Chapter 1 #2
The case I was working involved one of my top targets—the Kingpin of Charlotte.
I’m convinced that the Kingpin of Charlotte is connected to the Marlin.
That’s why I’m eager to tell him that I’ll work with the agency to capture both of them.
The Kingpin of Charlotte is the Marlin’s primary connection to rare diamonds, and the Marlin uses these diamonds in trade to navigate the legal system undetected.
I’ve been tracking the Kingpin for over a year now, and he always manages to outsmart me. It’s incredibly frustrating knowing that he’s one step ahead. That’s why, this time, I have a plan, one that took weeks to devise, knowing this call from Dodger was coming.
I plan to infiltrate the Carolinas mafia and pretend to be one of its own.
I haven’t attempted this yet because of the risk involved and the need for financial backing to do it right.
By partnering with the agency on this, I’ll be provided with the money needed to make it happen.
My success rate as a contractor for them is nearly perfect.
Logging into the video call, I’m a few minutes early to ensure I’m on ahead of Dodger. He’s always been punctual.
As expected, it’s eleven a.m. on the dot, and he’s joining the call.
“Collins, thanks for joining me,” he starts.
“Of course.”
It’s all formalities from my former friend.
“I’ll get right to it—we need to hire you for an upcoming case. It’ll be a new contract specific to this case only.”
Meaning I can request whatever support and resources I’ll need.
“The Marlin.”
Dodger clears his throat and nods in confirmation.
“We need you to catch the Marlin. We have no idea who it is, and the illegal trade wars are off the charts. It’s time to step in.”
Interesting. They still have no known facts about any characteristics that would help identify the Marlin, similar to my situation with the Kingpin.
“I have a few leads regarding the Kingpin of Charlotte.”
“The one who has ties to all of the Carolinas?”
“Yes.”
“Very good.”
There’s an awkward pause.
“I know that’s a tough one for you,” he finishes.
Oh . My troubles capturing the Kingpin have spread through the grapevine.
“I have a plan. It’s detailed and expensive and will require resources from the agency. I know I can capture them.”
“Very good. I have one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“We’re bringing on a partner for you to work with.”
I twitch my lips, shocked.
“Excuse me? Dodger…”
I give him a tight smile to try and regroup internally without showing my disdain for the idea of working directly with a partner.
“Director, you know I work alone on my contracts.”
Dodger drops the professional mask he’s wearing and dramatically sighs. I’m not sure if it’s out of annoyance or exhaustion.
“It’s dangerous out there with the Marlin on the loose. The Kingpin of Charlotte is one of many we need to catch. This is bigger than your pride.”
My head rears back as our walls come crumbling down. We haven’t spoken like this in years.
“It’s not pride; it’s my work style. And aren’t you the one who needs my help?”
Dodger raises his eyebrows, and a hint of a smile appears at the corner of his lips.
“Always the lone ranger.”
“I work best alone.”
He closes his eyes for a moment before sitting upright. His walls are back up, and I’m once again talking to the director and not my former friend.
“You’ll take a partner, or I’ll ask someone else.”
He has me cornered, but I need this contract to fulfill my plans. I want to capture the Kingpin more than anything I’ve ever wanted from a contract.
I try to reason with myself about the idea of having a partner. I mean, really, how bad can a partner be? If anything, maybe it’ll be better for me to infiltrate the Kingpin’s domain if I have someone by my side in some capacity.
Wait. Wait a second…
“You have someone in mind.”
“I do. Someone who is an expert in the field too. And this contractor has direct ties to Charlotte and the Carolinas area, which can only help you. He’ll be an asset to your plans.”
“He?” I ask.
“Yes. I have an idea of what you’re thinking, and he will help you achieve your goal.”
I have no choice. I either forfeit my best chance at capturing the Kingpin or work with this partner.
“I’ll trust you.”
“Good.”
Dodger’s surprised I’m giving in so easily, but what choice do I have? I need this win badly.
“I’ll see you both in my office Wednesday at 0800 hours.”
I nod curtly.
“Wednesday, Collins.”
Dodger leaves the video call, and I’m feeling better than expected. I’m getting what I wanted out of this. Yes, I didn’t expect a partner, but I’ll take the lead, and everything will be just fine.
Twirling a pen in between my fingers, I start to think through how a partner can help my plans. Dodger might think he knows what my plans are, but there’s no way he can understand the details I’ve put into this.
Anything he or this partner comes up with won’t compare to what I have in store to capture the Marlin and bring down the Carolinas mafia.
“Ms. Collins?” Ruby’s intercom sounds through my office. Reaching over to my corresponding machine, I press the button to speak.
“Come in.”
Ruby enters a moment later and waits near the open doorway.
“We got it. I meet the director in two days,” I share.
“That’s great news!”
“It is. There’s only one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“He has someone he wants me to partner with on it.”
Ruby’s eyebrows shoot up, and her mouth parts in disbelief.
“Believe me, I know. But I need this one. You know how much this means to me.”
“I’ll let you get to work then; I’ll go ahead and get your look ready for tomorrow night.”
“Thank you,” I say, relieved.
Ruby gives me a small smile before leaving once again, probably thinking the same thing I am—I’m not exactly partner material, but this is something I don’t have a choice on. I have to do this.
Alone once again, I start researching the latest news on organized crime activity in the Carolinas area. There may be a Kingpin of Charlotte, but the entire network is vast and complicated.
As I start going through the latest news, there’s one article that catches my attention.
A low-stakes robbery where the thief was arrested inside the jewelry store.
When the cops apprehended him, there were no jewels to be found.
He was ultimately arrested for breaking and entering and for resisting arrest, but not theft.
This has the Kingpin written all over it. Now my only question is, what exactly is he sending his foot soldiers out in search of? A robbery with no theft is beyond suspicious.
I add this to my digital crime board I’ve been compiling on the Kingpin.
Every day, there’s something new, which makes me even hungrier to get to Charlotte and put my plans in motion. I’ve been on enough wild-goose chases to know that I’m closer than I’ve ever been before.
My cell phone vibrates on my desk, jolting me upright. I’ve been down this rabbit hole for so long that I hadn’t even realized how much time had passed.
I take a sip of my lukewarm coffee as I pick up my phone. Flashing brightly is “Mom.”
I groan, knowing my dad put her up to this. He’s having my mother call me about the gala tomorrow night.
Even though I’m a single, thirty-six-year-old woman, my parents still insist that I attend their galas whenever I can. And while my work takes me away from California frequently, there are only so many times I can tell them no.
I’d rather avoid them all, but since I’m close with my parents, I attend for them. That’s why I’m playing nice and going tomorrow.
“Hi,” I say into the phone.
“Cara, sweetheart, it’s been ages.”
I roll my eyes and smile.
“Mom, I talked to you two days ago and the day before that.”
“Well, it wasn’t yesterday .”
I giggle as I adjust the phone in my hand, knowing that I’m not going to keep arguing.
“Sweetie, we never talked about whether you are a definite yes for tomorrow night.”
“I am,” I relent.
“Oh good! Your father is going to be so happy to hear that.”
“I’m sure he will be.”
“Cara…” she sternly warns.
“What? Why does he go through you about this? Every. Single. Time.”
“Hush now. Your father is a busy man who wears his heart on his sleeve for his girls.”
I sit back in my chair and cross one of my legs over the other.
“And need I remind you, you getting into school in California and deciding to stay for all this security business is why we have a house out here too.”
A hint of a smile touches my lips.
“I do.”
“Good,” she answers happily.
An alert pops up on my computer—a security issue notification.
“Sorry, Mom. I have to run. See you tomorrow. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I check the alert and see my spyware has flagged the issue. All I need right now is for someone to break into my security measures ahead of prepping for this mission.
As I start to look at my computer screen, my attention is caught by the picture sitting on my desk of my parents and me.
We’re on the beach together, in front of our favorite restaurant here in California. I can’t help but feel happy staring at it.
Mom is right. My parents are the best that I could have gotten, and my dad runs his company from both coasts because of me.
They decided to move from my small Massachusetts hometown, Hull, out to California to be closer to me after college. My dad’s company can be run from anywhere, so he has two locations.
Although they started being bicoastal for me, they enjoy going back and forth between the two coasts. It’s almost all fun for them these days. That’s why their second home is in Florida and not my hometown.
I know I’m lucky to be this close to them, but sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if I weren’t an only child.
Many of the decisions they made over the years revolved around me.
It’s partially why I can be guilted into activities such as attending a gala with people I can’t stand to be around.
I wince at an intrusive thought.
There may be one person in particular I don’t want to see. One person I’m always dreading running into at these social gatherings.
I know he will be there; he always is.
I sigh.
Grant Sinclair is always everywhere.
Staring out my large windows, I’m in awe of the view. The sun setting and casting a glimmering shine on the ocean will never get old. Living on the beach has always been a dream of mine.
When I entered the private sector, I was able to earn more money from one contract alone than I would have earned in an entire year working for the agency.
Dodger couldn’t believe that I was willing to “sell my soul for a better paycheck,” but here we are. With each passing day, any memory that I have of Dodger only highlights our differences. I’m not sure our friendship would have lasted regardless of the situation we found ourselves in.
“This is stunning. Seriously, Cara, you look beautiful in this dress.” Ruby beams from the other side of my living room.
“It’s Cara now, is it?” I tease.
“Okay, fine, Ms. Collins. You are gorgeous,” she retorts playfully.
In the office, Ruby and I like to keep our relationship professional; we’re women in the security field, and there are already enough hurdles we have to jump over on a daily basis.
“You think so?”
“Yes, this sparkling black is phenomenal. Good thing you have an assistant with excellent taste shopping for you.”
“Thank you, Ruby,” I singsong.
It’s true; I don’t know what I’d do without her taking care of so many aspects of my personal life.
Ruby looks down at her cell phone and back up at me.
“Your car service is here.”
“Already?”
“Right on time, just how you like it.”
“I’ll just add my jewelry, then I’ll be ready to go.”
“It’s in your bedroom.”
“Can you ask the driver to wait?”
“On it.”
I smile and head back into my bedroom, where I immediately spot the two jewelry boxes. Quickly, I put my black diamond stud earrings in first and then add the thin coordinating black diamond necklace.
As I stare at myself in my mirror, I can’t help but feel content. Some might get lonely living this life, but not me. Sometimes I think about what it would be like to have a life partner by my side, but then I’m reminded that if something goes wrong at work, that could never be possible.
Plus, I am happy. I have a good support system around me and enjoy my career. It doesn’t need to be perfect to be right.
Time to get it together and head to this gala. Focusing back on my reflection, I tighten my stomach and pull back my shoulders.
I’m Cara Collins, and I’ve captured hundreds of criminals. The Kingpin of Charlotte is within my grasp. I know it’s going to happen. I can handle one night seeing Grant Sinclair.
Feeling confident, I go to add the final touch to my outfit. I hike up my dress, strap my gun to my upper thigh, and slip a small knife in between my breasts.
This may be a charity gala, but I’m always prepared for any unexpected issues.
Heading back out to Ruby, I grab my clutch and double-check it has all the essentials.
“Your car will be ready to pick you up as soon as you call the number on the card in your purse.”
I cock an eyebrow.
“Don’t look at me like that. You know your one-hour rule changes when you’re with your parents.”
I grin, and she gives me a teasing look back.
“Fine. I’ll text the number this time.”
“And is there anything else outstanding that you need me to finish on your presentation?”
“If you can just give it a final once over, that would be great. I want it to be perfect for the meeting.”
“Will do. I’ll send you a final file tonight.”
“Thank you.”
“Now go stun the ballroom.”
“It’s now or never.”
I head out down the pathway from my front door, ready to take on the evening.
“Oh, and Ms. Collins ?”
“Yes?” I ask while looking over my shoulder.
“Don’t go killing your future husband tonight.”
I smirk.
“No promises.”