“I want to. She's been more scrutinized than any of my other people and as far as I can tell, she's squeaky clean. But all of her father's family was tied to Garduchi.”
“I didn't see the name Polenari on my list of known associates.”
“She and Leona are the last of the line. Her father and brother were taken out in a territorial war when she was seventeen.”
“What about her mother's family?”
“They were never part of Garduchi's organization. They live out in California but, as far as I know, she doesn't have any contact with them.”
“You ever ask her why she joined the force?” Boyd asked.
“She said she wanted to help right the wrongs her family had inflected and in the process, maybe find evidence that would put Garduchi behind bars. She seemed sincere. She actually asked to be assigned to this precinct. It's one of the toughest in the city and she spends a lot of time talking to the kids, trying to keep them off drugs or getting them to go into rehab if they're already hooked.”
Boyd was aware of the continuing underlying uncertainty in Drake's voice. “But you're still not certain where her loyalty lies.”
“If she is a plant by Garduchi, she'd have to play her role perfectly or we'd know.”
“So, if you don't trust her, why not get rid of her? Or, better still, why'd you hire her in the first place?”
“Didn't have a choice. She didn't have a record or anything that would prevent her from applying. Her scores on all tests and field maneuvers gave her a top ranking and we needed women recruits. If I'd turned her down, she could have sued for sex discrimination.”
Boyd didn't like what he was hearing. If Officer Polenari was working for Garduchi, then there were two possibilities. Either she was bringing her aunt in to set her up to be murdered or she had chosen to side with her aunt in which case Garduchi would be after both of them. Either way, anyone in their company could be caught in the cross fire. “I'd like a copy of her personnel file.”
“Figured you would.” Drake buzzed his secretary and requested Katrina's file.
While they were waiting, Boyd gave Drake his cellular phone number. “For now, I'm going to stay in the background. I'll let her contact you when she hears from her aunt, then you contact me. Because my cell phone isn't a secure line, ask me out to dinner like we're old friends. That will be my signal to contact with officer Polinari.
“You're not going to tap her phone and try to trace Leona's call when it comes in?” Drake asked.
“No. I figure Garduchi will already have her place wired by now and I don't want him to know we know she's been contacted. I want him to think she's keeping her aunt's call in the family, so to speak.”
“Good idea.”
Entering with the file, Rebecca eyed Boyd with open curiosity.
“Have you told anybody about the FBI visiting me?” Drake asked as he accepted the file.
“Just Katrina,” she replied, her gaze shifted to the file. “You think she's involved somehow?”
“She's Leona's niece. She might be contacted.”
Good. Drake was playing this one close to the belt, Boyd noted. The fewer people who knew what was going on, the better.
“I don't want you to say anything about the FBI being here or about them talking to Katrina or taking a look at her file,” Drake ordered. “You got that?”
“I wouldn't have been your secretary for ten years if I couldn't keep my mouth shut,” she snapped back, clearly upset about being accused of possibly gossiping.
Boyd also noted that the secretary didn't say anything in support of Katrina. In fact, there had been an edge in her voice that suggested she thought the lady cop could be right in the middle of whatever was going on.
And she'd be right. He just wished he knew which side Officer Polenari was really on. Thanking Drake for his help, he headed back to the hillside.
Lewis had seniority but Boyd wanted this assignment. He'd always thought of Lewis as being somewhat naive where women were concerned, and that could prove dangerous in this situation. By the time he joined his partner, he'd planned out his argument for being the one to pick up Leona.
“They've already verified my identity,” he said when he finished filling Lewis in on the details. “Besides, as senior officer, you should be here to coordinate the teams keeping an eye on Garduchi.”
Lewis grinned. “She even prettier up close?”
Boyd scowled. “Pretty as a copperhead basking in the sun.”
Approval showed on Lewis's face. “Ever the cynic. Good. That'll keep you alive.” His expression darkened. “But I don't like the idea of you going alone.”
“That's one of Leona's stipulations. We don't want her to balk.”
“All right,” Lewis agreed grudgingly. “But watch your back.”
“I always do.”
Lewis still didn't look happy. “I'm counting on your mother's Apache blood to give you an edge.”
“I'll be fine,” Boyd assured him.
Chapter 3
A
lthough Boyd's original plan was to stay away from Officer Polenari until contact with her aunt was made, the more he thought about this, the less he liked it. Not only was there the possibility that Garduchi's protection wasn't enough to keep money-hungry bounty hunters away from her or that outside talent might not even get the word that Garduchi didn't want her touched, but Garduchi might decide that he should keep her by his side.
Or, Katrina Polenari could have a plan of her own. When she discovered he was on to her, she could have made up the story about her aunt wanting to come in. She could be planning to disappear just like her aunt and join up with Leona so the two of them could enjoy the money Leona had skimmed from Garduchi.
Or, maybe inside she was cold as ice like her father and brother had been and was planning to turn Leona over to Garduchi for the reward.
Or, there was even the possibility that Drake could be bought. A hundred thousand was a lot of dough.
Deciding that there were too many ways this situation could play out to allow Ms. Polenari to be out from under his watchful eye, Boyd cruised Katrina's neighborhood. Garduchi had men watching both her front and back doors. He parked out of their view and waited for her to return home. Her shift ended at midnight. That was five minutes ago.
He frowned at the small white frame house in which she lived. After making arrangements for getting Leona to a safe house, he'd spent some time checking up on Katrina's family. The Polenaris' ties to Garduchi ran deep. Beginning with her grandfather, they had been trusted enforcers. Boyd had also read through Katrina's file. She'd received several commendations. But it was the personal information that interested him. It appeared to verify her aloneness in the world. She'd listed only her parish priest to be contacted in case of injury or death.
A little after twelve-thirty Katrina pulled into her driveway. Boyd waited until she'd been inside a few minutes, then drove around and parked in front of her house. In an attempt not to be recognized by Garduchi's men as the T-shirt-wearing stranger who had tailed her for a short time earlier in the day, he'd switched cars and changed into a button-down shirt and slacks with a sports coat hiding his shoulder holster. Carrying a large bouquet of flowers in a way that hid his face, he mounted the steps and rang the bell.
Katrina had just taken off her utility belt and laid it across the back of the couch. Wondering who would be calling at this time of night, she extracted her gun and approached the door. Looking through the peephole, she frowned. It was the FBI agent. She laid the gun on a nearby table and opened the door.
“Pretend I'm your boyfriend,” he said leaning low enough that with the flowers between them and the onlookers, he appeared to be kissing her.
His nearness caused her blood to race. Unused to having so strong a reaction to a man, she stepped back quickly. Well, like the secretary said, he was a hunk...a very masculine hunk.
Turning his back to the onlookers, Boyd extended the flowers in her direction causing her to step back further, allowing him to enter and close the door.
For one brief moment, Katrina was flattered by his gift, then she looked up and saw the ice in his eyes and knew they were merely part of his ruse. Her pleasure along with the attraction she'd experienced died a quick death.
“I know you're angry with me, sweetheart,” he said, slipping her a note informing her that Garduchi's men were watching the house and had a clear view through her living room window. It also added that he suspected the house was bugged. “But I'm truly sorry about our little spat.”
“You call it a âlittle' spat?” she returned, playing along and having no trouble sounding irritated. Did he think she was an idiot? Of course Garduchi was watching her and she knew he'd probably bugged her house as well as her phone.
“I want to make it up to you.” Boyd paced the room like a worried lover, this subterfuge giving him the opportunity to check it out with the small bug detector in his hand. It indicated one device on a lamp, one on the back of a picture frame and one in the phone. Placing an arm around her waist, he began to guide her toward the back of the house, continuing to look for bugs as they went. “You look tired. Why don't I give you a massage while we work out our differences?”
“I'm not sure if I want you back in my bedroom. We'll use the guest room. Since you refuse to learn any new tricks, at least the environment will be different,” she said, insinuating their argument had been over his lack of adequate lovemaking. Inwardly, she smiled. He deserved the jab for underestimating her. In the next instant, her breath caught in her lungs. His hand had moved to her hip and tightened its grip. The imprint burned through the fabric of her slacks sparking a fire deep inside.
“I've decided that you're right. A little experimentation could be fun,” he said, low and husky. She felt good beneath his touch and the desire to prove to her that he could satisfy a woman was strong. Letting lust and his male ego rule would be really stupid, he mocked himself. Still, he wondered if she would try to seduce him in an effort to gain his help in any plan she and her aunt may have cooked up. If she did, he'd be tempted to play along. But appearently that wasn't her kind of game, he mused regretfully, as they entered a room to their right and she immediately jerked free from his hold.
Katrina hated the way her legs felt shaky and the fire still flamed inside of her. She prided herself on her control but with no effort whatsoever, Boyd Logan had made her feel like a teenager in heat. Crossing to the window, she pulled down the shade, insuring their privacy, then switched on the lamp on the bedside table.
Boyd closed the door, then scanned the room. Like the hall, it was free from bugs.
“There's a phone in my bedroom and one in the kitchen. I've checked them. Like the one in the living room, they're bugged. I'd also spotted the bug on the lamp and the picture frame. So, I figure any room with a telephone will have at least one extra bug in case the bug they put in the phones didn't work,” she said, letting him know she'd already thought through any moves Garduchi might make. She also made certain she had the bed between her and him. “So now that we can talk, to what do I owe this late-night call?”
Choosing not to mention that his suspicious nature had caused him to wonder about her or Drake being on the level, he said, “It occurred to me that Garduchi might decide that having you in his care would be better than letting you roam free or some of the bounty hunters might not get the word he doesn't want you touched. Then there's the possibility your aunt might need immediate assistance. Going through Drake to get to me would take time. So I've decided to be your constant companion. Now which side of the bed do you want?”
Katrina had been studying him closely. His expression had remained cool and distant, with no trace of friendliness. “You don't trust me, do you?”
“Why should I? Your own captain doesn't trust you.”
Anger flashed in her eyes. “I'm sick and tired of spending my life proving that I'm not following in my father's footsteps.”
“Your father's, your grandfather's, your brother's, your uncles', etc.,” Boyd elaborated.
Katrina knew no amount of talk would convince him. “Have it your way.” She sank down in a chair. “I want to take a shower before I go to sleep.” She looked at her watch. “How long do you want me to give you for your lovemaking. Five minutes enough?”
Boyd grinned wryly. “I'd take at least an hour.”
She cast him a skeptical glance to insinuate she doubted that very much, propped her feet up on the trunk at the foot of the bed and made herself comfortable.
Boyd dropped his jacket on the trunk, kicked off his shoes, switched off the lamp and stretched out on top of the bedspread. Katrina Polenari was not going to be easy to get along with. With any luck he'd be able to control himself and not shoot her before this was over. A sudden complication occurred to him. “Is there a real boyfriend who might show up on your doorstep?”
“No.”
Now why didn't that surprise him? “I didn't think so but I wanted to be sure.”
She heard the smugness in his voice suggesting that she was much too difficult a person for anyone to put up with and the hairs on the back of her neck bristled. “What about you? Is there a jealous girlfriend or a wife who might suddenly show up?”
“No.”
“I didn't think so,” she tossed back with the same smugness he'd used on her.
He'd set himself up for that one, Boyd admitted, and ordered himself to sleep with one ear open.
As her eyes grew accustomed to the dark, Katrina could vaguely see his long outline on the bed. The man was a bore, she told herself curtly. Still, she found herself wondering just what he would do with the hour he claimed he'd take with a woman. The remembered feel of his hand on her hip reawakened the fire inside. She jerked her gaze away. She'd never been the one-night-stand type and she most certainly wasn't going to break her code for the likes of Boyd Logan. Irritated with the path her mind had taken, she looked at her watch. Barely half an hour had passed. “He gets fifteen more minutes,” she grumbled under her breath. “Not a second longer.”
“I thought we'd agreed on an hour.”
Startled that he was still awake, she frowned at the bed. “I thought you were asleep.”
“I sleep lightly.” The truth was he'd been aware of her scrutiny and couldn't help wondering what she was thinking. The hostile edge in her voice convinced him not to ask. “Now what about the hour we agreed on?”
“We're being watched by macho thugs. For them five minutes is probably the norm. Twenty minutes would make you their hero. I'm giving you forty-five. That'll put you in their record books.”
He grinned. “What more can a man ask for?” Closing his eyes, he returned to his state of semislumber. When Katrina rose from the chair, he woke immediately. “I'll scan the rest of the hall and the bathroom.”
Both were clear. Satisfied Garduchi wasn't a problem for the moment, he turned his attention to the window above the tub. He tried opening it. It stuck five inches up and there was a screen on the other side.
“I really doubt anyone would try to get to me through that,” Katrina said, watching him with amusement.
“I wasn't worried about someone trying to get to you.”
Her amusement vanished. “You think I might try to escape by way of that window? I'll admit, I find you a bore but if I want to leave, I'll do it by the front door.”
“I'm merely making certain you don't use the sound of the running water to cover your leaving for a late-night rendezvous. You weren't expecting me to show up before I was summoned. Until I know what the game is, I intend to call all of the shots.”
As the full impact of his words hit her, she stared at him dumbly, her anger so intense she couldn't speak. When she did find her voice, she said, “You think I might be setting up my own aunt for Garduchi.”
“A hundred thousand is a lot of money.”
Her temper raged out of control. She'd had about all of this arrogant cowboy she could stand. She swung her hand to slap him.
Boyd caught her by the wrist before she could make contact. “So I'm a cynic. I've also considered the possibility that you and your aunt might be playing some game...using me to help get away from Garduchi. And, I've cut Drake out of the loop. Before I came over here, I dropped by and told him I was going to take over as your permanent bodyguard and you wouldn't be back until this business was over. Tomorrow morning you'll call in sick.”
She jerked her wrist free as her irate glare turned to one of surprise. “You don't trust him either?”
“Like I said, a hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money.”
Feeling the need to have the last word and also give him some warning, she said, “If you think you're going to be calling all the shots, you'd better think again. You haven't met Aunt Leona.”
The sincerity in her voice gave him a jolt of uneasiness. It suggested that her aunt was even more difficult than she was. What kind of mess had he gotten himself into? Boyd wondered. Before she could head into the bathroom, he caught her by the arm and with a twist of his head, motioned for her to follow him into the living room.
Wondering what he was up to, she did. Once they were in range of the bugs, he said, “My apartment's being painted. Mind if I move in here with you for a couple of days?”
“I suppose I can't have you sleeping on the street,” she replied.
“I'll get my bag while you take your shower.” Lowering his voice to a whisper, he added in her ear, “Don't lock the bathroom door.”
His breath heated the sensitive skin of her neck and embers sparked to life. Furious with herself for feeling any attraction toward him, she asked through clenched teeth, “Would you like for me to hum the whole time so you can be certain I'm in there?”