duffel and headed toward a door. “Whose house is it?” It was public record, he could look it up, but he was more interested in hearing the story behind how the DEA ended up using it, which the public records wouldn't be able to tell him.
“Oh, the house?” she turned, looking around the cavernous garage. “It's my sister's.”
Chapter 5
“HEY, SPANKY,” DANI SAID, dumping her bag in the small hall next to the butler's pantry.
“Hey, Mack,” he called back from the kitchen.
Dani strode in, leaned her hip against the kitchen island, and surveyed the scene. Spanky, one of the skinniest people Dani knew, was making a sandwich stuffed with some sort of meat. Mustard, mayonnaise, and horseradish jars were scattered around him. It wasn't even ten in the morning.
“I'm not backing you up if you get heartburn or die of a heart attack.” She made a face at him.
He grinned and took a bite of his sandwich. Then his eyes moved to a point behind her.
“Ty,” she said motioning him forward. “This is Conner James. Conner, this is Detective Ty Fuller.”
Ty stepped forward and the two men shook hands.
Dani didn't miss the quick assessment Spanky gave Ty. She wondered what he saw.
Ty was an imposing man. At well over six feet, he wasn't quite muscularly bulky, but not lean either. He was built solid and, even with clothes on, it was easy to see he kept in shape. Aside from his physique, his eyes were dark and flashed with a combination of intelligence and a healthy dose of wariness. He was the kind of man who watched, observed, and took stock. Though it might make her job harder, she had a certain amount of respect for that.
“Call me Ty, please,” he said.
Conner smiled. “You can call me Spanky, everyone does.”
Spanky was one of Dani's favorite people to work with. At a few years younger than her, his off-color and irreverent humor, coupled with his intense focus and intelligence, balanced the team well. Just seeing his goofy grin could cut any escalating tension in the group, whether it was from an external source or from frustration with a colleague.
“Spanky is in charge of audio and tech surveillance. He's got a couple of people working with him. Some may be around, but most likely they're out now. If you have any questions about the audio, talk to Spanky.”
“Where are you set up?” Ty asked, propping his hip on the kitchen island too.
Spanky finished his bite before answering. “Phones, satellite, electronic ears, the usual.”
“Electronic ears?” Ty smiled at the term.
“Not quite as cool as the eavesdropping devices from Harry Potter, but much stronger and you can't see ‘em.” Spanky took another bite.
“I can't imagine you're dropping them down stairwells. Where do you set them up?” Ty asked, genuine curiosity clear in his voice.
“Cars most of the time but, since he's so isolated, it would be too obvious. So, little does Getz know, but his trees, and his walls, have ears,” Spanky gave them a dramatic, conspiratorial wink.
“Trees?” Ty responded with surprise. “Aren't they visible?”
“If we'd been here two months ago, when none of the trees had leaves, yeah, that would have sucked. But, there are enough leaves now that, unless his goons are building a tree house, they aren't going to see a thing. And believe me, from what little we've seen, his goons don't carry anything heavier than a Glock.”
“How big are they?”
“The goons? I've seen bigger,” Spanky shrugged and smiled.
Ty's mouth curled into a half grin. “The ears.”
Spanky held up half his sandwich in response.
“And they're good?”
Spanky's eyes glittered with admiration. “They are fabulous. We've picked up some interesting things in the last few days. Come see when you're done with the meet and greet. I'm housed in the parlor,” he winked at Dani. “Oh, wait,” he paused for dramatic effect. “Maybe it's the morning room, or the blue room, I just can't keep them all straight.”
Ty chuckled. Dani rolled her eyes. “It's the third door on the left from the center hall.”
“Come by, I'll show you my toys,” Spanky added, as he waltzed out of the kitchen.
“Interesting character,” Ty commented.
“Yeah, don't let the grin fool you though, he's one of the best surveillance guys I've ever worked with. It's frightening the things he can pick up.”
Ty's expression turned thoughtful as he watched the empty doorway. Then his eyes swung toward hers. She sensed he was about to say something about their night together. She remembered how vocal they'd been and it