Page 21 of Red, White, and BearCat Blue

“All you’d ‘ave to do is say ya ran into me at a bar or something. We got talking about cars and I told ya I can’t find the model I want. I’m British. It’s a believable story.”

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “What’s the point? So, you and the FBI can arrest him?” He canted his head at Mickey who was watching us from the front seat.

I nodded, unsure how to put it. I certainly didn’t want to let him know the real reason I needed more info. “Eventually. We’d ‘ave to build a case against him and—”

Cam started laughing, holding his stomach as he bent over. I tapped my foot. When he finally straightened, he was wearing an incredulous expression. “Josiah’s not stupid and he’s got a lot of muscle around him all the time. He’s not going to believe anything you say and he’s gonna check you out.”

I knew that must be true. If this guy ran a big auto theft ring and drug ring, hiring guys like Cam to do his dirty work would make sense. He’d insulate himself so he’d be clean if he was ever arrested. And he’d sure as hell check out his buyers before agreeing to supply whatever they wanted. That meant building a bulletproof undercover background before any approach could be made.

I glanced at Mickey before looking back at Cam. “Okay, look. I’ll let ya find a car for Josiah, but I’m coming with ya.” The truth was, I’d have to clear anything like that with Candy before letting Cam attempt it. Mickey’s informant idea was looking feasible.

Cam rolled his eyes. “I already told you—”

“Mickey and I will stay outside in the shadows when ya deliver the vehicle. Josiah will never know we’re there.”

He bit his lip, rolling the idea around in his noggin for a few seconds. “Fine. And then what? I still don’t see the point.”

I smiled. “And then, you’re coming back to L.A. with us so we can discuss this with my boss.”

His eyes widened. “You’re gonna tell your boss…some big muckety muck from the FBI, about me? And excuse me, I live here. My mom’s here. I’m not going to LA.”

I laughed, gripping his shoulder. “We’ll talk about it. You’ll really like Candy.”

He regarded me strangely. “Candy. That’s the name of your boss at the FBI? Candy? Ooh…he sounds really scary. Is he in charge of the chocolate factory?” He laughed again.

I nodded. “Yep.”

“Sweet as.” He did a terrible impersonation of a New Zealand accent.

I sighed.

“Why? You never told me why you want to tell everyone about me.”

I looked deeply into his eyes. “Not everyone. Just Candy. I think it’s important to tell ‘im about Josiah and I can’t bloody do that if I don’t tell ‘im about you too. If that guy is ‘urting people, ‘e ‘as to be stopped.” I let go of his shoulder, gesturing to Mickey. He shut off the car and got out, locking it.

“What’s going on?” Cam asked.

Mickey walked up, and I clapped him on the back. “’Ow would ya like to ‘elp steal a car?”

Mickey snorted. “I’d rather stay out of prison, thanks.”

I chuckled. “We’re just gonna watch from the sidelines and then, after our friend here, delivers the car, we’ll drive to L.A. to introduce ‘im to Candy.”

Mickey grinned. “I like the last part of this plan, Mars, but we can’t watch him commit a crime.”

“We’re gonna be undercover.”

He shook his head, frowning at me. “Not unless the boss says we are. We need to talk to Candy before we do this, otherwise it’ll land us both in hot water. You for doing something so stupid and me for letting you be a fucking asshole.”

I laughed. “Course. Come on. We’ll follow our new friend to ‘is apartment to grab whatever ‘e needs, then we talk to the boss, then we’re going luxury car shopping.”

“Wait a sec,” Cam interrupted. “You guys wanna come up to my apartment?”

I smirked at him. “Of course, we bloody do. We wouldn’t wanna lose track of ya if you decided to exit out the back, now would we?”

“Fuck.” Cam threw up his hands. “Fine! Come on.”

“You follow him upstairs,” Mickey said, pulling out his phone. “I’ll fill Candy in on the stupid undercover plan.”