AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Leaving the drinks untouched, they exited the booth and threaded their way through the crowd towards the backstage area, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the real show was just beginning.
People laughed and chattered around them, their voices blending with the noise from the casino floor. The scent of alcohol and sweat hung heavily in the air.
“Almost there,” Jane replied, her eyes scanning the room for the entrance to the backstage area. They approached a heavy door guarded by a barrel-chested security guard. The man widened his stance, barring their way.
“Backstage is off limits,” he grumbled, eyeing them suspiciously.
Bridger studied the larger man. He could take the guy down with one well-placed blow, but this mission was all about stealth. He held up the napkin. “Romero sent for us.”
“Let me see that.” The guard snatched the note from Bridger, scrutinizing the note before grudgingly stepping aside. “Fine, go ahead.”
“Thank you,” Bridger replied, his tone bordering on sarcastic as he and Jane slipped past the guard and into the dimly lit backstage area.
The stage door swung shut behind Bridger and Jane, sealing them off from the noise of the casino. They found themselves in a narrow hallway, brightly lit by harsh overhead lights. The faint hum of electrical equipment and the distant echo of applause guided their steps deeper into the backstage labyrinth.
“Over here,” called a voice, smooth as silk yet tinged with a hint of gravel.
Bridger followed the sound, turning a corner to find the Amazing Romero seated in front of a mirror, wiping theatrical makeup from his face. Gone was the ebullient showman who had commanded the stage; in his place sat an elegant man, salt-and-pepper hair framing intelligent eyes that watched them cautiously.
“Nice show,” Bridger remarked, breaking the silence.
“Thank you,” Romero replied, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly. “I get a kick out of using my skills in a different arena.” He set aside the cloth he’d been using to wipe the stage make up off his face, meeting Bridger’s gaze in the mirror. “I’ve been wanting to meet Eileen’s star pupil. Anyone who intrigues a mind as big as hers is…of interest.”
Bridger leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. “Getting a read on me?”
The man grinned, clearly not taken aback by Bridger’s terse tone. “She’s quite taken with you. I think I can see why.”
“Thanks,” Bridger said, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the praise. “We have a long drive ahead of us. Can we get into your intel?”
Romero nodded, leaning forward. “Eileen might have told you, I have contacts at many levels in the Bureau and the Agency. Sources I trust. The agents who came after Miss Reilly are indeed legit Special Agents, all with excellent records and commendations.”
“Great,” Jane muttered. “So they’re good at their jobs.”
“Here’s the thing,” Romero continued, his voice low. “I couldn’t find any evidence that they’re currently working a case. Not anything in the official channels, anyway.”
Bridger’s heart pounded in his chest. Not good. Paige hadn’t found any evidence of their current cases in her poking around either, but to have a closer source fail…
“I had to dig way deeper than I should have to root out the intel,” Romero said. “Unofficial word is they’re starting a RICO investigation into an outfit called Sunshine Wealth Something.”
“Solutions,” Bridger added, his stomach clenching.
The older man frowned. “These agents are working off the books…or someone’s covering their tracks very well.”
“Either way,” Bridger mused, feeling the weight of the situation settle over him, “we need to tread carefully.”
Romero met his gaze with a solemn nod. “I wish I had better news. You watch your back out there, Captain.”
“Always do.”
“Sorry,” Jane said, her puzzlement evident as she looked between Bridger and Romero. “I still don’t get why this is a bad thing.”
“Think about it,” Bridger began, his words measured. “If they’re hiding their investigation from their own people, who are they working for?”
“Or against,” Romero pointed out.
“Rogue agents,” Bridger concluded, the words heavy with implications that weighed down on all three of them.
“So not good,” Jane muttered, clearly unsettled by the revelation.
