The Darkness of Evil (Karen Vail #7)(87)

She turned to Robby. “I love it when he talks techy. So sexy, don’t you think?”

“One last thing,” Uzi said, ignoring her dig. “It’s technology.”

Vail tilted her head. “Yeah. What does that mean?”

“It means it gives you awesome capabilities. But it can also be the scourge of your life. Shit happens. It’s not foolproof and sometimes these things have glitches.”

“Is that your way of apologizing before it goes haywire?”

“Didn’t say it would. But I know you, you’ll want to put a fist through a wall when it doesn’t work the way you want it to work, when you want it to work.”

“I’m not like that.”

Uzi looked at her, his lips thinning. Holding back a smile.

“Fine. But I have confidence in you. Your last gift paid dividends again.”

“My last gift—the tanto?” He grinned fully. “Tzedek?”

“It saved my life today. I mean that.”

Uzi’s face went slack. “I’m—” His eyes again found the bruises on her face. “I’m glad you’re okay. That knife has some serious mojo forged into its steel.”

“Thanks for sharing some of it with me.”

“How are things with you?” Robby asked. “Good?”

“Yeah.” Uzi pulled his eyes away from Vail. “All things considered. The way things are headed, counterterrorism will keep me gainfully employed until I’m a frail old man. How’s the drug business?”

“Unfortunately, I can say the same thing.” He gave Uzi another hug. “Stay safe.”

“You too, brother.” Uzi looked at Vail. “I’d tell you to stay safe too, but judging by the looks of you, I think that train’s left the station.”





46


Robby turned onto New Hampshire and came to a stop in front of the restaurant to let Vail off. “You sure you want to do this?”

“Meet with Jasmine?”

“The tracking device. That’s a bit over the top, no?”

“Absolutely not. Look what happened to me today. There’s no way she would’ve gotten away from Marcks. I have no idea what he has planned for her—other than death—but I’m guessing he’d keep her around for a bit, to prolong her suffering—give her what he perceives she gave him. With this thing, if she goes missing, I’ll be able to find her. Hopefully in time.”

“Hey, this is your case. I’m just giving you some unsolicited feedback.”

“I’m still going to try to convince her to let us put her in a safe house. I felt helpless these past two days. I feel responsible for her.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“It may be ridiculous but it’s how I feel.”

“Okay.”

Vail gathered up her purse and wrapped her fingers around the door handle. “You think I’m wrong?”

“About putting a tracking device in someone’s purse without her knowing?”

Vail frowned. “About wanting to move her to a safe house.”

Robby looked out at the street. “I don’t know, Karen.”

“You don’t know?”

“On the one hand, I do think it’d be smart. As a law enforcement officer, yeah, that’s what I’d say. But I also know what goes on behind the scenes. Sometimes cops don’t do their jobs, shit happens, and in the end—if you know what you’re doing—it might be safer if you took care of yourself. But that’s only if you understand the criminal mind and the principles of staying off the grid and keeping safe.”

“Yeah, if it was you or me, maybe that’d make sense. Maybe. But in this case?”

“From what you’ve told me, she’s done okay caring for herself. She seems self-aware and security conscious.”

Vail scoffed.

Robby turned to face her. “Look, you tell her what you feel is best for her. Like I said, it’s your case.”

“Noted.” Vail opened her door. “Go park. I’ll meet you inside.”

She passed by an outdoor dining area—vacant because of the cold weather—and entered through the glass doors, stepping into a dimly lit contemporary restaurant abuzz with patron chatter. Vail checked in at the hostess station on the left. The woman grabbed a couple of menus and led her past a wall of stacked wine bottles that led to the main dining rooms and into the bar’s lounge, which, as Jasmine described, was shaped like a wedge and bounded by tall windows.

Jasmine was seated at the corner table with a view of both 23rd and M Streets.

Vail pulled her chair away and gave Jasmine a hug, then took a seat. She studied her blond wig and dark-rimmed glasses and cocked her head. “Nice disguise. I think.”

“Hey, if it keeps him from recognizing me, it’s worth it.”

“You really think that’s enough to hide from your own father?”

She looked away. “Maybe he feels that bond. I just feel betrayed.”

Oh, he feels betrayed, too.

“You look awful,” she said, leaning forward and appearing to notice Vail for the first time.

“I don’t feel so great, either.” Vail forced a smile. “Robby’s parking. He’ll be here in—”