“Oh, good. Both of you. I have news from Lila’s phone.” Agent Carson enters, closing the door behind her. “She received two texts tonight. Both of them concerning.”
My hands ball into fists. “Jesus Harold Christ.What now?”
Ignoring my childish outburst, she explains, “First one was from the burner phone.”
For clarity, I ask her, “The one she messaged to set up a meeting?”
“One and the same.” Carson nods, continuing without missing a beat. “The text moved the meeting up. Tonight at midnight. Same location.”
Oh, hell no.
Andrews jumps ahead. “And we still have no location information on the owner of the burner, nor do we know where the original meeting was, right?”
“Affirmative.” Agent Carson faces me, her expression downshifting fromDragnet: Just the Facts intosomething more human. Now she’s just Bianca. “Reed, how do you want to handle this meeting? We can’t let her go without a tail. Do youwant me to send someone, or will you do it? Did you roll her yet? Will she wear a wire? Let’s face it. Her involvement is confirmed. Oak Winds had already flagged her as a high-loss dealer, and now we knowwhowas at her table. We need her to?—”
“Easy, Carson.” I take a quick breath while considering my response. “I made good progress today. If the call to nab Riddick hadn’t interrupted us earlier, she’d have already confessed everything by now. She’s at my place, waiting for my return, and we’ll talk more then. I’ve got eyes on the hallway at my condo, and I’ll know if she leaves.” I check my watch. “We have two hours to decide how to play this. If it comes to it, I’ll follow her. No fucking way she’s going on her own.”
“Got it. We’ll circle back in about an hour.” Satisfied with my decision, Bianca attempts to move on. “Next text was?—”
Andrews cuts her off. “Easy, speedy. Aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves? Did Lila even agree to the meeting?”
Bianca shakes her head. “No reply yet. However, based on the sender’s language, there wasn’t room for discussion. He didn’t ask for confirmation.”
I massage the tension in my neck. “The other message?”
“It was from your sister. Also unanswered as of now. Here.” Carson shoves a piece of paper in my face with a screenshot of the message.
Lila leaving this one unanswered makes sense, considering how today went. She’s gotta be wrecked about Kenzie’s betrayal. No doubt she’s spiraling. Unlike me, Lila doesn’t compartmentalize well. Wish I were there with her. She shouldn’t have to face Kenzie on her own.
While this text is concerning to me on an emotional level, I don’t get why Bianca would find it alarming. “Carson, they’re friends and roommates. What’s the big deal?”
She sweeps her eyes from me to Andrews, her brows lifted inquisitively. “I take it you didn’t show him the picture.”
Andrews shakes his head, his jaw clicking. “That was up next on the docket before you came in.”
Well, fuck fuck fuckety fuck balls.
Judging by his reaction, this one might sting. No wonder he wanted me to sit down for this chat.
Resigned to let the chips fall where they may, I feel my shoulders sag. “Don’t wait for me to attempt a guess. Get it over with. Show me the damn picture.”
Andrews pulls up something on his computer and spins the monitor to face me.
Despite the instant confusion about what I’m looking at, my protective instincts flare.
With my pulse skyrocketing and adrenaline pulsing, I grit out, “What thefuckis this?”
THIRTY-TWO
Bopping the bean
LILA
My vision blastsa hole through the book on my lap, although I haven’t read a single word. To be honest, I don’t know what book it is. After my snooping fail, I just grabbed one and fled the room like it was on fire.
Two unread texts taunt me from the coffee table where I’ve set my phone. Sadly, I can’t ignore them forever. The glimpse I got via notification pop-up detonated an anxiety bomb in my gut.
Big girl panties, Lila. Hoist ‘em up.
