24
Two guys in suits approached as I climbed off the bike. They wore dark sunglasses, had trimmed haircuts, and looked all buttoned up. I knew the type. In their mid-30s, one was taller with a flat top and light brown hair. He was more bulky than the other, who was a little shorter. Shorty had dark hair and an athletic physique.
Out came the credentials.
"I'm Special Agent Jennings," Flattop said. "This is Special Agent Beckett. We need to have a word with you."
"What seems to be the trouble?”
With all of our past run-ins with the feds, I was cautious to say the least.
"It's about Catalina Navarro.”
"What about her?"
"What exactly is your association with her?”
"How is that any of your business?" I didn't like being on this end of the questioning.
"Are you working an operation, or is this a personal interest?"
"Operation?"
The two agents exchanged a glance.
"How much do you know about her?" Jennings asked.
"I know she seems like a sweet girl.”
Jennings laughed, and I didn't like it. He picked up on that fact. "Seems like you haven't done your homework.”
Something told me I wasn't going to like where this was going.
"Her father is Diego Navarro. He’s the head of one of the most ruthless criminal cartels. We believe she's a point man for his operation here in the States. The jewelry store is a front. There's a good possibility she orchestrated the heist and is committing insurance fraud.”
It hit like a punch to the chest.
I didn't know what to believe. I didn't want to believe it. But Catalina had a lot of money and a commanding presence. It wouldn't be totally implausible.
"She doesn't seem like the type," I said, instinctually wanting to defend her. I guess I liked her more than I realized.
The two agents laughed. "Sounds like she's got you good. That ass of hers is clouding your judgment."
My jaw tightened. "You got anything to back up your statements? Or is this all just speculation?”
Jennings and his sidekick frowned.
"If I had anything to back up my suspicions, she’d be in jail right now. But that's where you come in.”
I knew where this was going. "You want me to get close to her. Spy on her. Feed you intel.”
"You're in a prime position to do it. We've been trying to build a case against Diego Navarro for a long time. You could crack that thing wide open. You've gone on what, two dates now? We couldn't have asked for a better informant."
"I'm not an informant.” I didn’t like the fact that they’d been following me around.
"I realize that sometimes in the fog of war, things can get confusing. Lord knows a woman like that could confuse me.” Jennings chuckled. “You have an opportunity right now to take a bad man off the streets and bring down an entire organization."
"She knows I'm a cop. If what you say is true, I seriously doubt she would let any information slip that would be incriminating. She's not a fool. She strikes me as an intelligent woman."
