Testing The Boss(20)

Luke had popped in a few times to see whether she wanted to go out to lunch or dinner, platonically so he said, but Evelyn had nipped that in the bud. No matter what he thought happened that night in her apartment, there was nothing between them. That kiss had been a fluke. A bad judgment call that never should’ve happened. She was his handler and responsible for keeping him alive. He, more than anyone, should want her head clear and in the game.

Not muddled with images of his bare, sweaty chest in his office.

“I’m thinking tonight will be easy. You might not be able to go wherever they go. I expect there will be some private parties Brian will take Luke to. Those guys love to show off how exclusive they are. As long as his phone is on, we can get a read on his location. All you have to do is open up the mapping app that’s preloaded on the phone, and it will show you his location. I will be monitoring it from my apartment, so even if they go somewhere you can’t follow, we can at least know where they go.”

“And Longineu got a good enough look at you that he would recognize you if you were following?”

“Oh yeah.” Even though the encounter in her fake office was brief, it was more than enough to completely blow any chance of Evelyn tailing Luke herself. “Are you sure you’re free to do this?” Evelyn had gotten the okay from her boss, Hotchins, but Gail still had a large family who took up a lot of time. She’d agreed at the drop of a hat to help out, but that didn’t mean this was convenient for her. And it was overtime. Probably not the best way for a family woman like Gail to spend her nights.

“Are you kidding? Roger has the boys for a night and I haven’t done reconnaissance for over a year. I’m more than happy to get back out there.”

Evelyn snorted. She didn’t know how Gail could be so laid-back about this. Maybe not this mission in particular, but being an agent. An active agent still logging time in the field.

The world was a dangerous, messed-up place and Gail had a family depending on her. Sure, Gail was a competent agent, but Evelyn liked to think she was a good agent too. It didn’t stop her from getting shot. Why would anyone with a family depending on them put themselves in this kind of career?

That was probably why Evelyn was such a loner. It seemed too selfish to put her life on the line if someone was depending on her. She knew far too many coworkers who had tried to put down roots, only to have the job pull them apart.

But there had been the odd success story, like Gail. Her husband, Roger, was gung ho about helping with the kids and the long hours. Evelyn assumed they had talked about the risks and both accepted them. A functioning, synergetic relationship.

Evelyn liked the idea of settling down and having a family, but giving up her favorite parts of the job were almost unimaginable for her. And the possibility of finding someone like Roger who was okay with the risks she took every day seemed impossible at the moment.

Gail bent down to enter a code into the safe in her closet. She pulled out her government-issued handgun and a loaded magazine, clicking it into the weapon before she tucked it into the holster hidden by her jacket. One more reminder of what Evelyn was asking her to do.

“Hopefully this will be just as boring as a night in. A couple of guys talking numbers and business over drinks,” said Evelyn.

“Speak for yourself,” muttered Gail. “As long as no one gets hurt, I wouldn’t mind seeing a bit of action.”

Evelyn raised a brow. “You still know how to fire that gun?” She winked.

“Hell yeah. I’m at the range every weekend.”

“Hmmm. I didn’t think you’d have time to do that with the kids.”

“Are you kidding? The oldest comes with me. Our house is probably the safest place on the East Coast.”

“Note to self. Don’t piss off the Bruce family,” muttered Evelyn.

Gail gave herself one more look in the mirror, adjusting the jacket so no hint of the gun or holster was visible. “Got that right.”

Evelyn nodded, feeling much better than she had that morning about Luke meeting with Longineu. She hated the idea of him going alone, even if every logical part of her mind told her he’d be fine.

She just couldn’t shake the unease of Longineu walking right into her fake office. Had it really been a misunderstanding? Evelyn didn’t believe in coincidences in normal situations, let alone in such a delicate operation that the FBI had been working years toward.

Knowing Gail would be there as backup was just what Evelyn needed. “Okay. They’re scheduled to meet up at eight p.m., but I don’t think a location has been decided. So start heading in his direction around seven thirty?”