Page 38 of No Reason to Trust

“You’re right. Not gonna go that route. Because I’d be completely vulnerable, and I wouldn’t have any backup.” He leaned closer to Livvy. “I think I’ll change the meeting place. We’ll set it up for that fast-food place across the street from the building. That way, you’ll be able to be there, too. At a different table, but close enough to have my back. And if you see a threat, you can text me. Or if someone pulls a gun and aims it at me, you can take him out.” He smiled. “You brought a suppressor, right?”

“I did.” Livvy smiled. “I like this plan. It keeps you out of that office and lets me be present at the meeting to back you up. This way, you have a better than average chance of walking away from the meeting.”

“That’s the goal,” Jake said.

Livvy leaned closer to him. “It’s got to be a last-minute change of plans,” she said. “You call them the morning of the meeting. Tell them you’re not going to their office. You want to meet in public. And you choose the restaurant across the street from their building.”

“They won’t like it,” Jake said.

“Of course they won’t. You’ll be screwing up their plans. But I don’t see any way to keep you safe if you go to that office. There was a strong sentiment for shooting you as soon as you walk in the door. No way to defend against that. You step into the room, and boom, you’re dead.”

“Yeah. Not going to let them have the upper hand like that.” Jake swallowed the hard ball of anxiety in his throat. “Meeting in a public place is less risky, but still dangerous. We both have to be prepared to use our weapons.”

“I won’t hesitate. And I know you won’t, either,” Livvy said. “This is an us-or-them situation. I hope we can avoid firing our weapons, but we need to be prepared to use them.”

“You’re right.” Jake clenched a fist. “Shootouts in fast-food restaurants are way too dangerous. Too many civilians in the mix, too many chances for civilian casualties. But I’m not sure we have any other choice.”

“I don’t think we do,” Livvy said. “They’re going to be just as concerned about civilian casualties as we are. After all, this is their community. Dead Russian civilians would be a really bad look for them.” She clenched her teeth. “I’m guessing they’ll try to get you to go with them to the Gowanus Canal. That’s their way of taking care of you out of the public eye.”

“Yeah, but I’m not going anywhere with those guys,” Jake said. “I’m here to listen to their proposals. Take them back to Nelson.”

Livvy smiled. “You’re going to get some pushback,” she said.

“That’s fine. That’s why they’re called negotiations.”

“So we have a plan for tomorrow.” Livvy drew a deep breath. “I like this one a lot better than me skulking in that closet around the corner from the office. I’m no good to you there. At least this way, I’ll be able to actually do something if things go south.”

“Good.” Jake slapped his palms on the table. “When do you think we should call them?”

“As late as possible,” Livvy said immediately. “We don’t want to give them any time to set something up. You’re supposed to be there at ten, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then call them at 9:45. We can even be in the restaurant by then. Pick out our seats. Set it all up, so that when they walk in, there’s only one place they can sit.”

Jake nodded slowly. “Yeah. I like that idea.”

“You can ask them how many men will be there. So you know how many seats to save.” Livvy smiled. “Knowing how many men you’ll be facing gives you more power.”

“You’re right,” Jake said. He leaned toward Livvy. “You’re a genius, Liv,” he said. “I like this set up a hell of a lot better than walking into their turf. Especially walking into that tiny, cramped office.”

Livvy gripped his wrist, and Jake felt the pressure of her fingers zing through his body. “We’re FBI agents, Jake. We make the rules when meeting with hostiles. And we do it in public. In a place where they probably know a lot of the customers. Which means they’ll be reluctant to use weapons.”

“Yeah,” Jake said. He slumped against the back of the couch. “Now we sit here and wait for Sergei to call.”

“You think he will?” Livvy asked.

“He doesn’t have a lot of choices,” Jake said.

Chapter 15

The minutes ticked by torturously slowly as they ate room service meals and waited for Livvy’s phone to ring. Finally Jake pushed his plate away and leaned toward Livvy.

“We need to have a plan for if Sergei calls,” he said. “We need to have the name of an agent we can trust to protect him and his wife. To keep them safe.”

“I’ve been thinking the exact same thing,” Livvy said. “I’m reluctant to call the local FBI office. They wouldn’t know who we are, or what our motives are. And how do we know if we could trust them?”

“Yeah. I think we have to get Diana involved. Explain the situation to her and have her contact someone she trusts in that office. So when Sergei calls, we have someone lined up to help him.” Jake studied her for a moment. “You want to call Diana?”

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