Page 31 of Blood Money

Something is definitely up.

He took a moment to observe her body language, to assess what was really going on in that pretty head of hers, but all he got in return for his efforts was her steady, unwavering gaze.

“Today,” Gray began, “we’ll go over an ops plan so you’ll know what’s expected of you. Since we don’t know for certain when or how this will play out, it will have to be fluid and subject to change.” He indicated the small silver and black hard-sided cases on the end of the table. “After we go over the details, I’ll familiarize you with the equipment you’ll use to record all phone calls with the Pyramid.” He looked at his partner. “Anything new on what we discussed?”

Last night, after he’d left Alex’s apartment, Gray expressed concern to Dom about wiring Alex with anything more than an emergency locator. Even a simple locator posed some level of risk.

Her part in this op would involve nothing more than delivery of an envelope with fabricated information. The primary goal was to surveil the drop location, photograph and video the pickup, then follow and ID whoever came for the package in the hope that it would lead to a Pyramid operator or safe house. Not tipping their hand that Alex was cooperating with the police was essential to her safety. Getting caught wearing a bug would dime her out in a heartbeat. On the other hand, Gray didn’t want her out there without a lifeline if something went wrong.

Dom nodded. “According to my sources, it’s likely the Pyramid will use scanners to detect any transmissions.”

Gray was afraid of that but not surprised. With the Pyramid’s vast resources, it only made sense that they would have access to the same high-tech equipment law enforcement used.

“Why does she need to wear any equipment at all?” This from Agent Greer. “This is a drop only, and she’ll be within our sight the entire time. The Pyramid will have someone close enough to positively ID it’s Alex dropping off the package, and not an undercover cop. They could be close enough to scan for transmissions, so why take the risk with a locator that could be detected? On top of which, she’ll have a cell phone with her.”

Gray was torn between Greer’s logic and his own instinct that was screaming at him not to send her out there with nothing. In the end, instinct won out. “I’m not sending her out there with only a cell phone to track her location. Triangulation from cell towers and GPS tracking both rely on wireless signal strength that’s unreliable, even in the city. Plus, they both take too much time. The locator gives us her location in real time. If she carries both, the cell phone is a backup.”

“Okay, just saying.” Greer threw up his hands.

Agent Wilson pulled out a sheet of paper from his notebook. “We’ve got six agents available to supplement your manpower for this meet, so with all those officers and agents, there’s no chance we’ll lose sight of her.”

You’re damn right, we won’t.

Not giving a shit if there were any more objections from the team, Gray pulled two sheets of paper from his notebook and handed them to Alex. “First, I need you to read this agreement, then sign and date at the bottom.”

With steady hands, Alex picked up the document and began reviewing it. As Gray watched her flip to the second page, he gritted his teeth. He imagined her long fingers with their neat, pink nails digging into his back while she screamed his name.

Shit. Don’t do this to yourself, Yates.

Alex cleared her throat and put down the document without signing it. “I’ve been giving this a great deal of thought. You want me to sign this because I have what you want—an active connection with the Pyramid, something you admit has never happened before with any agency. While I do owe the NYPD something in return for my mistakes, I believe my cooperation is of far greater value than I initially realized.”

She clasped her hands on the table and leaned forward. “I know how this detective squad operates. I’ve been here long enough to know that while most people in my position cooperate to receive a lesser sentence or stay out of jail entirely, if a person’s level of cooperation is valuable enough, the department often sweetens the deal. With money.”

Dom snorted, clearly knowing what was coming next. Gray held his tongue, admiring her audacity. This was an Alex Romano none of them had ever seen, or even knew existed. The kick-ass part. And the highly intellectual one that had thoroughly researched her situation and knew she had their asses dead to rights.

“As I told you yesterday,” Alex went on, “my son has been diagnosed with a variant of leukemia, one very resistant to traditional treatments. There is, however, a doctor here in New York City, who outlined a treatment for Nicky that seems to be helping, but it’s experimental and investigational in nature. Medical insurance carriers only pay for treatments that are generally accepted by the medical community. There is no carrier out there that will cover all the costs associated with clinical studies for an experimental treatment. Even New York City assistance programs have their financial limitations.”

“I’ve heard,” Agent Tanner chimed in, “some medical treatments not approved of here in the U.S. are offered totally free elsewhere, such as in Switzerland.”

Alex let out a bitter laugh. “Maybe you’re wealthy enough to fly to Switzerland every month and put yourself up in a hotel for a week at a time while your child goes through treatment and recovery, but I’m not. Making rent is hard enough as it is.”

Shit. Annoyance at his own blindness had Gray feeling more like an insensitive dick by the minute. He really had no idea Alex’s financial situation was so dire, and he’d worked in the same office with her every day for the last ten months. The Pyramid, an organization of international assassins, knew more about her than he did.

Alex took a deep breath, the only outward sign of the immense pressure she was under. “While I do want to make good on my mistakes, I also want something in return besides a get-out-of-jail-free card.”

“Staying out of jail is more than most people in your position get,” Agent Wilson said.

“Perhaps, but are most people the only viable contact you have with a group of international assassins whose veil of secrecy you’ve been unable to crack?” Alex paused for her comment to take effect. “I know as well as the rest of you that the NYPD seizes hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit drug money every year, and some of that money is used to pay informants. I want enough money to pay for Nicky’s treatments for the next twelve months.”

“What happens after twelve months?” Gray asked.

“Nicky’s doctor is in Phase Four of his clinical trials and hopes to have this treatment approved by the medical community by next year. If that happens, all the associated costs would then be covered by my medical insurance.” Frown lines appeared on her otherwise smooth forehead. “If I still have a job,” she whispered, dragging a hand down her face.

“You’ve obviously given this a great deal of consideration.” Gray narrowed his eyes at Alex. His Scandinavian princess had more balls than most cops did.

His Scandinavian princess?

Idiot. She isn’t your anything.