Page 11 of Above ’N’ Beyond

“We need recorded evidence.” Jenkins made a move to step closer, then thought better of it when Jax lowered his head and growled. “It’s the only way to get a court order to plant bugs inside the Bistro and at Paola’s house.”

“Not gonna happen.” Jamie rested his hand on Jax’s head before his dog made a late-night snack out of either the body wire kit…or Jenkins. “I’ll get you probable cause, but not by wearing a wire. Your snitch was wearing one. That’s why his body was found floating in the Hudson River. The wire was shoved down his throat.”

Jenkins’s face twisted into a mask of indignation. “That’s classified information. How do you know that?”

“I’ve got my sources.” Inside the FBI, truth be told.

One of Jamie’s best friends—Dayne Andrews—was a K-9 agent with the Bureau. Too bad Jamie had to get saddled with a guy like Jenkins. Jenkins was no Dayne Andrews.

Dayne would always have his back and had given Jamie the real scoop. But he’d never reveal his source to Jenkins. “Sending your CI in wired was a mistake. One I won’t make. When this case is over, I’d like to come home. And not in a pine box.”

He yanked open the door. Jax followed him from the house, leaving Jenkins to stew things over.

Washington caught up to him on the sidewalk. “Say the word, and I’ll pull you off this assignment any time.”

“I know, thanks.” For his dad’s sake, he had to see this through to the end, and he had to do it fast.

Then he’d have to pray the FBI made good on its promise.

Chapter Four

Jamie followed Bella’s black-and-red Mini Cooper as it turned left on Broadway. Jax’s snout rested on his shoulder, his big tongue barely an inch from Jamie’s head.

The temporary K-9 handler who’d partnered with Jax while Jamie was in Sing Sing told him Jax had never stopped looking for him. Since their reunion last night, Jax hadn’t let Jamie out of his sight. He’d whined until Jamie finally let him sleep on the bed. One pat on the mattress was all it had taken, and Jax had pressed himself against Jamie’s back and stayed that way the entire night.

He gave Jax’s chin a good scratching. In return, his dog landed a big ole wet one on his cheek. “You know, buddy, I’ve never been spooned by a dog before.”

Jax uttered a soft woof.

The Mini Cooper turned left on 6th Avenue, heading up a steep hill. Last night, before meeting up with Jenkins and Captain Washington, he’d run surveillance on all the players’ homes. Bella’s house was only a few minutes from the Bistro, and Paola’s was a short distance from there, north on Broadway. Since getting released from prison, Tony had been bunking with Paola.

When Bella pulled into a short, paved driveway and parked, Jamie pulled in behind her. Jax’s ears went upright as he stared through the windshield, watching her get out of the Mini Cooper.

The house was a small two-story colonial built about ten years ago. He’d known Bella had a tenant in the downstairs apartment but hadn’t known the tenant had departed. Tony “suggesting” he stay here presented him with an unexpected opportunity, one he planned to take full advantage of.

By living in Bella’s apartment, their paths would cross that much more, without the prying eyes of Tony or his crew. He’d be in a key position to get more information out of her on Paola and the Bistro. He could also monitor Bella’s movements more easily, see who came to the house.

He snapped a leash onto Jax’s collar. “Let’s go.” Outside, he opened the rear door for Jax, snagging the leash as his dog jumped out. They met Bella at the bottom of the front stairs.

The smile that graced her lips at Jax’s approach was a stark contrast to the straight-faced look of suspicion she’d given him when they’d first met.

In a very un-cop-like fashion, Jax wagged his tail furiously, wriggling his body in a clear invitation.

She held out her hand for Jax to sniff. “He’s a big one and so beautiful.”

“Jax, bow to the lady.”

Jax arched his back, lowering his upper body to the ground then remaining that way for several seconds before standing again.

Bella’s smile broadened. “It’s very nice to meet you, Jax.” She cupped her hand behind his ear, scratching in just the right spot that always made Jax groan with pleasure.

Sure enough, Jax tilted his head into her hand and loosed a groan deep in his throat.

When Bella looked at Jamie again, her smile faded faster than a bolt of lightning. “This is the yard.” She indicated a small patch of fenced-in grass about the size of a postage stamp, then leveled him with her cornflower-blue eyes. “Picking up after your dog is an absolute, non-negotiable requirement of living here.”

“Yes, ma’am.” When Jamie touched two fingers to his forehead in mock salute, her lips pursed, and she arched a brow. Tough crowd. He had his work cut out for him.

“I’ll show you the apartment.” She pulled a set of keys from her pocket and opened the ground floor door adjacent to the yard.