Over speakerphone, they listened to the undercover agent’s phone ring.
And ring.
And ring.
It went to voicemail.
“Again,” Cannon ordered.
Younger tried two more times.
Silence thickened the air in the room with every passing second.
Jolie wrapped her arms around herself and bowed her head. Rome saw a single tear drop into her lap.
Now that cash in Rome’s pocket really felt heavy.
If she hadn’t disobeyed orders and answered her phone, she wouldn’t have any idea there was a target on her and her friend.
Jolie was already inside Blackout’s walls.
Stina was still out there.
And the agent assigned to watch over her wasn’t answering his phone.
Rome and Cannon’s gazes met.
“Rome, you’re up. We need eyes on her,” Cannon said.
He pushed away from the table and shot Rivers a look. “Thanks for the money. Guess I’m buying the first round in Chicago.”
“Arrangements will be made. Meet the chopper,” Cannon said as Rome strode to the door.
As he passed Jolie, he pitched his voice low. “I’ll take care of her.”
She swallowed hard and nodded. He met Monk’s gaze for one brief beat. No words were needed.
He turned and walked out.
The drive to the helicopter was uneventful. So was the flight. Rome kept one ear on the radio the entire time, waiting for someone to report they’d found the missing undercover agent. Instead, the updates stayed the same. The agent was still AWOL, but Stina remained exactly where she was supposed to be—working another long shift at Antonio’s Ristorante.
Four hours later, Rome stood across the street from the restaurant where Stina Velez worked.
The undercover agent should already be in position, waiting to follow Stina when she clocked out. Rome gave the street a quick once-over before shifting his attention to the alley running beside the building.
That was where he’d park. Close to the employee entrance. Close enough to move swiftly without advertising he was there.
Rome set off at a quick walk, aware of his surroundings as he entered a shadowed alley marked with gang graffiti, one hand hovering near his spine, prepared to reach for his sidearm.
He spotted the black car and checked the plate. It was a match.
With a casual air, he approached the dark vehicle, but no one was inside. Not behind the wheel or in any other seat.
He scanned the small, paved area behind the restaurant and spotted something sticking out from behind the dumpster.
His pulse slowed and his training took over.
Before he even approached, he knew what he was looking at was a boot attached to a foot. And that foot was attached to a body.