also known as Hot T, was the man in the next photo. Renee explained that the hip-hop artist, record producer and clothing designer had come up from the Street Killers gang of Miami, and now employed former gang members, and sponsored and produced artists coming out of Miami street gangs. He’d also been spotted at several events with an entourage that included both of the models.
Vanessa owned several of Taye’s CDs. His compositions were edgy, sexy and innovative. With skin the color of warm milk chocolate, he was attractive and had a smile that pulled at something deep inside her. Could the man be that provocative in person? She doubted it.
In the next photo, Caulfield Carouthers was blond with piercing, gray eyes. Vanessa knew the publishing heir through his snobby sister, Lindy, who’d gone to high school with her. According to the file, his lifestyle and gambling habit had negatively affected his publishing empire. He hung out with people in the fast lane and had been seen with several of the other suspects. He’d also had an affair with Bianca a couple of years ago.
Vanessa was surprised when a photo of dark-haired, heavyset, pugnacious-faced movie producer Benton Lansing appeared on the screen. According to Mackenzie, Benton hung out and partied with Taye and the other suspects. His last two movies had flopped and he was trying to get funding for another. He could be trying to finance his next picture with drug money.
Last, but not least, was Garrett Sutter, the Sutter Distillery heir. Vanessa had met him and been present at a few society functions he’d also attended. He mostly kept to himself. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people had landed him on the DEA’s suspect list.
“So exactly what is my assignment?” Vanessa asked.
Renee placed the remote on the table. Calm and confident, she faced them directly. An inner fire lit her royal-blue eyes. “You’re to go to Miami with Agent Mackenzie. There, you will move into the condo complex on Ocean Drive and get to know the models on the party circuit. Find out what you can about Gena and Bianca’s activities. Your goal is to get a lead on this drug operation, work with Cody to identify its members, and get the evidence we need. Mackenzie will help photograph you and several other models for the swimsuit edition of Inside Sports.”
For the first time, Vanessa felt excited at the chance to grace the cover of Inside Sports. The assignment stoked her competitive streak. Her gaze darted to Renee. That the Governess and her contacts had managed such a coup was quite a bonus. The modeling career she’d tanked was returning with a bang.
“Agent Mackenzie, Vanessa, I know that you two have just met, but you were each considered the best we could find for this assignment. Mackenzie, your work with the DEA in Miami has been highly commended. You must also be proud to have placed your photos in various art and photography magazines.”
Mackenzie closed his briefing file. “Thank you. But now we’ve got a job to do.”
“I’d already planned to take two independent study classes in the upcoming term at school, but I’ll need at least a day to square things with my family,” Vanessa put in quickly, making a concerted effort to avoid the agent’s gaze. Still, she felt the weight of it and suppressed the impulse to explain. She didn’t owe him an explanation.
“A day or two is fine,” Renee informed them. “Vanessa, you’ll need to at least check in with Erin Branch at the MFD. Both your Inside Sports contract and the details on where you’ll be staying can be found in your file. Any questions?”
Mackenzie asked about the chain of command on and off the team.
Matter-of-factly Renee faced him. “This is a joint operation between the Gotham Roses and the DEA. You’re considered equals. Mackenzie’s supervisor at the MFD and I expect to be kept up to date on your progress. The MFD is available to provide you with any local help and backup you might need. Mackenzie, you’re still expected to follow DEA rules and procedures. We’ve already cleared your use of our technology and wardrobe for this assignment with your supervisor. Vanessa, you know our rules of operation. You’ll turn over your evidence to the MFD. Otherwise, you’re on your own.”
Renee’s statements didn’t surprise Vanessa. She’d worked alone on the last assignment. All of the women in the club’s undercover organization were trained and capable of working alone. The wild card here was Cody Mackenzie. Would he make the assignment a breeze, or become a full-blown pain in the ass?
“If there’s nothing further, Alan’s got a few gadgets for you and Kristi’s worked up a wardrobe profile and several additions for both of you.” Standing, Renee shook their hands. “Good luck.”
Down the hall from the consultation room, Alan Burke was waiting for them in his lab. His eyes sparkled as he showed Vanessa a set of press-on nails decorated with an intricate swirling crystal design.
Thinking about the nail she’d broken while sparring with Jimmy, she suppressed a smile. Alan was good at customizing his gadgets to fit his customer’s personalities and lifestyles. When Alan showed her that parts of the detailed design on the nails were actually electronic bugs that could be peeled off and stuck on various surfaces, she nodded approvingly.
Vanessa also received a slim gold-colored cell phone that functioned as a Global Positioning System device, a speaker and recorder for the bugs from the fingernails, and a gadget for opening electronic locks and accessing computer systems. Cool.
Alan opened a slim jewelry box and drew out a fourteen-carat gold watch with a detailed antique rose design on the face. “Press the side button in firmly three times in succession, and Agent Mackenzie and your backup team will know that you need help. It’s your panic button. It sends out a homing signal, too, if you only press it twice.”
“I like it.” Vanessa fitted the delicate watch onto her wrist and snapped the clasp closed. “Thanks, Alan. For everything.”
Alan drew another box from his workbench and gave it to Mackenzie. “Your watch. It does everything Vanessa’s watch does.” The watch was a Movado. As Mackenzie put it on, Alan drew another package from the alcove on his desk. Mackenzie opened the next package to reveal a 35mm camera. He eyed Alan cautiously. “A camera?”
“A camera that enables you to see in any light. It’s got built-in night vision and a few extra buttons.” Alan showed him a row of small buttons on the back of the camera. “Hit number one and your subject gets a knockout mist. Make sure you’re within two feet. Hit number two, and it shoots a paralyzing dart.”
“And number three?” Mackenzie asked, his finger close to the button.
Alan’s expression held a dare. “Press that and count to three, throw the camera as hard as you can, and run like hell!”
“A grenade?” Mackenzie’s fingers moved far away from the row of buttons.
Alan grinned. “For all intents and purposes.”
Mackenzie stepped forward to carefully place the camera back on Alan’s workbench. “This thing is some piece of work.”
Alan lifted the camera from the table, handling it carelessly. Mackenzie and Vanessa shot him incredulous looks. “The camera is quite safe to use,” Alan informed them. “There’s a safety switch along the side here,” he said, fingered a sliding bar. “None of the extra features work until you take the safety off.”
Vanessa released a sigh of relief. “Do you have any other gadgets for Agent Mackenzie?”
Alan glanced back at Mackenzie. “Not at the moment, but I’d love the chance to whip something up just for him.”
Vanessa stared. Had Alan just made a pass at Mackenzie? Hostile elements colored Mackenzie’s expression as he met Alan’s gaze.
Damn, tough break for Alan. Vanessa had instinctively known that Mackenzie was straight. She cleared her throat. “Thanks again, Alan. We’d better see what Kristi’s got for us.”
Mackenzie thanked Alan. Then he and Vanessa made their exit. Outside the room, Mackenzie rolled his shoulders and said just under his breath,