"What are the little numbers next to some of the names?" Rider asked.
"Footnotes," Taylor said. "If you turn to the next page, you'll see a matching number."
"That's a lot of notes," I said.
"It looks like most of them are 'would likely consume energy rather than use in this manner'," Logan said.
"Most of the demons fit that bill." Under my breath, I added, "It could take a lifetime to track everything down."
"We're going to attack this from multiple angles." Logan didn't look up. He was busy crossing out names and making marks. "We're going to narrow down this list and concentrate on the most likely. The notes will help us. We'll also go at it by following the case. There are drugs, money, and connections to be made."
"I've tried to get Neil to contact some of his dealers, but he won't give them up," Taylor said.
This was the second time I had heard of Neil's dealers. I thought about asking why Neil had known them, but decided I wasn't sure I wanted the answer.
I rubbed my temples and stared blankly at the paper. "It does seem like it would be easier to trace back the drugs, even if we don't have names. There have to be links to the people arrested today. There's also the merchandise itself."
"It's all cheap jewelry. It could have been picked up anywhere," Logan said.
"Yes, but there was a whole lot of it on site today, probably purchased all at once, and my guess is, it wasn't a jeweler buying it. If it was all bought from the same place, we should be able to track the purchase."
"And the purchase should have been larger than what we saw today," Rider said. He too was making notes on the page, or at least making marks on it. It didn't look like English.
"Why larger?" I asked.
Rider took time, appearing to think through his response. "They were a payment. These are possibly new and unique, at least for drugs. I do not believe they would all be given away."
"That would make it easier to trace. While Hank looks for connections between people, we'll ask him if this type of purchase could be traced," Logan said.
"We could ask Neil to look into the same, if you want," Taylor said.
I noticed Logan's eyes flick towards me. "We should let him concentrate on what he's doing now." Logan dropped his pencil and looked over his notes. "The people we've met who take this don't realize it's a drug. At least they don't think of it that way. Once Hank finds us a name, we need to follow this up the food chain, to find a source."
"Paper trail?" The ex-accountant in me came out. "Should we follow the money?"
"These people paid in product, that may not help you while following the drugs," Taylor said. "You need someone moving around the same circles as the product."
"Neil?" I didn't bother trying to cover my skepticism.
"He would only get someone through the door and be a guide. Neil is too young, too inexperienced, and too closely connected to the wrong people." Taylor's words didn't sound like insults, only facts. "Someone else is going to need to meet these people."
"Going undercover in the city's drug scene?" Logan asked. "I spread my face around the police station and spent too much time with the criminals for that."
Looking confused, Rider looked up. "Undercovers?"
Logan grinned. "When you go undercover you pretend to be someone else and infiltrate from the inside."
Rider looked like he was thinking that over before going back to work.
"Although, that's not really what this needs to be," Logan said.
"I think you're right," Taylor said. "Someone attending a few events might be enough. I was thinking Rider, but..."
It took a lot of effort for me not to grin. "That leaves me."
Chapter 18
Logan crossed his arms and leaned back into his chair. "Are you sure you want to volunteer? Margaret will have my ears if anything happens to you."
I tried to downplay the fact that I was excited about the idea. "I'm assuming you all won't be far away."
"Maybe we should send someone else in with you," Logan said.
"Should I go with her?" Rider asked.
Taylor cleared his throat. "You might work better in surveillance. She'll have Neil. Whether he likes it or not, he can be an important tie to the right communities, and he's good at figuring his way out of tight corners."
I cringed. The thought of relying on someone like Neil didn't inspire a lot of confidence.
"Neil and I don't see eye to eye on much of anything," Taylor said, "but I would trust him in this. The kid's a lot of things, but he's loyal above all else. He might not admit it, but he would sell his dealers out before he would anyone in this room."
That didn't settle my thoughts about Neil, and I could tell that Logan didn't like the idea either.
Putting Neil out of my mind, I focused on other areas of the job. "So, where would I be going? Clubs, or dropping by people's houses?"
"There could be a bar or two involved," Taylor said, "but the parties are where you'll need to be. They always move around, and they're hard to get into. You have to know the right people."
"And the way you've been talking, Neil knows them all." There was an edge to Logan's voice if you listened hard enough.
Taylor sighed. "He does, and that's our reality. The larger dealers set up private parties. Sometimes, they even show up."
"Why would they get that close?" I asked.
"I wondered the same thing," Taylor said, "and Neil told me what he knew. They never sell, consume, or hold any drugs at the parties, and they probably have an exit strategy. It's not a large risk because they've set up the event and it's private. Neil thinks it's worth it for them because they get to see their top sellers and top buyers. They watch, and they have other people watching. They know who they're dealing with on both sides of the table."
"How many big dealers do you have in the city?" Logan asked.
"Neil has access to two. He never talks to them, only their..." Taylor waved his hand around as though trying to push aside words that weren’t quite what he was looking for. "I guess they're employees? Other dealers, anyway. But he recognizes the bosses when they show up."
"Before we move any further, we need to talk to Hank. Maybe he's found a connection and we don't need to mess with any of this." Logan didn't sound too hopeful.
"I'll talk with Neil to see if anything will be happening over the next few days that would be useful for you," Taylor said.
"It's late, but if Cassie's got the doc's sign off, we have a chance to sleep in our own beds for the night," Logan said.
"We're in uncharted territory," Taylor said. "The best I can suggest is get some rest while you can, but I think you need to be under observation until we know the side effects."
My eyes narrowed at Taylor. "I have plans tomorrow, and I don't intend on missing them unless we move on the case."
"Maybe Logan or Rider could-"
"No way." Take one of my partners on a date? That would be humiliating, not to mention hard to explain. "Besides a few bruises, there's nothing physically wrong with me."
Logan drummed his fingers on the table. "It's a hike, right?"
"Um, yeah." Hearing my personal life up for discussion didn't exactly make me comfortable.
"Let me talk to Ethan. He can be on the lookout for anything odd," Logan said.
I leveled my glare at Logan and crossed my arms, trying to keep everything inside pushed down, while hiding shaky hands on the outside. "You're going to ask Ethan to what? Watch out for mental instability?"
Logan leaned back. "We could tell him you hit your head while on the job, and he's probably already heard about the drugs."
My breath caught.
Logan hurried on. "The drugs at the bust. Cops talk; if he hasn't heard that some agents got a healthy dose of meth, he'll hear it soon. I thought he could keep an eye out for mood swings. Look, I know how you feel about this, but sending you out into the wilderness with Ethan thinking everything is okay, isn't an option."
> "Will he be able to handle the situation if it goes wrong?" Rider asked. "There will be no one around."
My mouth went dry, and I turned to Rider, gaping at him.
Rider met my gaze with a level, but not an unkind look. "How would you feel if you began to act odd, or attacked him and caused an injury?"
I slumped in my seat and tried not to look too upset. "I'll cancel." It came out as a mumble.
"Or you could change your plans." Logan sounded way too cheerful, and when I looked up at him, he was grinning. "Instead of roaming the countryside with the risk of getting hot and sweaty and possibly hurting someone, you stay in and follow doc’s orders, watch some movies, and let Ethan keep an eye on you."
Thinking that over, I frowned at Logan, but I sat up straighter. "Let me tell him."
Logan frowned. "You'll undersell it."
It felt like I was bargaining for freedom and losing. "No one goes on a date with a permission slip from their partner."
"That depends on the partner." Logan looked at my expression and tapped his fingers on the table. "You tell him, but either me or doc sits in to make sure he knows what he needs to."
"To my side of the conversation only."
"Deal."
***
"I am so sorry about this." It was probably the third time I’d said it since Ethan had arrived, but I couldn't seem to stop. "You really don't have to spend all day over here if you'd rather do something else, like see sunlight."
"Spending the day with you is the highlight of my week. We can go in the backyard if we feel the need to see the sun."
Thinking about the fairy in the backyard, I grinned. "Maybe."
"And this time, I know what happened, which I think will be a novelty."
"That's true." I couldn't look at Ethan when I said it.
"Well," he said, a little less optimistic, "at least I know the important parts."
"You do. And," I stressed this part, "because you're here today, I don't have to spend the day with the doctor or anyone else watching over me."
"I thought your grandmother might be around,” Ethan said.
The smell of baked goods was almost unnoticeable now that Gran moved in with Logan’s family for the duration of the case. This morning I had hoped to talk with her in person, but I had no luck.
“I thought she’d be here too, but she’s away from home for a few days.”
“Well, I’m happy to be of service and keep an eye on her granddaughter.” His grin was adorable, but short lived. “I heard it was a mess on scene.”
"It wasn't pretty, that's for sure. Rider must have stood next to a vent, and the DEA agent that was taken out wasn't in the best of shape."
"So," Ethan sidled up close to me, "how long do I get to keep you under surveillance?"
He was so wonderfully warm. "You have me all day."
It was a great day. We told stories about growing up, laughed, and got to know each other better, I think, than our scheduled hike would have allowed. While cooking dinner together, it felt completely natural for him to touch my arm or hand, and I found any excuse I could to put myself in close contact with him.
Later that evening, we found ourselves in my room wrapped up together. It had been a long time since I had been this close to anyone, and while we undressed each other, I could tell he wasn't comfortable with the new bruises or injured arm, but he didn't say anything to ruin the evening.
The evening went by in naked blissfulness. When my phone rang at six-thirty the next morning, I was still wrapped in Ethan's arms and reluctant to move away, but the phone wasn't magically moving to me, and I didn't want to wake him more than I already had.
"Morning." I made it to my feet, but Ethan took my hand and gently pulled me back next to him.
He didn't have to try very hard to get me to stay.
"It's Logan. We're making plans and I needed to check in with you to see how you're doing."
"I'm good. What type of plans?"
"The doc wants to do another checkup."
I groaned but didn't interrupt.
Logan chuckled. "I told him you'd be thrilled about that. As long as everything looks good, this afternoon, we're sending you out with Neil."
It took a little time for that to sink in and I sat up, blinking. "It's Sunday, I wouldn't think it a very big day for clubs or parties."
"It's not, but Neil seems to think you'll have better success if you meet some people today. Tomorrow's the actual event. I'm not thrilled with the idea, but he's right. Think you'll be ready by eight?"
I bargained up giving myself two hours to get ready. "Eight-thirty?"
"I'll grab Rider and we'll meet you at your house. Pack for a few days at least. Neil said he sent you a list."
"Why did Neil send a list?"
"He said we'd get it wrong."
We hung up, and after I had checked the time, I stretched out next to Ethan.
"Morning," Ethan said, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me to him.
My laugh turned out to be more of a giggle, but I was too happy to be embarrassed by it.
"I take it you're back to work today?" Ethan asked.
My emotions were a jumble of excitement and worry coming at me from work and my personal life.
Who knew I would ever have a personal life? "Yeah, I have to get ready."
"Five more minutes?"
"Only five?” I asked.
Ethan nuzzled my ear. “I’ll take every minute I can get.”
Letting out a contented sigh, I leaned back into him, enjoying the comfortable feeling of my bare skin against his. “I wish we could take longer, but I have to pack.”
Ethan leaned up on an elbow, keeping his other arm wrapped around me. "Going out of town?"
I rolled over and looked up at him. "Yeah, it sounds like it'll be for a few days."
"A few days of clubs and parties?"
Seeing unease in his eyes, I tried to keep it light. "You make that sound like a lot more fun than I'm expecting."
He relaxed some and followed me when I rolled out of bed. While getting ready, we found ways to stall and be near each other. Conserving water by showering together failed since we took our time. I was running a brush through wet hair and had my suitcase on my bed when I opened up the list Neil sent.
"I should go," Ethan said, "and get out of your hair."
"Gran would be upset with me if I let you out the door without breakfast. This will only take a minute."
Ethan wrapped his arms around me from behind. "And what would she say about being here for breakfast?"
I scrolled through my email until I found a packing list. "Mostly, she'd say, 'Good for you, make sure he eats before he leaves’."
Ethan laughed and I sunk back into his embrace, enjoying the moment.
"What's that?" Ethan asked.
"Hmm?" I looked down at my phone, and my face turned red. "What the...?" I stepped away and read the list. The least embarrassing thing on there was the skirt that hugged the right places.
Fumbling with my phone, I began pacing and forwarded the list to Taylor, asking him if this was some sort of joke.
The reply was faster than I expected but slower than I hoped. Sorry. Jeans, T-shirt, sneakers. Nothing new.
Sighing with relief, I looked up and found Ethan leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
He wore a smile, but it didn't look natural. "Anything I should be worried about?"
"No. Someone has the sense of humor of a twelve-year-old." I handed him my phone, with Taylor's text showing, and went to my closet.
"Doesn't sound like the usual work attire." He sounded better than he had looked.
I raised my voice while I rummaged around my closet. "Actually, besides the shoes, it's pretty much all I wore last fall. This is more to blend in with the crowd, though."
"I hate to see what list your partners were sent. The word ‘chaps’ comes to mind."
I stepped out of my closet to see Ethan, and he looke
d like he was trying not to laugh.
"Logan is very into Westerns," I warned. "Don't mention chaps, spurs, boots, or Stetsons, or I may be facing them on a daily basis."
Ethan chuckled, and I returned to my closet and chose a few items. I threw them on top of my suitcase and returned for more. Once I had a handful of clothes and everything I might need from the bathroom, it was a huge mess.
I turned my back on the mayhem. "Let's go get breakfast."
He looked at the case and back to me, then back to the case again. "Not great at packing, are you?"
"What are you talking about?" I escorted him out of the room to get breakfast. "I was finished in three, maybe four minutes."
"Yeah, I think that's part of my point." Ethan pulled me in for a kiss. "I'm going to make breakfast. You, go upstairs and pack."
"It's-"
"Upstairs." He kissed me again before turning me around and nudging me towards my room.
Mentally, I ran down a list of everything I might need for four days, folded everything neatly, and met Ethan back down in the kitchen where eggs and toast were waiting.
Even better, there was coffee.
"I'm really happy you came over last night," I said.
"Yesterday morning," Ethan corrected, "and so am I. Give me a call tonight after work, and let me know when you might be free again."
"Believe me, I really wish I could, but I'm not sure what our plans are. I'm pretty sure I won't have access to my cell phone for a few days. Let me see your phone." He handed it over, and I opened the contacts list. "I promise I'm not being nosy." I grinned at him, inwardly thankful that he didn't seem worried. "I'll make sure you have Logan's number and Rider's though. In case..." I stumbled over my words while handing his phone back to him. "Well, in case you need to get through to me."
"They get to keep their phones?" Ethan asked.
I bought some time to think it over while getting more coffee. "Detective Parker, I’m thinking that you must be very good at your job with the questions that you ask."
Broken Paths (AIR Book 2) Page 15