Page 46 of Made of Steele
“What if we sent Mackenzie to interview him?”
“Mackenzie?”
“She’s really good at doing interviews. She has a podcast about millennials and faith.”
“And that applies to Rossi, how?”
“One of the articles quoted him as saying he was active in his church and in coaching youth soccer there. Mackenzie could say she wants to get his take on the millennials he’s worked with and how he sees faith combining with sports.”
He frowned. “If I’m Rossi, I’d be asking of all the people in the world who are involved in sports, why does this woman want to talk to me?”
“Yeah, good question, but you know how many people in the Pacific Northwest aren’t churched, so she could say she did an internet search and his name came up.”
“And what? She has an urgent request to talk to him? These things usually take time to arrange.”
“She could say she had a cancellation for her show and ask if he could fill in. We’d have to read her in on the investigation, but I guarantee she wouldn’t tell anyone.”
“Sorry. I don’t think it’s a good idea. She won’t likely learn anything helpful in the interview. She could even raise his suspicions. I just got a meet scheduled with him, and I need him to remain complacent.” Drew planted his hands on his thighs. “I don’t think the reward is worth the risk.”
Teagan didn’t want to admit it, but he had valid points. “You could be right. Maybe it’s not a good idea. I just want to help. Usually, I have my family to run these kinds of ideas against, but being without their support and direction is hard.”
“Trust me. I get it. That’s one of the most difficult parts of undercover work. No one to bounce ideas off and having to act quickly much of the time.” He got a faraway look on his face.
“And no one you love there to support you.”
“Yeah, that too.”
She wanted to take his hand and hold it. Not good. She focused on his broad chest instead. “So why did you come by?”
“Couple of things. As I mentioned, Sal is arranging for me to meet with his source tonight to ask for heroin as collateral to hold while he washes my money. Since the source for the money laundering is Rossi, he’s got to be behind the drugs too.”
She looked up. “Your meeting with the Conti brothers went well, then?”
“On the surface, it looks like it. We’ll see what happens tonight. Our meet is set for one a.m.”
“Anything I can do?” she asked hopefully.
“Actually, there might be. Once I get the drugs, I’ll need them analyzed right away. Our labs are way too backlogged to do it on a timely basis.”
“You want me to get someone at Veritas to analyze it?”
“Could you?”
“Let me call Maya Lane. She’s their toxicology and controlled substance expert.” Teagan got out her phone, dialed Maya’s cell phone. The call connected right away.
“Maya, hi. Teagan Steele. I need a favor.” Teagan described the situation, added that an ICE agent needed the results immediately, but they wouldn’t have the sample until after one a.m.
“No worries. I’ve got plenty of work to keep me at the lab until then. Just call me when you have it, and I’ll tell our guard to expect you.”
“Thank you, Maya. I’ll owe you big time.” Teagan ended the call. “She’s a go. We call her when you have the drugs, and she’ll tell the night guard to expect us.”
“You’re going to the lab with me?”
“Unless you don’t want me to.”
“I’ll be glad for your company.”
“That’s settled then. What else did you need?”
