by Carsen Taite
“Don’t go projecting your happy love life on me,” Sydney said, waving off the rapid-fire questions. “I’m married to the job just like you used to be. I don’t need a woman or a kitten getting in the way of work.”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s what they all say until they meet the one.”
Sydney took in the goofy smile on Peyton’s face and couldn’t resist asking, “The one, huh? How are you so sure?”
“Deep question, counselor, but if you’re looking for a formula, I can’t help you. The first time I saw Lily, she was standing across a crowd of people, all of whom were dressed to be noticed, but she was the only one who captured my attention.”
“Next you’re going to say that it was love at first sight.”
“Actually no, but there was definite interest. She was beautiful, but it was more than that. The bright, hopeful look in her eyes, her confident stance, the way she smiled when she caught me looking back at her—I knew I wanted to get to know her, and when I did…well, then I kind of tumbled into the love part.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
Peyton laughed. “As if. Take two women from vastly different backgrounds and sprinkle in a criminal investigation where one of them is delving into the business dealings of the other one’s father. Not to mention my well-meaning but short-sighted brother decided to put our family ranch in jeopardy by selling oil rights to Lily’s father without permission from the rest of the family.”
“Holy shit, Peyton. I don’t see how you get past any of that.”
“Very carefully, but I was pretty damn motivated.” Peyton’s gaze suddenly seemed very far away. “Being with Lily is worth anything, everything. It may not be easy, but our relationship is my greatest accomplishment.”
Sydney nodded, but she couldn’t quite relate to the concept either as it related to Peyton or in the abstract. The Peyton she’d known had been fully focused on her work, and she never would’ve expected to hear the words she’d just heard from her. She’d felt that way once about Tanner, but she’d been wrong, but rather than point that out to Peyton, she changed the subject. “I have an idea about the case, but I’m not sure how to accomplish it. Can we talk in private?”
If Peyton was fazed by the change in subject, she didn’t show it. “Sure, my office?”
“Let’s do this off-campus.” She looked at her watch. “I’m supposed to meet with Gellar in a few minutes. How about lunch?”
“Sounds good. Want me to bring anyone else?”
Syd started to mention Tanner by name, but seeing her so soon after the conversation she and Peyton had just had would just be a reminder their happily ever after hadn’t and would never happen. Still, they’d need a few people to pull off what she had in mind and Tanner was a key player. “Bring the whole gang.”
“Okay. Let’s meet at Snuffer’s. It’s across town, but it’s less likely we’ll run into anyone else from the office. I’ll text you the address.”
“Thanks.”
“Enjoy your meeting.” Peyton grinned as she left her alone in the break room. Sydney took her time fixing her cup of coffee. She was in no hurry to sit and listen to Gellar pontificate about how the office would fall apart without him, even though part of her assignment was to distract him in order to keep their investigation under wraps. When she’d first accepted the job, her goal was to get in, get out, and be on her way, but she hadn’t known then that Tanner was assigned to this office. Tanner’s presence shouldn’t change anything because the reasons they’d broken up were all still present, but Sydney couldn’t help but feel like her world had shifted. The question was whether the tilt was in her favor.
* * *
Tanner stood outside Bianca’s office and tapped her foot while she watched Bianca stuff her purse full of random items. “We’re going to lunch, not a weeklong trip overseas.”
“Sorry. I switched purses this morning, and I left half of my stuff in the bag I left at home.”
“Uh-huh.” Tanner didn’t get why anyone needed one purse, let alone several. Bianca’s rummaging reminded her of Sydney, who routinely made them rush to get to class because she was always switching bags to match her outfit.
“It’s an eight a.m. class. No one will notice if your purse doesn’t match your shoes.”
“I notice. Besides, later today when you want something I happen to have handy—lip balm, Tylenol, a Kleenex—you’ll be grateful I checked my supplies.”
Tanner scoffed, but the truth was she didn’t mind having the most put together girl on campus on her arm. Like her, Sydney was on track to graduate at the top of their class. To everyone else, her ascent looked easy, but Tanner knew how little sleep Syd got as she toiled late into the night to make sure she was more prepared than anyone else, and how she stressed over what to wear to project the image of success.
“I’m ready.” Bianca was standing at the door, purse in one hand and the other waving in front of Tanner’s face. “Whatcha thinking about?”
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit. You were a million miles away. You’ve been doing that a lot lately.”
Tanner jangled her keys. “Come on, I’m driving.”
“Scared of my little sports car?”
“Key word, little.” Tanner started walking out of the office toward the elevator bank, happy for the change in subject. “Too many big cars and trucks on the road. You’re risking your life every time you get into that thing.”
Bianca made zooming noises and mock steered. “I’m nimble and quick. I can outmaneuver anything on the road.”
“Come on, Speed Racer.”
Peyton and Dale were already seated at the restaurant when they arrived. Tanner counted the empty seats. “Who else is coming?”
“Sydney Braswell,” Peyton said. “In fact, she called this meeting.”
“Not real smart to meet in the middle of the day like this,” Dale said.
Tanner silently thanked Dale for making the point she’d been about to, and she cursed her pounding heart at the idea of seeing Sydney again. “Is something going down right now?”
Peyton shrugged. “Didn’t sound particularly urgent, but it seemed more convenient to meet here. The ranch is a haul for all of us. If anyone were to see us and report back to Gellar, all she has to say is she was letting us know how the audit is going to go down. I’m not too worried.”
They ordered drinks from the waitress, and about fifteen minutes later, Sydney appeared. “Sorry I’m late,” she said. “Judge Casey’s clerk called to let me know he was sending out the judge’s decision on the motion to suppress.” She slid into her seat and proceeded to pick up the menu and peruse the contents.
“And?” The word shot out of Tanner’s mouth before she could stop it.
Syd looked at her over the menu. “He’s not granting it. Razor’s confession, such as it was, comes in.”
“Well, that’s a win.”
“Is it? He’s not going to cooperate with us, and what he did tell you—where to find a horse—doesn’t do anything to advance the case against the Vargases or bring Sergio in. Your tactics may not be considered illegal, but they definitely cost you in this case.”
Tanner’s jaw dropped at being called out again in front of her peers, and she looked around the table for a sympathetic eye. She didn’t have to look far.
“It wasn’t just a horse,” Bianca said, slapping a hand on the table to punctuate her remark. “That horse, Queen’s Ransom, is not only the lifeblood of Jade’s ranch, he also happens to mean more to her than anything else in the world. Except maybe me,” she added.
Sydney shook a hand at Peyton. “See what I mean? You have an AUSA and an agent who would sacrifice the chance to build a case against a notorious fugitive all for the sake of sentiment. The only one of you who isn’t riddled with conflict when it comes to this case is Mary Lovelace, and she isn’t here.”
“Then why aren’t you having lunch with her instead of us?” Tanner asked.
“Quit
deflecting.”
“Fine. I’ll get right to the point. Why are we here?” Tanner asked.
“Because as much as I hate to admit it, I do need you.”
Tanner heard the slight shift in tone but didn’t want to ask out loud if “you” meant her or the entire group. “What do you need?”
Syd pointed directly at her. “Gellar likes you. He mentioned several times how you were one of the agents who took part in the raid at Gantry’s office and that you may be the only one working on the case that he can trust.”
Well, that answered her initial question, but Tanner wanted to know more. “Okay, but you called all of us here. Do you have a plan?”
“Not entirely. I’ve spent the week reviewing the task force work since its inception and getting up to speed. I’ve prepared requests for Gellar’s bank records and other financial information, but I have a feeling the information we really need is not going to be anywhere public. I want to figure out a way to use how he feels about you to get into his inner sanctum.” Syd looked around the table. “And I need the rest of you to come up with a decent distraction.”
“Maybe you should define ‘inner sanctum’ before we go any further,” Tanner said.
Syd hesitated for a second and then blurted out, “He’s not stupid, and if he’s up to something, chances are good any records of it will be at his house. I’m not going to be able to get a warrant to search his house unless I have something concrete to tell a judge. And I can’t get anything concrete to tell a judge…”
“Unless you search his house,” Tanner finished. “You get the irony, right? First you come here and lecture us about how we run our investigation, and now you’re asking us to do your dirty work.”
“I’m not asking you to do anything illegal,” Sydney said, shaking her head. “But if we can figure out a way for you to get a look around the house under the guise of something innocent, and you happen to see something we can use as a hook for a warrant, then it’s a win-win.”
“What am I supposed to do? Show up on his doorstep and ask him to give me a tour?” Tanner looked around at the rest of the group for support. Surely she wasn’t the only one who thought Sydney had lost her mind. “He might think he can trust me at the office, but I’m pretty sure he’ll suspect something’s up if I invade his personal space.” She hadn’t bothered to temper the rising tone of her voice, and she could see a few diners at adjacent tables starting to look their way.
“Hey, we’re all on the same team here,” Peyton said, breaking the tension. “I need to make a couple of calls, but I have an idea that might work. Let’s eat lunch like civilized people and I’ll be in touch with a plan.”
Sydney nodded and smiled her trademark winning smile and Tanner buried her head in the menu. Sydney’s idea wasn’t bad in theory; in fact, she wished she’d thought of it. Gellar had trusted her to review most of the discovery he had prepared for the grand jury that would hear the case against Gantry and the Vargases, which was surprising since he acted like he had to hide everything from the rest of the team. Maybe she could show up at his house under the pretense of sharing some eyes-only information with him. She started to say as much, but when she looked around the table she saw that Sydney had already captivated everyone with a story about when she and Peyton had worked together in DC. Tanner remembered well Sydney’s ability to draw people in, but she wasn’t about to join the fan club. She’d talk to Peyton about her idea later, when bright and shiny Sydney wasn’t around to distract her and everyone else.
* * *
Sydney hung back from the rest of the group as they exited the restaurant, hoping to catch Peyton as she returned from the restroom. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Tanner eyeing her with a curious expression, but she pretended she didn’t see her. It was easier that way. It would be easier all around if she could pretend she didn’t know Tanner, but ever since she’d laid eyes on her again, little bits of Tanner facts had populated her thoughts, distracting her from the work she was here to do.
“Did everyone leave you?” Peyton said as she walked toward her.
“I stayed behind on purpose.” Sydney sucked in a breath. “We need to talk.”
“Sounds ominous.”
“Hopefully not, but I need to make a confession, and I’ve finally worked up the nerve to do it. Mostly.”
“How about we talk over a drink?” Peyton took her arm and steered her toward the bar.
“Wait,” Sydney said. “Don’t you have court this afternoon?”
“No court, no meetings. Only a bunch of evidence seized in a human trafficking case to review. Gellar assigned me to that division when he broke up the task force, and I have a few lingering cases to work on while I’m back on the Vargas case. Tequila might be the only way I get through the afternoon. One glass. You game?”
Sydney nodded and followed Peyton to the bar. Peyton ordered two Sauzas, neat, and tossed some bills on the bar when the bartender asked if they’d like to keep a tab open. Sydney picked up the heavy glass and tipped it against her lips, enjoying the slow burn of the smooth amber liquid. “Thanks. I didn’t know it, but that was exactly what I needed.”
Peyton touched her glass to hers and said, “What’s on your mind? You having second thoughts about coming out here?”
Yes, but not for the reasons you think, Sydney thought. But was that true? If she’d known she would see Tanner again before she’d agreed to make the trip, would she have turned this assignment down? Or was it just a matter of not having time to prepare? Her thoughts jumbled and she realized she was in danger of not accomplishing what she’d had in mind—coming clean. “I used to be in love with Tanner.”
Peyton stopped with her glass in midair and scrunched her brow. She set the glass down and then picked it up and took a deep drink. She motioned to Sydney’s glass, and Sydney did the same. When both their glasses were back on the bar, Peyton finally spoke. “Guess the tangled web extends to everyone on this case.”
Peyton’s even tone didn’t signal any “I told you so,” but Sydney felt it just the same. “I deserve that. In my defense, I had no idea she was working with you until I reviewed the file just before I got on the plane.”
“It’s been almost a week. Do you think you might have found time to mention it between then and now?”
“Are you mad?”
Peyton laughed “Of course not, but I am curious.” She took another drink. “Well, that explains why Tanner looks like she’s chewing bullets every time you two interact. I’m thinking the love thing didn’t work out for either of you.”
“No. It didn’t. Not ultimately. Well, not between us anyway. And not for me at all. I’ve had a few relationships since Tanner, but nothing major. This job is my wife and I’m happy to be married to it.” Sydney stopped talking, acutely conscious she’d been rambling.
“You don’t have to tell me all of this.”
“I know. We met in law school and spent three years studying our asses off and planning a future together that was never going to happen, but you’re right and I’m sorry for oversharing. We’re here to work, not for me to moan about having to work with my ex who apparently isn’t any more interested in having anything to do with me than she was when she walked out the door to join the FBI.”
Peyton held up both hands. “Whoa, there. That’s not what I meant. If you want to talk, I’m happy to listen. I just didn’t want you to feel like you have to. I trust that whatever you do with this case won’t be colored by your past.”
“I wish I could be so sure.”
“I don’t know Tanner very well.”
Sydney paused to digest that tidbit. “Seems like you all are a pretty tight-knit group.”
“It didn’t start out that way. What I said earlier about Tanner was true. She was part of the team that led the search on Lily’s father’s offices. That was all Gellar’s doing.”
“Okay.” Sydney drew out the word, not entirely sure what she was supposed to glean from this infor
mation. “So how did she wind up working with your task force?”
“Bianca brought her in.” Peyton held up two fingers twisted together. “Those two have become good friends, and the fact that Gellar trusts Tanner has made her a valuable asset for the team. If it had been up to me, though…”
“You wouldn’t have joined forces with her.” Sydney finished the sentence.
“And I would’ve been wrong. I guess I’m just saying that things aren’t always what they seem.”
Sydney pointed at the mostly empty glass of tequila in front of her. “Are you waxing philosophical or is that the liquor talking?”
“Maybe both.” Peyton took another sip. “But back to Tanner. I didn’t know she was a lawyer, but I did know she was in the service. Was that before or after law school?”
“Before law school, before I met her. She didn’t talk much about her time in Afghanistan, and it never occurred to me when I was plotting out our legal future that she’d want to return to government work. Not very bright on my part.”
“Yet here you are, doing the same thing.”
“I didn’t get here by the most direct route.”
“The direct route is often overrated. My brother Neil begged me to stay and work the ranch with him before I left for DC, but I wanted to go make a name for myself,” Peyton said. “If my father hadn’t gotten sick, I don’t know that I would’ve come back here. I might never have met Lily and might never have met any of these women I now consider friends.”
“There you go again with the sage wisdom. How is your father?”
“Some days are better than others, but the reality is he’s just waiting to die.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. He’s lived a full life and he’s surrounded by people who love him. I’m just glad I came back when I did. If he’d passed away while I was in DC, I don’t think I would ever have been able to forgive myself.”
Sydney thought about her own parents, who’d drifted apart not just from each other but her too after their divorce, and she wondered what it must be like to have a close relationship with blood relatives. She reached over and placed a hand over Peyton’s. “If you need anything, I’m here for you.”
