“There are things in this world that a woman should never have to see, or bear,” he said after a minute. “And equality be damned!”
She couldn’t even argue about it. She drew in a long breath. “I could never discuss my job with either of my parents. I’ve seen things...” She put down her cup. “That’s why we do thejob,” she said after a minute. “To try and keep that from happening to anyone else.”
“But it still happens,” he replied tersely.
She nodded. “There is evil in the world. The people who get rich from it never have to see it, or have any of their families see it. They profit. But poor people risk their lives transporting drugs so that a sick child can live or an old person can have medicine or food.”
He sipped beer. “Sometimes I think I’d love to take those fat cats down into the shadows and show them some of the things I’ve seen.”
“I’d like for the politicians who start wars to have to fight them.” He laughed softly. “I like you, Josie Blake. And if I had my back to the wall, you’re the sort of person I’d like to have backing me up.”
She grinned. “Likewise.”
He finished his beer. He took a card out of his pocket and turned it over, scribbling a number on it. He passed it to her.
She looked at it. Her eyes widened. “John’s Massage Parlor. We rub you the wrong way for money?” She burst out laughing.
“Well, it attracts less attention than the one with a star and my name on it, in case you ever get frisked,” he chuckled. “That’s a burner.” He indicated the number. “If you get in over your head, and you have a few seconds, call it.”
She tucked it into the watch pocket of her jeans. “Thanks.”
“I’ll find the sick girl. When you wrap this up, that bartender will get an orange jumpsuit.”
She nodded.
“You might share this with the Everetts,” he added. “Cole’s eldest son was a merc. He also worked for the feds. One or two of their hands did, too. And he’s got a couple of ex-mercs on his payroll.”
“I don’t dare tell the Everetts,” she said quietly. “People don’t mean to let things slip, but they can, accidentally. Besides, John Everett thinks I’m a criminal. I’d hate to spoil his opinion of me.”
“Mean girl,” he said.
He laughed. “Guilty.”
“At some point, when you put this together, you’re going to need me to come and bring handcuffs, to alleviate suspicion if you get too close to the truth. Vega is dangerous. Even more dangerous than Velasquez. Although Velasquez is the bottom of the barrel,” he added with absolute venom.
“Believe me, I know.”
“Do you know which of the two you’re actually working for?” he asked.
She shrugged. “I’ve met regional managers. Nothing higher. I’d know Vega on sight. Velasquez... well, we can’t even find a recent photo of him, online or in records. The one we’ve got was when he was seventeen.” She made a face. “No help at all.”
“If you need to spook him at any point, and you can’t afford to blow your cover, mention the Everetts’ friend that Tanner’s wife works for.”
She frowned.
“Tony Garza,” he continued.
She felt her heart skip. “You’re kidding.”
He shook his head. “He’s involved in a nice way with the Everetts’ daughter-in-law. Put her through art school and employed her at his art gallery in Manhattan. Rumor is that he’s also very attracted, and fighting it tooth and nail, to the Everetts’ only daughter, Odalie.”
“He’s a mob boss!”
He shrugged. “We all have our faults.”
“Yes, but he kills people!”
“Retired,” he corrected. He grinned. “But he still throws the fear of God into people. Even bad people. I hear you can mention his name to either of the rival drug lords and they turn pale. In fact, he’s supposed to be coming down for Thanksgiving. If we can get you arrested before then, Heather will do her best to rehabilitate you on the Big Spur during the holiday season. You’ll be safe there, in between assignments for whichever drug lord employs you.”
