Promise Renewed (13 page)

“Papers, including driver’s license and credit cards, should be here any day. Almost forgot.” She opened her purse, lifted out a few papers. “Here’s the background. It was like writing a book. The characters have to not only be believable, but traceable as well. My connections in Dallas helped a lot.

“Your name is Dutch Farley, mine, Meg. When your dad, Tony, died, you took over his drug business. Mostly, he dealt directly with connections in Mexico. Because of the crackdown on the border, your contacts are drying up and you need a new source.

“I was a wild child from a wealthy family, which is so far from the truth as to be hysterically funny. Anyway, I love danger, and Dutch Farley spelled danger. After we married, my family disowned me so I decided to make my own millions. Hence, I make a good partner.”

“Sounds good so far.”

“There’s more: birth dates, addresses of where we’ve lived in the past, and where we live now. We’ll have to memorize them.”

“You’re thorough. Tell me, are all the dates and addresses traceable?”

“Of course they are. We can’t be flipped because of something that simple.”

“I’m impressed. Your talents are lost as a squad member.”

She gave him a quick look before continuing. “We’ll need a dress rehearsal before we take this show on the road. Maybe several. We can’t sound like actors playing a part, we have to
be
the part.”

“May take a while.”

“We’ll have to do this on our own. We don’t have time for acting lessons.”

“Every day after work, then,” he suggested.

Gina nodded. “Whatever it takes to get our parts down pat.”

“We don’t have a choice.” Not that he wanted one. Being with Gina every evening sounded damned good.

“No, we don't.ˮ

“Every minute counts.” The thought sent knots to Darin’s stomach. Not only would he put himself in danger, but Gina and possibly four members of the squad as well.

It was a big responsibility. They
had
to succeed. They
had
to become Meg and Dutch Farley. Hunter’s killer wasn’t going to go free.

“Are you sure you want to do this? We can go back to my original plan. I can go it alone. You can stay with the team and come in if I need help.”

“Not on your life. I’m in.”

There went that stubborn lift to her chin again. Gina Carlson was intriguing as hell. And smart.

Still, for a brief moment, he wondered if they were both nuts.

Not nuts, but determined. He was no actor so he’d damned well have to play this the right way. Yet he had to be good enough to fool a drug lord or two—good enough to find Hunter’s killer. His spine stiffened.

He would and could do this.

Chapter Ten

Darin and Gina practiced. And practiced some more. Every day after work, no matter the hour, they met at Darin’s. Not only did they have to act the part, the words had to ring true. Though they would be playing by ear they practiced dozens of scenarios.

Gina was a natural. She had her sweet, southern drawl down to a T. He, on the other hand didn’t have to worry about the drawl, only the pitch of his voice. It wasn’t easy.

Today was full dress rehearsal.

Darin was uncomfortable and nervous.

He struggled into his jacket, added the wig, and looked in the mirror. A stranger stared back. He frowned and wondered what Gina would think. Brownish red hair that normally didn’t get longer than his shirt collar was now dark, almost black with silver at the temples, and fell an inch below his collar.

He’d added brown contacts, pasted on a small fake scar under his left eye. The scar looked real and gave him a look saying he wasn’t one to be messed with. Just the look he wanted.

Making a face at the new Darin, he left to meet Gina.

Anticipation made his heart kick up a notch. Gina wasn’t like other women. She was a take-charge woman who obviously knew her job. He trusted her instincts and her ability. And he felt more for her than mere attraction. Would that hamper the sting? He wouldn’t let it.

As with all the Callahans, trust was a big issue. Donovan had suffered the most when he found out the man who raised him wasn’t his biological father. He’d felt betrayed by those he trusted most.

Dugan fell in love only to have the woman he thought he was going to marry leave him at the altar. It took a long time to gain back enough trust and believe in their love again.

Thank God, both issues had been resolved long ago.

To Darin, trust was the biggest thing in a relationship. Whether the relationship was between partners, friends, family, or would-be girlfriends.

He got out of his pickup at the apartment complex where the sisters lived and headed inside. A woman coming his way saw him and turned the other direction. Did he look that scary? If so, it wasn’t the impression he wanted. Dangerous, yes. But not frightening.

He knocked on the door, heard her coming. He knew it was Gina by the sound of her footsteps. She opened the door and burst out laughing.

“Is that you, Darin?”

“Sure is, Dolly.”

She ran a hand down the sides of her form-fitting, low-necked top and past her waist. Tight black jeans proved she had the legs to go with the body.

“How do I look?”

“Can you sing? If so, you could give Dolly Parton a run for her money.”

“Good. You can’t tell it’s me beneath all the glitter, big hair, boobs, and tight jeans?”

“Sure can’t.” He took her hand, turned her in a circle. “Nope. Nothing there of Gina Carlson.” He studied her. Even in her outrageous costume she was gorgeous. Her tiny waist accented boobs spilling out of the skimpy top made his mouth go dry. Her jeans were like a second skin.

He couldn’t catch his breath and felt as if he’d been slammed between the eyes.

“Let me take a look at you,” she said, turning strictly professional.

She examined him from head to boot—had him put his Stetson on, then take it off.

“Well?” he asked after five minutes of being scrutinized. She was making him nervous. She didn’t smile. There was no glint of approval in her eyes.

“Okay. Let’s start at the top. Your Stetson?”

“Yep.”

She took it from him. “Has to go. Neither of us can wear anything the mole can point to and be curious about.”

“Okay.” Didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it.

“The Rolex? Is it the real deal?”

“Of course not. Got it in a pawn shop for ten bucks.”

She slipped it off his hand. “Gotta go. The people we’re dealing with will spot a fake a mile away.”

“Where do we get a real one?”

“I saw one in the evidence room the other day. I’ll get the chief to let us borrow it.”

Darin’s mouth clenched tight. Remembering how she’d gone to the chief without telling him still grated.

“Okay. What else?” Gina had a gift for detail and for a moment Darin wondered if his entire wardrobe would be nixed.

“I like the way you buffed up your weight. It changed your look. The contacts are a good addition. I’ll do the same; maybe go brown like you. The scar looks real. Wanna tell me how you put it on?”

“Not unless you tell me if the butterfly tattoo on your hand is real or fake?”

“It’s a good fake. I have a special soap to remove it when I’m ready.”

With her chin in her hand, she circled him once more. “Boots? Do they belong to you?”

“Are you going to make me lose them, too?”

She laughed. “What did I just say? Anything we’ve worn in public can stir up suspicion. The first thing on our agenda today is a new pair. Not new, worn.”

“I’m assuming the jacket is yours,” she said, adjusting the wide shoulders.

“Nope! Figured that one out on my own. Borrowed a couple from my brother, Douglas.”

“It’ll work.”

Before they left, he asked, “Where’s Maddy?”

“Hank and Jake asked her to go with them to the zoo, then to lunch.”

“Good, I guess. Hank hasn’t dated since his wife died.”

“Maddy has
never
dated.”

The statement startled him. “C’mon. Hard to believe as pretty as she is.”

“Believe it.”

Their first stop was at a thrift store where they found a Stetson right away. “How does it look?”

“It’ll do. Where are the boots?”

“Over there.” He pointed to the other side of the store.

A woman walked over to help them.

“I like these, sugar,” Gina said with a tilting southern accent.

Darin wanted to laugh. Gina was in character. She was good, too. Better than he imagined. He followed suit. “I don’t know, sweet one. I like the brown ones better.”

“Why don’t you try them on, sugar. You know how hard you are to fit.”

Darin found a place to sit, took off his boots and tried on the pair she handed him. “These are fine, sweet one.” He stood, walked around a bit. “Look okay?” He was finding it difficult to keep up his exaggerated drawl since he didn’t know what was going to come out of Gina’s mouth next. He’d have to ask if she’d taken acting in college.

The acting was hard for him, and Darin found it difficult to concentrate on what to say and how to say it while at the same time keeping his voice pitched several octaves lower than normal. He had to get better at this.

“Try these on, sugar,” she said, holding out a pair of black ostrich boots.

He liked the way she called him sugar and hoped to hell he didn’t get used to it. This was an act—an elaborate act. One that could get them killed if they didn’t play it right.

He wasn’t very good at it. The thought chilled him. He had to portray his character more forcefully.

His attention went to the boots. “Both pairs have a new shine, but you can tell they’re far from new.”

“Just the look you need,” she told him when no one was around. “Slightly worn. You want to look rich, but a hard worker. Dangerous if crossed.”

Smart woman.

He walked around again. “These fit, too, sweet one. Which do you like best?”

“Let’s splurge. Get them both.”

With two pairs of boots and a Stetson, they were back in his pickup. Once there, they turned to look at each other. And laughed.

“I enjoyed the act. It was fun,” Gina said.

He started the truck, edged into traffic. “I have to get better. The fun will be over if I don’t play my part with more authenticity than I did today.”

“Practice. Practice. Practice.”

Darin let out a deep sigh. He knew all along this wouldn’t be easy. But he’d had no idea it would be this difficult.

****

Darin was right. He had a long way to go if they were going to pull this off. If they had to step into their roles right now and face Chavizi or Ramiro it would be disastrous. Gina realized she’d have to pull the plug if he didn’t get better. The risk was too great.

She questioned her own abilities. She’d gone undercover for IA a few times, but never like this. She looked the part, but could she keep up the charade for days? Could they? They’d have to practice more. Lots more. Despite her misgivings, she found the idea appealing.

She looked at his hands. “You don’t have a wedding ring.”

“Because I’m not married.”

Gina grinned and looked down at her bare fingers.

“Pawn shop,” they said at the same time. And laughed again.

As soon as they stepped inside the cluttered shop they settled into character.

“C’mon, sugar. Let’s see what they have. I didn’t like a thing the last place showed us.”

“We’ll look until we find what you want, sweet one. Just take your time.”

The clerk, with the look of a grifter, showed them a tray of diamond rings. “Got some really good pieces here. Lots of folks need money. I’m only too glad to help them out.”

I’ll bet you are
, Gina thought. She’d bet the short, gray-haired man with the piercing blue eyes took advantage of that need every chance he got.

“I’m short on cash, but I want my sweet one to have the ring she’s always wanted.”

“Then she’ll like my inventory.”

The man showed them ring after ring. Finally, he showed them one larger than all the others.

“That’s the one I want,” Gina squealed, grabbing it and putting it on her hand. “Isn’t it gorgeous? It fits, sugar. Can I have it?”

She turned her hand back and forth letting the light catch the stone. It shot sparks in all directions.

“How much?” Darin asked.

“This is the real deal,” the con man turned pawnshop owner gushed.

Darin slipped the ring off Gina’s hand, held it up to the light. “Do you have a loupe?”

Reluctantly, the man handed him one. Darin held it to his eye and looked at the stone as if he knew what he was doing. All the while, he was making um-hum noises.

Gina almost choked.

“It looks like the real thing,” the man corrected. “You can’t tell the difference without the loupe.”

“How much?” Darin asked again, knowing the guy was building up for a big sale.

“Five hundred.”

“I’ll give you one.”

The man’s voice raised several octaves. “I can’t. It’s a good piece. I can get five for it easy.”

Darin leaned closer, got in the man’s face. “A hundred, and consider it a favor. Now see if you have a wedding ring I might like. One that goes with my wife’s.”

“Yes, sir.” The man dragged out another tray.

It didn’t take long to find Darin a wide gold wedding band that matched Gina’s close enough, plus another ring with a large emerald that looked real.

They left a little while later after spending a little over two hundred dollars.

“You were better this time, Darin. With a little more practice we just might be able to pull this off.”

He chuckled. “Have to admit it’s getting easier.”

“For a minute there, you looked so dangerous I was almost afraid of you myself.”

“Good. That’s what we want. When this is over, we’ll take this stuff to another pawnshop and get some of our money back.”

Gina let her so-called diamond flash in the sun. “I don’t know, sugar. I might not want to part with this beauty.” Then she turned serious. “Our papers will be here soon. Chief Hamilton wants a meet before we go under. It seems the FBI want a hand in this as well.”