Page 8 of Made of Steele
“No worries.”
Teagan looked at him. “We need to keep this between us until we decide what to do.”
“Of course.”
“Means not telling your wife, brothers, or sister.” His brothers ran an investigative firm and his sister was the trace evidence expert at a local private lab that handled work for law enforcement.
He tapped his chin. “Gonna have to tell Toni something about why I took off in the middle of the night, and I won’t lie to her.”
“Okay, tell Toni but swear her to silence too.” Teagan felt this getting out of hand. The fewer people to know what was going on, the better. Not only because letting a guy get the drop on her was embarrassing but because she didn’t want the rest of her family to find out either.
“She won’t tell anyone.” He headed for the door.
When the black steel framed glass door whisked closed behind him, Teagan turned on her sisters. “And that goes for the both of you. Not a word about the incident to anyone.”
Mackenzie’s mouth dropped open. “You mean keep it from the rest of the family?”
“That’s exactly what I mean.” Teagan planted her hands on the table. “You know Dad and Uncle Gene. If they heard I was manhandled, they’d be down to WOC in a flash to confront the Contis. We can’t have that happen until after I locate the guy who restrained me.”
3
“She what?” Drew gaped at Harris, once again in their concealed meeting place in the alley, dark with overhead clouds blocking the early morning sun.
“You heard me.” Harris scowled. “Steele went to her friend and former agent, Clay Byrd. Had him call me to see if we’re interested in pursuing the lead she found. Told me all about your attack and how eager they were to locate a man named Dylan.”
Drew figured Teagan would be persistent. He’d worried about it for the rest of what was left of his night, and now she’d proven him right. And far faster than he’d expected her to act. He couldn’t fault her for her sense of urgency. Just that it was pointed at him. “And you told Byrd what?”
“No, of course.” Harris crossed her arms over her gray suit jacket. “Said Steele had nothing to go on. Which she doesn’t. But we have to figure a way to stop her from spreading this info across the whole world.”
Drew’s thoughts exactly, but how? “I hope you have a good idea because I’ve been thinking about it all night. Can’t come up with a plausible plan other than arrest her and put her in solitary until the investigation is over.”
“You know we can’t do that,” Harris said, as if she believed him to be serious. “What if we joined forces with her?”
Drew worked hard not to frown at his supervisor’s idea. “What do you mean join forces?”
“We read her in on the investigation and swear her to secrecy. She had a stellar reputation as a detective for Clackamas County. I did some digging and learned they were sad to lose her, so she must’ve been a valued member of their team.”
“But we can’t work with a civilian,” he said, thinking more that he couldn’t work with the woman who could easily distract him.
“Then let’s not. I’ll get on the horn to Lieutenant Gutierrez at Clackamas County. Persuade him to deputize her for the duration of our investigation and have her join the team if necessary.”
Drew knew his boss could bend even the staunchest advocate to her will. She could do most anything she put her mind to, but him working with Teagan? Not a good idea. Not at all. “I really don’t need her help.”
“Maybe not, but if she’s deputized, we can at least read her in and swear her to secrecy. She’d be bound by code to keep quiet.”
Drew got the feeling that once she knew about the op, she would keep quiet no matter her status. All they would have to do was ask her, but he didn’t say anything. When Harris got an idea in her head, she wasn’t looking for any more input.
She widened her stance. “I’ll call Gutierrez as soon as I get back to the office. Once he’s onboard, I’ll get approval from upper management to bring her in to your op with limited duties.”
“What about UCOS?” he asked. “How do you plan to bypass the requirement of her attending Undercover Operatives School?”
“Don’t you worry about that. I can claim exigent circumstances and get approval. You be thinking how to bring her in and how much to tell her. The less the better in my mind.”
“If she’s not fully read in, how exactly do you see the two of us working together? The Contis know both of us, and I doubt they would see us forming any kind of business partnership.”
“Okay, you’re right. Then let’s not do business.” She raised her shoulders. “Dating. You could form a fake relationship.”
His mouth dropped open, but he snapped it closed. “Don’t you think the Conti brothers would argue about me dating the COO of their security company? I’ve presented myself as a guy who’s willing to break the law, help with their antiquities smuggling, and am looking for opportunities to launder my illegally gotten money. Doesn’t seem like they would want the two to mix.”
