The camera silently captures images of the figure approaching the guard booth. The guard straightens, tucking away his phone and stepping outside to meet the visitor.
They exchange words too soft to carry, and then a sealed manila envelope changes hands.
The guard tucks it inside his jacket and shakes the figure’s hand.
“What’s in the envelope?” I whisper.
“Money. Payment for looking the other way when certain containers move through without inspection.”Gabriel continues photographing the exchange. “The guard is Hector Diaz. He’s been on the Rockford payroll for over a year. Looks like he’s decided to double-dip.”
“How do we know that’s the guy we’re after?”
Gabriel’s mouth sets in a grim line. “We don’t. Micah’s done a good job of tracking down known buyers, which is where our people are right now. Tony’s network is in ruins. So if he’s rebuilding his operation, he’ll need to set up the groundwork for the next wave of trafficking.”
The words send a chill through me. Micah came too close to being part of that “next wave.”
Gabriel’s lips thin into a flat line. “Ships are the easiest way to import humans, which is why we have people like Hector Diaz on the lookout for suspicious activity. It appears he needs to be reminded where his loyalties lie.”
My hands ball into fists. “I can be of service there.”
“I can take care of it,” Gabriel counters.
“Please,” I scoff. “Aaiden would be pissed right now if he knew the family baby was out here right now.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrow at the jab. “I’m not as helpless as you seem to think I am.”
The hooded figure returns to the sedan and drives away while the guard returns to his booth, envelope secure in his jacket.
“I got what we need.” Gabriel slides the camera into his pocket. “Now we wait for his shift to end to see where he takes the money.”
“Why not confront him right now?”
“We need to follow him to whoever’s collecting these payments.” Gabriel lifts his chin, pinpoints of light from the distant floodlights reflecting in his pupils. “Rushing in fists first is not always the answer.”
I hate to admit it, but his strategy makes sense. Better than my usual approach of breaking bones until someone talks. The thought brings on a reluctant grin.
“What?” Gabriel asks, startled by my expression.
“Nothing.” I let out a long breath and admit, “You’re not what I expected.”
His eyebrow lifts. “Disappointed?”
“Surprised,” I correct, unsure how to process this version of him. “I thought you were?—”
“A useless rich boy?” He finishes my sentence without bite.
“Yeah.”
“Most people do.” Gabriel’s attention returns tothe guard booth. “It’s easier to get close to people who underestimate me.”
The words settle between us, and I realize I’ve been played.
“So all the gifts and the flirting were an act?” The realization brings an unexpected sting of disappointment.
Gabriel turns to me. “The flirting was real. The method might have been strategic, but the interest never was. I thought you might be a man who enjoyed being courted.”
His honesty throws me for a loop, and I don’t know how to respond.
Before I can figure it out, Gabriel tenses beside me. “Security!”
