Page 22 of The Twilight Theft

Scarlett nodded and did the same. “I’m Scarlett Reynolds, my number two is Emmett Reynolds, I understand you all know Malcolm Sharpe, Rav LaPierre for security, and Jayce Monroe, who’s our subject matter expert.”

Subject matter expert. That was a new one.

With the pleasantries over, I dove in. “Did everyone review the information packet I prepared? Including this morning’s update with the high-risk individual list?” Gideon’s assistant had sent me the names of every business contact, former employee, and acquaintance the Tremaines suspected might want to see them fall. It was a long list.

Heads nodded around the table.

“Then we won’t spend too much time here since we’re working under a tight deadline. At Scarlett’s suggestion, we’re going to partner up across team lines to improve communications and cover more ground. Zaria, you’ll be with Emmett. Your first task will be to speak with the caterers who’ll be working with the event staff. There are a couple of employees on their list who need further vetting. Start with management and go from there.”

Zaria nodded and looked at Emmett across the table from her. Her smile told me there would be no complaints about that pairing.

“Scarlett and Malcolm, you’ll be visiting the security team today.”

“That should be my job,” said Rav in his thick French accent. He’d served as a clearance diver for the Canadian Navy. Given the spotty information between when he finished dive school and when he left the Forces, he must have worked for CSIS or JTF2. “I served with one of the men in the past. I want to be certain that won’t cause a problem.”

That made sense. I’d have to adjust the plan. “Wyatt, you’ll pair up with Rav—”

Wyatt, who’d been leaning back in his chair, rocked forward. “You arenottelling me he’s my date for the party.”

“I am.” And I’d expected this reaction. There simply weren’t enough women on the Reynolds team to go around.

He sat back again, laughing. “No one is going to believe I’m attending with someone like him. Set me up with Jayce.”

From her spot against the wall, she snorted. “Tried that already.”

Wyatt stood and walked over to her—no, that wasn’t a walk, that was a swagger. His Texan was on full display. He sidled up next to her, giving her a blatant once over. “I think we make a perfect couple. We could go anywhere, including into a coat closet in the back.”

Jayce smirked at him and his ridiculous innuendo. “Then Drew and Rav can scowl at everybody at the event. No one would question the two of them hanging out together.”

A hard ball settled in my gut.

Zaria grinned, accustomed to Wyatt’s overt flirting, and Emmett shook his head.

Before I could lay down the law, Scarlett spoke. “You raise a valid point, Wyatt.”

Scarlett Reynolds had always impressed me. In particular, I appreciated how well she convinced people to do what she wanted. If I didn’t know better—if I hadn’t researched her background—I would have sworn she’d been in the intelligence community.

Obviously, she wasn’t finished. Wyatt should have recognized that, too, but he waggled his irritating eyebrows at Jayce.

“However,” Scarlett continued, “we’ve already discussed this. Jayce will only work with Drew or with Craig.”

Wyatt, still smiling at Jayce, said, “Like a man in power, do ya?”

She crumpled her granola bar wrapper and held a hand over her mouth while she chewed. “I like the man who feeds me.”

“Nothing personal, Wyatt.” It definitely wasn’t personal. I found her annoying, and she was the biggest variable on this job. Wyatt would have let her get away with anything. I was the one who’d keep her under control. “But we’ve already established the teams.”

He pushed off the wall and retook his chair at the table. “Then I can partner with Craig. Or let me go solo. If I can’t have a pretty young thing on my arm, I work best alone.”

When his gaze landed on Scarlett, Malcolm sat forward, darkness flaring in his eyes.

Scarlett put an end to the conversation, clasping her hands on the table and appearing perfectly calm. “It’s the most efficient way for our teams to stay in touch with each other. And I believe Craig is going to be coordinating the Bishop communications?”

Craig nodded. “Drew suggested I use the manager’s office. That will allow me to watch their security feeds.”

Scarlett said, “And our off-site team will plug into them as well, providing us with remote support.”

Jayce finally joined us at the table, sliding in between Wyatt and Zaria. “What’s the point of the event? Why are they unveiling a data chip at a charity art gala?”

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