AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"What’s your theory?” she asked.
“Taken by a rival gang, maybe," shrugged Gallen. "It doesn’t make sense. But there’s growing speculation amongst the brothers that he's turned informant."
"Which means Gallen's cover may be compromised," interjected Silver.
A stone dropped in her stomach. If The Devils figured out who Gallen really was, he was as good as dead if he went back out on the street.
"You pulling him out?" asked Richards.
"Not at this moment." Silver and Gallen exchanged a glance. They had a plan, she could tell.
"We do need another set of eyes and ears in the clubhouse," admitted Gallen. "Even if my cover is intact, they’ll want me out looking for Riley."
Richards leaned forward in his chair. "A transfer or a prospect —"
“Won’t work,” Taya said, without thinking. “Too suspicious.”
Richards scowled at her. If it had been any other cop, she may have felt remorse for cutting him off in front of everyone. The misogynist bastard wasn’t worth it.
"Which is why we have another cover in mind," said Silver. "Riley grew up in the system; bounced from foster home to foster home. One of his foster siblings is going to come looking for him."
Once Taya would have lobbied hard for this job; but that was before the assignment in Melbourne went to hell. A police officer was supposed to have completed their undercover training before taking on an assignment like this. Taya had no idea how many of her taskforce colleagues had the necessary qualification, or experience.
Richards sat up straighter in his chair. "I'm happy to take it on, boss."
Richards was a climber, there was no doubt about that.
"Not necessary, Senior Constable. The cover will have a better chance of success if the sibling is a sister."
Taya’s blood ran cold. They wouldn’t choose her, would they? Maybe for once it was going to be an advantage being an outsider.
All eyes flew to Rebecca Pascoe. She'd been a Detective for over fifteen years, and a general duties cop for ten years before that. In Taya’s opinion, Sergeant Pascoe might be damn good at her job, but with her almost two decades older than Alex Riley, she was hardly a strong choice.
Pascoe's brow furrowed; clearly, she was thinking the same.
"Sergeant McGovern."
Oh God!
"Yes?" Her throat was so dry the word came out in a strangled rasp.
"I understand you completed the undercover training with the Federal Police and have some field experience."
It wasn't a question. Silver damn well knew she’d been undercover. The outcome had resulted in her sudden promotion to Sergeant and her being seconded to the New South Wales Police Force at the first opportunity. Shipped out of sight and out of mind of her federal colleagues.
She felt the weight of a room full of confused and seriously pissed off cops, and an involuntary blush spread over her face and down her neck. This was not going to help ingratiate her with her new colleagues. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
"I did," she said evenly.
"Is there any reason you couldn't take this assignment on immediately?"
She had no family, friends or community connections in Sydney. Not even a cat to use as an excuse. Obviously, the boss knew that. Taya shook her head. "No, sir."
"Good. Detective Sergeant Gallen will brief you in interview room three." Silver gave her a brisk nod and moved on to handing out the other assignments for follow up and action.
People turned their attention back to the boss, but she could still feel the tension in the room. Nobody knew her, and therefore nobody had any reason to trust her. Or worse, everybody knew who she was and nobody would ever trust her.
She looked up and caught Gallen’s eye. He gave her a tight smile. It didn’t matter if the others didn’t trust her, it only mattered that Gallen did. And she really hoped he did.
