so important as to get special treatment from the CIA.
“The agency is concerned with Ortega’s LA criminal network.”
Declan’s gaze flicked briefly to Walker before returning to John’s. “So, this is about Gabby? You want me to spy on her?”
“That and other things.”
A protective instinct reared inside him. “You don’t think she’s dirty, do you?”
“We have no reason to believe she is.”
That didn’t give him any relief.
“Local LEOs are hunting down Ortega for his role in the fentanyl attack. That’s no reason for us to get involved, but it’s concerning. It’s even more concerning that he may have acquired a biological weapon.”
“What? In LA? How and why?”
John glanced at Walker. “Care to elaborate? Migs has been undercover in the Ortega organization.”
“If he’s undercover why doesn’t he know where Ortega is?”
“Let me rephrase that,” John replied, a hint of irritation crossing his face. “He’s newly undercover. Ortega is extremely paranoid and divides his network into cells that have no idea what the others are doing. It’s how he maintains control,” John said. “We’re lucky Migs has been assigned to Ariana—Ortega’s sister.”
“If you have an in via Ortega’s sister, why do we need to be involved?” Levi asked.
“Because we’re not sure when Ariana will see her brother again,” Migs replied. “There’s recent intel that Ortega has cancer and is trying alternative medicine as well as chemo. His sister runs one of those vitamin therapy spas in Beverly Hills, but we doubt that’s where Ortega will go.”
Declan gave John a look. “Vitamin. Therapy. Spas?”
“Don’t ask,” he muttered.
“It’s a thing,” Levi grinned. “They stick an IV in you and pump you full of the good stuff.”
Declan wasn’t sure if he was more perturbed by the idea of a vitamin therapy spa or the fact that his partner knew what it was.
“How do you know that?” he asked the question anyway.
“My wife mentioned it.” Levi scratched the scruff on his chin sheepishly. “I’m trying to turn over a new leaf. Listen to her more. Pay attention to the things she talks about related to her job.”
Declan fought back a smile. “You never mentioned what she does for a living.”
“Make-up and special effects,” he said, then added proudly. “With the rise of net streaming, she’s in demand and has to travel sometimes.”
“Sounds interesting,” John cut in. “Maybe we could find some work for her.”
Levi scowled and his mouth zipped shut.
Rescuing his friend, and in case John wasn’t kidding, Declan asked, “Is Ortega’s sister involved in his brother’s criminal enterprise?”
“Not that I could determine,” Walker said. “All her clients seem legit. She does charity work at a clinic in the Valley. I haven’t gone along on any of those yet.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Declan chuckled, but more out of an incredulous epiphany than humor. “Of course. IV injections in a spa? Makes a great front for drugs.”
“Bingo,” Levi agreed.
“I haven’t found anything that incriminates Ariana yet,” Walker growled with more ferocity than Declan expected from an undercover agent talking about his target. “So let’s not jump to fucking conclusions.”
“Are we having trouble staying objective, Walker?” John asked, frowning.
“Not sure what you’re asking.”
“No danger of falling in love with Ms. Ortega, right? ‘Cause I don’t care for a repeat of the Yemen fiasco.” At this last statement, Garrison stared pointedly at Declan, who smirked. Things would have ended so differently in Yemen if Kade hadn’t gone rogue.
“Don’t know what went down in Yemen, but I assure you that’s not happening,” Walker snapped. “Anyway, we’re getting off track. Two of Ortega’s trusted inner circle were killed in the Friday sting by GHD. He’s pissed and the whole criminal underworld is bracing for him to declare war on the city. The fentanyl attacks are only the beginning.”
“I’m still not seeing how Levi and I come in? We’re merely bodyguards at this point, and I doubt we’ll be privy to Gabby’s briefing with her boss, especially if she’s on leave.” Declan’s eyes narrowed. “Was it Ortega who called the hit on Gabby and Theo? Payback for LAPD’s Friday op?”
“Probably,” Walker said. “Like I said, Ortega is on a rampage.”
“So, let’s cut the crap. What exactly do you need from Levi and me?”
“You in particular,” John said. “How well are you acquainted with Claudette?”
He managed to keep his seat. “What about her?”
“What do you know about her and Ortega?”
“What?” Declan whispered. This time he leaned forward. “What does Claudette have to do with that fucker?”
Garrison pushed a file toward him. “She appeared on our radar only recently. But the DEA has a file