she’s not after a list of moles at all.”
“Wow. What do you think she wants from that safe?”
“Who knows? It probably is a disk of some sort—she’d want to be accurate about that detail so that your plan takes size, weight, et cetera, into account. But the contents of the disk are anyone’s guess. All we know for sure is, this op will further her career. And if we’re not careful, it’ll do so at our expense.”
“That’s pretty cynical.”
“But accurate. She’s always been that way. But now that she’s getting a little older—a little slower—I’m guessing she’s even more desperate. Ergo, more dangerous.”
The spinner sighed. “Okay, I’ll be careful.”
“Good. But have fun with this, too.” He touched her hand again. “It’s a helluva compliment. And she was right about one thing—you’re something special. Thanks for making SPIN look good.”
Kristie felt her cheeks redden. “Like she said, I was trained by the best. So…” She gathered up the Salinger file. “I guess I’d better get started.”
“Yeah. I’ll transfer all your active assignments to David for the next few days.”
“Ooh, that reminds me. Guess who called last night. Will McGregor.”
Ray seemed genuinely surprised. “Why?”
“That toy-salesman cover wasn’t working because the target was busy trying to get out of the doghouse with his ingenue wife. Forgot her birthday.”
“Sounds like the Bureau needs to send someone else in. With a different cover. David can take that on.”
“McGregor and I worked it out. Came up with the perfect birthday present, et voilà! The assignment’s back on track, and McGregor and Manny have something to bond over.”
Ray arched an eyebrow. “What time last night did McGregor call you?”
“This all happened before I had a chance to announce the new rules. The new old rules, I mean.”
Ray laughed. “I’m not worried. It’s McGregor, after all. He’s not going to make a habit of it, so no harm done.”
“Right.”
She bit her lip and Ray seemed to notice right away, demanding, “What now?”
Kristie flashed what she hoped was an innocent smile. “When you tell the operator to direct my calls to David, make sure that doesn’t include Justin Russo. Okay?”
“Russo?” Ray practically spat the name. “I thought he was in Tahiti.”
“He is. But he’ll be checking on Lizzie Rodriguez’s condition. If he calls me with an update, I want to hear it.”
Ray’s scowl disappeared. “Yeah, okay. Calls from Russo will go directly to you. And when you hear about the kid’s condition, let me know right away, too.”
“You’re such a softy,” Kristie told him, adding nonchalantly, “And calls from Agent McGregor should come directly to me, too, okay?”
The scowl returned. “Didn’t I just say David will take over your assignments?”
“You also said McGregor won’t make a habit of it. Which means if he calls, it’ll be important. And it’ll be about Melissa. David can’t possibly deal with that.”
“You dragged Melissa into another case?” Ray’s frown returned. “Someday you and I are gonna have a long talk about you and your alter ego.”
“And meanwhile?”
“Sure, McGregor’s calls can go to you. But don’t hold your breath. Like I told you yesterday, he’s a professional.”
Kristie suspected Ray was right. McGregor wouldn’t contact her again—or at least, not without a little encouragement. So she called him that evening just to touch base. “Did the photo of Melissa arrive?”
“Yeah. She’s pretty hot,” he said teasingly. “The guys at the bar are gonna love her.”
Kristie’s cheeks warmed. “I promised to concoct a few stories for you about her. Such as, you met her at a doll show. She was wearing a ruffled sundress and a wide-brimmed straw hat. Very sexy. Very Southern plantation.”
McGregor’s deep laugh rumbled over the monitored line. “Southern plantation, huh? No wonder I went nuts.”
“You never stood a chance.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet.” He cleared his throat. “Is the photo based on you?”
“It’s computer generated,” she insisted. “If there’s nothing else, Agent McGregor, I’d better get back to my new assignment. Feel free to call if you need me. Or if you just want to brainstorm a little. We’re a team now, you know.”
“Yeah, I’m starting to get that,” he admitted. “I’ll check in tonight. Take it easy until then.”
And right on schedule, he began calling her in the middle of the night as soon as he’d left the bar, updating her on his heart-to-heart talks with Manny, who had almost instantly proclaimed McGregor to be the brother he had always wanted. And while the lovesick thug still didn’t discuss “business” with his new friend, he did begin telling other secrets, and McGregor was pleased with the progress.
Kristie, on the other hand, craved victory not progress. “I keep trying to think of some way to catapult this to the next level,” she told the agent in frustration. “Something you can say to him to make him trust you so completely, he can’t resist sharing details about the syndicate.”
“Patience, Goldie,” McGregor advised her. “Some things are worth waiting for. I promise.”
Did he mean it to sound so seductive? she wondered. So prophetic?
Some things are worth waiting for…
“Okay,” she told him, struggling to keep her tone cool. “We’ll be patient.”
“Right. Manny’s like a fish. We’ve got him hooked. Now we’ve just gotta reel him in.”
So much for seduction, she told herself with a wry laugh, but aloud she insisted, “I’m all ears, McGregor. Educate me.”
To her surprise, he proceeded to do just that, giving her a string of examples from his own early undercover experiences. And while the nominal reason was to teach her the value of patience, she was sure he was also trying to strengthen their newfound connection. The stories were work related, but also profoundly personal, providing glimpses into his life that she hadn’t dared dream she’d ever get.
She needed those moments, not just for the visceral thrill and occasional romantic vibe, but also to keep her from becoming obsessed with the Salinger file, which was easily the most challenging case she had ever faced.
And even
