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But when I look around, I see just as much suspicion in everyone’s gaze. And why wouldn’t they doubt me? I met with the Feds. I’m the outsider here.
And Nero needs their loyalty, now more than ever.
So, as much as I want to be a part of this, I play it smart. I take a step back. “It’s OK,” I say. “I’ll be here when you’re done.”
I go upstairs, leaving them to discuss the situation without me. I try to distract myself, taking a shower after the long day, and then dressing in comfy sweats. I go to my studio and try to focus on my application for the Newton School, but it seems like the least important thing in the world, with Nero’s fate—and my freedom—hanging in the balance.
What happens now?
I sit in front of a half-finished canvas, my mind racing. If someone is snitching to the FBI, that means I’m in danger too. Lydia swore to bring me down with Nero, and she’s a woman who keeps her promises.
So what can we do? I feel way out of my depth here. If one of Nero’s trusted lieutenants has secretly turned against him, then who knows what they’re saying—or how we can stop them?
The meeting lasts an hour.I hear the front door opening and closing, and then Nero’s footsteps on the stairs. He enters my studio, and stands there in the doorway, looking stern.
“Well?” I ask, moving to slide my arms around him. “Do you have any idea who it is?”
He shakes his head.
“But you’re not thinking it could be one of them, are you?” I ask.
“Who the hell knows?” Nero starts to pace. “I was hoping that someone would give something away. A twitch of the eye. A nervous hand tremor. Shit, I don’t know. I wanted to be able to look into their eyes and know if they were innocent or guilty.”
“I’m guessing that didn’t work?”
Nero shakes his head. “How do you spot a traitor? I can’t trust anyone right now. I don’t want to believe that any of them are the mole, but I can’t be sure. It could be some low-level guy with a grudge. Or someone just looking for a payday. Hell, it could even be someone lured by the Kovaks to sell me out. I just don’t know.”
I try to think clearly.
“We need a list of suspects, and then a plan to narrow it down,” I say. “Who had a chance to know about the shipment that got busted? You can start there.”
“And then what?”
“Then… We set a trap,” I realize suddenly. “If this guy is feeding information to the FBI, then give them something to feed.”
Nero frowns. “I don’t get it. The last thing we need is another leak.”
I shake my head. “It won’t be real information, it’ll be bait. You pretend you’re setting up another shipment.” My idea takes shape. “The last one got busted, so you need to make up for that. You tell everyone it’s last minute, top-secret, whatever. But you tell every suspect a different time or place for it,” I add.
He breaks into a smile. “So they run along and pass that info straight to the Feds.”
“Exactly.” I agree. “You say you’ll be there, too, to make sure everything goes smoothly since everything went to hell last time. The FBI won’t be able to resist busting you in person, so they’ll go all in with another raid.”
“And we’ll be able to see who the fuck leaked the info, depending on where they show up.”
“Exactly.” I smile.
Nero looks at me, impressed. “It’s a good plan.” He moves closer and pulls me into a kiss. “Maybe you’ve got a future as a criminal mastermind.”
“No thank you. I just want to make sure we’re safe,” I say, cupping his cheek. “So this deal with the Kovaks can go through, and we can finally be safe.”
“I want that too, baby,” Nero murmurs. “So bad.”
He kisses me again, before reluctantly pulling away. “There is one thing, though,” he pauses.
“What?”
“You’ll need to plant the info with Avery.”
