Stolen Vengeance: Slye Temp book 6 (31 page)

“Stop fretting. You have no idea how good I am at disguises.”

“Okay, but we have to make a stop before we meet up with Smith.”

“For what?”

“I’ve got another brilliant idea, but it’s going to depend on my convincing Henri to speak to me again.”

Chapter 38

Dingo waited for Valene outside the hole-in-the-wall restaurant where they’d had a late breakfast on the beach drive back. He’d told her to take her time in the ladies room where she wanted to freshen up. That allowed him time to talk to Nick, who needed to hurry up and answer his cell.

“I’m here,” Nick said, coming on the line.

Dingo turned to watch the entrance to the restaurant, a humble shack that dished out great food. “I’ve got information and maybe a theory on the initials.”

“Good. We need it. Nothing is breaking loose and Sabrina’s chomping at the bit for answers.”

“Has she mentioned me yet?”

“Oh, yes. She said if anyone heard from, and I quote,
fucking
Dingo, she wanted to know immediately.”

“She cursed? That’s bad.” Dingo didn’t have much time and jumped back on track. “The initials might mean Fontana Permanently Eliminated.”

“Heh. What about the other two?”

“If that theory holds true, then O.N.C. might mean One Not Connected, because we think Aram Pavlovsky, the antiquities broker, was the second hit even though I wouldn’t call it an assassination.”

“We?”

“Yes. We. Mention to Sabrina that I’m with someone at your own risk.”

“Not me,” Nick assured him. “I like my head where it is right now. What does the third set of initials stand for?”

“Don’t know yet. Still working on that, but I did find out that Rikker is after the Vatican scroll.” Dingo was going on raw gut instinct and believed if Sabrina was wearing his shoes, she’d want Nick to know about Rikker, especially with this mysterious contact of Nick’s. Pissing off Gage was too far down Dingo’s give-a-shit list to worry about.

“Rikker? No shit?”  Nick paused then said, “That fits. I’m not sure how, but I know it does. The question is whether that means Rikker is working for the Orion Hunters.”

“Why kill an Orion Hunter hit man if Rikker’s working with them?” Dingo said, playing devil’s advocate.

“Good point. I’ll ask my source and see what else I can come up with. By the way, LAPD has an eyewitness that saw you leaving a building in south LA where a gang fight went down with one dead. This supposed eyewitness has identified you as the shooter. That would be bad enough, but we got the report and the LAPD have reason to believe based on past history that you’ve joined up with Satan’s Garden Club again.”

Fuck.

No wonder Sabrina was on a tear. She’d want him to come in so she could make him vanish faster than a bride’s panties. If he didn’t send Nick back with something, Sabrina would focus on Dingo when she needed to keep her attention on more important matters.

“Nick, tell Sabrina I called and I’m fine. Don’t send anyone out to bring me in. But this is very important. I need you to tell her I’ve confirmed that Valene Eklund had no idea who Rikker was when she met with him. Eklund thought Rikker was with the Vatican and contracting with her to get a stolen scroll back. Make sure everyone on our team knows Valene is not a target. If she gets hurt, I’m not going to be calm about it.”

“I’ll tell Sabrina. She’s still going to want to know where you are.”

“I’m at the beach.”  Dingo told her a long time ago that if he ever had to really disappear and didn’t want to be found that he’d send word he was at a beach.

“I’ll tell her. Are you going to try to take down Rikker alone?”

“No.”  When Nick didn’t respond, Dingo adjusted his answer. “I can’t say.”

“You need backup?”

“Not right now.”

“Let me know when you do.”

Dingo wouldn’t ask anyone for backup when they might end up being bullet meat just by associating with him. “Roger that, mate.”  Just not in this lifetime.

Valene came out as he shoved the phone into his pants pocket. She studied him with each step that drew her closer and tapped her chin with a finger.

When she reached him, she said, “The two days of beard, rose-colored John Lennon glasses, bad hair cut by yours truly, baggy pants and the padding around your shoulders does change your whole look.”  She straightened the bandana tied at his neck. “Nice square knot.”

“What’d you think I was going to do? Put on a toupee and fake mustache?”

“You’ve kept so much from me that I’ve never seen you in action until this week. You’re really something.”

“Don’t be impressed. It’s a dirty job most days.”

She grabbed the scarf knot and jerked his face to hers and said, “You listen to me, Dingo Paddock. If I say you’re impressive you are and when I say I’m not letting you go, I’m not. Get used to it.”

“You’re hot when you get all fired up, but these pants aren’t baggy enough to hide a hardon for long.”

Her eyes widened and she looked down then back up. “Get used to me loving you, too. I love you.”

He would never get used to hearing that.

His whole body came alive when Valene said those three words. He’d never felt anything this amazing before. His throat was tight with needing to tell her what he felt, but he couldn’t.

That idea led to too much pain down the road.

Instead, he caught her by her shoulders and drew her in for a kiss that he hoped would show her how much she meant. These tiny moments with her were like small gifts he tucked away to give himself later when memories would be all he had.

She had a mouth that begged to be loved. Sweet. Sensual.

His... for now.

When he had her breathless, he explained, “You’re hotter than a fireball. Just kissing you makes me want to lay you back over this hood and strip you right here in the sunshine. If we weren’t in a hurry, I’d have your legs around my shoulders and the hell with anyone watching.”

Did that scare her?

No.

Crazy woman just smiled. “Save that thought. Ready to catch a killer?”

Going to meet Rikker was not what he wanted to do, but she’d made a valid point on the way here. Rikker had not been present where anyone would see him connected to the killings. Dingo believed Rikker was paying Navarro to make hits, which technically meant Valene should be safe in an open coffee shop.

Technically didn’t soothe Dingo’s gut one bit.

He’d always thought when the time came to take Rikker down that Sabrina and Josh would be with him, but from what Nick had said, Sabrina and Josh were stretched thin trying to cover three venues and still had no idea who the next target would be.

Plus, if the FBI nailed Dingo for aiding Valene since they were investigating her, Sabrina and Josh needed to be as far away from him as possible.

And if that wasn’t enough incentive to keep them miles away, Dingo couldn’t risk anyone giving Rikker a reason to take out Valene on the spot.

Rikker had not survived this long by making mistakes.

Dingo lifted an arm to check his watch. “We’ve got enough time to make our detour before the meeting with Rikker and still arrive twenty to thirty minutes early. Can you depend on Henri?”

“I hope so. He’s not happy with me, but once he makes a deal, he stands by it.”

“How much did you have to offer him?”

“Enough.” 

Dingo didn’t know what it would take to get her dad in the special treatment program, but he was pretty sure she’d cut a deal with Henri that bankrupted her new stash. Dingo would help her once this was done, but he wasn’t going to say so and start a new battle with his independent hellcat.

He liked her soft and accommodating right now.

He liked the wildcat who had raked her claws over his back last night, too, but the kitten was sweet to hold.

She must have sensed his concern and backed off, looking around as she said, “Let’s go. I want to meet Henri then get to the coffee shop ahead of Smith.”

Smith, aka Rikker, would already be there, which was why Dingo intended to have her let him out of the car before they reached their destination. That way he could arrive on foot to find a spot and observe undetected once she showed for the meet. Rikker had specified a table on the patio.

What if Rikker did something to Valene before Dingo could reach her?

He had to stop second-guessing.

Either she did this or they called off the meeting and that would only result in her meeting Rikker without Dingo knowing.

That ended the second-guessing. This happened now while Dingo could watch over her. If Rikker touched Valene, it would be the last mistake he made.

Chapter 39

“How did you know this place is a favorite of mine?”

“I like to think I’m astute when it comes to what a woman likes,” Nick answered, turning away from the street vendor and smiling at the sound of Chatton’s voice.

She was close enough for him to catch a whiff of
Eau de Hadrien
as he turned. He remembered that smell. She’d worn it when she came to see him in the hospital and somehow the scent of Sicilian lemon had stayed on his pillow. He’d refused to allow anyone to change the pillow, then paid one of the hospital’s housekeeping staff a hundred dollars to include the cloth in his belongings when he was discharged.

To the casual observer, she didn’t stand out as she waited on food from
Kogi
, Nick’s favorite street vendor, too, but she had to work at not standing out, because she was a powerhouse.

Any man with half a brain could see that.

She played it low key today in a vintage outfit of khaki pants and a matching jacket loosely laced up the front with leather cords. The high collar showed off her soft neck and the jacket flared for ease of motion. He’d guess 1960s era and she pulled off the look like a runway model. The Annie Hall hat and sunshades hid all but the pert nose and finely-sculpted lips.

Nick said, “I’m having kimchi quesadillas.”

“Works for me.”

Once he had what they needed, he walked with her to a nearby memorial park to sit on a bench in the shade.

“Fast food in a cemetery,” she said with a chuckle in her voice. “You really know how to show a girl a good time.”

“Let me know when you’re ready for a better time.”

She didn’t look up but her lips twitched. “I’ll keep that in mind, but it’s not going to pay off your debt.”

She’d helped him out on a couple of missions and had told him she’d call the marker due at some point. His peace of mind was in knowing he still owed her. Otherwise, Chatton would blink out of existence. He didn’t need a background file on her to know she had the skills.

Nick suggested, “Looks like my debt’s going to get higher after this. I may need to start making installments at some point.”

“I’ll think on that.”

Once they’d finished off their lunch, he stuffed the remnants into the bag and said, “I’ve got some news on your scroll.”

She turned her face up to him with sunglasses hiding her eyes. “I do too. You go first.”

“I know someone specific who’s after the scroll.”

“Besides the Orion Hunters?”

“Yes and I’m hoping you can help me figure out how everything is connected. The hunters killed Fontana then someone killed the hunter assassin.”

She released a whispered breath. “I tried to get to him, but there were too many people on that side of the hotel. Have any ID on the hunter or who killed him?”

Nick nodded. “Ever hear of an operative called Len Rikker?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have anything current on him?”

“Maybe.”

That evasive answer might put off someone else, but Nick had figured out that if he gave Chatton time to decide it was worth giving up the information she had, she would. He continued, “Rikker’s pretending to be security for the Vatican and that he’s tracking down a stolen scroll.”

She cursed softly. “That makes sense.”

“Want to enlighten me?”

She stared forward for a bit then said, “Yes and no. I’ll share what I have, but not right this minute. I need to stop him from getting his hands on that scroll.”

“What’s so important about it?”

“Galileo wrote many things. Some got him into trouble and he ended his days under house arrest at the Vatican.”

“I remember years later a pope made a public apology.”

“Right. Not that it did Galileo any good by then, but everyone cleared their guilty consciences. Anyhow, while living in the Vatican, Galileo continued his theories on stars and the planets. But he also had a vision that he wrote down, and it’s the central piece to Orion’s Prophecy.”

“The prophecy the Orion Hunters are rabid about?”

“That one. It’s believed that once this scroll is with the other four artifacts, the final conflict will be revealed.”

“I’ve heard all about their World War III theory.”

“Some of the believers are your garden variety fanatics, but some are powerful fanatics. One in particular, someone on another continent, wants that scroll and will kill for it.”

He considered that. “Are you saying this person who wants the scroll is behind the assassinations?”

“Not necessarily, because I don’t see the connection, but Rikker represents this man and one other powerful player who happens to be in this country. Is Rikker involved with the killings?”

“We think so. Two Orion Hunter assassins were killed in Rikker’s signature style of shooting through each eye for a double tap.”

She leaned back, relaxed, but thinking. “Do you know where the scroll is?”

“I know where it might be very soon. The person Rikker paid to find the scroll is on her way to meet him.”

“Bad move,” she warned. “Rikker won’t leave any loose ends.”

“She’ll be covered.”

Chatton tilted her head in an if-you-say-so motion. “No leads on the other two assassinations?”

“There may only be one more.”

She cut her head around fast at him. “Who was number two?”

“My associate who is watching over the scroll exchange has a theory that the initials aren’t specifically people, but acronyms such as F.E.P. might be Fontana Eliminated Permanently.”

She rocked her head back and forth as if she tried to accept what he told her. “I’m not sold on the F.E.P. one. What about O.N.C.?”

“If he’s right about the first one, then O.N.C. might mean One Not Connected, to throw everyone off.”

Her profile froze. She said, “I think he might be right about the second one. Making a hit that isn’t tied to the others would be wise. If that’s the case, then any guesses on P.G.C?”

“We have three high-profile targets, none of which have initials that correspond to P.G.C.”

“The pope’s in town. What about him?”

“Nothing that points at him. The last time they had a pope in LA was during the 80s, and the crime rate actually went down that week. We’ll have a small team on site just because he’s on the list of high-profile targets, but hard to see him as trouble.”

“True. I’m just tossing out ideas that start with P.”

“I’m always interested in your ideas.”

She stood, indicating the meeting was over. “I’m glad. Here’s one to consider. Why steal a scroll that rare from the Vatican?”

Nick gave it consideration. “Someone wants enough to retire on … in some remote part of the world.”

“Right. The man from the mall attack was found floating in a Marina Del Rey hotel pool with a bullet through each eye an hour ago. His name was Raul Brambilla. He was an administrative person within the Vatican. He stole the scroll. I’m certain of it.”

“That was an expensive theft.”

“True. Why take that risk?”

“Makes you wonder.”  But Nick understood that she had a point to make and kept thinking out loud to see if he hit on where she was going with all this. “The pope has been on a push to clean up mishandling of finances. Think this guy Raul was going to get caught in the pope’s investigation?”

“If that was his only concern, why not just run? He could have taken enough money or small artifacts to disappear. Things that would have been easier to unload. Why take this particular scroll?”

He got what she was saying. “Raul might have only been a front man for someone more powerful. If I was that person, I wouldn’t want to leave a weak link that would expose me, especially if we’re talking millions in embezzlement.”

“Correct, which means Raul needed enough money to hide from some very powerful people. If you were his employer, what would be your next step to protect yourself if Raul disappeared and is now dead?”

Nick grinned. He was, indeed, Italian, and not everyone in Nick’s family tree had been the forgiving type. He knew what powerful people did to protect their hides. “The people I have in mind would take measures to stop the problem at the root.” He looked up at her. “They’d kill the pope and make their problem go away, plus send a message to the next one.”

“Thank you for lunch.” She stepped away, paused, and turned back. “The woman in the hoodie who fought with Raul in the mall is Valene Eklund. She must have the scroll. If she does, Rikker will not allow her to live once he has it in hand. Rikker is a servant of two masters, but he’s loyal to only one. Allowing Rikker to end up with that scroll will put it in the hands of a person capable of starting a third world war.”