the entrance while trying to pretend he was serving people and attempting to be unobtrusive. He still thought this was a crazy idea—cops undercover mingling among the criminal fraternity. Gave a new meaning to the phrase “hidden in plain sight.” He recognized a few faces, but thankfully, they didn’t seem to recognize him.
“Where is she?” he groused.
“Get a grip, man,” he heard Nik say through his earpiece. “She’ll be here. You know she will.”
“That’s what worries me.” Peter did not like this plan. There would undoubtedly be trouble. Diana was a trouble magnet.
Two women in evening dress walked up to him and waited expectantly. After a pause, during which he wondered what they were staring at, he started into action. Recovering his poise, he quickly poured champagne into their glasses. Detective Peter Hopkinson was, most definitely, not in his natural habitat playing waiter to the well-heeled.
“Holy hell,” Scott’s whispered words drew his attention.
“What is it? We got trouble already?”
“Dude, if that’s trouble, I want to be in trouble for the rest of my life,” Nik replied.
“What the hell are you two talking about?”
“She’s here, you moron,” Scott said.
Peter looked toward the entrance quickly. When he spotted Diana, his brain simply stopped processing. He was used to seeing her in casual clothes. Even a suit. He had never seen her all decked out, certainly not like this. She was undoubtedly a beautiful woman, he’d clocked that the first time he met her, but he hadn’t expected her to be this stunning. She was ethereal, graceful. She floated into the room, her skin shimmering in the soft lighting. Her hair was up, but tendrils framed her face, giving her a softness that made him want to pick her up and put her somewhere safe for the rest of time. And that dress? It made her the ultimate temptation. The way it climbed her body, like a vine that didn’t want to let go of the treasure it had discovered…
That was it. He had to find a way to stick by her all night. There was no way he was leaving her on her own with Granger. He spared Finn a glance and clenched his jaw. The man was positively preening. Peter acknowledged that he would be puffing his chest out too if he had Diana on his arm. Half the room, the female half, was looking at Diana enviously while the other half was wondering what Finn could possibly have done to deserve such a woman.
“Check it out, guys. Hopkinson’s mooning over Diana.” Peter had been staring. He chose to ignore Ericson.
“Can it, Nik. We’re here to do a job. Focus,” Scott admonished his partner. “You too, Hopkinson. Granger’s noticed her.”
Peter managed to tear his gaze away from Diana to look over at Granger. Sure enough, he was watching Diana avidly.
“Anyone who isn’t blind has noticed her,” Nik added.
Peter rolled his eyes. As if he hadn’t figured that out for himself. He watched as Finn leaned over to ask Diana if she wanted a drink. He walked off, leaving her alone, returning moments later holding two martinis. Finn handed Diana one and then held his elbow out. She snaked her arm into the crook of his, and they proceeded into the room. As they mingled, Granger watched Diana’s every move. Getting him to take the bait was the first step, but Peter was rattled. He didn’t want the slime ball anywhere near her.
At that moment, the music started. Peter watched Granger make his way over to where Diana and Finn were standing.
“I’m sorry to intrude,” he heard Granger say in his earpiece.
“No intrusion at all, son,” Finn said. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m Carl Granger, and I was hoping for an introduction to your daughter,” he said.
“She’s not my daughter. She’s a friend of the family,” Finn replied gruffly.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect,” Granger backpedaled quickly, but he didn’t move.
Finn huffed, appearing to be put out. “Diana, darling, this is Mr. Carl Granger,” he said.
Diana turned her hundred-watt smile onto Granger, who seemed to melt before her. “Diana Hunter, Mr. Granger. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She practically purred. Peter squeezed the stem of the glass he was holding, nearly breaking it in half. He flat out ignored the couple standing next to him who were waiting none too patiently for him to serve them their drinks.
“The pleasure is all mine, Diana, I assure you. I was wondering if the most beautiful woman in the room would agree to dance with me.”
Diana laughed. “Mr. Granger, you flatter me.”
“It’s not flattery when it’s the truth. And please, call me Carl.”
“Very well, Carl. I’d love to dance.” She put her hand in Granger’s and allowed him lead her onto the floor.
There was something incredibly repellant about Carl Granger. He had the polished look one would expect of someone who had grown up in the lap of luxury. However, at the same time, he had an overly smooth manner about him. He was attentive, but in a cloying sort of way. He
was too slick. When he put his hand on the small of her back, she fought hard to hold back a shiver, afraid to reveal her distaste.
“So, where have you been hiding all my life, Diana?” Granger asked, grinning at her. He thought he was charming, too. What a terrible combination.
“I’m not the type of person who hides, Carl,” she replied.
“That’s good to know. Do you live in our fair city?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then how come I’ve never seen you at one of these evens before?”
Diana shrugged. “I travel a lot. The family business, you understand.”
“I see,” Granger hesitated for a moment. “Family business? Which family?”
“The Cavanaghs, of course,” she replied.
“So, you’re related to Finn?”
“Not exactly.”
“You work for him, then?”
“Our relationship is a little more complicated than that. My parents died when I was very young and Finn stepped in. He looked after me. And now, yes, I work for him.”
“That’s interesting,” Granger said, a speculative gleam in his eye. “What exactly do you do for him?”
“A bit of this, a bit of that,” she said with a shrug. “I’m in charge of business development.”
“You are, are you? So if I wanted to do business with Finn Cavanagh, you’re the person to speak to?” he queried.
“Depends what kind of business.”
“Just a bit of this and a bit of that.”
The music switched to something with a faster beat. “Join me for a drink.”
Diana smiled at him. “Of course.” He took her hand and put it over his arm. They walked toward the bar. He ordered a glass of champagne for her. She cringed inwardly. She really hated men who presumed.
They walked over to a quiet corner. She sipped on her champagne as she studied him. “So, what do you do, Carl?”
Stolen (A Diana Hunter Mystery Book 3) Page 11