Page 50 of Wicked Suspicion

“Torres?” Jorge Torres, an international arms dealer, wanted the treasure? Why the fuck didn’t the Big Dog tell him this? It was a sure thing the captain was aware of it. Sometimes this need-to-know bullshit went too far.

“That’s what Frankie said. Apparently, his men are surrounding the convent where the brooch was discovered, but they haven’t made any moves.”

“That you know of.”

She nodded. “That I know of.”

His team had been on multiple missions to end Torres’s empire. It was difficult to get to him because he never left his estate. Could they use the treasure to lure Torres out?

Nyx watched him closely, and he put the idea aside. He’d have to discuss it with BD. “Two groups interested in the treasure isn’t everyone,” he pointed out.

“The Paladin League makes three. Archer, my boss, wouldn’t have sent us if he didn’t think we had a chance of finding it. There are too many other historical treasures to be saved. Something is going on.”

“You said a brooch that was part of the treasure is being auctioned off?”

“It was auctioned. Frankie filled me in. Archer didn’t inform any of us. Some friend of Frankie’s fiancé located it last year in the abbey.”

Kyle Winter. He’d been assigned to work undercover at the convent last year and was there again on this mission.

Damn, his op was becoming more and more tangled with the treasure. That put Nyx at even greater risk.

Chapter 21

Oziah West took meandering route around Trujillo. More than once. The last thing he could afford to do was lead any of Vargas’s men to the safe house. He swung through the open-air market, bought a tamale, and ate as he meandered, looking at the items for sale.

The vendors didn’t approach him. Some appeared relieved when he moved along without buying anything. He was used to it.

That brought to mind a certain prissy little blonde. She’d been uneasy around him, too. At first. She’d overcome it quickly enough, though.

Yeah, quickly enough to make his trip to Los Angeles for Stony’s wedding memorable. Oz patted his pocket and returned to eating.

Reaching the front entrance to the market, he leaned against the façade and finished his lunch. When he was done, he tossed his garbage in a nearby can and resumed his walking tour of the city. He needed to talk to the captain, but Oz wasn’t looking forward to the conversation. The Big Dog was not going to be happy.

When he was sure his tail was clear, he angled his direction toward the house. He continued evasive maneuvers right up until he reached the place. The upper floor was painted yellow, the bottom floor pink, and the garden that passed for the front yard was a mess. It hid the front door, but he went around to the back and let himself into the kitchen.

It was reflex to glance over at the small bistro table in the corner, but the captain wasn’t parked there with a cup of coffee. Oz went looking for him. He heard him before he saw him.

“I already told you getting her out of the compound wouldn’t be quick or easy. Stop checking in. I’ll let you know when there’s anything to report.”

A brief silence.

“I have two men working on it. They’ll take care of it.”

Oz pushed open the door to the room the team used as an office. Captain Nguyen looked over when he came in, and said, “Hang on, Archer.” BD put the phone on hold without waiting for a response.

“Do you have news on the Paladin League employee Vargas is detaining?” the captain asked without preamble.

“Lurch got her out. He said they’re going to lie low for a while.”

“Any injury?”

“No, Lurch watched out for her. She’s good.”

“Take a seat,” BD said, “and let me get off this call.” Again, he didn’t wait before tapping the screen. “Good news, Archer. Your employee is rescued. She’s fine and with one of my men. He’s going to keep her off the grid until the heat dies down. That’s another one you owe me.”

Oz took the remaining seat in the office and waited for BD to finish his conversation. After disconnecting, he slid the phone on the table that passed for a desk. The captain studied him for a moment, and then asked, “What’s up? I know you didn’t come here just to tell me about the rescue.”

There was no point beating around the bush. “I got fired.”

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