Page 66 of Matrix

“Will you be able to stay objective if shit goes tits up and we can’t pull her out?” Scar asks.

“Yes,” I say confidently. When it comes down to stuff like this, I can focus.

“Fang looks like a science nerd. Bring him with you,” Talon says. “I can’t go because they’d recognize me from Lulu’s.”

“Thanks?” Fang cocks his head. Apparently, he doesn’t like being called a nerd, even though that’s exactly what he is. I know because I’m one too. Unlike him, I’m proud of it.

“What about Daisy? Can we bring her with us?” I ask.

“It might make them suspicious,” Scar says.

“She managed to fly under our radar without raising any red flags.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“I know her. She won’t want to sit tight and wait.”

“Bringing her along is a good idea. She can identify her sister,” Reaper says.

I’m shocked he’s on Daisy’s side for once. I was starting to think he hated her, not just because she’s a Fed, but for some other reason that I couldn’t fathom.

“How soon can we set this up?” Scar asks.

“I’ll get you, me, and Daisy booked into the hotel.” Fang starts clicking away on his keyboard to make it happen.

“They gave me a business card to call whenever I want to go to Lulu’s,” Talon says.

“We’d essentially be cold calling,” I point out.

“No. We’ll tell them one of their frequent customers referred you. I’ve got a list of names we can use, people we’ve seen coming and going from the house multiple times. You can pick someone from the list. I just sent it to your phone,” Fang says.

My phone pings.

“I’m not even going to ask how you got my completely unlisted, unregistered number,” I growl.

“Child’s play.” Fang smirks.

“If you found mine so easily, then why did we have to go to the strip club to get Lulu’s?”

“They change it too much. It was the only way we could be sure it was current.”

“If you say so.” I pull up the list and whistle. “Seriously? All of these people have been to Lulu’s? There are politicians, sports stars, actors. Shit, didn’t she win some big award last year?”

“Yep. She’s a grade-A pervert.”

“No shit.”

“As they say, the list is long but distinguished.”

“More like disgusting,” Reaper says.

“Agreed.” I stand and walk toward one of the windows. “I’ll make the call now and see if we can get the cartel to bring Angela to us.”

“Go ahead,” Vapor says.

After Talon passes me the card, they sit silently while I call Lulu’s. After a lot of explaining and schmoozing, I finally get around to telling them exactly what I want. I describe Angela to the tee. “The girl should be about thirteen. Too much younger, and they cry all the time.”

“Go on.” The oily voice on the other end of the line comes through clearly.

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