So that was why she wanted him to step back. Luke smiled. “Haven’t you heard? Invading personal space is much more fun with less clothes involved.”
She let out a small laugh. “Dick,” she muttered as she finished putting the chip in the phone and sealed it back up. “So I’m now officially listening to whatever you’re saying around your phone. So don’t talk shit about me when it’s around.”
“Only behind your back and away from the phone. Understood.”
She gave him a look, but he couldn’t tell whether she was more amused or annoyed. “The recording quality could be compromised by where the phone is located. So try to keep the microphone unobstructed. On your desk would be best. If you have it on your person when you’re out, try to wear slacks, not jeans, since the material is lighter. Or, better yet, a belt clip that holds your phone but doesn’t cover the mic part.”
“So there’s no way for them to sense this? You don’t think they’ll wave me down like the movies?”
“If they were going to search you for a wire, they would ask you not to bring your phone inside.”
It wasn’t the quick rejection of the idea he was expecting. He’d just go ahead and assume that it wouldn’t be like the movies. “I will do my best to catch every syllable the bastard says.”
“I’m glad we have an understanding.” She was quiet then, and they stood like that for a few long seconds. Eventually, she finally let her gaze trail lower, and he couldn’t keep the smile off his face. No matter what she said, he was going to get her in bed. It might not be until after this whole thing was over, but it was going to happen.
Evelyn finally let out a sigh. “I’m going to try to stay scarce today. I doubt Longineu would tag me as FBI, but better safe than sorry. I’ll have my door cracked and will be thoroughly eavesdropping, so I’ll hear if Cali brings him over.”
“I’ll feel very safe knowing that you’re nowhere to be seen.”
She narrowed her eyes but didn’t give any witty comeback. Instead, she turned to head out of the room, taking her bag with her.
“What’s all that?” He pointed to the bag.
Evelyn shot him a grin over her shoulder. “Toys. I don’t think we need to completely wire up the office for this one meeting, but I like to have the tools here just in case.”
“Never get between the feds and their toys.”
“Got that right.” She reached the door. “Remember, I’ll be right across the hall if you need anything.”
“Trust me, I’ll remember.”
CHAPTER SIX
Evelyn had listened in on a lot of people in the past decade, and she couldn’t think of one who she liked more than she had before hearing all their private conversations. But Luke was the first.
For some reason, the cocky, arrogant ass she was so used to wasn’t around when he spoke to anyone else. After overhearing a phone call between him and one of his male managers, she’d assumed that maybe he was just that way with women.
But he was also a perfectly decent human being around Cali too. No sexual innuendo, he listened to her ideas, was respectful even when he disagreed and never once said anything rude. He was charming, polite, and most of all, smart. He was able to maneuver people to his way of thinking without even making it seem as though he was disagreeing or sounding like some oily used-car salesman.
Evelyn managed to get a few items of paperwork done in the few silent moments that Luke wasn’t on the phone or in some meeting, but for the most part, she tried to familiarize herself with Brian Longineu as much as possible.
The forty-five-year-old was heir to a Texas oil fortune. He had a beauty queen trophy wife but was known for his side relationships. Based off correlating travel and credit card records, the agency thought that his affair with Joslyn Devereaux had lasted for about six months. His tax returns showed a steadily increasing wealth consistent with legit investments, but Evelyn had a feeling that if they knew where to look, they could at least get him for tax evasion.
Because if he was in the Thirteen Stars, and a leader of them from what Evelyn suspected, he was making a lot of money he wasn’t reporting on those tax returns.
“Luke, there’s a Mr. Longineu here for you,” said Cali from the hallway.
Evelyn perked up and turned up the volume on her earbuds. She didn’t want anyone else knowing that she was listening in, and this way she could have the volume as loud as possible.
“Great,” said Luke. “Send him in.”
Evelyn pulled open the drawer and grabbed out a pen and paper to take notes. The entire conversation would be recorded, but she wanted to write down anything that stuck out to her just in case.