Page 93 of Capture My Heart

″It’s more for us to hear if you’re in trouble. We can bust in and save you.” And if they were lucky, Stephen or Pauline would mess up and say something incriminating.

His head bobbed like the old Joe Mauer bobblehead riding around on the dash of her brother’s car.

CJ slapped his shoulder. “But don’t screw up. If we have to come in, it will blow the whole thing. Are you ready?′

Adam gulped as he pulled his shirt down. “Yeah.”

Amy opened the back door and let him out. Trey slipped in as Adam left.

She looked from Trey’s chest, covered in body armor, up to his eyes. “What do you think? You know him best. Can he do it?”

More than a drug bust was riding on this. Her father’s death. Her brother’s reputation. She’d wanted answers for so long. Tonight, she might get them.

Trey watched Adam cross the street through the window. “I hope so. He’s full of himself. Confidence is a good thing. Usually.”

Her chest sank. “Great, our whole case rests on a young cocky druggie who thinks with his dick. We’re screwed.”

Ryan popped into the van. “Show time. Swenson and Liz are dining inside and Peterson is ready to follow Adam on his deliveries.”

They put in their earpieces and pulled up the video feed that came from the pin size camera on Adam’s ball cap.

A grainy black and white image appeared on the screen. They watched as Adam entered the back door to the restaurant. He passed storage shelves loaded with cases of napkins and takeout boxes. Then he entered the kitchen. The noise level grew as dishes clattered and fryer timers buzzed. Steam clouded their video feed. He moved through to the back office and the image cleared. Pauline and Stephen both looked up from something on the desk.

″What are you doing here? I fired you.” Pauline frowned.

Shit, Amy hadn’t realized Adam was let go. It makes sense, covering her ass. Cut the guy and leave him holding the drugs.

″Relax, I told him to come in. We’re short staffed and he swears it won’t happen again. Right, Adam?” Stephen’s voice made Amy’s blood boil.

Even in the sub-par image, Amy could see Pauline’s expression. She was pissed.

″I run the restaurant. Remember that, dear brother.” She turned to Adam. “You can work tonight, but if you are a minute late on a delivery—you’re gone.”

″Yes, ma’am.” Adam turned to go.

″One more thing.” Paulie’s voice cut through the sounds of the kitchen.

He turned. His heart was beating so loud they could hear it through the microphone.

″Shit, we’re busted.” Ryan rubbed a hand over his face.

″Wait. Just because the kid’s nervous doesn’t mean they suspect anything.” CJ leaned in to gauge Paulie’s reaction.

She motioned him back into the office. Amy’s mouth was so dry. Her water was up front, but she couldn’t tear her focus away from the monitor. Trey’s breath tickled her ear as he too leaned in.

Finally, she spoke. “Adam, if you ever get caught selling, using, or even thinking about drugs while working, you’re fired. I’m the boss, not my brother. Got it?”

He nodded and the image bounced on the screen. “Yes, ma’am.”

Ryan dropped into the front seat. “Well, shit. That blew our case. What drug dealer threatens to fire their employee for selling drugs?”

″I don’t know.” Trey scratched his jaw.

″What are you thinking?” CJ asked.

″I’ll have to watch it again when Adam’s done, but did you see her brother during Pauline’s lecture? Not only did defiance flash in his eyes, but I’d swear he shook his head like Adam wouldn’t be fired.”

CJ nodded. “Also, did you catch, she said, he’d be fired if he were “caught” selling. Not for selling.” He used air quotes on the word caught.