Page 36 of Steers and Stowaways
“No better time than the present.” Gage moved across the room to tap a few numbers into the security panel on the wall. A door popped open, leading deeper into the subterranean maze of passages. “We’ll be anxiously awaiting your report.”
Tucker huffed out a chuckle. “Like you guys won’t be listening the whole time.”
“True.” Gil pointed at the yawning tunnel. “But we have no idea when the cartel might return, so…”
His meaning was clear. Tucker needed to hurry. “I’m on it.” He stepped through the doorway into the dim passage on the other side.
“One more thing,” Dave called after him.
Tucker glanced over his shoulder, surprised to see the attorney swinging something and preparing to toss it. He cupped his hands and nodded.
A cell phone thudded into his hands. It was Mallory’s. “Was it bugged?”
“Nope.” Dave’s expression told him that Gage was right. Dave didn’t truly suspect Mallory. He probably never had. He’d just been baiting Tucker to get a rise out of him. It was what lawyers did best. In doing so, Dave had verified to himself and everyone else in the room that Mallory Evans was more than Tucker’s client.
“Neither was Chip’s.” Dave tossed a second cell phone to him. “Thanks to the rush the sheriff put on the warrant, the Heart Lake Police are now tapping Chip’s line. They’ll be able to read every text and listen to every phone call.”
“Perfect.” Tucker gave a low whistle.
“Find out whatever else you can about Chip Silva,” Dave advised. “Mallory’s got him all softened up for you. Should be as easy as pie to go in there and play bad cop.”
“Roger that.” Slipping the cell phones into his pocket, Tucker dug his own out and turned on his flashlight app. It proved to be unnecessary. A few steps into the tunnel, his movement triggered the motion-detecting recessed lighting. He was able to switch off his flashlight app as he traversed the surprisingly clean andwell-lit passage.
It didn’t take long to reach the room Mallory and Chip were locked in. He pressed his ear against the door. Sure enough, he could hear their voices on the other side.
He rapped lightly on the door with his knuckles.
The voices grew silent.
He knocked again, a little louder this time. “Mal? It’s me, Tucker.”
He could hear a scrambling sound as she stood and hurried to the door. “Tucker?” She rattled the doorknob. “It’s locked on my side. Can you?—?”
He opened the door, and her delightfully disheveled figure appeared. “We need to talk.” His heart thudded with joy and longing at the sight of her. To cover his emotions, he reached out to remove a piece of straw from her tousled hair.
She fluttered her fingers playfully at him. “That’s what everyone says right before they break up. Should I be worried?”
“I wasn’t aware we were dating.” He let himself into the room and shut the door. “Are we?”
She blushed instead of answering.
He stepped farther into the room. “Yo, Chip.” His gut was telling him that a bad-cop routine wasn’t what the situation called for.
“Hey, sir.” Chip nodded sheepishly at him.
“Tucker,” Tucker corrected. “Just Tucker. Like Mal, I’m not old enough to be your parent.”
Chip jolted at his words. “You’ve been listening to our conversation?”
“It’s alright.” Tucker waved away his concerns. “You didn’t say anything incriminating.”
“Are you serious?” Looking outraged, Mallory hopped like a chicken into his path, slapping her hands on herslender hips. “That’s a complete violation of our rights…or something.”
“Or something,” he agreed with a dry chuckle. “Listen. About my offer earlier to go into business together…”
“Forget it,” she seethed. “People go into business with people they trust, not…” She waved her hands angrily between him. “Not whatever snooping, conniving, messed up…mess this is!”
“Messed-up mess?” He snorted, making her scowl harder.
