“That’s what the CI would have us believe.”
“But you’re not buying it,” Zeke said.
“It seems an odd pairing,” Liv admitted, sliding her glass onto the oval coffee table, a long, substantial piece of furniture. Absently, she noticed a panel of buttons on the side. “But those involved with drug trafficking tend to have more money than they know what to do with. They get bored and chase blinged-out squirrels and have unusual tastes. But mostly, they want respect. Surrounding yourself with expensive objects can buy a lot of respect in certain circles.”
“Where is the extraction location?” Zeke asked.
“In the private museum of a wealthy Asheville businesswoman.”
“Guess that rules out getting caught in the middle of a gang war,” Phin said.
Zeke leaned forward, elbows on his knees and hands clasped together. A new intensity carved hard lines on his face. “What’s the woman’s name?”
“Nicola St. Martin.”
He didn’t so much as blink at the name. Yet his clasped hands contracted as if his muscles spasmed. Did he know her? Or was something else at play?
“What kind of security are we up against?” Rohan asked.
Liv considered telling them about her family’s connection to the St. Martins, but despite Mitch’s assertion otherwise, she didn’t believe the association would be useful. She’d been to their home a handful of times, though she’d never been invited to see Nicola’s famed museum. Didn’t even know where it was in her house. But she could make a few educated guesses.
“State-of-the art. She’s a serious collector.”
Zeke said, “Rohan, we need the layout of the property, museum, and the collector’s social calendar. See if she’s entertaining in the next few days—”
“She is,” Liv interrupted. “Two evenings from now, the St. Martins are hosting their annual masquerade fundraising ball for the Asheville Art Museum, where they display select pieces from their collection for an exclusive viewing.”
Zeke looked at Rohan. “Get Phin and me on that invite list.”
“You?” Phin asked.
“I’ll be part of the recon team.”
“There’s no team in me. Recon’s my job.”
“For this one, it’ll be ours.”
Rohan hesitated a moment, then nodded and headed to his office.
“Phin, once Rohan has the property specs, I need you to work your fabricating magic. ”
Still fuming, the youngest Blackwell pushed out of his chair. “I’ll start the prep work.”
“Cruz, figure out how to get us in there and out.”
“Consider it done.” He rose and nodded toward Liv. “I look forward to working with you.”
“Same here.”
Zeke studied Liv for a long second before turning to his grandmother. “Anything you’d like to add, Grams?”
Johona shook her head. “Sounds like you have it under control.” She pushed out of her chair and smiled at Liv. “It will be a pleasure to meet your son.” With that pronouncement, she strode the short distance to Lynette’s office and disappeared inside.
Liv looked at Zeke. “What did she mean?”
He looked at the open office doors, where his brothers lurked. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
Once they reached her vehicle, she deposited her possessions inside before facing Zeke. “Explain your grandmother’s comment, please.”