Page 29 of Shadow Operative

Gage wasn’tsure he should be bringing Nia with him to question this Darius guy.

On the other hand, he needed to figure out her motive. Needed to find evidence to seal the deal that she was the killer.

But he was curious also about this Darius guy . . . as well as about Brittany.

Why hadn’t Rob mentioned Brittany to Gage? It still seemed strange and suspicious within itself.

However, his friend had seemed both anxious and happy lately. A strange combination, but Gage supposed it just depended on which moment he was talking to Rob.

One day, Rob would be talking about the amazing opportunities before him. The next day, he’d sound downcast as he fretted over new ideas and what he wanted to do with them.

He’d had amazing success with Water Splat. He’dbeen developing another app for the past several months. The last time Gage had spoken with him, Rob had a third idea he wanted to pursue, one he was really excited about.

He hadn’t shared any details with Gage, though.

All he’d said was, “Big decisions. I have big decisions to make.”

Gage hadn’t asked what exactly that meant. He figured he’d find out when he came here to visit. Now it was too late. Whatever those big ideas were that Rob was working on, Gage might never know.

The cab pulled to a stop in front of Avenue 12, and he and Nia stepped out.

They paused on the sidewalk, and Gage stared at the club’s simple black sign with the cursive letters above a set of tinted glass doors. A brute of a man slipped inside, which led Gage to again question whether or not he should have let Nia come with him.

But why should he feel protective of her if she was a killer?

His thoughts collided inside him. He knew they didn’t make sense. But they were there, nonetheless.

He and Nia were here, so he’d need to make the most of this situation.

“You ready for this?” he asked Nia quietly.

She stared at the building, trepidation in her gaze. Finally, she nodded. “I am.”

They walked to the door, and the brute stepped out. He crossed his arms as he blocked them. As he did, hisjacket moved, revealing a gun tucked into a holster near his shoulder.

“We’re closed,” the man announced.

“I’m hoping to talk to Darius,” Gage said. “It’s important.”

“About what?” the man growled.

“A personal matter.”

The bouncer only grunted. “You’re going to need to do better than that. Either you have an appointment or you leave.”

Nia stepped closer, an easy smile plastered on her face. “I’m wondering if you all are looking for any investors here at Avenue 12. I’m interested. Very interested.”

“Who are you?”

“Nia Anderson with The Anderson Group.”

The bouncer stared at her a moment before touching something on a headset at his ear and mumbling into it.

Gage tried not to be impressed with Nia. But he was.

Nia had been calm and cool under pressure.

Just like any good killer might be, he supposed. And, for that matter, she was a far better actress than he would have guessed.

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