Sinclair Justice (Texas Rangers #2)(22)
CHAPTER 5
Two days later, Ross tossed the last file into a large box and taped it shut himself. He’d spent most of his working hours compiling every piece of evidence they had on the Los Lobos cartel, including both drug and human trafficking leads. The day after Emm had told him Doyle had already been retained by the West Texas district of the DEA, Ross had called the head of the division and suggested they split the cost and share the information. He’d readily agreed.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. “Come in.”
Dr. Hermione Abigail Doyle was as imposing in person as she was on paper. She stood almost six feet tall, and her conservative black pant suit didn’t disguise a lithe, fit form. Ross glanced at his watch. Plus, she was punctual, almost to the second. He stood and offered his hand. “Thanks for coming.”
“My pleasure, Captain Sinclair.” She sat down in the chair in front of his desk.
“Call me Ross. I have a feeling we’ll be working together closely. You executed all the agreements and waivers I e-mailed you?”
“Indeed. I appreciate your confidence in my services.” She pulled a thick envelope out of her briefcase. “I’ve attached a card with my address while I’m in town so you can mail the countersigned documents to me.”
“Excellent.” He put the envelope on his desk and nodded at the large cardboard file boxes stacked next to her feet. “I’ve spent the last two days compiling all the information we have to date on the Los Lobos cartel, including both drug and human trafficking intel. You have a few burned CDs as well. Our servers are, of course, encrypted, but I thought it best if you received the most sensitive information the old-fashioned way.”
“It will take me a few days to come up to speed. I know time is of the essence.”
“Always, but thoroughness rules the day here, so follow whatever protocol you find most effective. I compiled an evidence list, and it’s at the top of the box, with a very tentative ranking of the information that seems most promising, at least to me. You might start with tracing the drug one of the victims uses to control her hemophilia. It’s fairly new, and rare in Mexico. We began tracing it using the accounts we subpoenaed from the US manufacturer, but we lost it across the border. Hopefully you’ll have better luck.”
A glimmer of humor softened the severe lines of her face. “As they say in Texas, this isn’t your first rodeo.”
He laughed. “Somehow that cliché sounds better with a British accent.” His smile faded, and he gave her the same square, dead-on look he gave his Rangers. “Your reputation precedes you, but know this: I expect results.”
She nodded coolly and rose. He shook her proffered hand. “I’ll have someone follow you to your car with the boxes.”
She’d turned toward the door when he added reluctantly, “Ms. Doyle?”
She turned with an inquiring look.
“I heard you met a certain Emm Rothschild a couple of days ago?”
She nodded.
“I’m sure you’re aware of this, but sharing information with private citizens, especially those with an agenda, is frowned upon. Everything in the boxes is need to know.”
That erect back grew ramrod straight. “I read in full the nondisclosure clause, and it is no more limiting than the others I’ve signed.”
His cheeks flushed a dull red because he knew she was right. “I’m sorry, it’s not you I doubt; it’s my knowledge of Ms. Rothschild’s proclivities that concerns me. To be blunt, don’t let her near the files.”
The straight back relaxed a bit. “You fear she’s like Pandora?”
“No, I fear she’ll stick her nose where it doesn’t belong and become victim number ninety-two.”
She nodded, this time thoughtfully. “A valid concern, based on my short acquaintance with the lady.” She turned in the doorway after she opened the door. “You have my word she shan’t see a thing. And Captain Sinclair . . .”
“Yes?”
“I won’t tell her you’re so concerned for her welfare.” A smile flickered at the corners of her long mouth before she mastered it. “Unless you wish me to.”
All he could come up with was, “Good. Don’t.” Then he rested his head in his palms, elbows on the desk, and groused, “Why do things have to be so damn complicated? Why can’t we just be two lonely people who find something they need in someone of the opposite gender? Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to work?”
“Perhaps, but it’s seldom that easy. I promise to keep your secret.” A soft laugh trailed her as her heels tapped across the linoleum, her footsteps as precise and measured as her character. Ross went to the door and called an office assistant to take the boxes out. Then he closed the door, staring into space, a bit unsettled now he’d met the legendary Ms. Doyle. He found her even more imposing and astute than he’d expected, which was good as far as the case went. Not so good as she obviously used the same eagle eye on her clients as she did her perps. She’d seen through his concern for Emm in an instant. He could only hope she kept quiet, as she’d promised, because Emm didn’t need any more weapons to wield over him . . . They’d both agreed on the parameters of their relationship: “just business.”