Page 12 of Shattered

“In a meeting.”

“Lanie didn’t need to be there?” I wondered out loud.

“Oh, she did, however getting your shit straightened out took priority. Waverly agreed.”

Never in my life had I been anyone’s priority. Evenwhen Gran was alive, the two of us combined our efforts to ensure Jett was taken care of. I was both humbled and a little shocked at her divulgence.

“What’s with the sour look?” Henley nudged my arm with her elbow when I pulled out onto the street.

“Huh?”

“You’re either constipated or confused. I’m trying to decide whether you need an enema or a swift kick in the ass.”

“Neither, thank you very much.” Taking a few deep breaths, I continued, “It’s always been just me and Jett, so I’m still getting used to the fact there are people in my life who care.”

“I hate your parents,” she muttered under her breath.

“Join the club.”

3WELCOME TO THE HOOPLA

Koen

It had been a long, exhausting day of pounding the literal and figurative pavement in search of new leads to help us close several cases currently under investigation. All of us, minus Lanie who’d left early, were catching up on the piles of paperwork we’d neglected when Duncan announced we had visitors.

“Gentleman, I’d like to introduce Special Agents Reed Hendricks and Oakleigh Harty from the DEA,” Waverly announced when she entered the conference room.

Strolling in behind her, the two agents moved to occupy the open chairs on the opposite side of the conference table, where I sat with Noah and Keaton. Duncan took up his usual spot, leaning back against the wall with his feet crossed in front of him. Waverly joined him, which should’ve been my first clue something was off. Typically, she would have sat at the head of the table.

“Thank you, RAC Mitchell. We’ll get straight to the reason we’re here.” Reed slid a folder to each of us. The man looked to be in his late forties, while Oakleigh barelyappeared old enough to vote. They were both dressed in business casual with their service weapons secured on their hips.

“I presume you’ve heard about the latest and greatest drug to hit the streets, Tranq Dope,” Oakleigh began. “What you may not know is we believe it’s being manufactured here in West Virginia.”

“We’ve narrowed the players down to one particular group with ties to Los Tredos in California.”

At Reed's mention of the name of the gang responsible for gunning down my father, my blood ran cold. Los Tredos was into everything from drug and gun trafficking, kidnapping, prostitution, and murder.

“Not surprising,” Noah scoffed.

“With all due respect, let’s cut the bullshit. What do you need from us?”

Keaton said what we were all thinking. This meeting was about more than the opportunity for a career-making drug bust. When the two agents shifted uncomfortably in their seats, a knot formed in my stomach.

“We believe Los Tredos is attempting to expand their extensive repertoire. The gang's top dog, Victor Macha, was recently spotted having dinner with Machail Bolotov, the head of the Bolotov Bratva,” Oakleigh explained. “Two days later, an unmarked SUV carrying a federal witness set to testify against the Bratva, along with their protection detail, exploded five minutes before it arrived at the courthouse. Everyone inside the vehicle was killed instantly.”

A chorus of “Fucks” rang out through the room.

“It was a test of loyalty,” she went on. “For the past three months, we’ve partnered with Homeland in attempts to infiltrate Los Tredos.”

Duncan left his post against the wall, dragginga chair out from under the table and spinning it around, then eased onto it backward. “How’d that work out for you? They’re blood in, blood out.”

“Which is why we want to try to get someone on the inside here in West Virginia. Away from the watchful eyes of the big boss.”

“You obviously have a plan, so you may as well just spit it out,” I grumbled.

“We’ve had Brandon Little under surveillance for a little over a month. According to what we’ve observed, he’s the drug connection to Los Tredos. He’s also a sucker for gorgeous blondes.”

“You want Lanie to go undercover.”

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