Out of the Mist (Can't Help Falling Book 1) Page 15

  "Leo will back us up."

  "We'd better hope so, kid." Mullaney's laugh filled the car. "Just sayin'— this could get ugly."

  "So— Dandridge is likely on to us." Finn voiced the concern in everyone's head.

  "Whoever Viper is," Sherm corrected, "he's known your whereabouts since Finn secured the laptop this morning."

  Warning strafed his spine. His last run-in with Viper had left him with a dead informant and a mangled shoulder. Matt flashed back to the night Pam died. He'd been undercover for months— inching closer to sources near Viper. At the time, he hadn't realized how critical Pam had been. To him, she'd been a low level informant— with an important boyfriend. Apply a little pressure and she'd turn on the boyfriend to save herself. It was how the system worked. Then continue up the chain.

  But Pam's motives had proven different. Instead of flipping her boyfriend in trade for rehab and a reduced sentence, she'd led Matt into an ambush— willing to trade a DEA agent for her own life. But her boyfriend had different ideas. She'd been expendable, too.

  "Guys— we still got heat." Sherm jerked the wheel, changing lanes. "What's the plan?"

  Matt forced the startling new questions from his head, accepting the possibility they might be compromised— that Viper knew far more than they realized.

  "We need help. I want another vehicle covering Mullaney," Matt directed. "Then we bait them into following us." Hazy shadows of the Boston skyline loomed in the distance.

  Finding assistance wasn't a problem with them so close to the city. Ten minutes later, a taskforce member in a Suburban crept into view. As it slid into place in front of them, Matt released a sigh of relief. Julie had cover. To be safe, they'd have to scrap their plans and find another safehouse. Too much information had been discussed in the presence of the damned laptop.

  "Try drawing him out," Finn ordered.

  Tension was palpable inside the van as the cat and mouse game began. Their pursuer had learned everything he needed to know. The pick-up would be watching for signs he'd been made. "Any luck?" Matt didn't risk turning.

  Sherm decelerated slightly. "He ain't budging. And we're only a couple miles from the interchange."

  "Finn— can you make a plate number?"

  "Too far back."

  "Get a black and white to pull them over." They were running out of time. The tollbooth was only two miles ahead. The pickup would be lost in a sea of commuters.

  "Working on it." Sherm joined the snaking line approaching the tollbooth. With a sense of resignation, Matt watched the white truck pull into a toll lane six rows away. The driver and one passenger were indistinguishable shadows. No markings on the nondescript truck. By the time everyone cleared the booth, the pickup would be long gone.

  They'd been made. Matt's DEA ties afforded agents a level of privacy most citizens did not receive. Death threats were the norm for special agents— especially when they made their living convicting druglords.

  Worse than gleaning information about the agency— their tail scored the knowledge that Julie was back.

  ***

  Chapter 9

  Julie tried to enjoy her view of the Boston skyline. Far below, joggers were out in force on the Common. Fourteen blocks away, tantalizingly out of reach— her home. Her comforting nest, where she wanted desperately to retreat. Ten blocks in the opposite direction, her corporate home.

  Sequestered in a lavish penthouse under the watchful gaze of Agent O'Brien, she was hard-pressed to find fault with the lovely home. But she'd grown tired of waiting for something to happen. Of wanting to attack the numerous problems awaiting her at work— and feeling as though her hands were tied on every front. As far as hopeless went, she'd reached a new low.

  "Are all safehouses this luxurious?" Sensing O'Brien's presence, she turned. "Our taxpayer dollars at work."

  If she'd hoped to get a rise, Finn disappointed. "We had a change in plans. This is a private residence."

  Stop the presses. A morsel of information from the tight-lipped agent. "When can I go home?"

  "We'll discuss that once Matt arrives."

  "You can't keep me-" She sighed when Finn held up a finger. He was receiving another call through that stupid earpiece. How did he accomplish anything when it buzzed in his head nonstop? Agent O'Brien gave her a sharp glance before he wandered back to the kitchen.

  She'd wasted an hour trying to convince the young agent that she should be allowed to leave. But his deceptive, non-committal smile hid a will of steel. The tousled, red hair and polite 'yes, ma'am' personality didn't correlate with his lean, muscular build and the serious looking shoulder holster. O'Brien hadn't budged. In fact, he'd dogged her every step. If she moved— rose from the couch, wandered down a hallway, it was only seconds before Finn appeared almost magically in the doorway.

  But she'd grown frustrated with sitting around— waiting for them to decide what to do while her business floundered. There were clients to reassure, bills to pay and an investigation to conduct. More than ever, she was determined to get at the root of KTec's problems.

  Only then, could she allow herself the luxury of imagining a different life. Because a successful company could be sold. Her father's legacy would be preserved. And maybe, Julie wouldn't feel so guilty about selling.

  There was nothing like the threat of imminent death to force a re-evaluation. She was thirty years into her one-and-only life. If the past week had taught her anything, it was that she didn't want to waste another minute of it. On fear. Or regret. Or self-doubt. Or working at something she wasn't passionate about. It was time to discover what she wanted. What she was good at. What she enjoyed.

  Whether Agent Barnes approved or not, she was seizing back control of her life.

  As though reading her mutinous thoughts, Agent O'Brien returned, his expression wary. "They're on their way up."

  She steeled her resolve for the looming battle with Barnes. Until the object of her frustration entered the apartment and her stupid heart wavered. Engrossed in an animated conversation with Mullaney, Matt's glance was painfully business-like.

  From its leap a moment earlier, her heart plummeted with the unpleasant recognition that she was their topic. Cheeks heating, she drifted back to the window, suddenly eager for distance. The insight served as a harsh, much-needed reminder. Agent Barnes was interested in one thing. And it had nothing to do with her assets, physical or otherwise. He would find his suspect. No matter the cost— to her, to KTec or even himself.

  After several prodding questions, Finn had relinquished the sketchiest of facts surrounding Matt's leave of absence. He'd been shot in the line of duty. Now, three months later, he wanted to return. What better way than with a high profile bust? Whoever the dealer was— Barnes would stop at nothing to capture him. And Mullaney wanted him just as bad. Julie was left questioning whether her innocence would ultimately matter.

  Her skin prickling with sudden awareness, she knew the instant Matt shifted his attention to her. From across the room, she would have sworn she'd glimpsed heat in those irresistible eyes. But as he closed the distance, what she'd imagined only moments earlier was quickly shuttered behind an enigmatic mask.

  Despite her resolve, her pulse thudded erratically when she met his brooding stare. "What now," she asked, her voice resigned.

  "Miss Kimball? May we talk to you?"

  Miss Kimball again. Perhaps they'd found another body— or a pile of drugs on her coffee table. "What have I done now?"

  "Nothing— yet." Despite his serious expression, amusement flashed briefly. "There've been a couple developments that have us rethinking your desire to get back to work."

  She stilled. "Are you saying I can't go back? Because I'll get a lawyer-"

  "We're agreeing with you," he corrected, hands raised as though calming a skittish racehorse. "You said your staff knew you'd spoken with an outside consultant, right?"

  Resentment building, Julie held it in check. "Yes. I'd wanted it to be secret, but when I sho
t the film . . . there were questions." Crossing her fingers, she prayed she'd given the right answer.

  "So, it wouldn't be strange if a consultant showed up at KTec tomorrow or Wednesday?" Mullaney's craggy features seemed to intensify. "We're gonna want full access."

  Thank God. They wouldn't stop her. "I can say it was scheduled before I left."

  Finn nodded. "Good. It would be helpful for us to have someone inside."

  She frowned. "What's changed in the last few hours?"

  Matt's sheepish smile acknowledged her distrust. "Whatever's going down is tied to your warehouse."

  It would've been nice to hear they'd been wrong about her. Disappointment warred with relief. "So, I'm free to go?"

  "You still need protection," Finn explained. "You'll remain here at least for tonight."

  "How are the drugs connected to my company? Is it one of my employees?"

  "KTec is the conduit." O'Brien answered. "Until we get in there, we won't know who."

  "What can I do to help-"

  "Nothing," Matt cut her off. "We'll handle the investigation."

  "So, I'm basically useless? Except as your cover?"

  Sensing her tension, Finn quickly intervened. "We're already taking a risk sending someone in there. If you start digging into stuff you don't normally handle, it will become very obvious."

  Just because Finn was right didn't mean she had to like it. She turned her attention to Mullaney. "What about the board? Have you checked them?"

  The glance passing between them confirmed she wouldn't receive a straight answer. Julie wondered what information they withheld. "So, I just waltz back in tomorrow as though nothing ever happened?"

  "No." The answer came in unison. "Technically, you've only been missing one day. But you don't want to answer a lot of questions," Finn explained. "So we've composed an email for you to send to senior staff. Then we'll have you call in-"

  "Whoever handles the front desk," Mullaney jumped in. "Tell her you're back in town." Hands gesticulating, he continued. "Make something up about a car accident . . . that explains your stitches. You lost a day with the car repairs."

  "Why didn't I call in sooner?" Julie anticipated being grilled.

  "You lost your cell phone in the accident," Matt prompted.

  "But if it's someone from Ktec, he knows my story isn't true."

  Finn hesitated. "It's not foolproof," he admitted. "But your return draws them out. We think your warehouse is being utilized by a high level player. The guy we want doesn't actually work for you— he just employs the people who are using your warehouse."

  "With the glitch in Marsh Point, we suspect they're eager to wrap up their business," Mullaney chimed in. "We intend to grab them before they find another place to set up."

  Julie tried to wrap her brain around the surreal possibility her warehouse was being utilized for an entirely different business. "My employees are his employees?"

  "The guy in charge knows what he needs to facilitate his distribution ring." Agent O'Brien seemed to choose his words carefully. "The people on his payroll inform him of potential problems. Like the owner of KTec filming in their warehouse."

  "That's what caused this?" Heart thudding with warning, she glanced from Finn to Mullaney. "So, they're convinced I know something, right?"

  "That's why I'll be in there with you," Matt admitted after a lengthy pause.

  "We want you to wear a wire."

  She shifted her attention to Agent O'Brien. "What does that entail?"

  "Anyone speaking within fifteen feet will be picked up by our receiver. You'll wear an earpiece so we can give you instructions."

  Three serious faces stared back at her. "Someone hears everything I say?"

  Matt shook his head. "Not someone. Me."

  She sank down on the couch before her legs gave way.

  "It's the only way we can allow you in there without protection. If you're in trouble, we can take action immediately."

  "What sort of trouble?" Again, the volley of an unspoken three-way communication before Sean finally answered.

  "We've picked up a few transmissions regarding a pending shipment."

  "And that has something to do with me?"

  "They originated from KTec."

  She slumped back against the cushions. It was all unreal. She was an ordinary, average woman . . . who'd somehow managed to stumble into a James Bond film. "What about— privacy?"

  "Do you have an alternative?" Matt's voice was so damn reasonable she knew his question was a set-up.

  "So— if someone decides to shoot me in my office- Julie couldn't finish the sentence. The rush in her ears intensified as her brain received a dose of reality. Why had she assumed she was out of danger?

  Finn cleared his throat. "The likelihood of that-"

  "Please— don't insult me." Waving off his ridiculous reassurance, she experienced another wave of sickness as her words registered. Matt— putting himself in danger. Over a damned drug bust? That reality was equally terrifying. This insanity was his life.

  She caught the flash of misery in his eyes. Barnes wasn't completely on board with the idea. But— he'd go along with it. Because the end result would justify the risk. What was left of her battered heart sank like a stone. "I understand perfectly. I'm the bait."

  ***

  Matt watched her absorb the blow, then hold it together long enough to glare at him before heading down the hallway to the bathroom. But he'd seen the flash of fear as reality sank in. Relief at experiencing a morsel of freedom had morphed to terror at the realization she wasn't out of danger. Instead, their actions— sending her in to KTec— pretty much assured she would be in the line of fire until they caught Viper.

  "That went well." Finn broke the tense silence.

  "She has a right to be pissed," Mullaney reminded. "We're pinning a target on her."

  A wash of color rose in O'Brien's face before he tapped his ear and headed for the kitchen. "Yeah, what have you got?"

  "She'll be okay." Matt tried to shake free of tension consuming him.

  "You okay with this?" Mullaney's knowing gaze seemed to slice through him. "We can try to think up a different-"

  "She's at risk no matter what plan we come up with." His jaw tightening, he leveled his gaze at the old man, daring him to say something. They were placing an innocent woman in harm's way.

  Sean raised his hands in mock surrender. "We're on the same side, boy," he reminded. Following his gaze down the hallway when the bathroom door slammed, Mullaney nudged him. "We'll keep her safe."

  Finn and Mullaney's presence as sharp-eyed witnesses wasn't helping. Because at the moment, all he wanted was to follow her. To crush her against him and vow on his life that he'd keep her safe.

  But he couldn't make that promise— not after his last bungled op had ended with the murder of his informant. And he sure as hell couldn't touch her. He couldn't do anything to jeopardize the investigation. His performance would be observed under a friggin' microscope. Any error . . . any perceived weakness would be dissected. Falling for the witness— who, until recently had been a suspect in the biggest drug case of his career— would be a pretty damned major weakness.

  He was operating in a gray area— still out on medical leave. If his superiors even suspected he was compromised, his career would be over. Matt hardened his resolve. "Any update on the deed to the warehouse?"

  "I've got someone examining it."

  "Do we have anything with her signature?"

  "MaryJo accessed KTec's systems again last night," Sean answered. "Shouldn't be too hard to compare them."

  "Anything I should know?" Matt glanced at the younger agent, still talking into his headset as he emerged from the kitchen.

  "It's looking like Jack Stephens is involved, too."

  He frowned. "The guy from her email?"

  "And lots of phone calls," Finn reminded, rejoining them. "Julie said she fired him. We still don't know how he's involved, but he has a few suspect
bank transactions that don't trace back to common sources we could rule out."

  Matt froze. "What if Viper thinks Julie uncovered their drug operation? First she starts leaning on Stephens for performance issues. Then she shows up at the warehouse taking pictures. She's doing it for the consultants, but— if you're Viper, what would you think?"

  O'Brien's eyes narrowed. "If Stephens reports to Viper-"

  "Then Viper assumes the worst," Mullaney finished the thought. "He think their cover's being blown."

  Finn whistled. "Talk about irony. She fires Stephens for reasons completely unrelated to the heroin operation— but they're so paranoid they think everything is about the operation."

  "Why would Stephens keep contacting her?" Matt ran scenarios in his head. Revenge? Sabotage?

  "Let's bring him in for questioning." Mullaney yanked his phone from his pocket.

  When the bathroom door opened, Finn jerked his head toward Julie. "I've already reviewed the satellite phone with her."

  "And it's untraceable?" Though Matt knew the answer, he was compelled to ask.

  "As long as she doesn't blab her location." O'Brien nodded. "I asked her not to make unnecessary calls, but it's tied to her cell and her desk line. Any calls she receives will be captured."

  "And the plan for tomorrow?" Jules still labored under the assumption tomorrow would be business as usual.

  "Taken care of." Finn stared at the neighboring rooftop garden, not seeing the vibrant colors. "With the op tonight, I didn't want to leave anything for morning. I figure she'll want to get in early."

  "Mullaney's guys are clear who's watching her tonight? They know the signals?" Though it bothered him to admit it, he was uncomfortable trusting her protection to anyone else.

  "Magic— anyone ever tell you you're a control freak?"

  "I'm detail oriented."

  The kid smirked. "You two should be incredibly happy together."

  "I agree." Mullaney's wizened face creased in a rare smile.

  Matt resisted the urge to defend himself. Denying it would only confirm what they already suspected. And he was tired of talking about it.

  "We've got prep work for tonight, but someone has to stick with her." O'Brien nodded to Julie, emerging from the hallway. "We've elected you."