Scott had planned to keep to himself the incident that occurred on the road a month ago. He could handle himself. But the drive-by of his parents’ home in New Jersey over the weekend hinted at something altogether different. If some sick bastard was scoping out his family, he needed backup. So he had decided to reach out.
Undercover operatives were assigned a handler while undercover. Dave Wilson had been Scott’s only point of contact while he was on the job. Dave had monitored him, provided instructions, and assistance. When it all went sideways, Dave had been there with the manufactured backstory that extracted him before he was exposed.
Usually the handlers had some form of cover themselves, creating a convenient excuse for why the agent would be in contact with them. Dave had been Scott’s uptight cokehead brother-in-law whom he sold to from time to time.
“You sure you’ve told me everything? Is there anyone else we need to include in the scope? A regular girlfriend?”
“Don’t have one.” Scott’s expression didn’t alter but his handler changed the subject. Dave knew more than anyone how messed up Scott had become after his divorce.
“It’s just as well this new task force assignment is taking you off the street for a while. If there’s a real threat, the Pagans will either give up when they can’t find you, or intensify their efforts to pick up your trail. If they choose door number two that will make it easier for us to track them, and protect you. Meanwhile, I’ll check with ATF and see if they’ve picked up any talk of a bounty on a narc’s head. When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow. DEA is anxious for us to get under way.”
“Where will you be?”
Scott shrugged. “How about I call you?”
The former handler looked over his notes. “For the record, can you think of anyone else who might want you dead?”
Scott smiled. “A name or two comes to mind.”
“Want to share?”
“Maybe I’m wrong.” His smile widened as he recalled how close Nikki had come to kissing him that day in her place. He’d been able to remember little else when not on the job. She was still attracted to him. Even if she did hate his guts.
“You’re wasting my time.”
“Yeah. Sorry.”
Long pause. “If I get anything you’ll hear from me. Meanwhile don’t get yourself fucking dead playing the hero.” This was Dave’s standard parting line.
“Yes, sir. I won’t be leaving myself open to approach again.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“What the hell?” Yardley Summers crossed the parking lot of Harmonie Kennels to greet her latest students, her expression reflecting her thinking. None of it was good.
Officer Nicole Jamieson grasped the leash tightly as her K-9 Hugo went airborne at the end of it. His repeated jumps were impressive, all four feet off the ground as ninety-five pounds of black Bouvier cleared more than two feet of air with each leap.
Six feet away, straining at the end of her own leash, Agent Scott Lucca’s chocolate Lab, Izzy, stood at full alert, growling at Hugo’s antics.
The mixed doggy messages were clear: Hugo was gonzo happy to meet Izzy while Izzy thought Hugo was a bad idea in every possible way.
Yardley already knew the reason why, though Agent Lattimore had neglected to mention it. It’s why she always did her own background checks even if she’d been sent the official files. Trust but verify. This tiny oversight was a time bomb. Agent Scott and Officer Jamieson were once married.
She could tell them she knew, but she wanted to hear it from the pair themselves. Their explanations would reveal a lot and tell her if, and possibly how, to proceed.
She reached Cole first. “Control that gorgeous beast, Officer Jamieson.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Totally embarrassed, Cole barked orders to her canine partner. “Hugo. Nein. Fuss.”
Hugo stopped jumping and trotted back to heel at Cole’s left side. But his happy-to-see-you-let’s-play attitude had him squirming. “Sitz.” He sat but his butt continued to do a happy dance.
Yardley moved in close then waited until Cole gave Hugo the go-ahead to greet their instructor. “Hello, you handsome devil.” She bent down and Hugo moved to let her pet him. “How fine and strong you are, Hugo. What a sweetheart.”
Yardley stood and turned to Scott.
Scott curbed his dog before she could speak. “Izzy. Fuss. Blieb.”
When Izzy had moved back next to her handler, Scott let out her leash and took a couple of steps forward himself, leaving her behind to offer a smile and his hand to Yardley. “Morning, ma’am. This is my fault.”
Yardley ignored his offer of a handshake. “Don’t fall on your sword just yet, Agent Lucca. This unacceptable behavior is on both of you.”
Once again, she moved into range, of Izzy this time. Izzy, whom she’d helped train, immediately came up to lean against her leg to be petted. “Pretty girl. How sleek you are. Like an otter.” She bent lower. “Yes, you are a beauty, my girl.” Izzy licked her trainer’s face.
Yardley treated her dogs like small children, unashamedly doting on them in a singsongy voice of affection. It was humans she seldom gave a second chance.