Page 32 of Blood Money

From the corner of his eye, Gray again caught Dom grinning, something he had half a mind to do himself. This Alex was a force to be reckoned with. Damn but she was giving as compelling an argument as any high-priced New York City lawyer could.

He glanced to Lt. Frye, who sat silently. Gray waited for the signal, Lt. Frye’s nearly imperceptible nod that would give Gray the green light to acquiesce to Alex’s demands.

“How much money does each of Nicky’s treatments cost?” Gray asked.

“About four thousand dollars, when everything is said and done.”

Agent Wilson sucked in a breath. Agent Tanner let out a soft whistle.

Gray could hardly believe the exorbitant amount. “How often does Nicky need these treatments?”

“Every month,” Alex said firmly. “His next treatment isn’t due for another three weeks.”

Gray shook his head, wondering how Alex could pay any bills with that kind of cash going out of her account. He suspected she would never have accepted money from him outright, but he could have made her a loan or put her in for extra performance awards. He would have found some way to help, but she’d made it clear last night she didn’t want his assistance. Not that he could blame her. He hadn’t spoken much to her in the last week. Dating a woman he couldn’t trust was so not gonna happen. From this point forward, she was the proverbial forbidden fruit.

Although he was the lead investigator on this case, even a detective first class didn’t have the clout to authorize that much money in cooperator funds. Again, Gray looked to Lt. Frye, who nodded once.

“It’s a deal.” Gray handed Alex a pen for her to sign the cooperator agreement.

“I want it in writing.” She shoved the document across the table to him.

This time, Gray couldn’t stop from smiling. This pretty blond had all but manipulated the NYPD into paying her forty-eight thousand dollars.

Gray began scribbling the details of Alex’s demands in the margin on the last page.

“I want this witnessed by two other officers,” Alex added, “including Lt. Frye.”

“You missed your calling.” The lieutenant smiled as Gray passed him Alex’s agreement to initial. “You should have been an attorney.”

Dom chuckled, as did the other men in the room.

“Two more things,” Alex added. “As a sign of good faith, I want you to specifically note that I requested this money be paid directly to Nicky’s doctor immediately after each treatment. I’ll forward the bills as soon as I receive them. I wouldn’t want anyone to think I used the money to buy a brand-new Porsche or a chalet in the Swiss Alps.”

Holding back another smile, Gray made the requested notation and handed the document first to Dom to initial as the second witness, then back to Alex for her signature. While Alex signed on the bottom of the second page, he cursed fate like there was no tomorrow.

Alex Romano, aka Aileen Alexanderson, was a helluva courageous woman, one who would do anything to protect her child. Something Gray couldn’t help but admire. Yet much as he’d once wanted her, she was a police cooperator—a woman he could never let into his personal life. He’d sooner chew on a bullet than break that cardinal rule.

“And the last thing?” Gray narrowed his eyes.

“Naturally, I want a copy of this document.”

“Of course, you do.” Gray laughed bitterly.

Alex was now officially an NYPD cooperator and someone who would undoubtedly be fired when she was no longer of any use to the department. Even if she did stay out of jail, she could still wind up with a criminal record.

“For the moment,” he said to Alex, “the plan is simple. If you get a text from the Pyramid, save the text and call me right away, no matter what time it is. If you get a call from the Pyramid, you record it.”

Gray stood and went to the end of the table. He opened up the small, black plastic case and pulled out a set of wires and a digital recorder. “I’ll show you how it works. Give me your phone.”

Alex brought him her phone and stood near him but not too close, he noticed. Warm drafts from the heating system wafted her delicate, flowery perfume to his nose. She smelled good. Really good. And the way she filled out that snug black suit made him want to run his hands up and down her hips, tracing her soft curves.

“We’re outta here.” Agent Tanner and Agent Wilson rose and headed for the door. “Let us know when they make contact. The FBI is happy to provide manpower for any surveillance you need for the meet.”

“Same goes for HSI.” Agent Geer followed the other agents out the door.

“I gotta roll out, too.” Without looking at Gray, Dom stood and shoved his pad under his arm.

“Got something going?” Gray asked.