Cross Keys

by Ally Shields

  “Works for me.” Rhyden rose again and grabbed his jacket. “Now can we go?”

  * * *

  They searched the wharfs for two hours without success. Then they expanded into surrounding streets. As they cut through a side street, they were discussing the possibility that the conspirators were hidden in Elvenrude or had left New Orleans.

  Kam felt a sudden warmth in her hand. The amulet begin to glow.

  “No, guys, wait. They are here! We have a trail.” She broke into a jog, leading the way up the street. When the amulet grew almost too warm to handle, she stopped outside a dark building just two streets from the waterfront. “They should be inside.” She held the stone out so her companions could see the bright glow.

  “Let’s look around.” Seth ducked into a open walkway between buildings, and they approached the elves’ hideout from the back. An old loading platform indicated this had once been a storage company or something similar that handled cargo. A faint light shone from a rear window, and they pulled back into the shadows. “If a new shipment is coming, this is probably where they’ll make the exchange. I haven’t seen any sign of the CIA.”

  They continued to circle the block, using the cover of other structures to view their target from every side, watching for other observers and avoiding the sparse street lights. Like most of the area, the streets were narrow and dark, devoid of brush or trees. The buildings butted up to the sidewalk, leaving little room for concealment.

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear this place was empty with only a security light in back. But the magic doesn’t lie.” Rhyden looked at Seth. “What do we do now?”

  “I’d like to know exactly what’s going on. We have another forty hours or so. Why not sit back and watch? If another exchange takes place, we can wait until the humans leave, then move in to capture the elves and their illegal cargo.”

  “What if they wait until the last minute to make the buy? That could be cutting it close.” Kam ran the possible scenarios in her head. A lot of things could go wrong. “What if they slip away from us into Elvenrude?”

  Blazing green eyes lifted to regard her. “Then we follow. And we stop them.”

  She sucked in her breath, her pulse responding to the fierce look on Seth’s face. Primitive, warrior-like. She tingled with anticipation…in more ways than she was comfortable. She looked away first. “You’re right. We don’t have the option of failing.”

  “Great.” Rhyden shifted his feet restlessly. “Love the confidence, but I hope you two have a plan. I’m still stuck on a few details, like avoiding the feds and taking down an unknown number of armed elves holed up inside that building.”

  “Surveillance for now. Count heads, watch for the shipment.” Seth shrugged. “Got a better idea? If we’re lucky we might see something that would help identify the keyholder. Like what the elves are trading. Gold, silver, woolens.”

  “I’m not sure it’s any of those.” Kam bit her lip and looked at Seth. “We were focused on what the elves were getting, but Crain seemed concerned about what they were trading. I wish he’d told us what it was. Why would the CIA be interested in any of our normal trade goods? Should we ask him? And should we tell him there might be another shipment?”

  Rhyden snorted. “Can we concentrate on one thing at a time? Let’s pick out a surveillance base, and I’ll take first watch. I need to make a few purchases first, including a good pair of binoculars. Once I’m set, you two can take the CIA man prisoner again or whatever else you think is necessary.”

  Kam cut off a laugh. She hoped he was being sarcastic again. The federal government was likely to take a dim view of kidnapping a covert operative.

  After a second tour of the area, they discovered the building directly across the street behind their target was partially empty, and the unused side had a good view from the second floor.

  “I can see the loading area and half a block in each direction. This’ll do.” Rhyden stepped away from the window. “I’ll buy the things we need and be back soon.” He headed down the stairs to the first floor.

  Kam and Seth settled down to wait in the empty room. She sat cross-legged near a side wall; he sat against the front wall with his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. He occasionally leaned forward to look out the window.

  Kam rubbed her temple. The charged silence was getting awkward. She finally brought up the possibility of calling Agent Crain. “I wasn’t kidding about pumping him for information. Even if it doesn’t give us a lead to the keyholder, knowing exactly what firearms and how many may have been exchanged would make the search of Elvenrude much easier. We could offer to turn over the humans and any new shipment, if he gives us the details about the prior cargos.”

  Seth frowned. “We’re only guessing there’s another shipment. And since we’d be leaving right away, we’d need our answers before the shipment arrives. Why would he believe we’d follow through if he’d already told us what we want to know?”

  “Why not? It doesn’t really cost him anything. I had a couple of conversations with him that weren’t so bad.”

  “My contacts didn’t inspire trust.”

  “Well, no.” She hid a smile. “He threatened you with a gun, and then you hit him in the head with one. Maybe I should do the talking.”

  His lips finally twitched. “Good thought. But let’s wait until Rhyden comes back. If we’re going to call him, we need to be outside this general area. We don’t want Crain crashing in here with armed police before we’re ready.”

  Kam nodded and leaned back against the wall. She’d never had a reason to do surveillance before. If it weren’t for Seth’s company, she’d already be bored. The enforced inactivity was hard, especially if she had to sit here much longer with a man who was so strangely fascinating. She’d didn’t expect an early reprieve. Except for talking with Crain, the next move was up to the smugglers.

  “Why did you decide to go into the Guard? It’s an unusual choice of career.”

  Seth’s question startled her out of her daydreaming. “It was a natural fit. As a child I was always into something, hoping for a big adventure. All the old stories when the elves lived in the human world, struggling to survive, often against overwhelming odds were intriguing. Even the battles which I imitated in my own way.” She laughed at herself. “After one of my more outrageous exploits Mother said I’d been born the wrong sex in the wrong time.”

  “What on earth had you done?”

  Kam blushed remembering. “Nothing I’m proud of.”

  “Aw, come on. It can’t be that bad.”

  She sighed, shaking her head. “I rode the O’Leary’s hog through the market, shooting arrows into enemy pumpkins. Father paid for the damage, and we had pumpkin soup for months.”

  He burst into laughter. “I can hardly believe the proper young woman I saw at the ball would ever have done such a thing.”

  “I doubt that, considering I was very rude to you.”

  “That you were. But in such a lady-like way.”

  “Now you’re definitely poking fun at me.” She lifted her chin, putting a glint of challenge in her eyes, but the corners of her mouth curled up. “Don’t try to tell me you were a perfect child, because I won’t believe it.”

  “By no means.” He took another look out the window. “I was in one scrape after another, and suffered my share of injuries and broken bones for pushing my luck too far. Rhyden too. What one of us didn’t dream up, the other one did.”

  A sound from below brought them to their feet.

  Seth took a step toward the stairs, then stopped. “Speak of the devil.”

  Rhyden bounded up carrying two bags and a twelve-pack of beer. “In case anybody besides me is hungry, I brought plenty of food. Po’Boys and chips.” He set the beer and bag of food on the floor and began hauling gear out of the other. Binoculars, camera, night vision goggles.

  “I’ve always wanted to try these.” He slipped on the goggles and stared out the window. �
��Weird.”

  “Get down, Rhyden. They’ll see you and think some alien is spying on them.” Seth shook his head at his cousin’s enthusiasm. “Are you sure we can trust you here alone?”

  Kam watched this good-natured exchange. It reminded her of conversations with Esty. Which sobered her quickly. If they didn’t get this mess cleared up, she might not see her sister again.

  She grabbed her jacket from the floor. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Sure.” Seth snagged his own and shrugged it on. Before accompanying her down the stairs he took two sandwiches and offered her one when they reached the bottom. “You should eat something. We may not get a better chance. It smells like catfish.”

  “I’m not very hungry.” But when he continued to hold it out, she took it and nibbled as they walked quickly through the back streets. It did taste good. “Where are we going?”

  “Right now, just anywhere away from here so you can call Crain.”

  They’d reached Jackson Square before he finally slowed. It was early evening, but the bars were already busy. “This looks like a good place. Plenty of people around to allow us to disappear quickly if we need to. Make the call.”

  She pulled out her cell phone and checked her pockets for Crain’s card. Gone. She hoped Seth had kept his. She turned the phone on and discovered Seth had filled in several contacts, including an S and an R that she assumed stood for Seth and Rhyden. Crain was also there. “You put his number in my phone? Why?”

  “Because I had a feeling we might need it again. Cards get lost.” His lips quirked. “As it turns out, I see I was right.”

  He noticed way too much. She pushed the number and listened as it rang twice, three times and then went to voice mail. She disconnected and looked at Seth. “Now what?”

  The phone rang before he could answer.

  “Who is this?” It was Agent Crain’s voice.

  “Kameo Ryndel.”

  “You’ve changed phones.”

  The chill in his voice wasn’t promising, but she forged ahead. “We didn’t want to make it too easy for you to find us. We’d like to talk. With you only.”

  “You and Lormarc? Are you turning yourselves in like I suggested?”

  Seth was standing close so he could hear, his nearness creating a constant tingle on her neck. When he shifted in response to Crain’s question, his body brushed against her, and she jumped. She stepped back in confusion, struggling to keep her focus on Crain. This was hardly the time for her hormones to kick in.

  “Not going to happen, Agent Crain.” She kept her voice steady. “We’d like to discuss some mutual interests. Perhaps a trade.”

  “Like what? We caught the men we wanted. If you’re not giving yourselves up or the gang you helped escape, then you have nothing to offer.”

  “Don’t be so sure. We have good reason to believe there’ll be another shipment.”

  She heard a sharp intake of breath, then silence. Seth made hurry up motions with his hands, urging her to keep the conversation moving.

  “Agent Crain, don’t stall. I’m not going to stand here while you send the police to pick us up. I need an answer now, or I’m gone.”

  “Actually, I was thinking about your proposal. I’m not sure what kind of game you’re playing, but I’ll take a chance and listen. Since GPS indicates you’re near Jackson Square, meet me on Poydras in front of the casino in twenty minutes. I’ll be on foot. And alone. As I said, I’ll listen, but you’ll have to make it worth my while.”

  “We’ll be there.”

  Seth stepped away the moment she broke the connection. “Excellent. You have him interested. Maybe we can make this work.”

  Kam caught her breath. Seth made her more nervous than the outcome of the conversation, and his quick retreat proved he’d felt it too. A sensual awareness that just wouldn’t go away. She sighed and jammed the phone in her pocket. This off again, on again tension between them chose the most inconvenient moments to go ballistic.

  “Do you think he’ll actually come alone?” she asked to fill the uncomfortable moment.

  “I wouldn’t go that far. But I don’t think he’ll try to arrest us. More likely he’ll have a tail waiting to follow when we leave.” He took her cell phone, removed the battery, and dumped it in the nearest trash container.

  “How do we get rid of them?”

  “Let’s worry about getting what we need from Crain.” Seth gave her a wide grin that she didn’t understand. “Shaking off his trackers will be the easy part.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Seth stopped in sight of the blue and white sign of the casino, and they watched for the CIA agent’s arrival. Tourists streamed in and out the gambling establishment, and he began to think this hadn’t been such a good choice. Then Kam nudged him.

  “Over there. By that advertising kiosk across the street. Isn’t that him?” She nudged her chin toward a man reading a tour book.

  “Good eyes. Let’s wait a minute to see if we can spot anyone with him.”

  Seth scanned the area. With all this activity and the dark corners where the street lights failed to reach, it would be hard to determine for sure, but there were no obvious lurkers. The woman beside him stirred with impatience, and he breathed in the faint scent of jasmine and honey. The same soap fragrance had filled their apartment bathroom after her shower. He liked it and was tempted to lean closer for a longer whiff.

  “If he brought company, they’re hidden,” she said. “I vote we go talk to him.”

  “I’m ready, but I’ll let you do most of the talking.” Seth stepped off the curb. “He seems to like you.” Yeah, she’d be his choice too. Who wouldn’t prefer talking to a sexy woman?

  Crain gave no sign he was aware of them until they were about ten feet away. Then he turned. “Excuse me.” He waved his tour book at Seth. “Can you help me? I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for.”

  Seth played along. “Sure. We’ll try.” He put his hand on Kam’s back and steered her toward the agent. Even through the jacket she felt warm, inviting, and he reluctantly let his hand drop when they reached Crain.

  The agent peered at them over the top of reading glasses he wore low on his nose. “OK. I’m here. What do you want?”

  “Just information,” Kam said. “Details on the cargos that were exchanged. Like who has what and how much.”

  Crain’s face revealed nothing. “And in return?”

  Seth sensed her small hesitation. This was the part she had to sell.

  “We believe another shipment is coming in the next day or two. We’re willing to direct you to the firearms dealers as soon as it happens.”

  “The firearms.” Crain frowned. “But not the other gang. What kind of hold do these people have on you? Their cargo is much more dangerous.”

  “What are—”

  “Not to us.” Seth cut Kam off before she revealed too much and shut Crain down. If they just kept him talking, he might give them what they wanted.

  The agent snorted. “Bombs affect us all, especially when they get in the hands of terrorists.”

  Seth was so shocked that he didn’t react in time to stop Kam this time.

  “Bombs? They couldn’t be selling bombs.”

  The agent narrowed his eyes. “What did you think they were doing with the stuff?” He cocked his head, his eyes suddenly dilating. “You didn’t know, did you? Does this mean you’ll change your mind? With your help we could round up everyone involved.”

  What in Hades were the elves trading that could be turned into bombs? Seth laid a cautioning hand on Kam’s arm. They still couldn’t turn the elves over to human authorities, but they needed to convince Crain to accept the deal.

  “Look, Crain.” Seth kept his eyes on the agent’s face. “You can have the firearms dealers, and both shipments, as far as we’re concerned. We’ll take care of the other smugglers. I guarantee they’ll be stopped and punished. I’m afraid that is all we can offer. Take it or leave it.”

  C
rain shuffled his feet. “I’m probably a fool, but I’ll take it, since I get both cargos. But I warn you, I’ll do anything I can to apprehend your friends, and if I get the chance, I’ll take the two of you into custody. The truce ends when we leave here.”

  For the next few minutes the agent answered their questions about the earlier firearms shipments, detailing the guns involved. By his count, sixteen dozen crates, containing semi-automatic Russian-made Strike One pistols were already in the hands of the elves.

  “The last shipment included a couple of semi-automatic rifles, possibly a preview of more to come.”

  “How much ammunition? These are 9mm pistols, right?” Seth asked, his voice steady despite his pulse pounding with the knowledge that hundreds of guns were already inside Elvenrude.

  “You’re really new to this business, aren’t you? Yeah, 9mm, 17 shot clips. But there’s not much need to smuggle ammo when you can buy it or manufacture it anywhere.”

  Seth pursed his lips. He’d have to tread carefully. He couldn’t tell the agent that no one in Elvenrude knew how to manufacture bullets. They’d have to be bought in this world and transported. In large amounts. “It’s a remote area,” he said vaguely. “They’d have to carry ammo in. And making such a large legal purchase would attract attention. They’ll buy off-market.”

  “We haven’t heard of any ammo deals. Maybe that’s the new shipment.” Crain’s tone was dismissive.

  Seth was about to bring up the bomb-making cargo, to get a better idea of what the material was, when Crain did it for him.

  The agent’s face tightened. “I don’t know why you’re so focused on the guns. We really need to talk about the other shipment. It needs to be handled wi— Gun!” Crain lunged toward them, knocking Kam to the ground and sending Seth staggering. A bullet whined past their heads. A second shot brought a grunt from the agent, and he fell to his knees.

  Seth caught his balance, the Glock already in his hand, and he returned fire toward the casino parking across the street. “Get Crain under cover.” Kam was already pulling the injured agent behind the kiosk. “Stay with him.” Seth returned his attention to the sniper’s position on the narrow, low-lying roof. A figure slithered over the edge, dropping to the ground below and darted into Fulton Street, an open and luckily deserted courtyard. Seth took off in pursuit.