A Covert Affair (Deadly Ops #5)(65)

“Few minutes, max.”

“Good work.” He glanced at the screen with the video feed of Freeman “working” on a light pole a few houses down from Mercado’s place. Everything looked clear on his end too.

Soon they’d have the information they needed. If Mercado was involved in any way, they were going to go after him fast and hard. And rip his life apart.





Chapter 17


Solid intelligence: the gold standard of information gathered from data processing.





Nathan let his hands drop to his sides as Alexander Lopez’s guard finished searching him for weapons.

Next to him, Selene did the same. Her real name was Selene Lazaro, but Lopez knew her as Selene Silva, a high-priced assassin.

They’d already had their vehicle searched and had been scanned with a metal-detecting wand. Nathan was surprised, since Selene and Lopez had a good relationship—the arms dealer had invited her alias to his wedding. The precaution was likely because she was bringing a stranger to his home—well, one of his homes.

“They’re clear,” one of the guards said quietly into a communicator Nathan couldn’t see.

Moments later Lopez strode out into the marbled entryway wearing flip-flops, green cargo pants, and a T-shirt that said FBI: FEMALE BODY INSPECTOR on the front.

Next to Nathan, Selene started laughing. “I can’t believe Allison let you wear that!”

Lopez just grinned. “She bought it for me.”

Selene laughed harder, shaking her head once. “At least she made you get rid of that awful statue out here.”

“You didn’t like it either?” Lopez sounded truly surprised.

Selene’s eyebrows lifted. “It was of a naked woman obscenely cupping herself between her legs and groping her breasts.” What do you think? was the implied, silent question.

Lopez shrugged, the ghost of a smile tugging at his mouth. “What’s not to love?”

Selene simply sighed and held out a hand to Nathan. “Miguel, this is Alexander. Alexander, Miguel. We appreciate you meeting with us today.”

After brief greetings were made, Lopez tilted his head toward a hallway. “Come on, let’s talk in my office.”

Two guards flanked them but stopped when Lopez opened a polished wooden door. Selene went ahead of Nathan, her heels making an insistent click-click sound as she moved. She’d dressed in all black today and looked sleek. Like an operator. Snug pants, strappy fitted top with a black custom-made jacket over it. No jewelry except for small earrings and a watch he knew turned into a garrote wire. She’d pulled her pale blond hair back into a sleek ponytail at the nape of her neck so that it spilled down her back.

“Would either of you like something to drink?” Lopez motioned to a Chesterfield.

When Selene sat, so did Nathan. And when she declined a drink, he did too. Today he was following her lead. This was his first meet with Lopez and potentially the start of a relationship with the gunrunner who was always good for information.

Lopez poured a glass of scotch for himself before perching on the edge of his desk. In his early forties, the man was fit and muscular. His clothes were on the goofy side, but Nathan could see the man was prepared for an attack. It was likely a subconscious thing, but even as he sat, seemingly casual, all the lines of his body were pulled tight. “As usual, you were annoyingly vague,” he said to Selene. “So talk. And explain why you brought a friend.”

Selene crossed one long leg over the other and leaned back against the couch, the picture of casual elegance. “I brought Miguel because he’s in the same business as me. I simply wanted you two to meet, since I thought you could potentially be beneficial to each other in the future.”

Lopez shot him a glance, his expression neutral, before focusing on Selene again. “Okay. Why are you here?”

“Iker Mercado. Is he taking over the skin trade now that Paul Hill’s out of the way?” Her voice was crisp.

Lopez’s dark eyes narrowed. He set his tumbler down on the desk behind him. “Why are you asking?”

“I’m interested in doing business with him but not if he’s in any way like Hill.” Her answer was immediate.

So was Lopez’s relief. It was subtle, but Nathan noticed the way the man’s shoulders relaxed. Lopez was in a serious relationship with a former escort and had a general dislike for anyone who was involved in the sex or slave trade.

Lopez cleared his throat. “It’s not gospel, but as far as I know, he’s clean—as far as human trade goes. He deals mainly in antiquities and art. I didn’t know you were interested in that.”

Illegal antiquities and stolen art. One piece could fetch millions. And Mercado was suspected of heavy-duty smuggling as well.

“I’m not, exactly. Have you seen the news recently?” she asked.

A brief nod. “I’m always tuned in.”

“You saw the piece on the female remains found.”

He pushed out a sigh. “Yeah. Fucking serial killer in Miami.”

Selene was silent for a moment, as if weighing how much she wanted to say. It was all part of her cover, as Nathan knew. “I have a new client who wants me to find who killed those women.” And kill whoever did it, was her unspoken sentiment. “My client had a relationship with one of them.”