“I’ve got several updates,” Cooper continued.
“Great,” she replied.
“The Bomb Maker rented a furnished house. The arson detective told me there was nothing personal in the home beyond the blowup dolls and some bomb-making supplies. Like the first time, he set a trap, knowing we’d track him there.”
“I need to follow up with the homeowner,” she said.
“I spoke with her. I’ll read you my notes. Hold a minute.” After a pause, he returned. “She said she rented it to a person named Pat Smith. The homeowner knew nothing about him or her.”
“How did she get the rent money?”
“Cash through the mail.”
“Fingerprints? A return address”
“Neither. She deposited the money, tossed the envelope.”
Simone’s hope fizzled.Another dead end.
“There are ten ALPHA employees who’ve been with the group for the past five years,” Simone said. “I’m vetting everyone but Dakota and Slash, but I’m having trouble believing this is an inside job.”
“Same,” Cooper replied, “but both times, The Bomb Maker knew we were moving in for an arrest.”
“What about someone who got fired from ALPHA?” Simone pressed. “Someone with a grudge?”
“That makes more sense. Continue investigating current employees while I ask around.”
“Would Z know?” Simone asked.
“Who?” Cooper asked.
Oh, crap.
“What did I say?” she covered.
“It sounded like Zee.”
“I meant Dakota. Would Dakota know?”
“I’ll check.” Cooper ended the call.
Cooper doesn’t know about Z?
Rather than berate herself for mentioning him, she jumped back into work.
At three-thirty, her doorbell rang. She’d eliminated a female Op who’d been with ALPHA since its inception, a male Operative, and a woman on the Internet team.
Seven to go.
Back on the first floor, she glanced through the living room window. Luciano’s Rolls Royce was parked out front. Excitement flitted through her. She opened the door and her heart skipped a beat. Luciano stood there with his hand in his pants pocket looking runway-ready.
“Hello, Simone.”
His husky voice, paired with the irresistible way he said her name, hummed through her. How could one man undo her so easily? She steeled her spine.
Get real. This is work.
“Time got away from me. Come in while I change.”
