Page 88 of Smoke Screen
And risking prison time.
Apparently not because now Rohan leaned closer to the phone. “Sir, this is Rohan. How would you like us to handle contacting this person?”
“Louis is getting another call from him in an hour. I’ll get instructions then.”
Zeke poked the screen. “We’re on mute.”
Phin jumped right in. “We need Louis out of this. If he offered a reward after Thompson nixed it, he’s too much of a loose cannon. Lucky for us, this wackadoo reward idea got us some movement.”
“We don’t know that yet,” Rohan said.
Phin nodded, conceding the point. Zeke unmuted the phone. “Sir, I’d like to suggest we ask Louis to step aside. In our experience, it’s best to work directly with the dealer.”
“I agree,” Thompson said. “Too many cooks in the kitchen, and Louis doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing. You’ll have more experience with this. Tell me how you want it done and we’ll do it.”
“We’ll give you a phone number,” Zeke jerked his chin at Cruz, who was already out of his chair and moving to the storage closet where they kept a stash of prepaid phones. “It’s a burner phone. Have Louis give his contact the number and tell them to call us. We’ll set up a meeting to vet the information. If this is legitimate, we’ll plan to recover the jewels. Is that agreeable?”
“Absolutely. Thank you. I prefer to keep the FBI out of it. At least for now. It won’t make me popular, but Louis said his contact is adamant. No law enforcement. Are you comfortable with that?”
Considering their brother was one of the lead agents on this case? Hell, no, they weren’t comfortable.
Phin raised his eyebrows, prayed for the floor to swallow him so he wouldn’t have to experience Ash’s wrath when he found out about this.
“You’re our client,” Zeke said. “We’re fine with however you’d like to handle it.”
Cruz reentered the room, burner phone in hand. Zeke took it, located the label they’d attached to the front of the box with the number. “Sir, do you have a pen handy? I have that number for you.”
“I’m ready.”
While Zeke read him the number, Phin glanced at Cruz, then moved to Rohan, who was probably already considering all the things that could go sideways.
His brothers. Funny bunch.
“Let us know,” Phin said, “after Louis makes contact.”
“I’ll call you. Stand by.”
They disconnected, and Phin let out a long whistle. “Talk about a development.”
“Yeah.” Zeke set the phone down, tapped his fingers on it. “Could be nothing. If word is out that Louis is desperate enough, they might be playing him.”
“For sure,” Phin said. “We should set up a meeting with whoever this is. In person. Someplace public. A lot of people. While that’s happening, I’ll call Rory. See what he knows.”
“Agreed,” Rohan said. “Let’s look at this guy, see what kind of proof he has. If we think it’s legit, we can make a deal.”
Fifteen minutesafter Phin had left her, Maddy wandered into the kitchen in search of a snack. Or maybe a sandwich, since they hadn’t stopped for lunch.
On the unlit stove sat a Dutch oven, the cover failing to contain the aroma of slow-cooked meat and rich spices that sent Maddy’s system into some sort of euphoria. If she spent too much time in this house, she’d gain weight. Lots of it.
All she’d wanted to do since she stepped foot on the property was eat. At least that’s how it seemed.
Taped to the side of the island was a note from Lynette. Maddy paused, admired the neat, no-nonsense script informing the reader—or readers—that she and Johona had decided on an impromptu trip into town for shopping and an early dinner, but everyone, including Maddy, should eat.
These people. So kind.
Maddy had never been big on shopping and searching for items she probably didn’t need. All that precious time wasted. She was more of an I-need-it-and-will-order-it person. Her newly gained popularity with the press had more or less eliminated the option of a casual stroll around a quaint little town.
She’d done nothing wrong and now, unless she wanted to be hounded, she couldn’t even go out for a meal.
