by Cathy Pegau
“With me there, backing you up, she’ll believe you, won’t she?” Gennie asked. “I’ll tell her my story to support yours.”
Which is what Sterling and Natalia did for each other as partners, a show of strength and unity. Gennie was her partner in this. Always had been, even when they were keeping secrets. They trusted each other, had each other’s backs. A partnership, yes, but it went deeper than that.
Right now, however, they needed to figure out a way to get Garces while protecting Gennie and the kids.
Matthews, she suspected, would prefer to keep the situation in-house, giving her the opportunity to take care of Garces and the Reyeses in her own way. As long as Matthews wasn’t dirty herself. Natalia didn’t think that was the case.
Still, there was so much for Gennie to risk, even by taking the files directly to Matthews.
“The twins,” Natalia began.
“Have a mother who doesn’t let others take the heat for her. They may not completely understand what’s happening, but they know I’m doing this for them, for their well-being.” She touched her forehead to Natalia’s. “The risk is worth the potential outcome, Natya.”
“If something happens, if they lose you—” Natalia’s voice caught on the knot of emotion that rose in her throat. If I lose you...
She didn’t want to think about that either.
“Garces and the Reyeses can’t stop the two of us, not when we’re working together.”
Natalia couldn’t help smiling. “That’s what this is then, a partnership?”
“Was there any doubt?” She kissed Natalia then pushed away from the wall. “I’ll get my coat.”
* * *
The heating unit in Sterling’s battered ground car finally raised the interior temperature from finger-numbing to tepid as the automated security gate of the employee garage read Natalia’s ID and retina/iris pattern. The wide door rattled open, allowing Gennie to pull in. She missed her air car, but she’d ditched it the day before in case the Reyeses were tracking it.
“Over that way.” Natalia directed her toward a corner of the garage. They passed a number of private vehicles, as well as models that were too new and too identical to be anything but agency fleet.
“I’m surprised Sterling agreed to watch the kids.” Gennie found a spot near the elevator and shut down the engine. Branson and Melaine had been upset about her leaving. They were still feeling the effects of being on the run for two days, but she assured them she’d be back in a few hours. God, she hoped so.
A ghost of a smile played on Natalia’s lips. “I think he’s considering it a test run.”
“That explains the dog,” Gennie said. Natalia laughed then faced her. Her blue eyes turned serious. “You’re not thinking of telling me to stay in the car, are you, Agent Hallowell?”
“No, I know that’s a lost battle. Are you ready?”
They’d discussed the plan on the way over. Natalia and Sterling had written up the case against Garces and the Reyes Corporation. The evidence, other than the fungus sample she had analyzed, was circumstantial, but enough for the CMA and the Interplanetary Trade and Weapons Board to investigate. Enough for Director Matthews to reinstate Natalia as a field agent and get Garces off her ass for good.
Natalia had copies of Gennie’s files and the evidence she’d found on the data stick in her pocket. There was a copy on a secured server, scheduled to land in the director’s inbox that evening in case something happened to them before they could talk to her. If Matthews turned out to be involved, the Colonial Council president and six Colonial News Feeds would also receive copies if Natalia didn’t abort the posting from a specific location in the next twelve hours. She’d convinced Sterling to stay out of things for now but left copies with him as well.
Gennie nodded, and they got out. Natalia checked the pulser holstered on her left side, not in its normal position. Though Natalia was well trained, accessing it with the opposite hand had been awkward when she’d practiced drawing. Hopefully this meeting wouldn’t come to that.
And she hoped the security scan wouldn’t pick up the small stunner and ankle holster she’d borrowed from Sterling. The scatter coat on his stunner wasn’t legal, even for an agent, and Gennie wondered how often Sterling carried it in. She would have preferred her pulser, but as an unknown person to the security scan, she couldn’t bring a weapon into the building.
The security arch in front of the elevator doors required agents to submit a handprint and retina scan for a second time. The redundancy was annoying, Natalia had said, but agents became used to it.
Natalia went first. The net hummed. Red beams of the scanner flashed over her then it beeped twice. The elevator door beyond opened.
Gennie ran the ID Mickelson had created through the reader attached to the arch. Butterflies beat themselves against Gennie’s insides. She trusted the tech’s ability to create a passable ID, but there was always the possibility of a glitch.
She passed through, half expecting alarms to sound. She wasn’t officially wanted by the CMA or any other Colonial agency, but living the life she’d led, you just never knew. The beep of acceptance allowed her to release the breath she’d been holding.
“Good afternoon, Agent Hallowell and Miss Monroe,” the elevator said. “Shall I take you to your office, Agent?”
“No,” Natalia replied. “To the director’s office.”
“Yes, Agent Hallowell.” The elevator began its ascent.
Gennie wondered if the elevator was programmed to record conversations. She looked for a camera. There, in the corner. Hands clasped behind her, she rocked on the balls of her feet and stared straight ahead. They rode up in silence, but the tension in the air wasn’t from lack of conversation, just nerves. In fact, it had been a pleasant surprise to Gennie that on the ride over, she and Natalia could sit in silence and not feel awkward.
The elevator door opened on a hall carpeted in dark blue. Holo pics flickered along the walls, but at this angle it was difficult to see what they were. At the end of the hallway, a large door with the CMA logo at its center stood ajar.
Gennie followed Natalia out, matching her stride. Natalia pushed the door open, and they entered the director’s suite.
An impeccably groomed dark-haired man of about forty Earth Standard sat behind a sleek desk. He was speaking into his comm when they entered and did a double-take when his gaze fell on Natalia. Was he surprised to see her due to her being under investigation or for some other reason?
“I’ll have to get back to you,” he said into the comm. He tapped the SI keyboard projected on the desk and smiled up at them. His quick perusal of Gennie ended with a brief twitch of derision. He didn’t know her and unless told otherwise, she didn’t matter. Good. “Hello, Agent Hallowell. What can I do for you?”
The hairs on Gennie’s neck bristled. That was no smile of greeting. It was forced, failing to counter the wariness in his eyes.
Beside her, Natalia hesitated. She had to be seeing the same thing. “Is the director available, Andrew?”
“I’m afraid not,” he said, sounding sorry but not looking sorry. Not in the least. “She’s out for the rest of the day and most of tomorrow. Can I take a message, or is there something I can help you with? Is it something urgent?”
Yes, thought Gennie, but there was no way Natalia should trust him.
“No, thank you,” Natalia said, her tone stiff and formal. “Can I see her tomorrow afternoon?”
Andrew consulted his SI and tapped some keys and icons. “She has a small window at about fifteen hundred. Will that do?”
Gennie twitched with impatience. Damn the void, she’d wanted this over sooner than that.
“That’s fine,” Natalia said.
“Can I ask what this is in reference to? Director Matthews likes to be prepared.” Andrew smiled at them again. For some reason, Gennie wanted to punch him.
“My inquiry next week,” Natalia replied.
“Of course.” The director’s assistant made his note. “Would you like me to send you a reminder?”
Like they’d forget.
“No, that’s okay.” Natalia touched Gennie’s shoulder with her good hand; time to go. “Thank you, Andrew.”
“Have a good day, Agent.”
She and Natalia strode back into the hall, saying nothing. The elevator ride back to the garage was equally silent, but Gennie felt Natalia’s tension. It vibrated through the air and into her skin like a drum beat.
Back in the car, Natalia slammed her door shut and faced Gennie. “What the hell?”
Gennie shook her head. “You know him better than I do, but yeah. He was hiding something.”
“Then it’s not just me being paranoid.” Natalia settled in the seat, her head tilted back.
Gennie laid her hand on Natalia’s leg. “No.”
“Does that mean Matthews is up to something?” There was a sadness, a disappointment in Natalia’s voice that nearly broke Gennie’s heart. She had spoken about the integrity of the director in such a way that Gennie knew Natalia respected and admired her. To suspect her of illegal and unethical acts would be difficult for Natalia to swallow.
“Hey.” Gennie gave her leg a light shake. Natalia looked at her, the emotions clear in her eyes. “We don’t know that. Go with your gut, Natya. Do you think Matthews is dirty?”
She considered it for a moment. Relief replaced the hurt and disappointment. “No. But Andrew is. Or at least he’s up to something he shouldn’t be doing. Maybe making personal interplanetary calls on the CMA comm or skimming off the expense account.”
“No one looks that agitated over calls or creds.” Gennie patted her leg then started the car. “We can work around him.”
She pulled back into Pandalus downtown traffic, wondering how people did this every day. God, she hated dealing with the close space of city streets. She definitely needed to get her air car back.
Natalia’s comm trilled. “Yeah, Mickelson, what’s up?”
“Got some info you might be interested in,” the tech said over the speaker.
Gennie and Natalia glanced at each other.
“What?” Natalia asked.
“Helena Reyes is in town.”
Anger roared through Gennie and she almost swerved into a parked car. Helena? Here? The Reyes Corporation offices were in Pembroke. What was she doing in Pandalus?
“Where is she?” Gennie asked.
“The Montague,” he replied. “I was just piddling around with my apps, thinking about this morning. Which, by the way, reinforces my decision to never leave my lab again. Anyway, she popped up. Thought you’d want to know.”
“Are Marta and Jackson with her?” Natalia asked.
“Not that I can tell. She has a suite there for the next two nights and reservations at the hotel restaurant for nineteen hundred this evening. For two.”
“Can you get us a reservation?” Gennie asked.
“That particular restaurant is reserved for hotel guests.” The sound of Mickelson’s fingers dancing along his keyboard came over the comm.
“Reserve us a room,” Natalia said. “Use my account. I’ll send the digits.”
A rush of relief and appreciation washed through Gennie. Natalia was doing it again, trusting her without question. She stole a glance at the woman beside her. On second thought, there would be questions. Just not in front of Mickelson.
“Done,” said the tech. “It’s a fancy place. Dress appropriately.”
“Thanks. I owe you again.”
Mickelson chuckled. “You should see the tab I’m keeping on you. Good luck.”
Natalia tapped the comm and returned it to her pocket. “Interesting timing,” she said. “I wonder who she’s meeting with.”
“Garces?” It was the only answer Gennie had. Though Helena would be meeting her and Natalia tonight too. She didn’t know if Helena knew everything her parents were doing, but Gennie was going to find out.
“Why, Gennie?” Natalia asked. Her voice was quiet, filled with concern. “Why go to her when you can stay under everyone’s radar for the next few days? This will be over soon.”
“Not soon enough.” Gennie’s hands tightened around the controls. “I’m tired of running, tired of being scared. I want answers from the Reyeses. Personal answers that won’t come out at a CMA inquiry. And I want them now.”
* * *
The Montague claimed to have Nevarro’s premium chefs. For what they charged for a bowl of soup, Natalia figured they were certainly paid enough to be considered premium. The menu items were a far cry from the spaghetti and meatballs they’d shared in Grand Meridian. She and Gennie sat at a small table off to the side, watching the entrance.
Dining was intimate, sensual and expensive. The other patrons chatted in low voices, the occasional titter of laughter accompanying the clink of glasses and silverware.
Natalia looked over at Gennie and smiled, wishing they were here to enjoy themselves.
The wide range of clothing and accessories available in the CMA basement inventory for undercover work had come in handy when it was time to dress for dinner. Gennie’s black lace dress covered everything but made the imagination reel. It also helped conceal the holstered stunner she wore on her thigh. Natalia’s long-sleeved white dress covered her bandages, and the split skirt allowed for leg movement, as well as access to the holster strapped to the inside of her right leg.
Gennie flicked her thumb against the edge of her linen napkin.
“Relax,” Natalia said, covering her hand. “Undercover operatives have to be cool and collected.”
She started to say something—likely some smart-mouth remark—but her gaze jumped to the door and she stilled. “There she is.”
Helena Reyes Sabre entered the room on the arm of a portly, silver-haired man. Mr. Sabre? The maître d’ showed them to a table and held out Helena’s chair. She was an elegant young woman, Natalia noted, poised and confident. Exactly the sort who would be keen on taking over the family business when the time came. Her sleek black hair fell to the small of her bare back. The electric blue dress complemented her dusky skin tone.
“Good,” Natalia said, sipping her wine. “Now we just have to wait.”
The plan to get Helena alone hinged on several factors. Best-case scenario, she left her companion to use the lav, and they would follow. Plan B was isolating her and her companion elsewhere.
Natalia hated situations like this, where there were too many people and too many variables out of her control. Granted, many of her undercover assignments required improvisation, but she rarely had to keep the general public from becoming directly involved in her work. A restaurant and hotel full of people was not the ideal setting for clandestine operations.
The server took their order, though Natalia wasn’t particularly hungry. She wondered if she could claim the room and meals on her expense account if it took Garces down. They watched Helena and her companion
through three courses and pretended to be just a couple out for an intimate dinner.
“Doesn’t the woman ever have to pee?” Gennie muttered.
Natalia smiled. “It would be a feat to accomplish in that dress.”
Helena’s sleeveless sheath hugged her body from hips to knees. Definitely not suitable for full range of movement or a quick visit to the lav.
“I know you didn’t want to do this this way,” Gennie said, her gaze flicking between Helena and Natalia.
No, she hadn’t, but when Gennie explained her plan to question the Reyes woman, she had to admit that while it skirted legal lines—the rules of unlawful restraint were funny that way—it could gain them more information. And Gennie deserved her chance to ask personal questions. It shouldn’t damage their case, and it might help Gennie and the kids sleep better at night.
She covered Gennie’s hand, enjoying the warmth of her skin. “I just hope she cooperates.”
Something glinted in Gennie’s eyes. “Oh, I’m sure she will.”
The back of Natalia’s neck tingled. The idea was to question Helena. That was all. What was she planning?
“They’re leaving,” Gennie said as she laid her napkin beside the plate of untouched food.
Natalia tightened her grip on Gennie’s hand. “We are not going to hurt her.”
Her dark eyes blazed. “Not if she cooperates.” Gennie rose and followed the couple out of the restaurant.
Damn it. She should have known Gennie would have no compunction about crossing the line. She sure as hell had on their first meeting, and Natalia hadn’t been threatening her in any way.
She followed Gennie into the hall. Helena and the man were ahead, waiting at the elevators. Gennie stopped behind them. Even in her four-centi heels, Helena Reyes barely reached Gennie’s chin. Helena looked over her shoulder. Natalia reached the trio, hoping to prevent—or at least mitigate—whatever supplementary activities Gennie had in mind.