Part 7 (1/2)

”Instead of paying me, you take the money and donate it to the pet adoption fund at my clinic.”

Rheyna let out a melodramatic sigh. ”Is that all? Here, I thought you were gonna demand my first born.”

”That comes with the next pup you adopt.”

It was Rheyna's turn to laugh. ”Okay, Doc. You got a deal.”

”In that case, I will see the two of you tomorrow morning, if you're open.”

”I have an appointment at eight, so any time after that is good,” she lied.

”See you tomorrow then,” Caroline said before hanging up.

Rheyna looked down at the puppy sleeping peacefully in her lap. She felt bad about using her-actually, only a small part of her felt bad. The logical side of her brain was forcing her to think about her true motive. Was she only doing this to find a way into the Castrucci household, or was she reacting to her own emotions? She ignored the last question. For G.o.d's sake, she was a FBI agent. If anyone knew what that job entailed, she did. She tried to push all thoughts from her mind that didn't pertain to her job. It was her job to gather as much Intel and evidence against Anthony Castrucci in order to put him behind bars. If it meant using his daughter for whatever means she deemed necessary, than that was exactly what she was going to do.

She got up from the couch and decided to take the puppy outside for a small walk. She stepped out on the deck, and an overwhelming pang of guilt rocked her. There was no need for her to question the feeling. She knew where it was coming from. She hadn't been attracted to any other woman since Jenny, and her mind was telling her the attraction she felt for Caroline had absolutely nothing to do with her job. Now faced with this truth, her logical side was working overtime, trying to convince her that the attraction was purely physical. She knelt down to ruffle the puppy's fur and for the first time in three years, she couldn't stop the tears from streaming down her face.

In a small apartment located in the downtown section of Palo Alto, the recording tapes were spinning. Unbeknownst to the occupants inside Pal Joey's Bar and Grill, the Pandora's Box surveillance team was across the street, listening in on their conversation.

Mafia Don Carlos Ma.s.sino's Consigliere, Roberto Failla, and Foot Soldier Mike Little Mikey Labruzzo sat at a corner table in the back of the bar with Castrucci's Soldier, Henry Venutti. Henry reached inside his jacket pocket, pulled out a thick envelope, and handed it to Roberto.

Roberto scowled deeply, his eyebrow raising as he opened it and peered inside. He skimmed his fingers across the thick wad of cash and then tossed it in his briefcase. He leaned menacingly over the table toward Henry. ”Where the f.u.c.k is Sonny?”

Henry cowered back further into the seat. ”I told ya, he had other business to tend.”

”What the f.u.c.k is more important than this?” Roberto demanded.

Henry took a deep breath. ”The Feds, that's what. He's had a tail the past couple days and decided to lay low.”

Roberto jabbed his stubby finger at Henry and leaned in closer. ”You tell him the Feds will be his least f.u.c.king problem if he doesn't clean up the G.o.d d.a.m.n motherf.u.c.king mess over in L.A.” Roberto stood up and gathered up his briefcase. He tossed several bills on the table. ”You tell Anthony to plug the f.u.c.king leaks, capische?”

Henry slid out of the chair and followed him toward the front door.

Roberto turned to Henry. ”You tell him the problem better be fixed before he leaves on business.”

Stevens turned to Edwards. ”What's he got his panties in a bunch over?”

Edwards reached across the table and turned the volume k.n.o.b down.

”Two nights ago, we intercepted one of their boat s.h.i.+pments and confiscated over a hundred pounds of pure heroin,” Artie said before Edwards had a chance to answer.

Over near the window, Laura continued peering through the camera lens. She snapped several photos of the men standing on the sidewalk. She stepped back from the camera and turned to Edwards. ”From the sound of it, they definitely know that we're getting' inside information.”

Edwards nodded in agreement. ”And that makes it all the more dangerous for our informants. Do we know where he's going yet?”

Laura shook her head. ”Nope, but they rescheduled the photo shoot with Rheyna because of it.”

Stevens walked over to look out the window. ”Our informant in L.A. thinks the s.h.i.+t's about to hit the fan. Ma.s.sino wants his answers, yesterday.” He paused to light a cigarette and took a drag before continuing. ”We also intercepted a conversation between Roberto and one of his soldiers. Our Intel was dead on-Ma.s.sino is demoting Castrucci for his insubordination.”

Laura raised her eyebrows. ”Wow, so not only is he being pa.s.sed over as Anastasia's replacement, he's about to become a grunt.”

Edwards rifled through the stack of papers lying on top of the conference table. He turned to look at Stevens. ”We get the warrant for the wire tap yet?”

Stevens shook his head. ”Nope, should be anytime now.”

Edwards turned to Laura. ”When is your next contact with Rheyna?”

”Nine-thirty tonight.”

Edwards stood and pulled his jacket off the chair. ”Okay. I'm flying back to Was.h.i.+ngton tonight to meet with the Deputy Director and Ron. In the meantime, Laura, you call me immediately if anything unexpected happens.”

Chapter 8.

Rheyna took a deep breath and pulled the door open. A large brown paper bag and a tight and s.e.xy, stonewashed pair of Levi jeans greeted her. Caroline slowly lowered the bag from in front of her face and smiled at Rheyna.

”Well, h.e.l.lo there,” Rheyna said.

”Hi, I hope I'm not too early,” Caroline said, looking a little unsure of herself.

”Are you kidding? Please come in.” Rheyna moved out of the way to let her through the door.

Caroline followed Rheyna into the kitchenette and set the bag on the counter. ”I brought some things for the puppy. I hope you don't mind.”

”Yep, I mind. I want you to leave and take everything back, right this very second.” Rheyna laughed at the expression on Caroline's face. ”I'm just kidding. h.e.l.l no, I don't mind. I was planning to go out later to pick up a few things for her and you just saved me a trip. So thank you and please tell me how much I owe you.”

Caroline smiled at her. ”First off, you're welcome and we can just add it to your donation and has anyone ever told you that you might be a little warped?”

”Personally, I think you have to be warped to survive in this world of ours. Makes things a little easier to stomach,” Rheyna answered honestly.

Caroline started to respond, but the puppy got her attention. She limped happily over to Caroline with her tail wagging fifty times a minute. Caroline knelt down to her level and lovingly ruffled her fur. ”She sure looks a lot better than the last time I saw her.”

”Yeah, she's a real cutie. I think she and I are gonna get along just fine.”

Caroline stood and crammed her hands into the front pocket of her jeans. ”Have you thought of a name for her yet?” she asked.

Rheyna thought about it for a moment and then realized she hadn't given it a second thought. ”No, I've been calling her puppy.”

Caroline smiled as the puppy nudged her hand, wanting more rubbings. ”You do know that you just got yourself a new best friend here and that she will love you with no questions asked?”

For some reason, Rheyna got the feeling Caroline was making the comment more to herself than to her. I really, really like this woman, she thought as she watched Caroline hug the puppy tightly against her chest.

Caroline looked up at Rheyna and smiled. ”What do you think about Annie?”