Page 18 of In the Line of Ire

"Ourstrategy is to send at least one undercover operative into the mallto gather information about the ring, like making sure it is stilloperating and the possible suspects who could beinvolved."

"Youthink there might be more than one person?" asked Ron.

"Undoubtedly," said Solomon. "As I understand it, theemployees only work in one store, yet counterfeit goods have turnedup in two. That makes it a two-person minimum. Then there's theproblem of delivering the fake goods and sneaking out the realmerchandise and also dispersing it. We have to find out where thegoods are coming from."

"Sure,"said Ron, nodding. "I don't see you as a purse kind of guy though.What about her?" He stabbed his finger at the screen.

"Oh,me?" I asked, sitting a little taller in my seat.

"Youlook like you could sell purses," said Ron.

"Lexi isone of our best investigators," said Solomon.

"Areyou?" yelled Ron.

"Yes,sir," I said, nodding.

"Gotnerves of steel, have ya? Think you can manage playing a salesassistant and digging up some information for the big boys to acton?"

I held back a sigh. "I can do that, sir," I said insteadofwhat a jerk.

"I'msure your boss can tell you how it's done. You married,honey?"

Inodded, wondering what my marital status had to do withanything.

"Great.No one will ever suspect a pretty, little thing like you doinganything more than pitching purses."

"That'sthe idea..." I started to reply before he cut me off.

"There'san opening for a sales assistant in Page's Department Store," Roncontinued. "My niece was supposed to start working there but shecaught the flu so you can take the job instead. That okay with you,Samantha?"

"Itseems an ideal way inside," said Samantha, nodding."Lexi?"

"Iagree," I told them. "Especially since it's already set up and Ipresume no one knows your niece yet?"

"Nope.Not even the managers. They interviewed her over the phone andthat's it. She sounds like you but I doubt anyone would rememberher voice anyway. She's not the brightest thing, bless her heart.Coincidentally, you both have the same name too. Although why mysister gave her that name, I have no idea."

Ipaused, wondering if I were being insulted and decided I probablywas. I had no idea how to reply. I liked my name. Ron's nieceprobably liked it too.

"Theundercover op is agreed upon then," said Solomon. "We'll confirmall the particulars and the retainer and get started."

"Thankyou kindly," said Ron, reaching forwards and looming into thecamera until we got a very clear shot of the hairs in his nostrils.Then the screen went blank. Delgado moved over to the laptop thatprojected us into their building and closed it before pulling theplug.

"I canjust imagine the upcoming conversation," he said. "I don't thinkour clients want to hear it."

I turnedto look at Solomon, raising my eyebrows.

"Blessyour heart," said Solomon.

"Add aPITA payment to their bill," I said.

"PITA?"

"Pain.In. The. Ass."

Solomoncracked a smile. "We have to take this job. It's goodbusiness."

"Theboard members might recommend us to other boards when similarissues arise. They almost certainly serve on more than one," addedDelgado.

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