Chapter 16
“Rob Vonn has apparently worked this scam on more than one occasion,” said India Lunastar of Infinity Security as she was filling APS in on the particulars of her investigation.
She, Shaelyn Forrester, and Dani Forrester were sitting in the largest APS conference room later that day.
In addition to the core management team, Kelly Armstrong and Piper Haines were also there, all of them listening closely as India had taken them through the details of the scam that had cost her client three-quarters of a million dollars.
Kennedy snorted. “Don’t tell me. She’s older, probably lived a modest, very quiet lifestyle before she became wealthy, and Vonn showed up out of the blue to wine and dine her because she was too naive to know better.”
“Someone got it in one.” Dani nodded at Kenn.
“On top of the grift, that bastard trafficked her mother’s remains for cash because her mom had died at the same time Vonn was pulling his scam.
” She exhaled in disgust, the expression in her dark eyes lethal.
“While we try to never play favorites with our clients, Marion is so sweet and has been left so broken by this, we are not going to stop until that bastard is behind bars. Frankly, Indi just might kill him if she gets her hands on him.”
Shaelyn smiled at the APS team. “I’m positive Bryn and Riley have told you Infinity Security takes the protection of women as seriously as APS does.
Although we’ve never had the opportunity to work with each other before, we know enough about you and your reputation to understand slime like Rob Vonn has no idea what he’s up against between our two organizations. ”
Shaelyn Forrester was a beautiful woman standing about five-six, with black waist-length box braids, dark brown eyes, and a medium-brown skin tone.
Her sister Dani, equally attractive, was about the same height, but her dark brown spiral curls fell just past her shoulders, her brown eyes held flecks of green, and her skin tone was slightly lighter in color.
The femme energy that radiated from the sisters could not be mistaken for anything else.
But it was India Lunastar who was the real surprise.
Only five-two, with a delicate build, pure golden curls that sprang in different directions from where they fell a few inches below her jawline, pale creamy skin, and eyes that were an honest-to-God lavender color—reminiscent of movie star Elizabeth Taylor in her heyday—Indi, as Dani had called her, seemed to be the furthest thing from a protection and security operative any of the APS crew could imagine.
Now, she sent her own quiet smile around the room.
“Just so you are aware, I was able to track down where Rob Vonn is hanging out in this area. Because neither he nor any of his associates have the slightest clue who I am, I plan to take advantage and see what I can observe in person. Making direct contact at this point wouldn’t be very clever, so I won’t be approaching them.
But you know as well as we do that firsthand observation can tell you far more than interacting online. ”
A slow smile spread across Blake’s face. “Actually, Indi, I think I can do you one better. How would you like to meet your Rob Vonn—our Rob Kilgore—in person without anyone the wiser?” As Indi tilted her head quizzically, Blake rapidly explained.
“My girlfriend is the graphic artist who Reflex hired to do the rebranding for one of the craft microbreweries in the area, part of the whole embezzlement and money laundering scam they’re running in Tampa Bay.
Rob Vonn—whom we know as Rob Kilgore, aka Robert Hoyt—and the other three partners have asked Brooke to meet with them midweek to discuss the project.
“The thing is, there is no earthly reason they need to see her face-to-face at this stage of the game, which has had us more than a little nervous because we don’t know why.
If you are familiar with the setup of a microbrewery and how they are staffed, you know there’s no way for us to just smuggle in a random APS resource so she has on-site protection.
They would stick out like a sore thumb. As of right now, Reflex has no idea who Brooke really is, so the last thing we want to do is raise their suspicions, but we don’t know what their endgame is.
“Recently, however, an art student of Brooke’s best friend—who is an art therapist—went to a meeting at Cask & Canvas with Brooke, playing the part of one of her apprentices, which Brooke had told the Reflex guys was not uncommon in the graphic design field.
Neeta didn’t have to say a word. Reflex was clueless—and, therefore, had no suspicions—but we got a ton of intel from her based on her observations.
“So, I’m wondering…how would you like to be Brooke’s latest ‘apprentice’ and go with her to her meeting this week? You get to observe those morons up close and personal, while we’ll feel a hell of a lot better because Brooke will have onsite protection sitting right next to her.”
Indi’s answering smile was just as slow.
“Oh, I would love to, thank you. How fun! I really appreciate the opportunity to get so close to them. Plus, I do believe, given the situation, there might be worse things than your girlfriend having a protection operative with a loaded revolver at her back.” The entire room burst out laughing as newfound feelings of camaraderie between the two organizations took hold.
“Oh, man,” Kelly moaned, sharing a mock-disgusted look with Piper. “This is no fair. How come we miss all the fun?”
Still laughing, Shaelyn said, “Why do I feel there will be no shortage of fun while we take these idiots down, Kelly? Sadly, Infinity may not be able to recover much—if any—of Marion’s fortune for her when everything’s over, which breaks my heart.
But we can at least make sure these bastards are rotting behind bars for a very long time so she gets some justice. ”
“And we’ll know Gene and Sandy Wheeler will be safe from their schemes.
” Bryn filled the Infinity team in about the APS involvement with Reflex in more detail.
“Although she was hesitant at first, Brooke had come to us and tipped us off as to what Reflex was planning with her microbrewery clients.
She was uncertain because, in her mind, embezzlement and money laundering was typically something that fell outside of our charter.
“However, Brooke has been an extremely close friend of ours since we were all little kids growing up together in Whimsy. Even if Sandy Wheeler wasn’t a breast cancer survivor, there was no way we weren’t going to help our little sis, especially since she and Blake are a couple now.”
Dani grinned, smirking at her sister. “The five of us, the primary operatives of Infinity, have been friends from the cradle. Shae still loves to tell people how I used to stand in my crib and squirt her with the milk in my bottle to make her cry.” While Shaelyn rolled her eyes, Kelly and Piper cackled and gave each other a high five as the rest of the room snickered.
Teagan snorted. “You should also know Brooke is of Italian descent—on both sides of her family—and has, by her own admission, a wickedly horrific temper. Her friends very rarely ever see it, because Brooke has always said she doesn’t want her friends to see it, but I suggest you duck and take cover if she ever loses it. ”
“My kind of woman.” Shaelyn elbowed Dani. “She sounds just like my wife.”
“Which is why,” Dani shuddered, “as much as I adore my sister-in-law, I stay single.”
When the amusement died down again, Riley said, “Here’s another thought.
Since the three of you will be here for at least a few days, there is an eight-unit apartment building right across the street from our complex where the Seven live.
Bryn and I have apartments on the top floor here at headquarters.
The eighth apartment is used as a hangout for get-togethers that our femmes call ‘The Wendy House,’ which is equipped with a fully stocked kitchen, a bedroom with a queen-sized bed, two bathrooms, and a sofa sleeper that pulls out into another comfortable bed.
“Why don’t the three of you stay there while you’re in Whimsy? Trill can get you three key cards and the PIN code for access. That way, you can come and go as you please, but you’re close to APS headquarters.”
With a bright smile, Indi said, “I love that you named your hangout the Wendy House. As a huge J.M. Barrie fan growing up, that’s right up my alley.
Thank you, you’re very kind.” Lavender eyes twinkling as she raised an eyebrow at Shaelyn and Dani, she remarked, “And since we can re-arm once we leave the APS complex, you two will stop itching because I know you.” Her gaze swung around the room as she assured them, “No worries, we take the exact same security precautions at our headquarters in Tallahassee. No electronic devices or weapons permitted past our front entrance unless you are Infinity staff.”
“It’s just weird being on this side of the fence for once,” added Dani, chuckling.
“Blake, maybe you can arrange for Indi and Brooke to meet before the midweek meeting with Reflex?” She paused for a moment.
“I cannot get past my gut feeling that our two situations converge a lot more closely than we originally thought.”
“And Rob Kilgore—Rob Vonn—is the common thread that runs through all of it,” agreed Bryn.
Steepling her fingers, Shaelyn was contemplative.
“Vonn has his fingers in more than a few pies. Grift of wealthy marks. Embezzlement. Money laundering. Body brokering. That’s a lot of damn balls to be juggling at the same time, especially if he’s cutting out his other partners.
There’s been no evidence they’ve been in play on Indi’s case, although we have been aware of them. ”
“Who at Infinity oversees your data analytics and technology?” Trill asked. “I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with how Infinity is structured or how it differs from APS.”
“Brielle Patton, who’s another of our five primaries,” Indi told them.
“She is our data analytics wunderkind, although she does fieldwork as well. But Dani also has a technology background so, in cases like this where data is not the main focus of the investigation, Dani will handle it with phone support from Bri when necessary.”
“We are much smaller than APS, which is why our organizational structure is so different,” Shaelyn added.
Bryn laughed. “As effective as Infinity is and with the reputation you all have in North Florida, I’m thinking your structure evidently works just fine.” The Infinity team smiled.
Trill was making a few notes on her laptop.
“How does this sound as a first step? While Indi and Brooke are getting acquainted—along with Blake—and preparing for the midweek meeting with Reflex, I’m going to propose that me, Teagan, and Dani dig really deep into Rob Kilgore/Rob Vonn from a data and communications perspective, while the twins and Shaelyn focus on the scams he has run in other cities over the past three years…
whether alone or with his partners, so we have more of a background. ”
“That sounds like a plan,” nodded Shaelyn.
“We should have a much better indication of how we should proceed after the midweek meeting with Reflex. Then we can get the entire team involved.” The corner of Trill’s mouth lifted as she glanced up at Bryn and Riley.
“I don’t suppose a special dispensation would be possible so the Infinity crew can have their phones while in the APS complex, oh fearless leaders? ”
Bryn snorted as she raised a dark brow at the Geek Crew team lead.
“Cut the fearless leader crap, broki.” Quickly, she explained to Infinity that, while all nine of the APS management team were equal partners and co-owners in the business, she and her twin were the two who oversaw general operations, so they caught a lot of flak over it.
“I think something could probably be arranged so they can keep their electronics with them while on-site, as long as they don’t object to Teagan and Remy deep-scanning their devices as a precaution.
While I have absolutely no reason to believe there would ever be an issue, you know how we are when it comes to security. ”
“Not a problem at all,” Dani assured them. “As a matter of fact, it makes me feel even better about working so closely with APS. You’re evidently just as freaky paranoid as we are.”
“I have another proposal,” added Shaelyn.
“Why don’t Trill and Dani take charge of coordinating information between our two organizations?
That way we each have a single point of contact.
” A murmur of assent ran around the room.
“In the meantime, we’ll jump on our plans as far as the next few days go and get ready to take these motherfuckers down.
” Her brown eyes grew wide as she covered her mouth with the tips of her fingers. “Oooh, sorry. Language.”
The APS team, as well as Dani and Indi, burst out laughing.
“Thank Christ,” snickered Jaime as she shook her head wryly.
“At least Bryn, Riley, and I can curse in Spanish if necessary. These fuckers were probably busting a gut trying to maintain decorum.” Grinning, Shaelyn playfully crossed herself in mock relief.
After making arrangements to return their electronics to Infinity after they were scanned, both organizations prepared to disperse and head in different directions.
“That meeting midweek will be key,” remarked Blake as everyone was leaving.
“Brooke is at home working, so I’m going to run over and give her an update.
Indi, why don’t you come with me so I can at least show you the Wendy House right now—your own key cards will be ready in the next hour or so, if I know Teag and Remy—then meet Brooke so we can start talking about the Reflex meeting? We’ll grab your weapon on the way out.”
As the two organizations were filing out the door, Blake chuckled, “Reflex has absolutely no clue about the freight train that’s bearing down on them right now.
We haven’t had time to fill Infinity in on the infamous APS book either.
Here’s hoping our new friends are ready to place their bets, though.
I have a feeling the odds on this one just might be the greatest in APS history. ”