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That bastard. He knows darn well I want nothing more than to expose Vincent. “I’ll do what you need me to do. But once we’re done, I hope to never see you again.”
“You got it, baby cakes.”
“You’re intolerable.”
“Right back at—”
“Enough!” Agent Bishop snaps. “Both of you. We need to focus on the next two days. This case went from a drug bust to much, much more. Our intel says Leoni expects around seven, possibly ten containers to arrive at Calumet Harbor. We’re guessing those containers each house close to forty girls.”
A wave of nausea hits me, and I cover my mouth.
“Hey, you okay—?”
Logan comes toward me, but I slap his hand away. “Don’t touch me.” I need to take a few deep breaths. “Renaldo mentioned some of the product was lost. Those girls are dying in there. We have to get them out.”
“I know, and we will. We just have to play our cards right.” Agent Bishop drops a folder onto the table and spreads photos of mugshots in front of me. “Addy, now that you know what’s going on, we’re going to need you to also be aware of the people around you. Vincent deals with some heavy hitters. Since you’ve been alone with Vincent twice now, do any of these people look familiar? Anyone he may have come in contact with?”
I lean in and scan the photos. “I was never really around anyone but him and his henchmen.” I throw a jab at Logan, giving him a nasty look.
“Maybe anyone at the restaurant?”
“I told you, no.” Agent Bishop shares a look with Logan, then nods.
“When Vincent had his meeting with Renaldo Valdez, was the contact he had on his payroll mentioned for the Calumet Harbor?”
“No, just that he had it taken care of.”
“Did Renaldo look like he knew who the contact was? Did he pry for any information on who it could be?”
“No. I mean, I don’t know. Vincent seemed bored by the whole interaction. Look, why are you still sitting here? Why don’t you just go intercept those containers? Why are you waiting? Innocent girls can die between now and then.” I become anxious imagining those poor girls. Have they been fed? Are they able to breathe in there? “This is ridiculous. You’re wasting your time on me!”
Logan steps toward me, but the look I’m giving him must indicate I’ll claw his eyes out if he comes any closer, and he stops.
Agent Bishop takes the lead. “We would if we could, but we got word Vincent has yet to set up the shipment for delivery at Calumet. Which means he doesn’t plan on the containers going there. Right now, we’re going in blind.”
This time, I do turn to Logan. “But he showed you his plans. The paperwork that had Calumet highlighted?”
“And we think it’s a decoy. We think Vincent has the containers being rerouted under Renaldo’s nose. They’re his waterways, therefore he can grant those orders and Renaldo wouldn’t get wind until the last minute.”
I shake my head. “I don’t understand. Why would he scam Renaldo? He wants his business.”
Logan speaks up. “We think so. But he wants to cut Renaldo out and take his whole business. Like I said before, when he wants something, he takes it.”
“Oh, we’re back to that? Well, it’s too bad he doesn’t want you that bad!”
“Grow up—”
“Knock it off!” Agent Bishop snaps. “This is serious. A lot of lives are at stake. I need you both to play nice. I won’t have this blown over your lover’s quarrel—”
“It’s not a lover’s quarrel!” we spit out simultaneously.
He shakes his head at us. “I don’t care what it is. I need you focused, Broderick.” He looks at his phone. “Chino’s just been spotted entering his house. Time to go.”
I gaze back and forth between them. “Wait, time for what?” Suddenly, I feel way safer sitting in this room and may stay here until all this blows over.
“The best thing we can do right now is to act normal. We have eyes on Chino. Which means he’s not lingering in the area looking for you. And Vincent’s phone is tapped. If there’s any indication he’s onto you, we’ll pull you instantly. Until then, we go on as planned.”
Act normal. Which means go home with Logan and pretend I don’t want to rip his head off. “And the girls?”
“Miss Finch, our goal is to safely bring them back to their families. Right now, keep your ears and eyes open. With Vincent being enthralled with you, it’s important to be aware. If you find yourself alone with him or in a situation that may be helpful—”
“She’s not gonna be alone with him again—”
“And you’re not my keeper.”
“No, I’m the one who fucking—”
“Jesus! Do I need to put you two in timeout? Broderick, you’re already on thin ice. Let’s not give the department any more reason to suspend you.”
