Rogue Alliance

TWELVE



“So, Brennan says that you two are business partners,” Shyla said, sipping on her glass of Chardonnay. She’d have preferred to stick with the tequila, “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone in the gems industry before. What can you tell me about it? I bet there’s a lot of traveling to exotic places.”

“There can be, at times,” Victor chuckled, “but I don’t travel overseas too much these days. I did that back when I was younger and establishing business relationships. Now, mostly, I deal with the distributors I trust via the convenience of e-mail and cell phones. When I travel, it’s usually just up and down the west coast since the majority of my customers are located there. I’m afraid it’s not very exciting.”

“The west coast, huh, like Los Angeles?”

The cook walked into the dining area and set out two large casserole sized dishes.

“This here is roasted duck and the other is garlic green beans,” she said, “There is peach cobbler on the stovetop cooling.”

She wiped her hands on her apron and stepped back looking quite pleased with herself.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll just be heading home then.”

Victor gave her a beaming smile.

“No, that should do it, Emily. Thanks. I’m sure it’s delicious as usual. You’re an angel.”

Emily blushed and waved him off before excusing herself.

“She’s incredible,” Victor said, “I’m so lucky that I found her when I moved to town.”

“Does she cook for you every night?”

“No, she typically visits twice a week, Tuesday’s and Saturday’s,” Victor said, lifting the lid from the duck, unleashing a tantalizing aroma, “she prepares the next few days worth of dinners and freezes them for me to reheat. It makes my life a lot simpler. I hate to cook and, to be honest, I couldn’t cook toast if I wanted to.”

Shyla laughed.

“Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration,” he said, “but seriously, I’m terrible in the kitchen.”

He methodically cut the meat and served her a heaping plate of hot food.

“Now, what had you asked me before Emily came in…oh, yes, LA. Yes, I do frequently travel to LA, as I have many clients in that area, as well as San Diego, and San Francisco.”

She took a mouth-watering bite of the duck. It was succulent and practically melted in her mouth.

“Do you like southern California?”

“Yes, I actually moved up here from LA,” he said before taking a bite.

“Really? I’ve always wanted to see southern Cali. I hear the beaches are wonderful. Wow, this meal is incredible. Emily really out-did herself.”

Victor cocked his head to the side and gave her a sly smile.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. As for the beaches, they are pretty great. Nothing like Hawaii, but they’re nice. Maybe you’d like to go down with me sometime?”

“Maybe, I would,” Shyla smiled.



*



“I agree with Shawn,” Shyla said to Hal.

She, Hal, Shawn, and Jason were gathered in Hal’s office, debriefing. To observers it would simply look like Shyla was taking meeting minutes while Hal met with his top police officers.

“This Brennan character mystifies me. There is definitely something about him and his relationship with Victor. I’ve looked over the files. There isn’t a single photo, a single mention of him anywhere in Victor’s past dealings. He seems to have no connections within these circles or any other circle. He just appeared out of the blue. Not only that, but Victor appears to have full trust in him. They are nearly inseparable. He actually lives on the property in a building across the driveway.”

Jason leaned forward and rubbed the stubble on his chin.

“I think he’s a hired body guard. It makes sense to me.”

“I agree. The question is: who is he and where’d he come from?” Shawn said.

“Okay, so we all agree that Brennan is a mystery. And we should look into that. But let’s not lose focus here,” Hal said. “Victor is the central guy. He’s the one running the show.”

Shyla nodded.

“Agreed,” she said, “but everyone surrounding him is a possible lead, a possible weakness. It can’t be overlooked.”

“What else did you get out of this date?” Shawn asked, “and by the way, none of us are too thrilled with the idea of you dating this guy. He’s dangerous.”

“What did you think I was going to do? Stalk him from a distance?”

Shawn narrowed his gaze.

“Look, I’m saying that you need to be careful. If he finds out who you really are, you could wind up in a shallow grave somewhere. Don’t let his easy charm fool you.”

“Hey,” Shyla scoffed, “just because you two are new to this under-cover business doesn’t mean that I am. I know what I’m doing.”

“You know what…” Shawn said leaning forward and jutting out his finger. Hal interrupted before he could finish.

“Alright, you two, let’s stay focused. None of us like the idea of one of our fellow officers putting their life on the line. We’re protective over you, Shyla.

“And, Shawn, chill the hell out. She’s done this a few times. Give her some credit.”

Shawn leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest but kept quiet.

“Victor was on the phone when I got there,” Shyla said, not missing a beat, “I don’t know who he was talking to, but before I left, he took another phone call. He stepped out of the room but I could make out part of his side of the conversation. He said he’d meet whoever he was talking to at noon the Saturday after next - the fourteenth. That they’d take the Shannon out for the afternoon and work out details.”

“The Shannon?” Hal asked.

“It’s his boat. He keeps her docked in San Francisco Bay. He stays on the boat when he’s in town for business. He does a lot of sailing. It’s another one of his ‘passions’,” Shyla said, hooking her fingers in quotes, “anyway, I have no doubt a deal will go down that day. I’d like to work my way into an invitation.”

Jason straightened in his chair.

“That’s the weekend after next. How’re you going to finagle your way to a weekend away in less than two weeks?”

Shyla shrugged and gave a casual grin.

“I have my ways. The first date went pretty well and when I asked about his traveling south, he hinted that maybe he’d invite me along sometime, so it’s not a far-fetched idea.

“Also, he invited me for a drive up to Shasta Lake this Friday evening. We’re going to have a picnic. I’m sure it will be very romantic. Who knows - maybe he’ll invite me to spend the night at his place, after that. It’ll just be a matter of time before he takes me with him on one of his trips, maybe even this next one.”

“Moving pretty fast, if you ask me,” Shawn quipped.

Shyla’s head whipped around.

“What is it about this mission that you’re not getting, Shawn?” she snapped, “I’m here to work. What the hell are you contributing?”

“Seriously, Shawn,” Hal said, “if you have a problem, then say it. Otherwise, shut up and do your damn job.”

“I want more info on this Brennan guy,” Shyla pressed on, “there’s gotta be something out there on him. Meanwhile, Jason, I want you to get surveillance equipment together. If I’m going to be at Victor’s house again, I want to tap his phones. I want you guys to find out any information you can on the place he docks his boat. Get the registration and name it’s under in case it’s in an alias. Find out who runs the port and if they’re in any of the circles we’re familiar with.”

She looked to Hal. He nodded .

“Tapping his phone is definitely a priority,” he added, “and, if you get the chance, make yourself available for this trip that’s coming up. I think it would be productive. But of course, above all else, be careful.

“Our goal is to start building a solid case against Victor and link him to the activities he’s in with hard evidence, which has eluded the system for a very long time because he has friends in high places. With someone on the inside, chances of getting something that will hold up in court are much better. What we aren’t willing to sacrifice, Shyla, is you. So be on alert and watch your back.”

Shyla nodded, her head bent, as if scribbling down notes.

“Yes, Sir,” she said. When she looked up, Hal and Jason were staring at Shawn, waiting for his response. He remained silent.

“You’re excused,” Hal said, “we’ll keep each other in the loop as things progress.”

Chairs scraped linoleum as the three of them left Hal’s office. Shyla was three steps ahead of Shawn and Jason as she moved toward her desk. She heard Shawn mumble under his breath. Though she couldn’t make it out, she knew it was directed toward her.

She turned on her heel.

“I’m sorry, Shawn, what was that?”

She kept her voice low to prevent eavesdropping and making a scene. But her sharp tone was to remind him of who was really in charge of the team. She answered to Hal, but everyone knew who was taking the lead on the case.

Shawn hesitated then gave a pretentious grin.

“I didn’t say anything,” he said, “you must have been hearing things, Shyla. Have a nice day.”

He turned and walked to the back of the station.

Jason pursed his lips. He looked torn between whether he should follow his partner or not.

When Shyla turned toward her desk, she heard his approach. He stood at her left shoulder and pointed at her notepad, as if addressing a matter during their meeting. He was making sure to keep their interaction formal for anyone who might be watching.

“Don’t mind him, Shyla. He’s not used to working under a woman. He’s more the type to protect her. I’ve known him my whole life. He feels like he should be taking risks, not you. He just wants to make sure you’re safe. He’s actually a really nice guy.”

“I’m sure he is,” Shyla said, peering at him sideways, “but he needs to get his shit together if he wants to remain on this team. If we are going to work together, we all need to be on the same page. We do what it takes to take down Victor. Understand?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jason nodded. He stepped back.

“So I’ll get of copy of these minutes to you by the end of the day,” Shyla said in a louder tone.

“Sounds good, thanks.”

Jason turned and went after his partner.