Page 20 of Sinner's Secret

“Huh.” That was her only response.

“Where are we going?” Baz asked. “Driving in circles is boring.”

“To the police station. We’re going to meet with my team and we’re going to explain why the operation needs to be shut down.”

“We’re?”

“Yup.”

“No thanks.”

“Baz, you’re the one who pointed out the weaknesses in our operation.”

“So?”

“So, we need your insight, someone who understands how these people think.”

“If you expect me to give you dirt on my family, you’ll be disappointed.”

“We need your perspective, that’s all.”

He shook his head. “I have the feeling your fellow police officers are going to want more than that.”

Behind them, blue and yellow lights lit up the night along with a siren, coming closer fast.

“These your guys?” Baz asked.

“No.” She glanced over her shoulder at the police car now riding their back bumper. “They’re in unmarked cars. Besides, I told them to hang back and just keep an eye out for trouble.”

“Called it,” Baz said, thrusting his hand in the air in victory. “Things just got interesting.”

Nika pulled out her phone and began texting with a speed he envied. He’d never really gotten the hang of using the tiny screen. His fingers were too large.

He pulled over, put the car in park, and watched two men get out of a genuine police cruiser in his rear-view mirror. One of the men approached the driver’s side, while the other came up to the passenger door.

Baz took a good look at the uniform the man on his side was wearing. Absolutely authentic.

“Rent-a-cops?” he asked Nika very quietly.

She shrugged.

Baz rolled his window down. “Can I help you officer?” he asked with polite brightness.

The man leaned down and, ignoring Baz completely, said to Nika, “Ma’am, please step out of the vehicle.”

Nika frowned. “Is something wrong?” she asked, her voice tight.

“This man is not to be trusted.”

“I don’t understand. He’s a friend of mine.”

The man’s voice hardened. “He’s a member of a known crime family and isn’t in any way safe. We’ll take you home.”

“I’m not going home, I’m going to the police station.”

The other rent-a-cop knocked on Nika’s window. “Open the door and step out.” It was an order.

“Out of the car,” the guy on Baz’s side barked as he pulled his gun out of his holster and pointed it at Baz’s head.

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