by Laura Scott
“You didn’t mention you’ve been working undercover,” Jonah accused. “Have you already met with Salvatore? Do you actually have business meetings with him?”
“We’ve met, but no, I haven’t had any business meetings with him.” Logan’s tone held a note of exasperation. “We’ve been on this task force for months, but it’s slow and painstaking work to build a case like this.”
“Sorry,” Jonah muttered. “I know better than anyone how tedious law-enforcement investigations can be.”
Logan parked his Jeep in the underground parking lot and then went around to the back and opened the door. Curious, Mallory followed, surprised to discover the rear of his vehicle looked as if he had robbed an electronics store.
“You’re not really thinking of bugging Salvatore’s table, are you?” Jonah asked.
“Do you have a better idea?” Logan drawled.
The burgers they’d eaten along the way sat like a rock in Mallory’s stomach. “Sounds risky,” she said. “If they suspect Kate, she’ll end up dead, like Abby.”
“We’ll talk about this inside,” Jonah said, as Logan put several electronic items into a small duffel bag before tossing it over his shoulder and slamming the car door shut.
None of them spoke as they made their way up to Logan’s room. Once inside, Logan set the duffel bag on the table and opened it up. “Salvatore always sweeps the restaurant for bugs before he comes in to eat, so we only have a couple options. We can wire Kate, but it’s not likely they would say anything incriminating in front of her so I’m not in favor of that option.”
“You can bug the table, but Kate would have to do that once they’re already seated,” Jonah said, catching on to Logan’s train of thought.
“Exactly. It’s more risky, but we have the best technology Uncle Sam has to offer.” Logan opened a container the size of a ring holder and revealed a small black disk that was slightly thicker than a dime yet a bit smaller in circumference. “Kate can place this right under the table and remove it as soon as they’re finished eating, with no one being the wiser.”
“Great idea,” Jonah said with renewed enthusiasm.
Mallory wasn’t so sure. “Seems too easy,” she said with concern. “Have you already tried this? You know it’ll work?”
“We’ve used it once before and it worked beautifully,” Logan assured her, closing the box with a snap. “There’s no reason to think it won’t work again.”
Mallory didn’t bother to hide the doubt on her face. “Except for the fact that Abby was killed late last night simply because she spoke to us.”
“Mallory, it’s very possible that there were other things that happened late last night that caused Abby’s death,” Jonah pointed out. “We don’t know for sure that it’s only because she spoke to us.”
“Trust me, I’m not going to let anything happen to Kate Townsend,” Logan said firmly. “We’re going to do this tonight, and tomorrow, my team is going to relocate Kate someplace safe.”
Mallory sighed, knowing there was no way to talk either of the men out of this. Both of them were convinced they couldn’t fail. She wished she had the same certainty.
Helplessly, she closed her eyes. Dear Lord, please keep Kate Townsend safe in Your care.
* * *
Jonah knew Mallory was distressed over their plan to bug Salvatore’s table, but while he understood her apprehension, he also felt a deep sense of anticipation.
This plan of Logan’s could work. And if they managed to get some sort of incriminating evidence against Caruso tonight, this entire mess would be over soon. And Mallory would be completely safe at last. He didn’t like thinking about how his priority had changed from simply closing the case to clearing Mallory.
Jonah took the earpiece Logan held out to him and the small ring box containing the black disk to the other side of the room. He opened the box and then spoke in low tones but Jonah could hear every word plain as day.
“Amazing,” he said in admiration. “When are you going to get in touch with Kate?”
“We’re going to hand over the disk outside the restaurant while she’s on break,” Logan said, glancing at his watch. “Which should be in about fifteen minutes.”
Considering it was already seven-fifteen, the timeline was a tight one. “And where are we going to sit and listen?”
“We’re going to stay in the Jeep right where it’s parked,” Logan said. “The restaurant is only half a block away.”
“Won’t the concrete walls interfere with the signal?” Jonah asked.
“The signal was clear last time I parked on that same level, but we’ll test it again to be sure.” Logan took the disk out of the ring box and put it in a small, clear plastic sheath that was no bigger than a nickel. “Here, you take these two sets of earpieces and go sit in my Jeep. I’ll take this out to the restaurant and you can let me know if you don’t hear anything.”
“How do we let you know?” Mallory asked.
“Text me.” Logan settled the cowboy hat on his head and flashed a grin. “I’m going to bump into Kate and make a big deal out of apologizing as I hand her the disk.”
“Sounds good.” Jonah waited a few minutes after Logan left before he led the way down to the parking structure. Once they were seated in the backseat safely behind Logan’s tinted windows, he showed Mallory how to put the earpiece in.
Amazingly, they could hear the traffic noise on the street, as Logan walked down to Salvatore’s. “Testing,” he drawled in a low tone.
“It’s so clear,” Mallory whispered.
“Yeah.” Jonah couldn’t help being impressed. He quickly texted Logan to let him know the listening device worked fine.
It was getting close to Kate’s break time, and he wished he could see Logan as well as hear him. The minutes ticked by slowly. Then he heard a muffled gasp, and Logan’s deep drawl came through crystal clear. “My apologies, ma’am, I didn’t mean to step on your foot.”
“Well, maybe you should watch where you’re walking, big guy,” a young female voice said with sharp annoyance.
“Yes, ma’am. I guess I’m used to wide-open spaces like we have in Texas, not the crush of people here.”
“Whatever.” Kate’s annoyance radiated through the listening device. “I have to get back to work.”
There was no more talking, only the sound of traffic and people’s voices in the background. Apparently Logan didn’t head back to the parking garage right away because it took time for him to return. Jonah figured he must have walked around the block before returning to the hotel.
Logan finally slid into the Jeep. “We’re all set. Nothing more to do except wait.”
Jonah knew from long experience that waiting was the hardest part of a stakeout. Kate must have had the device in her pocket because they could hear the sounds of dishes being stacked and menu items being discussed. Then they heard Kate’s voice.
“Mr. Salvatore, how nice to see you again. We were expecting you at eight.”
“Our meeting ended early. Do you have our table ready?”
“Yes, sir, right this way.”
“I’d like my bodyguard to check out the place first,” they heard Salvatore say.
“Of course, sir. Excuse me for a moment while I let the chef know you’ve arrived earlier than planned.”
Jonah glanced at Logan. “She’s pretty good, knew enough to get out of the way of the bodyguard sweeping for bugs.”
“No, Kate, don’t go.” Salvatore’s sharp tone came through the earpiece. “I’d like you to stay.”
There was a long pause before they heard Kate’s voice. “Yes, sir.”
“Logan, do something,” Mallory whispered tersely. “Kate’s in trouble!”
Logan’s expression turned grim, and Jonah understood. There wasn’t anything they could do now except wait for this to play out, hoping and praying Kate wouldn’t get caught.
TWELVE
Mallory couldn’t breathe. Her heart pounded so hard ag
ainst her ribs that she put a hand to her chest to ease the ache. She couldn’t bear knowing that, any minute, the bug they’d handed to Kate would be found.
“All set now?” Kate’s voice asked politely.
“Yes.” Salvatore’s tone was curt and they could hear the sounds of the two men settling into their seats. “Send the wine steward down to bring us the usual.”
“Right away, sir.”
Mallory momentarily closed her eyes with relief. Kate was safe. At least for now. She reached over and grasped Logan’s elbow. “How is it possible that Salvatore didn’t find the bug?”
“The disk I gave Kate uses a completely different frequency than the normal listening devices,” Logan explained.
“You knew she’d be safe,” Mallory said, feeling foolish for being so worried.
Logan’s grin faded. “No, ma’am. I hoped she’d be safe, but I couldn’t know for sure. Salvatore has deep pockets and I had no way of knowing if he’d upgraded his technology, too.”
Slightly mollified she sat back in her seat, listening to the background noises that were coming through her earpiece. “Sounds like Kate is still in the kitchen,” she murmured.
Logan nodded. “She can’t place the bug until she takes their order for dinner without raising suspicion.”
“How does she know to do all this?” Mallory asked as her stomach once again knotted with anxiety.
Logan’s expression turned grim. “Apparently, she has a knack for undercover work,” he muttered.
She hid a smile. It was clear Logan had a soft spot for the young waitress and didn’t like using Kate’s talents even though she obviously was good at her chosen career.
Too bad she didn’t have the same skill set. Mallory’s stomach was so upset she feared she’d end up with a bleeding ulcer if she had to do what Kate was doing.
Mallory strained to listen, although with all the background noises it wasn’t easy. The minutes dragged by slowly, until finally they heard Kate addressing the restaurant owner. “Are you ready to order, Mr. Salvatore?” she asked.
The two men took their time ordering their food. When she heard Caruso’s voice ordering the Chilean sea bass—his distinct northern nasal tone a direct contrast to Salvatore’s deeper voice carrying a hint of his Sicilian heritage—she shivered.
The man was cold. He’d murdered at least one person and attempted to murder her, yet he still sat leisurely eating an expensive dinner as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
“I’ll have the chef prepare your food right away, Mr. Salvatore,” she heard Kate say.
Again there was no response from either man, as if it were beneath them to respond personally to the hired help. But when they began to talk in low voices, she realized Kate had succeeded in placing the disk beneath their table.
“Have you found her yet?” Salvatore asked.
“No. She has help, which has made her much more difficult to find,” Caruso answered with annoyance.
Mallory experienced a surge of satisfaction when she realized the two men were discussing her. She was fiercely glad that, with Jonah’s help, they’d managed to elude Caruso.
“I’m not pleased at how you’ve managed to drag me into your mess for the second time, Tony.” The implied threat underlying Salvatore’s tone was unmistakable. “To have them show up here is inexcusable. I will not tolerate incompetence.”
“Don’t threaten me. I’ve helped make you a rich man, Bernardo.”
“And you wouldn’t be in office without me.”
“I know, I know. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of my loose ends the same way you’ve taken care of yours.”
Jonah glanced back at her, and she knew he was thinking about Abby’s body floating in Lake Michigan. But while the two men obviously were discussing their various crimes, they were careful enough not to say anything blatantly incriminating.
A wave of helplessness washed over her. What if this was all for nothing? What if the two men didn’t give them anything to work with?
“Your soup, Mr. Salvatore and Senator Caruso,” Kate said. Mallory had the impression Kate mentioned both names on purpose. “I hope you enjoy your meal.”
“Where is the ground pepper?” Salvatore asked sharply. “Is this the service you provide? I expect better, or this will be the last meal you serve.”
“Yes, sir,” Kate murmured in apology.
There was a long silence as the men ate their food. The next bit of conversation centered on the restaurant business. It wasn’t until the two men had been served the main course that their conversation turned back to important matters.
“Tell me, Tony, what is the next step in solving your small problem?”
“I told you not to worry. I have a contact inside the MPD helping me track them down.”
Mallory gasped. Jonah was right—his boss really was helping Caruso.
“And is that all?” Salvatore asked softly. “You’re just going to sit back and wait for someone else to find her for you?”
“What do you expect?” Caruso asked with clear annoyance. “I have to be back in Washington by the middle of next week for the Senate vote on the budget bill. I can’t ignore the obligations of my career, Bernardo.”
“Perhaps it’s time to use her sister as leverage.”
Mallory reached out to grab Jonah’s arm. “We have to do something to keep Alyssa safe!” she hissed in a low tone.
“Drummond is with her constantly. She’s never alone,” Caruso said. “And besides, the Feds are watching them. I’m not about to walk into a trap.”
The Feds? Really? Mallory relaxed back in her seat.
“Idiot,” Salvatore mumbled beneath his breath. “Tony, have you forgotten how to bluff? If your ex-girlfriend is on the run, she won’t know that her sister is safe.”
“You have a point, Bernardo.”
Mallory could easily imagine how Caruso’s mind was exploring the possibilities. And despite knowing the Feds were watching over Alyssa, she couldn’t help but worry.
“I have a couple other options, too,” Caruso continued. “But rest assured I will have everything taken care of before I leave for Washington. Including hiding all evidence so that it doesn’t wash ashore to be discovered quickly.”
The subtle dig did not go unnoticed.
“Watch yourself, Anthony,” Salvatore said in a soft yet dangerous tone. “Your public position is extremely vulnerable, while I have the support of the family behind me.”
There was a tense silence and Mallory imagined they were glaring at each other as they exchanged their veiled threats.
“Bernardo, you worry too much. I will have everything taken care of. I managed to eliminate the earlier threat, didn’t I?”
“After you were stupid enough to get her pregnant.”
“Because she lied to me.” Caruso was clearly backpedaling, trying to make amends. “And I learned from my mistake. Our goals are still the same, Bernardo. We both want to be rich. Trust me to make that happen.”
There was another pause. “All right, then, I will grant your request for five days,” Salvatore said. “But I expect results by next Wednesday, understood?”
“Of course.”
Within a few minutes, Kate returned. “Are you both finished, Mr. Salvatore?” she asked.
“Obviously,” he replied in a snide tone.
Mallory could hear dishes being stacked, and then suddenly, there was a loud yell followed by the sound of dishes breaking.
“You imbecile!” Salvatore shouted. “Clean up this mess!”
“Yes, sir. I’m so sorry sir!” Kate’s voice was full of horror. “I’ll clean it up right away, sir!”
“You’re fired!” Salvatore shouted. “Get this woman out of my sight!”
“Right away, Mr. Salvatore.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Kate sobbed. Once again, the sounds of voices in the background along with dishes clanking together made it apparent that Kate had retrieved the bug from under the t
able and put it back into her pocket. They could hear someone telling Kate to put her stuff together and get out.
Logan ripped the earpiece out of his ear, jammed the key into the ignition and started the SUV.
“Where are we going?” Mallory asked, barely having time to buckle her seat belt before he barreled out of the parking garage.
“To pick her up,” Logan replied tersely. “She must have set that whole scene up so that she’d get fired.”
Mallory’s jaw dropped in surprise. “She did? You mean that wasn’t part of the original plan?”
“No,” Logan spat the word with annoyance as he cranked the steering wheel with more force than was necessary before turning onto the street. “That wasn’t part of the plan.”
Mallory grinned. She was looking forward to meeting this Kate, who obviously had a thing or two to teach her.
* * *
Jonah glanced down at the notes he’d taken. He felt good knowing that their suspicions had been confirmed, yet he was just as disappointed that the two men hadn’t said anything more damaging than veiled innuendos.
He glanced up as Logan drove well beyond the restaurant, miraculously finding a place to park. Logan slammed out of the car, muttering that he’d be right back.
Jonah exited the passenger seat, opening the back-right passenger door to slide in next to Mallory. Within a few minutes, Logan and Kate returned, obviously arguing.
“You should have followed the plan,” Logan said.
Kate tossed her blond hair. “My way was better.” She turned in her seat, holding out her hand. “Hi, I’m Kate Townsend.”
“Jonah Stewart, and this is Mallory Roth,” Jonah said, making quick introductions as Logan pulled back into traffic. He shook her hand, as did Mallory. “Thanks for your help back there.”
“No problem.” The gleam in Kate’s eyes gave him the impression she had enjoyed every moment.
“I told you this isn’t a game,” Logan snapped. “You’re lucky all he did was fire you.”
Kate rolled her eyes and then turned back in her seat so she could buckle her seat belt. “Don’t be such a worrywart.”
