much as I enjoyed working as a state copper, there’s nothing like doing it for the Feds.”
Pete snorted. “It sounds like you’ve gone all snotty on us, Declan. Don’t tell me you’re going to turn into one of those Feds who look down their nose at lowly state coppers like Will and I?”
Declan encompassed Will with his smile. “Not at all. Some of my fondest memories are of the times we nailed drug-dealing crime bosses up and down the coast.”
“Yeah, well, there are still plenty of them left,” Will stated. “In fact, we’re in the middle of a complex investigation right now.”
Declan sobered. “Who is it?”
Will’s voice turned grim. “Vince Maranoa.”
“That’s a familiar name.”
“Yeah, it’s amazing the number of investigations his name’s cropped up in over the years,” Pete answered. “We’ve never had enough evidence to pin anything substantial on him, despite the rumors. About four years ago, he bought the Black Opal and the gossip mill went into overdrive. Will’s been hanging out there undercover for the last few weeks.”
Declan grinned at Will and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “How’s that been working out for you?”
Will grinned back at him, liking Declan more and more. “It’s been tough on occasions. I’m glad I haven’t had to explain myself to a wife or girlfriend after a night out there. I usually come home reeking of cigar smoke and cheap perfume.” He shrugged. “It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.”
“Ah, but are you making any progress?” Declan chuckled. “That’s the real question.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Will agreed, his mirth slowly receding. “A taskforce conducted a raid late last year, but they came up empty handed. That asshole knew they were coming. There’s no other explanation.” Will shook his head. “They didn’t find so much as an ounce of evidence and yet anyone in Sydney can tell you he’s a big-time dealer.”
Determination tightened in Will’s gut. He stared at Declan. “We’re going to nail the shithead this time, once and for all.”
Declan held Will’s gaze. After a moment or two, he nodded, as if satisfied with what he saw. “I wish you all the best with it, Will. Drug dealers of Maranoa’s caliber are some of the most cunning operators in the system; they know exactly what to do to fly under the radar and always have a patsy or two to sacrifice if the heat gets too much.
“But, that’s what makes them the most satisfying to put away. Every single member of the local law enforcement knows how hard you’ve worked to get them there.”
Will nodded, relieved that Declan got it. It’s what came from swapping shop talk with a fellow DEA officer, even if the man had turned traitor and transferred to the Feds.
A moment later, Declan spied another former colleague a little distance away. After putting in a request with Pete for a beer, he excused himself and turned and headed toward his friend. The line at the bar moved forward and Will and Pete finally got close enough to lean against the bar while they waited for service.
Pete shot Will a quizzical look. “What waswith that comment you made to Savannah about being in advertising? I didn’t realize you were so picky about who you told about your occupation in law enforcement.”
Will cast around for a suitable response. “Yeah, um…sorry about that. I just…” He shrugged and looked away.
He should just come right out and tell Pete the woman was a prostitute. But he couldn’t. The words kept getting stuck in his throat.
Pete’s eyebrows rose. Feeling the pressure, Will latched onto the first explanation that fell into his mind.
“The thing is, I really like her, but she’s just not into coppers.” He kept his eyes lowered and prayed Pete would leave it at that. He should have known better.
“Since when? I’ve known Savannah for years. I’ve never heard her say anything remotely like that. In fact, I’m sure she went
Pete snorted. “It sounds like you’ve gone all snotty on us, Declan. Don’t tell me you’re going to turn into one of those Feds who look down their nose at lowly state coppers like Will and I?”
Declan encompassed Will with his smile. “Not at all. Some of my fondest memories are of the times we nailed drug-dealing crime bosses up and down the coast.”
“Yeah, well, there are still plenty of them left,” Will stated. “In fact, we’re in the middle of a complex investigation right now.”
Declan sobered. “Who is it?”
Will’s voice turned grim. “Vince Maranoa.”
“That’s a familiar name.”
“Yeah, it’s amazing the number of investigations his name’s cropped up in over the years,” Pete answered. “We’ve never had enough evidence to pin anything substantial on him, despite the rumors. About four years ago, he bought the Black Opal and the gossip mill went into overdrive. Will’s been hanging out there undercover for the last few weeks.”
Declan grinned at Will and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “How’s that been working out for you?”
Will grinned back at him, liking Declan more and more. “It’s been tough on occasions. I’m glad I haven’t had to explain myself to a wife or girlfriend after a night out there. I usually come home reeking of cigar smoke and cheap perfume.” He shrugged. “It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.”
“Ah, but are you making any progress?” Declan chuckled. “That’s the real question.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Will agreed, his mirth slowly receding. “A taskforce conducted a raid late last year, but they came up empty handed. That asshole knew they were coming. There’s no other explanation.” Will shook his head. “They didn’t find so much as an ounce of evidence and yet anyone in Sydney can tell you he’s a big-time dealer.”
Determination tightened in Will’s gut. He stared at Declan. “We’re going to nail the shithead this time, once and for all.”
Declan held Will’s gaze. After a moment or two, he nodded, as if satisfied with what he saw. “I wish you all the best with it, Will. Drug dealers of Maranoa’s caliber are some of the most cunning operators in the system; they know exactly what to do to fly under the radar and always have a patsy or two to sacrifice if the heat gets too much.
“But, that’s what makes them the most satisfying to put away. Every single member of the local law enforcement knows how hard you’ve worked to get them there.”
Will nodded, relieved that Declan got it. It’s what came from swapping shop talk with a fellow DEA officer, even if the man had turned traitor and transferred to the Feds.
A moment later, Declan spied another former colleague a little distance away. After putting in a request with Pete for a beer, he excused himself and turned and headed toward his friend. The line at the bar moved forward and Will and Pete finally got close enough to lean against the bar while they waited for service.
Pete shot Will a quizzical look. “What waswith that comment you made to Savannah about being in advertising? I didn’t realize you were so picky about who you told about your occupation in law enforcement.”
Will cast around for a suitable response. “Yeah, um…sorry about that. I just…” He shrugged and looked away.
He should just come right out and tell Pete the woman was a prostitute. But he couldn’t. The words kept getting stuck in his throat.
Pete’s eyebrows rose. Feeling the pressure, Will latched onto the first explanation that fell into his mind.
“The thing is, I really like her, but she’s just not into coppers.” He kept his eyes lowered and prayed Pete would leave it at that. He should have known better.
“Since when? I’ve known Savannah for years. I’ve never heard her say anything remotely like that. In fact, I’m sure she went
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