Page 80 of Fighting Conviction
“Yeah… very easy…” Hawk’s voice was a low rumble and Devil had to agree with the skepticism laced in it.
“There aren’t too many people in here,” Phoenix said casually over their headset. “It looks like there’s some seatin’ to our left, but I’m not feelin’ too chatty right now, are you, dear? Let’s head over near the outside exit about ten meters straight from the door—”
“Why are you narrating everything to me, Phoenix—”
“It’s not for you, Nora, it’s foranyonewho might be interested.”
“Oh, right. Sorry,” Nora apologized before Devil heard the smallest whisper. “I’m nervous.”
“It’s alright,” Phoenix answered back. “I think we can talk better here, just get close like you like me.” There was a laugh before Phoenix spoke low. “Looks like some pretty big names in here. The ARShole firm showed up.”
“Makes sense. We figured the Ascot, Rusnak, and Strickland law firm partners would be there. Marco said Strickland invited him,” Snake offered. “Andrew Ascot’s been laying low since his son was murdered last year by those ‘drug dealers.’” Devil could hear the sarcasm in Snake’s voice. To keep the human trafficking investigation under wraps, the media had been told Andy Ascot was killed in a drug deal gone wrong. Terrible cover for a man who’d saved Jaybird’s life. “It’s been impossible to catch them with their pants down.”
“Fuck, man. Phrasing.” Jaybird growled.
“You’re right. Sorry. Poor word choice. But Phoenix, can you hear what they’re saying?” Snake continued. “Who they’re talking to? Who are they with? Do they have women with—”
“You’re doing it again,” Hawk quietly pointed out Snake’s tendency to talk nonstop when he was nervous or excited. It was often helpful to hear a genius’s stream of consciousness, but on missions, it was annoying as fuck.
“Shit. Sorry,” Snake apologized but kept speaking at a quick pace. “But isn’t it weird? You’d think after his son was fucking murdered last year after this party he’d keep a low profile.”
“Sloppy is what it is,” Devil responded and turned to mill around the ballroom.
“One of the big ass dudes in black just talked to Rusnak, but it looks like the big guy’s been dismissed. Oh, wait, shit. Fuck. We got movement,” Phoenix said over the com. “Strickland’s leavin’. Looks like he’s goin’ out the service exit.”
“Follow him, Phoenix,” Hawk ordered.
“On it—Oh, wait, shit, what about Nora?”
“Naomi is on her way to come pick Nora up to head to Sasha Saves. We only needed her as a decoy,” Snake answered.
“But what do I do until then while Phoenix goes to follow him? I don’t want to be left alone, not here.”
“It feels like something’s about to go down.” Hawk was thinking so loudly, Devil could almost hear him tapping his lips. “Phoenix? Escort Nora to the front exit so she can leave with Naomi. Devil, see if you can find Strickland. You’re closest. That hallway should be connected to the one lining the entire ballroom. Follow him, but don’t blow your cover. Snake, you got him on cameras?”
“I-I don’t yet. But I’m sure I will, just… hold… on… and… there you are, motherfucker. Yeah, he’s entered the main hallway. Looks like he’s heading to the elevator. Devil, when you exit the service hallway, you cross the main hall and the stairs are directly in front of you. Hey, do you guys think that’s how they take the women from the party to the room? From the service hallway straight up the stairs?”
Devil didn’t respond but kept his focus down the small corridor with its plain white tiling and bright lights. It didn’t make sense they’d use such a well-lit hallway, until Devil realized he didn’t pass a single soul on his way out. If the service hallways weren’t monitored, it’d be a piece of cake taking the women up the stairs.
“Where are you, Devil, I don’t see you on any of my cameras.”
“Still taking that service hallway.”
“Copy,” Snake answered. “Should lead you right to the exit on the south hall. From there you’ll go up the two flights of stairs to room 307.”
“Got it,” Devil answered, but before he turned, he noticed a slender woman with golden hair enter from the exit.
“Ellie?” The angel turned his way and her normally tan skin paled to a sickly white.
“What the fuck, Ellie’s there?” Jaybird growled from the other end.
“Oh, um. Hi, Dev.” She brought her hand up at an awkward level and gave a small wave.
Devil blinked back at her to confirm she was really standing in front of him. His jaw ticked with anger and every muscle in his body tensed.
“Ellie, what the—” Devil approached her only to hear footsteps on the carpeted main hallway. He grabbed her by her upper arm and snuck her back into the service hallway, suspecting it was Strickland.
“What the fuck’s Ellie doing there, Devil? I thought we agreed she’d stay out of this.” Jaybird demanded.
