Page 285 of Allegiance

“I’m sorry that we had to abduct you,” Maura said to Calyx. “Have a seat and join us for lunch.”

She took a seat at the giant island kitchen counter.

“It’s okay. Once I realized who it was, I wasn’t afraid. What can I do for you guys?” she asked.

Maura sighed.

“I’m going to have to implement a very dangerous and not-so-opportune plan,” she said. “I won’t go into the specifics with you, but I have some questions.”

Remmy was behind her, waiting and watching.

“Okay, I’ll help however I can,” Calyx said.

Maura went there.

“I need a personal favor. You have every right to say no, and I’d understand, but it’s important. I have a way to get rid of Chevy and this mess once and for all.”

Everyone wanted to hear that plan because this whole situation was getting old.

The man was a pain in the ass.

“Okay, what do you need?” she inquired.

Well, since she asked…

“Here’s what I need. We’ve asked where to find Chevy or Cruz, but we’ve never asked if anyone you know is loyal to them.”

She said nothing, but instead let the woman discuss what she wanted.

“We have to infiltrate their enterprise. We know they are using the guise of modeling agencies to lure women in. We need someone who can get us information.”

Calyx took a bite of the sandwich she was served, and waited.

“I need a woman to go undercover for us, but I need someone you think is on their payroll. We haven’t been asking you the right questions, and now I understand that. I need to know if you have anyone who feeds you information, and is working both sides. Someone who has their allegiance, or thinks they do.”

Calyx chewed and still said nothing as Maura laid it all out.

“We can’t go in. We’re marked. I need someone who will betray us.”

They all looked at her.

Well, everyone but Jagger since he was the only one who knew the plan at this stage.

“Do you have someone like that?”

She nodded.

“Yes. Her name is Merla. From what I’ve overheard, she’s one of the women who is on call for Cruz Santiago. She owes him some money, and he gets it paid back with sex.”

“And is she dirty?” Maura asked. “I really need someone who will rat us out to him, and will take our money.”

She laughed.

Oh, well, that sounded about right.

“Merla is about as trustworthy as a double agent. She’d sell her own mother out.”

That worked.