Promise Renewed (16 page)

She laughed. “I hear you. The Indigo isn’t cheap.”

“What about the money?”

“It’s covered. We’ll have a bundle for you to flash and a bogus account in the Bahamas.”

“What if they want some up-front cash?”

For a moment she didn’t answer. “Chief Hamilton has enough cash on hand to make believers of them. After that, we’ll have to trust the FBI.”

He wanted more information. The money was a deal breaker. The lack thereof would blow the sting. “Sounds good. We’ll talk later.”

He raced through his morning routine. Adrenaline put him on a mental high. Was it because they were about to go undercover? Of course it was. Everything else was off the table.

The day ate up the hours. An anonymous caller told them about a dealer who was interviewing high-school kids to get them to sell his wares.

“Interviewing?” Gina asked. “I knew drugs were a business, but isn’t interviewing high-school kids going a little too far?”

Darin agreed.

Sure enough, they found the guy in a nice suite at a first-rate motel. They nabbed one of the boys coming out of the room. Scared out of his wits, the kid almost peed in his pants when Gina pointed a gun at him. To be on the safe side they arrested him as well as the next three who stumbled out of the room. “Time to call a halt,” Darin said, as he used his personal 9mm Smith & Wesson to knock on the door.

When they walked in Darin saw two kids who couldn’t be any older than fifteen sitting in chairs filling out a sheet of paper.

The man grabbed the papers. Before he could tear them up Darin had him by the neck. The papers floated to the floor. The kids attempted to run out the door only to be stopped by Gina. With a gun in her hand and a hard look in her eyes, the boys didn’t so much as twitch.

“We didn’t do anything!” one of them cried.

“Not yet,” Gina said, her voice solemn. “What this man is offering is a long stay in the pen. Is that how you want to spend the rest of your lives?”

“We just wanted to make a little pocket change.”

“I told you it sounded too good to be true,” one of the kids sniped to the other.

“If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. You’re old enough to know better.”

One of the kids started to cry. “My mom is going to kill me. I promised to never have anything to do with drugs.”

“Should have thought of that before you put yourself in this situation,” Gina reminded him.

They arrested the drug dealer, took the boys downtown and released them to their parents. They had nothing to hold them on and hoped they never would.

It was late when they left. They were to meet Chief Hamilton at the FBI office in an hour. They would meet with their team later to go over the last minute details.

“It’s almost curtain time,” Gina said on the way to the FBI building.

“You can still change your mind.”

“Not in a million years,” she said firmly.

Her determination was commendable. But he was still worried. “We need to talk.”

“Yes, we do.” She sighed. “We can’t be sidetracked on this job. Not for a minute. It would be way too dangerous.”

“I agree.” His growing feelings for her would be put on hold.

Soon they were seated in an office with two agents, Chief Hamilton, and a desk full of assorted hi-tech toys.

“Glad you could make it,” Agent Peavy said after the introductions. “With such an elaborate sting going down, we want you to know that the FBI wants the drug operation in Houston to come to a halt as much as you do. We’ll do everything we can to help make it happen.” He smiled. “The FBI has a fund for these kinds of operations. Keep a record of your expenses so you can be reimbursed when this is over.”

For the next hour he showed them the various devices. They decided which ones would be best for the job. A diamond with a hidden microphone had been added to the Rolex that could be turned on and off with a touch. Agent Peavy handed Gina her flashy diamond ring, which now held a GPS. Then he showed her another ring. “This is the real deal. It’s a tourmaline surrounded by genuine diamonds. We hauled it in on one of our busts. Take good care of it.”

“Wow!” Gina held up her hand that sported the ring. “It’s gorgeous.”

“We have a couple of plastic guns. They won’t be detected with a metal detector, but if you’re patted down they would be found.” He looked at them. “Wanna risk it?”

“I do,” Gina said. “It’s small enough to put in my boot. Even if they pat me down they won’t find it.”

“Same here,” Darin said. “We’ll take the risk. If they’re found we can always claim they were for our own protection.”

Chief Hamilton shook his head. “I’m not comfortable with the two of you risking your necks like this.”

“Do you know any other way to find Hunter’s killer? Or any other way to find where the drugs were taken?” Darin asked. “At this point, we don’t know which drug lord is responsible. Guilty or not we’re going to get rid of at least one big drug dealer. Hopefully we’ll find Hunter’s killer at the same time.”

“I like your confidence,” Chief Hamilton nodded.

“When you activate the mike,” Agent Peavy explained. “We’ll monitor your conversation. If you need backup we’ll be there. So will your team.”

Gina and Darin exchanged glances.

“Sounds good,” she said.

“I’m giving you a throwaway phone for each of you and each member of your team. They’re to be used only for this drug deal. No conversations on a land line or your personal cells.” Peavy handed over a bag of phones. “My cell number is in each phone. Use it.”

Chief Hamilton gave them the latest from the street. “Word is out that a big buyer is coming to town. We slipped your name in a couple of days ago. Thought the temptation would give the cartels something to think about and give them time to check you out. You can go under any time you like.”

“We’ll get with the team tonight to make sure they know the specifics. We’ll notify you guys when we’re ready.”

“By the way,” Agent Peavy said. “We have a small jet we use for these black-op jobs. It might be a good idea to use it. It’ll make a good impression.”

“We’ll think about it,” Darin said. “We hadn’t planned on having a jet at our disposal.”

“You’re going first-class. So act as if you’re accustomed to the good life.”

“I think we can handle it. Besides, I’ll sport enough glitter to convince them.”

“Good. Let us know the minute you go under. And let me know at least an hour ahead of time if you need the jet.”

“Will do.”

After meeting with the squad at Darin’s house later to go over the plan one last time, they decided to give it another day before they started the sting.

After telling them about the phones and to use them only for this operation, Darin handed them out and everyone left. Gina was at the door when Darin’s cell phone pealed.

“It’s Mom,” he said, and went to the kitchen to take the call.

In minutes he was back with a mile-wide smile. “My brother Dugan and his wife Kate just had a baby boy.

“How exciting.”

“It is. Mom could hardly talk. She said he’s as beautiful as her other grandchildren. I talked to Dugan. He’s over the moon.”

“Your family sounds nice.”

“They’re wonderful. It looks as if I’ll have to make a trip home before we go under.”

“Oh?”

“I have to be there to welcome the new addition to the family. Besides, Dugan asked me to be godfather.”

“That could present a problem. We need to hit this undercover operation now. It can’t wait two or three days.” She thought for a minute, her brow wrinkled. “I have an idea. Why don’t we call Agent Peavy to have the plane ready first thing in the morning? You said the ranch isn’t far from San Antonio. We can fly there, rent a car, and you can spend the day with your family. We’ll fly back tomorrow night. We’ll bring our disguises with us. That way we can go under as soon as we land.”

“We’ll be right on schedule.”

She nodded.

“Sounds good. Wait until you meet the family.” They would love her. But they would be shocked to see him bring a woman home. He’d never done so before. He’d have to explain how they were together because of business.

“I can stay in San Antonio for the day while you visit. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Nonsense. You’re coming with me. When was the last time you saw a newborn?”

Chapter Thirteen

The plane was luxurious. There were soft leather seats, a table and six chairs where normally you’d see rows of seating, and a galley to make any cook envious. Darin was told when they came onboard to help themselves. Though the FBI undoubtedly wanted the scam to succeed they didn’t provide a steward. Still, Peavy had jumped at the chance to let them use the plane. “This will make you look more legit when you fly into Hobby as the Farleys,” he’d said. When Darin asked about the flight plan Peavy had told him not to worry, there would be a fake one stating the plane flew in from Dallas.

They were set.

They were also nervous.

Gina looked more gorgeous than ever in pressed jeans, a red T-shirt, and boots. Her matching jean jacket hung on a vacant seat. “What did you tell Captain Wells?”

“Told him I had a family emergency and would call in when I could. The team will back the lie. One or the other will hear from me from time to time with an update on my sis. The story is she was in a car accident and is home recuperating.”

“Plausible. As long as no one puts the two of us together.”

“They won’t.”

“You sound confident. What if he calls?”

“I told him I would be busy with my sister. If this isn’t over by next week I’ll call him with a reasonable excuse.”

“The bases are covered.”

Darin’s prepaid cell phone rang. Did they have a problem already? If not, who was calling?

“It’s Leya, Darin. I have an update—one I wish I didn’t have if you want to know the truth. I just found out my cousin, Jose, has been dealing drugs for a guy we think is on Chavizi’s payroll. They know a big buyer is on his way into town. Jose is nothing but a peon in the organization, but he overheard a conversation you might like. The big boss is interested. Thought you might want to know.”

“I do. Thanks.”

“Should I pick up Jose and slap his butt in jail? It’s what he deserves. I’ve told him a million times not to get involved in drugs.”

“Hang loose. We don’t want Chavizi, Ramiro, or anyone in either organization to suspect anything.”

“Good luck.”

He closed the cell, gave Gina the information. “Sounds as if Chavizi is looking forward to meeting us. Makes me wonder about his competition.”

Gina looked way too enticing sitting next to him. Involuntarily, he leaned closer. Inhaled. Her scent was different. Bolder. Brasher. He smiled inwardly. She wasn’t Gina now. She was Meg Farley and Meg used in-your-face perfume. He preferred the subtler wildflower, outdoor scent of Gina Carlson. But hey, he wasn’t going to complain. She looked up. Her lips parted. He dipped his head and kissed her. A spark of electricity shot through him. The woman was dynamite.

And he was way out of his depth.

“What are you doing, Callahan?” she gasped.

“Practicing. We have to be believable as husband and wife, don’t we?” It was the best he could come up with. She didn’t want to hear the truth. He didn’t either, but hell, he was crazy about her.

She pushed him away. “I’m not sure this is going to work.”

He’d blown it. Damn it. For a moment there he was ready to take her hand and find a place to make love. “It’s going to work. All we have to do is practice some more.”

“Fine. Then let’s get to it. But no more kissing.”

“That’s the best part,” he teased.

She rolled her eyes and went into character.

Before long they were landing.

Darin told the pilot they would leave between five and six in the evening, then guided Gina to the rental car waiting for them.

“Really, Darin. You can drop me off downtown. I’ll be fine until you get back.”

“Not on your life. We’re partners and partners stick together.” If Hunter had…He wouldn’t go there. Besides, he didn’t want her out of his sight for selfish reasons. He liked having her next to him. More than liked, dammit. Maybe that would prove the most dangerous part of this operation. She was the first woman to make him feel like this. Even though nothing of a serious nature could go on between them for the time being he couldn’t pass up the chance to indulge himself with her nearness.

“I don’t want to intrude on a family thing.”

Darin chuckled. “You wouldn’t intrude. Besides, they’re not the least bit intimidating. I think you’ll be comfortable around them.”

On the way to the hospital they continued to go over their parts. Played out a couple of scenarios. After one ridiculous scene they doubled over in laughter.

“We’re so outrageous, I wonder if we’ll be believable,” Gina told him. “Most undercover operatives are highly trained. We’re a couple of amateurs. Do you think we can make this work?”

He was the amateur here. Gina had taken to her part like a pro and probably wondered if he could carry the act without getting them killed.

“We have to. It’s too late to back out now. Besides, we’re motivated. Our disguises are good. We have our parts down pretty well. We’ll practice every chance we get.” So they started in again.

By the time they got to the hospital they were in full Farley mode.

“Time to get back to ourselves,” Darin said with a smile. “I have to admit being Dutch Farley is stimulating, but it’s unnerving as hell.” He helped her out of the car. “‘Course, you don’t have a problem being Meg. You’re a natural. Did you study acting in school?”

“The school of life.”

“Sounds intriguing. Wanna tell me about it?”

****

They entered the hospital through sliding glass doors. Gina was saved from answering by a tall man coming out of a room down the hall. He took one look at them and ran to greet them.

You could tell they were brothers. The same green eyes, that hunky build, hair with a hint of red. She had pictures of each of them. Only the oldest had a different look. She wondered if she’d see him today.

“Darin! Wait until you see my boy. I swear he’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. His eyes are the same color as mine. He has Kate’s dark hair and, oh hell, you have to see for yourself.”