try to push it through and have it ready tomorrow night. But it takes time to ensure it will pass through security. If this were easy, everyone would be doing it.”
She opened up the front page and ran her finger across it as she examined the fake ID. “It looks real, but there’s no name or photo.”
“It looks real because it is. We just make a few minor changes. Primarily the photo. It takes time to do it right.”
“Okay.” She closed the passport and dropped it back onto the table. “I was told to bring forty-two hundred for both passports.”
“Correct.” He grabbed the passport and put it back into his drawer. “Where’d you get the money?”
She offered him a weak smile. “You don’t trust me now?”
“We both have to be careful, don’t we? That’s no small amount of cash, particularly for someone in your position.”
“I’ve been saving and I have an aunt down south who sent the rest. I’ve got enough to buy plane tickets out of the country. I thought about renting a car, but without a driver’s license, I don’t think I can.”
“I have a passport that will work for you, but you might run into some issues with your son. Traveling overseas without some kind of note giving you permission from his father could throw up some red flags and cause you to be detained.”
“We were never married. I do have Grayson’s birth certificate. His father’s name isn’t on the document.”
“That should work then. Just make sure you carry the birth certificate with you. I’ll also need a photo of both of you.”
“I didn’t want to bring my son, but I did bring photos of him on my phone. I can text them to you.”
“That was smart.”
She texted a stock photo from her phone to the number Biggie had given them, then looked up at the man. “Would you mind taking a couple of me and letting me choose? I’m not trying to be vain, but I did a few things, wanting to make sure he can’t recognize me.” She ran her fingers through her hair and looked up at him, worried she was taking it too far. “I’m being way too paranoid, aren’t I? I can hear it in everything I’m saying to you. I’m not usually like this.”
“Don’t worry. If I were in your place, I’d feel the same way.”
She blew out a breath. “Thanks. Do you mind using your phone? My camera isn’t very good.”
Yuri studied her expression and she did her best to look innocent. It must have worked because he nodded and a moment later, she pressed her back against the wall as Yuri took a few shots.
She was thankful she’d taken the measures to change her appearance, but she still needed a way to prove Barrick had been here.
He handed her the phone. “What do you think?”
She pretended to study the photos he had just taken. She had a couple seconds at most to find Barrick’s photo. She scrolled back through the last few photos he’d taken . . . Bingo. Barrick’s gruff mug stared back at her. He’d been here. Time stamp said late last night. Which meant he’d pick it up tonight.
“Let’s go with the second one.” She handed the phone to Yuri after scrolling back to her photo. “Do I meet you here to pick it up?”
“Come after seven tomorrow evening. It’ll be done.”
She set the cash on the table. “Thank you. I’m finally feeling like I might be able to do this.”
“There’s no reason why you can’t.”
She walked out the door and up the steps without turning around. Got in the car she’d driven over. Jonas and a team were waiting in the shadows. Her backup in case anything went wrong. But nothing had and now it was just a matter of time until they found Barrick. She drove to their meeting place, making sure she wasn’t followed. She couldn’t take any chances that Yuri might be playing her. That he suspected anything.
She slid into the car where Jonas was waiting for her.
“Good job.”
She caught the relief in his face in the streetlight.
“You actually saw Barrick’s passport?”
“He showed me a passport, and I saw Barrick’s photo on his phone, and from what he told me, I think it has to be the one he’s working on. Barrick is supposed to pick it up later tonight.”
“So your sob story worked.”
She smiled. “The guy did seem to feel sorry for my single mom with a baby act. Dropped his