Exit Strategy (Nadia Stafford 1)

Quinn grinned at me, and I felt an answering rush of excitement. I was finally on my target's trail, so close I could narrow my eyes and visualize him in my scope.

When I smiled back, Quinn's grin grew and he swung out of the way to let me head into the bleacher row. He tried to follow, but Jack cut in front of him. Quinn waited for Jack to pass, then darted into the aisle below, passed us and vaulted over the bench to sit on my other side, still grinning, looking like a kid who's outwitted the teacher. I couldn't help laughing.

"You think he'll show?" I said, as we settled into the bleacher seats.

"I sure hope so, because if he does, he's toast." His eyes gleamed. "This bastard has taken his last victim. We're bringing him down and I cannot fucking wait to see it."

"Got that impression," Jack said.

Quinn only rolled his eyes, enthusiasm undimmed, so stoked he was practically bouncing in his seat. As I watched him, I felt a pang of envy. Quinn felt no need to emulate Jack and treat this with quiet professionalism. I could only sit there, basking in his fire, struggling to remember what it felt like to be that open, that unguarded.

Felix pitched his trash into the distant can with perfect aim. "I know you're hoping to be the one to snap on the cuffs, Quinn, but remember, there's a good chance it won't be us."

"That's fine. Sure, I'd love to take him down myself, but if it's the Feds or the locals, good enough."

"He'll be caught," I said. "And that's all that matters."

As he nodded, our eyes met.

"Great idea," Jack said. "But a plan would help."

"Already got one." Quinn pulled two pieces of cardboard from his pocket, then fanned them, and leaned closer to me. "If you don't have any plans for this evening, I thought maybe we could take in an opera. I hear it's going to be a good show. Chock-full of danger, adventure, mystery...and, if you want, maybe we could even see the opera afterward."

I smiled and plucked the tickets from his hand. "So what are these? Forgeries?"

"Uh-uh. With tonight's security, it's the real deal or none at all. The theater's only about two-thirds full, so I nabbed these easily enough." He glanced around me. "We can get more for you guys if you want."

"Really?" Felix said. "You see, Jack, we aren't invisible over here after all."

"Hey, I included you two. You can come in if you want, but I figured

two in and two out would be better. It makes sense for Dee to be one of the two going in and, well, if she's going to have a date, I'm the natural choice."

Felix arched a brow. "You are?"

"You know, the age thing," Quinn said.

"Jack and I will pretend we didn't hear that."

"You're forgetting something," Jack said. "Partners. Dee--"

"--is your partner," Quinn said. "But--"

"She's worked with me. Not does work. Has worked."

I folded my napkin and tucked it into my empty hotdog box. "Jack's right. I know his style and with something this big, I need a familiar partner. I do agree two of us should go in, so if Jack would rather not, then I guess you and Felix--"

"Nah," Jack said. "Two guys? People still notice."

"A man and a woman would be less conspicuous, particularly if we pick up fake wedding rings. As for the age difference, at these events, it's pretty much a given. Older guys, second wives--" I caught Jack's look. "Not that you're older. Well, older than me, but--" I checked my watch. "We'd better move if we're going to do this. I'll need a dress."

"Nice save," Felix said. "And, yes, you will need a gown. This opera house evidently has a black-tie dress code for these opening weeks. Jack will require a tuxedo."

Quinn snorted a laugh, but Felix cut him off before he could say anything. "There's a shopping plaza nearby with suitable shops for formal wear. I'm sure Jack can select his own, but if Dee requires any assistance--or merely a second opinion--I can help. I have some experience shopping there for formal gowns."

Quinn looked at Felix, brows raised.

"I find women's wear an excellent disguise," Felix said. "Particularly evening dresses."