Abigail Hardwicke leaned with her back against the wall. Comfortable on her feet. Still too beautiful to be a Fed. Smart enough. Tough enough. Maybe I was being sexist. I just hated to see how working with the worst of the worst could age a human. It would take away that phenomenal beauty. Leave cynicism and mistrust in its place.
“That would be me.” Yuri Kamaguchi slipped into the office fully loaded. Black body armor. Two handguns. And a rifle over his shoulder. At least, those were all the weapons I could see without patting him down.
“This is a Federal matter, Bianca.”
“It is,” I nodded to Wisniewski. “But it’s also about saving a boy’s life.”
“If we’re all here?” prompted Chandler.
“Mr. Chandler’s right. We need to start.”
“Why him?” asked Hardwicke. She’d been watching the MI-6 agent silently the entire time she’d been there. I admired her patience. And instincts.
“He works with Blake Mansfield. I wanted an inside man, as it were, on this. An inside man on our side.” I glanced at Janet. She stood in the opening between our offices. Fretting. “Oh. I should warn you all that not only do I have Gibraltar’s full cooperation and authority in this, but I have backup ready to help at dusk.”
“Vampires? Hell no!” Wisniewski stood up.
“Sit, Partner. The lab confirmed that Bianca was attacked by werewolves. We don’t have the manpower for a full preternatural onslaught.”
“Onslaught,” repeated Kamaguchi with a grin. “I like this word. It’s meaning something about slaughter?”
Hardwicke nodded politely. “Yes, they’re related.”
“Fine.” The Ukrainian-American agent knew she was beat. That didn’t make her happy. “Why the Dirty Dozen scenario? A way to even the odds against werewolves?”
“Yes, Agent Wisniewski. After a fashion. But it’s not just about battle.” I pushed the folder in front of me away. “We’ve triple checked. And by ‘we,’ I mean all participating agencies. Including Amperdyne. The werewolves don’t have any connection with any real estate holdings of any kind.”
“But they have Vincent?” asked Kamaguchi.
“Yes. I mean, I’m almost positive. But they’re working for someone else.” I nodded to Paul. “Make the call.”
Chandler smiled and pulled out his phone. “Blake? Chandler here. Yeah, good news! The Feds found out where Vincent’s being held. They’re gonna take about an hour to get a team together. Get them into place. Federal warrants aren’t as quick as the local judges on Hank’s payroll. No, I don’t know where. Look, I gotta run. Don’t tell the Old Man until it’s a done deal. Oh, I know. You’re welcome.” He hung up. Beaming. “Balls in play.”
“Whose balls?” asked Hardwicke with a wry grin. “Who exactly are you Mr. Chandler?”
“A reprobate!” I laughed. “Or whatever word replaced that in the twenty-first century. We set things into motion. Kamaguchi, you should be getting a call any time.”
The Russian-Asian frowned at me. Studied my mouth. Glanced at my hands which were folded neatly on the desk. “Mansfield is working with the werewolves?” He looked to Chandler for confirmation.
“Someone who cares about Vincent, who couldn’t even order his execution is working with them. I don’t think Gibraltar employees fit the bill. And Anton Thrace isn’t the bad guy here. Who do you think that leaves?”
“Family,” said Wisniewski. “Are you telling me that Blake Mansfield is related to Vincent Gibraltar? Wait! The missing grandson. They’re alive? What about the granddaughter?”
“I didn’t reveal that information to you. I cannot expressly tell you anything about the family per my contract. Not unless it’s relevant to law enforcement needs. This isn’t that.” I stared the Ukrainian-American agent down.
“Fine. But I’m right about the grandson.”
I shrugged. “I can only say I’m not happy. I’d like to be wrong. That Yuri Kamaguchi’s phone doesn’t ring. But if it doesn’t—then Vincent dies.”
As if on cue, a strange Russian melody came from the man’s vest pocket. He pulled it out. “Da. Da, horosho!” He put the phone away. “You’re right. The balls are on the move.”
“That’s not quite how that works. But good. As unhappy as it is, we know that Blake’s involved. Hardwicke, you should probably pick him up. Kamaguchi’s people are following the werewolves. Apparently a group of them are having lunch in a café just off the Ten in West Covina. We’re going to set a fire under their ass. His men will let us know when the werewolves head out and reach their destination. Keep an eye on things for us. We’ll be mobile before they get there. Tracking the team via satellite surveillance. You can join us once we know the location.”
“One of us should go with you.” Wisniewski glanced at her partner. “I think it should be me.”
“Fine. I don’t need to go face to face with werewolves without more backup than a succubus, a reprobate and an Amperdyne security team. The silver-tipped bullets haven’t even been issued yet.”
I nodded. “Chandler’s driving. It leaves the rest of us free to focus on a plan of attack.”
“To the Batmobile!” exclaimed Chandler.
“You have Batmobile?” demanded Kamaguchi in awe.
“Er, no. Just a turn of phrase. Sorry.”
Disgruntled the Russian-Asian stood. “Always with the funny talk, you Americans. Then we take Amperdyne van. My people drive.”
I glanced at Chandler. He shrugged. “My gear is easy enough to move.”
“Fine. Janet, you have one last task.”
“I know what to do. Call the hotline. Tell them you need the backup portable and with you. I’m on it.” She disappeared back to her desk to make the call.
“Any other questions?”
“Can we get a Batmobile?” asked Kamaguchi.
“No. Besides, it’s a two-seater. Where would the rest of us sit?”
“With Batmobile, you and me could defeat whole pack of werewolves.”
“Is he serious?” asked Hardwicke as she pulled out her phone, walking toward the exit.
“I’m afraid he probably is.”
“Definitely not the backup you need for werewolves.” She disappeared shaking her head.
Wisniewski frowned. “I don’t have werewolf gear.”
“No worries. Amperdyne comes prepared.” Kamaguchi followed Hardwicke outside. The blonde agent followed him.
Chandler touched my bare arm as I started to move past. I paused, looking into his eyes. He had to settle for his own reflection in my sunglasses. “I’m not happy about it. But you’re good.”
“Pardon?”
“I can’t believe Blake would want to kill Vinnie. But the evidence is hard to refute. Just want you to know. I’m glad they called you in on the case. Glad we met.”
“Stop being so maudlin. No we’re-gonna-die confessions of love.”
He laughed. “You are so full of yourself.”
He pulled me close and kissed my mouth hard. It felt warm and my power surged. But the totem protected him. A blank spot in my heart. It felt like kissing a warm piece of plastic. No testosterone to make my loins tighten. I pulled away. He sensed something but from the puzzlement in his eyes, he didn’t know what he’d felt. Or what I hadn’t.
“You get one.”
“One what?”
“One stolen kiss. Now get your perky ass out the door. Time to go.”
I glanced over his shoulder. Janet was watching. Disapproval all over her face. And worry. She’d seen my expression. Knew what it meant. A conversation for after we’d saved Vincent. And I was determined to do just that. He’d get saved. Even if I had to kill every werewolf in Killian’s pack to make it so.
Chapter Forty-Two
The back of the Amperdyne van was windowless as predicted. And crowded. It would’ve held three of us comfortably. Not so much the additional eight Amperdyne men. Four black glossy vampire carryalls. And the tattooed man from the previous night. T
he vampires didn’t trust their sleeping bodies with strangers. Not even me.
“Are you sure Chilton’s not gonna shit a brick when he finds out what you did?” Chandler stared at me.
“It wasn’t my idea. Blame Rico there.”
“Name’s Cesar. Not Rico.”
“Sorry.” I didn’t explain that it had been slang for someone Hispanic long before ‘Juan’ or ‘Jose’ became popular replacements. “It made sense though.”
“As long as we don’t confront the werewolves before dawn.” Wisniewski wasn’t happy with vampires being in the van. Even sleeping ones.
“We’ll park far enough away that Killian’s people won’t know that they’re here. When the vamps wake, Cesar will fill them in and they’ll move out.”
Kamaguchi peered at a device. “The werewolves are moving toward an industrial area off the 705. We’ll intercept them soon at this rate. But we’re cutting daylight a little close.”
“We needed the time. If they thought we’d get there before their plan could go off, they might’ve killed the hostages just to be sure. This way, they’ll wait. At least, I hope they will.” I glanced at the black clad security detail. “Everyone’s loaded with silver bullets, only, right? No wood-tipped ammo. It won’t hurt a werewolf but our vampire friends might become collateral damage.”
“Da, da You already say this.”
“Just repeating. Once we find out where they’re holding Vincent, we go in together. Amperdyne teams circle the building to keep people from escaping with Vincent. I take the lead because I can use my unfettered power against the werewolves. Wisniewski calls in our location to her people who will be at least twenty minutes out. How’s that warrant coming?”
“Stop asking. Hardwicke’s pushing all the buttons she can. Expedience will allow me to go in without the warrant.” She grumbled. “We can’t wait for back up anyway.”
“Exactly. When that sun sets, I think they’re counting on Anton Thrace transforming. That he’ll lose control and kill Vincent.”
“Shit. You didn’t mention that part.” Chandler stared at me. “What if the werewolves hold us off long enough for that to happen?”
“They won’t. My men shoot to kill.” Kamaguchi looked at me.
I nodded. “Damned straight. I hate the idea of senseless killings. But if it’s a choice between them and the boy? I’m choosing Vincent Gibraltar all the way.”
“What about Thrace?” Wisniewski eyed me. “He’s potentially a victim, too.”
I eyed her bitterly. “I know. But if he’s transforming. About to attack Vincent? Shoot to disable if you can. Vincent’s the one we save. Be smart. But save the boy.”
“Understood.” Chandler nodded, eyeing Kamaguchi. “Your men understand?”
“Da. They all speak English.. Maybe not so good as me. But they understand.”
“Would you mind repeating all that in Russian, just to be safe?” asked Wisniewski.
“Fine. Yes.” Kamaguchi rambled off enough Russian that the men nodded, gripping their weapons firmly.
“Don’t suppose you have silver nitrate cannisters in all this stuff?” I asked.
“It’s illegal.” Wisniewski eyed Kamaguchi. “Although it would be useful.”
“No. Company’s too important. We don’t break law like that.”
I smiled. He’d practically admitted that they broke the law in other ways. Such as trying to kill me. I’d gotten past that. Not that I didn’t hold a grudge. It was more practical to use it as future leverage. Never knew when I’d need them again.
A man from the front interrupted. “They’ve stopped.”
“Close the distance.” Kamaguchi glanced at me. “If that’s what you want us to do.”
“Hard letting a woman lead?” Chandler held the man’s gaze and grinned. It was a secret smile. Because he liked to be dominated by a woman. Wanted to be dominated by me. All I could do was remember the dead feeling of his kiss. Human warmth without human energy.
“I am not used to letting anyone lead me. I am in charge of Gibraltar’s team.”
“Who’s your boss then?” I hadn’t seen anything in the files about Amperdyne’s overall structure.
“Need to know. For security purposes.” He motioned to the driver. “We go now. Quickly.”
“Where did they stop?” Wisniewski leaned forward to look at the man’s tablet. “An empty bakery at the edge of that industrial area. Real close to the 705. We’ll make good time.” She glanced at the Russian. “Does it have any connection to Gibraltar?”
Kamaguchi did a search on his laptop. “Da. It is owned by a subsidiary of Gibraltar. Paperwork just recorded.”
“Too recent to be a casual choice. Someone leveraged the purchase for this purpose.” I shook my head. Blake had convinced me he cared about Vincent. I hated to think my own desperate longing for family had clouded my judgement. “Who signed the purchase order?”
Kamaguchi looked up. “Mansfield.”
“Damn it.” I checked my guns, making sure the replacement holster was properly adjusted. Fighting anger. I hated to be made the fool. “How long till sundown?”
“Too long for vampire help.” Chandler touched my arm. Everyone noticed.
I shrugged it off. “Don’t get too familiar, Mr. Chandler.”
“Sorry. Just, are you sure we don’t wait until the Feds get here? While there’s sunlight, Vincent’s not in danger. Right?”
“And how long will it take for them to set up a perimeter? Use official means to make demands on the werewolves? Time wasted and Vincent’s life is over. No. We go in. Kamaguchi, your men are excellent marksmen, correct?”
“Normally.” He eyed me. I could tell what he was thinking. The sniper missed me. But he’d hit Rhoda. The difficulty hadn’t been his shooting skills. Just misdirection.
“Then they shoot to kill. Every last werewolf except Anton. We move quickly and without mercy.”
“Wow. I’d have thought you’d feel differently.” Wisniewski studied me. Her expression almost sad. Like I was willing to betray my own. Only they weren’t my own. Having a preternatural origin didn’t make me the same as monsters that killed for profit.
“Lives matter, Wisniewski. Young or old. Black or white. Blue lives. But when you’re weighing murderers against a single innocent? Vincent’s life is the one worth protecting.”
“Maybe you get tired of being PI, want to work for real company.” Kamaguchi nodded respectfully.
“My company is a real company. Small doesn’t make it any less so.”
I looked away from them all. My stomach had been starting to cramp. Not hunger. That same pain from the shower. Reminding me I’d used up all the previous feedings.
My belly grew cool at the thought. Hunger stirred alongside the pain. It would help me weaken any werewolves I got close to. Let the gunmen pick them off. Chandler would have my back. I didn’t have to ask.
“Our people are twenty minutes out. The court order went through. If I’m inside with you, they won’t waste time trying to negotiate. They’ll come in guns blazing.”
“How much silver-tipped ammo they have?”
“Just what we stock. Probably enough for five handguns. One rifle. We’ve never had an entire pack go rogue at once.” Wisniewski gave me a dire look. “This is the end of Killian’s group.”
“There are children in his pack. Innocent women and teenagers. They can’t all be held accountable for their leader’s actions.”
She shrugged, unhappy. “Not my call.”
I cursed again. “One thing at a time. Stop here. The bakery’s around the corner. There’s an alleyway—.” I studied the digital map Kamaguchi held up for me. Got my orientation. “There. It leads to the back of the building. Roof access from the adjacent cement factory. Zoom in that aerial map?”
I saw a door leading onto the roof. “Is that live?”
“Da. Why?”
“The door cracked open. They’re already expecting an attack.”
&nb
sp; “They can’t know we’d be here this fast.” Wisniewski shook her head. “You must’ve imagined it.”
“No. Look, I don’t think they know we’re here specifically. I think they’re just being careful. Whoever goes up there will have to be better than stealthy. Werewolves have super-hearing.”
“We know this. Amperdyne have special drones that play ice-cream music.” He spoke Russian to one of the men. The man hopped out of the van carrying a large plastic case. “Pattern set to go up and down streets, playing music very loudly. Also is static with special noise generator. Masks footsteps. Breathing.”
“Werewolves are the only preternaturals I know of with superhuman hearing. How is it Amperdyne has these?” I watched his suspiciously.
“We have full division working on preternatural problems. Amperdyne is international agency. Music changes for country.”
I stared at him a few seconds longer than was polite. Trying to determine if he was telling the truth. Not that it mattered. “How long before the drones are in place?”
“Two minutes. Must start from three separate points to create proper web of interference.”
“Web of interference. I like that.” Chandler was taking mental notes. MI-6 would be given lots of ideas about their future dealings with preternaturals after this. If he lived to pass those ideas along.
Kamaguchi motioned to the back of the van. “We can get out. Start moving toward the buildings.”
“How many of your men are coming inside with us?”
“Five. The one on drones will go roof. Two will watch back. The rest come inside the front with us.”
“Make sure if they spot Vincent that we’re told immediately. No wasting time trying to find him inside or being careful with the shooting through walls otherwise.”
“Of course. Not my first rodeo.”
Chandler couldn’t resist poking Kamaguchi. “Rodeo. Not rodeo. That’s only for Rodeo Drive in L.A..”
Oddly, it felt like I was the source of their rivalry. But Kamaguchi wasn’t romantically interested in me. He only wanted to hire me.
I stretched my legs outside the van, adjusting my clothes so that the weapons weren’t visible. I wore black jeans and a burgundy leather jacket. Tougher than cotton and padded with mesh-wire. The mesh was meant to be body armor. Protection from knives and low caliber bullets. Hopefully it’d help slow down werewolf claws, too.
The Billionaire's Heir (Sucubus For Hire Book 1) Page 30
