by Mia Dymond
“We will,” Holly answered.
Claire grinned. “It’s only a matter of time before we get an official invite anyway.”
“Now, back to the original discussion.” Cameron leaned back against the booth and folded her arms across her chest. “Who gets the honor of the pole dance, Tess?”
“You already know who.”
“I do,” Claire admitted.
Holly sighed. “Me too. Takes the fun out of everything sometimes.”
“Spill,” Cameron insisted.
“Ranger.”
Cameron and Rachel both smiled. “We didn’t know the way Claire and Holly did, but we suspected. You’ll have him eating out of your hand in no time.”
“I barely know him.” And now I know he’s not exactly who he claimed.
“I told him to come clean,” Holly mumbled.
Tess widened her eyes in shock.
“Sorry,” her friend answered. “Sometimes it’s just habit to respond.”
“Did you read my thoughts?”
“Not exactly. Your heart is glowing angry red. I just put two and two together.”
“Fill the rest of us in, Holly,” Cameron drawled.
“I’m assuming Ranger didn’t tell Tess the whole truth about himself.”
“No,” Tess answered, “he didn’t. He represented himself as a bouncer.”
“Oh, Tess.” Cameron raised both eyebrows in obvious excitement. “You have prime opportunity here. I could give you several pointers on how to make him suffer if you’d like.”
Cameron’s offer made her laugh out loud. “Thanks, but I have the ultimate payback in mind. By the way, have you guys ever heard of Wounded Heroes?”
Rachel nodded. “I donate every quarter.”
“My family created the charity. We’re having a black tie dinner next Wednesday evening and I’d like you all to come.”
“Of course!” Cameron answered for all of them. “We’ll manage to stuff our husbands into tuxedos for the evening.”
“Not only our husbands,” Claire muttered.
“Don’t worry, Claire,” Rachel soothed. “It won’t be much longer.”
“I hate to do it,” Tess said as she raised her wrist to check her watch, “but I have to go. It’s time for me to go to work. I’ll give you guys a call about the particulars of the dinner.”
“Thanks again for coming.” Holly gave her a quick hug. “And don’t worry, you’re in good hands with SEALs, Inc.”
***
Squatted on the floor behind the bar at The Cathouse with Jack and his teammates, Ranger looked down at the empty hole in the floor and shook his head like he had worms in his ears. Someone was desperate.
He glanced up at Jack. “How in the hell did he manage to get inside?”
Jack heaved a heavy sigh. “The electricity was off when I came in. The wires were cut.”
He looked over at Captain Sterling. “Do you suppose it recorded anything?”
“Hawke’s checking now.”
Sterling stood and rested an elbow on the counter. “Both the alarm system and the safe are equipped with a battery back-up. Unfortunately, the camera and recorder we planted are not.”
“The codes will give us a start,” Shadow said as he backed up against the counter.
Ranger moved his attention back to Jack. “Did you call the security company?”
The other man nodded. “Two different codes were used.”
“Two?”
“The first belongs to Tess, which obviously didn’t open the door. The second surprises the hell out of me.”
“Were you able to identify it?”
“It’s Veronica’s code.”
Steele folded his arms across his chest. “Funny. She told Brooks and me that she wasn’t too concerned about the money.”
“She isn’t.” Jack shrugged. “She’s never complained to me about it, anyway.”
“I’m assuming they were entered back to back.”
“Yep.”
Hawke rounded the bar and stopped next to Sterling. “Just as we suspected, the camera didn’t catch anything.”
Although the news was not unexpected, Ranger still wondered if Veronica possessed the know-how to pull off such an operation. Not that he was prejudiced, but most women weren’t skilled in disabling a security system.
He looked back at Jack. “Do you think Veronica could have pulled this off?”
“My best guess is no. She’s not exactly mechanically-inclined.”
“Would she have a reason to do this?”
“Not to my knowledge. Between profit from the club and Warren’s income, they appear to be doing okay.”
Shadow chuckled. “Everybody has skeletons.”
“Numbers don’t lie.” Ranger pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to line up facts in his head when a very familiar, unmistakable female voice interrupted and derailed his whole train of thought.
“No, they don’t.”
He lowered his hand from his face and stole a glance at his teammates, all of whom were focused on the visitor. He didn’t need to look, he knew exactly who had spoken - his dick was already at half-mast.
“Hey, Tess.”
She stood at the edge of the bar, her arms folded across her chest and one hip braced against a nearby bar stool. One fine eyebrow was raised in very obvious suspicion and suddenly he could’ve sworn the floor shifted beneath him. He moved his gaze to her chest, convincing himself he might be able to get an indication of just how angry she was. Her chest rose and fell in a smooth tempo, those firm, tight breasts reaching for him with every breath. Suddenly, he forgot all about anger.
“Out of your element, aren’t you?”
“Damn,” Hawke mumbled.
“Not exactly. I’m not a bouncer; I’m an investigator with SEALs, Inc.”
“I’ve hired them to investigate,” Jack added.
“Jaydon Hawke is an investigator?”
“Believe it or not, yes,” Ranger mumbled.
“So I heard.” She pushed those pouty, pink lips into a smug smile and glanced around the circle of men. “I had lunch with your wives this afternoon.”
“Smooth, Ranger.” Steele released a hard breath.
He frowned at his friend, determined not to be left behind this time. “You’re the one who said there wouldn’t be a problem.”
“No, I didn’t. I said – “
“The point is really moot,” Tess interrupted as she glared at all of them. “Has there been another robbery or are you all analyzing the hole in the floor?”
Still lost in the magnetic pull between them, Ranger managed to speak. “Last night’s cash is gone.”
“$15,430.25.” She cocked her head to one side. “My code?”
“Not this time.”
“Really?”
“Well, the perp made his first attempt with your code, but when it didn’t work, he used another.”
“My new one?”
“No, Veronica’s.”
She glanced at Jack. “Veronica as in your ex-wife Veronica?”
“Weird, huh? Has she ever said anything to you about her check?”
“No.”
“We need to fingerprint,” Sterling said, “but I’m doubtful we find any. Do we have an approximate time of the incident?”
“The second code was entered at 4:30 a.m.” Jack shook his head. “Do you really think she would’ve entered her own code?”
Although Ranger wasn’t convinced, he knew from experience stranger things happened. Desperate criminals never ceased to amaze him. “Time will tell. I’ll go talk to her.”
“I’ll go with you this time,” Shadow volunteered. “Maybe we can get to the bottom of it.”
Jack ran a hand across the top of his head. “I hope so. Should I call her and tell her you’re coming?”
“No.” Shadow shook his head. “Let’s ambush her this time.”
“Agreed.” Sterling laid out the plan. “While you and Ranger do the qu
estioning, we’ll fingerprint here. In the meantime, business as usual. We don’t want to give anyone the idea there’s a problem. And whatever you do, Campbell, don’t stow the cash in the safe.”
While his teammates scattered, Ranger stepped next to Tess and winked. “You won’t blow my cover, will you?”
“I should.” He waited in the painful silence of the next few seconds before a grin split her lips. “But I won’t.”
“You know why I couldn’t tell you, right?”
“I get it.” She dismissed him with the wave of a hand. “No big deal. I’m just not sure why you decided to buy me a cup of coffee to investigate me.”
“I didn’t buy you a cup of coffee as part of my investigation. I bought you coffee because I wanted to see your tattoo.”
“We didn’t discuss tattoos until after the coffee was purchased,” she pointed out, “and besides, I don’t have a tattoo.”
“I think you do.”
“You’re accusing me of lying to you?”
“Yes, but I don’t think you fibbed because you don’t want me to know, but because you want me to find it on my own.”
She pursed her lips and he fought the urge to press his against them, open his mouth over hers, and pry them open with his tongue.
“Your investigative skills are impressive,” she said finally.
He gave her what he intended to be a smug smile. “We can discuss my skills later tonight. Hopefully I can get some more information out of Veronica.”
“This whole situation is so bizarre.” She sighed. “I have a feeling you have your work cut out for you.”
“We do,” he agreed. “I’ll stop by your office later this evening.”
“To question me further?”
He grinned and gave her another wink. “No, to find your tattoo.”
***
He braced his elbows on the arms of his cherished leather, wingback chair and steepled his fingers beneath his chin. He watched out of the front bay window as the sun sank lower in the sky; the call was due any minute and he expected closure of the deal.
For a brief second, curiosity tickled his brain. When the loan had been made, he had demanded a large sum of money in repayment. How was it possible that the target acquired it in such a short time? He snickered under his breath and quickly dismissed the thought. The target’s methods were none of his concern. As long as the target kept his palm greased as required, there would be no cause for questioning.
He cleared his throat as the cell phone vibrated against the cherry wooden table next to his chair, prepared to close the transaction.
“I assume you are ready to make the drop,” he said into the mouthpiece.
“I’m afraid there will be a bit of a delay.”
Heat attacked his cheeks and his blood began a rolling boil. “I have no patience left to deal with your inefficiency. I will send an associate to help you better understand my terms.”
“No! Wait!”
Sheer terror crossed the line, soothing his nerves. At least the target understood his position. Perhaps he would listen for a few more seconds.
“What could you possibly have to say that will convince me otherwise?”
“I have half. That’s the best I can do for now.”
He was a tiny bit impressed. At least the target had not come empty-handed. “When will you have the remainder?”
“I don’t know.”
“You cannot provide a timeline?”
“No sir, I can’t. I’m working on it, I really am. I just need more time.”
He released a heavy breath, already formulating a plan of his own in the back of his mind. His own plan would take time, as well.
“Because of your healthy interest payments, I will grant you seven days. There will be no further negotiation.” He hardened his voice so his meaning would not be mistaken. “Do not attempt to contact me until you are ready to deliver. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir. Thank you. I’ll contact you as soon as I am able to make the drop.”
“See that you do,” he said with his finger on the disconnect button, “because the consequences will be quite severe.”
***
Ranger stood with Shadow at the front door of the Hicks’ home, this time not quite so encouraged about Veronica’s cooperation. Whether or not she had something to do with the robbery, it was quite possible she’d slam the door in their faces once they asked for an alibi.
He grinned at Shadow. “Are you packing?”
“Always.” His friend returned the grin. “Since Steele’s the one skilled in female interrogation, maybe we should’ve brought him.”
“Too late now.” He pressed the doorbell. “It’s go time.”
Several seconds later, Veronica opened the door, wearing an obviously confused look.
Ranger took the lead. “Hello, Mrs. Hicks. If you have a few minutes, we’d like to ask you a few more questions regarding the robbery.”
“Certainly. Please, come in.”
As soon as Veronica closed the door behind them, she led them into the living room in which they met previously. He gave the interior a quick analysis and noted no changes since the last visit.
She gestured with a hand to one of the two sofas. “Have a seat. May I offer you something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” Ranger pointed at his teammate. “Mrs. Hicks, this is Shadow, another investigator on the case.”
“Please call me Veronica. How can I help?”
“The safe has been robbed twice since we last spoke.”
“Really? How is that possible?”
Ranger prepared to explain when Mr. Hicks entered the room.
“Warren.” Veronica patted the cushion next to hers. “There have been two more thefts at the club.”
“Gentlemen.” Mr. Hicks nodded to both him and Shadow before he sat next to his wife. “Is it an inside job?”
“Possibly.” Ranger moved his gaze back to Veronica and went in for a quick kill. “However, the codes used to enter the building and breach the safe during the third robbery belonged to you, Veronica.”
Her mouth fell open and the color drained from her face. “How?”
Shadow leaned forward and pressed his fingertips together while he pinned Veronica with a stare. “One of two ways. Someone else used your code or you stole the cash.”
Ranger bit back a satisfied smirk. Shadow never ceased to amaze him – silent but deadly. If Veronica were responsible, she wouldn’t escape him.
Mr. Hicks sprang to his feet. “Now just wait a damn minute! Are you accusing Veronica of the crime?”
Obviously unmoved by the man’s angry outburst, Shadow moved his gaze onto him. “We didn’t accuse her of anything. Numbers don’t lie.”
“I didn’t steal the money,” Veronica insisted. “There has to be another explanation.”
Ranger gave his head two slow nods. “Could be. Did you mention your code to anyone else?”
“No.”
“Are you certain? Maybe you did it without thinking.”
“Absolutely not.”
He glanced at Mr. Hicks, now seated back next to his wife and patting her hands. “Do you know her codes?”
“No.”
Ranger noticed there was no hesitation before the answer. “You don’t know your wife’s social security number?”
“No.”
He looked back at Veronica. “Do you know his?”
“Yes,” she admitted. “What time did the robbery occur?”
“Four-thirty a.m.”
“Then she couldn’t have participated,” Mr. Hicks answered for her. “She was asleep, in bed beside me.”
Shadow tilted his head to one side. “You watch the clock while you sleep?”
“No, but I’m an extremely light sleeper. Besides, she takes a sleeping pill and waking her up before seven or eight a.m. is nearly impossible.”
“I realize this is difficult, Veronica.” Ranger purposely softened his tone, hoping sh
e would consider him compassionate. “Can you think of any reason someone would set you up?”
“Not one.”
“Is there someone you might suspect?”
“No. As I told you previously, I don’t spend any length of time at The Cathouse and when I do, Tess is the only one I deal with.”
“What about Tess?” Mr. Hicks asked. “Is she a suspect?”
“No. We deactivated her code. The perpetrator attempted to use it first and when it proved unhelpful, Veronica’s code was entered.”
“She could’ve entered Veronica’s code as easily as anyone.”
“Not if what Veronica told us about code-swapping is true. First, Tess is fully aware that sharing codes is grounds for termination. Second, Veronica would’ve had to provide the code to Tess. More importantly, Tess knew her code had been deactivated.”
“What about Jack? He programs the codes in the first place.”
Veronica patted her husband’s leg. “Jack did not steal money or set me up.”
“How can you be so sure? Maybe he’s tired of splitting profits with you.”
“He wouldn’t have been forthright about the robbery if he were trying to get out of paying me. And, even if he didn’t tell me about the theft, it would have caught up with him eventually. There are checks and balances in the books to keep everything straight. Tess documents each deposit to the penny and I must say, the woman is a whiz at accounting.”
She glanced back at Ranger. “Have you contacted the police?”
“Not yet. We’re still gathering evidence.” He stood, stepped next to the couple and offered a hand to her, and then her husband. “Thanks for talking to us. We’ll be in touch.”
As soon as he and Shadow sat behind the privacy of the tinted windows of Shadow’s truck, Ranger released a hard breath. “I’m not convinced she had anything to do with it.”
“I don’t think so either,” Shadow agreed. “Problem is, the code is hers and our list of suspects is short.”
“What about Warren?”
“Cocky sucker.”
“Yeah, but he worked overtime to cast suspicion on everyone but Veronica.”
Shadow nodded. “I’d do the same thing if it were Claire.”
