Tonya tensed as I approached her vehicle. A flash of my badge disarmed her somewhat. She was a good-looking woman with a petite frame, elegant features, a small nose, and big brown eyes. Easy to look at.
"What can I do for you, officer?"
"You planning on knocking off the place?"
Her brow wrinkled. "Excuse me?”
"You're casing out Apartment #108, aren't you?”
"I'm sorry, but you’ve got me mistaken for someone else.”
I shook my head. "You’re Tonya Hart, aren't you?”
She looked stunned.
"Where's your boss? The White Rabbit?"
She stammered. "I'm sorry, who are you again?"
"Deputy Wild with Coconut County. Look, I know what you're after. I know the woman in Apartment #108 has it. People have already killed for it. How about you tell me exactly what's in that Easter egg?”
Tonya hesitated for a long moment.
“Two people are dead.”
After a beat, she said. “I can’t discuss client business.”
“I’m gonna say it again. Two people are dead. I want to know what’s going on.”
“Am I breaking the law? Have I committed a crime?”
“Not yet. But if you’ve got ideas about breaking into that apartment to recover whatever it is you’re after, then you’re going to be on my bad side. I don’t think you want that.”
She gave me a flat look. “Okay, lawman.”
“Evelyn was selling corporate secrets, and you’re brokering the deal.”
“I’m not doing anything. I’m just sitting here, minding my own business. And you’re starting to attract attention.”
I stared at her for a long moment. “You know this is a dangerous neighborhood.”
“Do I look scared?”
As sweet as she appeared, I figured Tonya could handle herself.
“Look, Tonya,” I said, leaning against the door. “You tell your boss to get in touch with me. I don’t care what kind of deal you’vegot working or who you’re brokering the data to. If my hunch is right, Rory had Evelyn killed. I want him and whoever else is responsible behind bars.” I handed her a card.
She took it and looked it over before starting the Mustang. The engine roared. Tonya put it into gear and pulled away from the curb.
I called Isabella as I walked back to the bike. “I need another favor. I was just talking to a lovely young woman. Can you pinpoint and track any devices that were near mine on Channel View?”
23
“I’m here to see Rory Sinclair,” I said, flashing my badge to the receptionist at the exclusive office.
Disturbed by my presence, her face contorted with uncertainty. "Do you have an appointment?”
I smiled. "It's more of an impromptu visit."
