Goren eased the black Mustang just past the alleyway for their rendezvous. Dani had been fidgeting ever since they left the apartment.
"You okay?" he asked as he killed the car.
Dani looked at the big New York cop. How did she answer? Several thoughts passed through her mind at once – this is it, the culmination of two years of work; I'll finally figure out if Wills was innocent or guilty; if I get these officers hurt, after all the help they've given me, I don't deserve to be here.
Goren waited for Dani's response although he could see the emotions play out in her eyes. Someone really ought to tell her about that but as long as he could use it to his advantage, he'd keep it to himself.
"Everything's good. I can just feel that this is dangerously close to the end and I'm ready for that." She reached over and took Goren's large hand in hers. Looking up into his eyes, she smiled. "I'll never be able to thank you enough for stumbling down that alley." She leaned over and gave Goren a quick kiss on the cheek and was out of the car before he could react. The two way clicked, startling Goren.
"She okay?" Alex asked.
Bobby smiled; he'd forgotten about having an audience and he was sure Dani had, too. "She's fine. You remember how it was, don't you? Or have you been out of Vice too long?"
Eames smiled but didn't answer. Dani had already made contact with Carlos in the alleyway.
"Where's Jefe?" Carlos asked.
"You just don't seem to understand, do you? I'm his eyes and ears. If I don't like the situation, it's not going to happen." Dani answered in her CT tones.
She walked into what little light was there and heard Carlos gasp. "He did this to you?"
CT looked slightly embarrassed before responding, "Yes. And he'll do worse if this meet's not gonna happen."
Back in the car, Eames cued Bobby to join Dani in the alley. He grabbed the briefcase of bait money and exited and locked the car. He heard her statement before revealing himself to Carlos.
"If I need to, I can do the same to you, Carlos." Bobby's tone held just enough menace combined with humor to make Carlos nervous.
He smiled deprecatingly, "No, senor. It's not necessary. It's only…" he paused and swallowed, trying to wet his suddenly dry mouth. "My boss is very demanding, Jefe. He will only meet with you if I take you."
CT started in, "You know that's not the agreement, Carlos. You're changing the rules, making it up as you go. This is…"
Goren grabbed CT's arm, pulling her up against him roughly, "Enough, CT. I can speak for myself or do you need another lesson like last night?"
CT patted Goren's chest with her free hand and very quickly replied, "That's not necessary, sugar. I'll just be quiet."
Goren nodded and released her, turning back to Carlos. Again, the messenger swallowed, his mouth drier than before. "The limo is right this way, if you please, senor?"
Carlos walked past Goren, leading the way to the limo, parked on the opposite end of the alley from where his car and their backup were located. Goren made quick eye contact with Dani. He knew she had the most logical way of communicating with Eames. As if sensing his unspoken command, Dani said.
"A limo, Carlos? Now that's more like it, don't you think, sugar? You deserve to ride in style."
Goren grabbed Dani again and pulled her close, smiling as he did so. Once they reached the limo, Carlos held the door open for Dani/CT and Goren. Dani slid in quickly. Goren tossed the briefcase into the limo before checking around the vehicle, turning to Carlos as he did so.
"You understand one can't be too careful?"
Carlos nodded quickly, "Of course, senor."
Goren walked around the limo, glancing quickly at the plate number before returning to where Carlos held the door. "I'm satisfied. Let's go."
Carlos released the breath he'd been holding. He knew if the big Mafioso looking guy with CT didn't come with them, Carlos would look ten times worse than the cheap hooker. Carlos closed the door, leaving Goren and Dani alone in the back. He took the seat next to the driver.
Once inside the limo, Goren motioned for CT to sit across his lap. "Ever do it in a limo, CT?"
"No, sugar. But I guess we can." And she straddled Goren seductively. As she leaned in, Goren grasped her head and turned her to kiss her neck. Anyone looking would think he and CT were very intimately involved. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, turning her head in such a way that Goren could clearly see Dani's earpiece.
He spoke quietly, "Jersey – FW07913. Stretch black."
In his pocket, he felt his cell phone vibrate – the agreed upon response from Alex in the event of this situation. Dani looked at Goren who grinned. He whispered again, "Ready, Tex?"
Dani smiled back and nodded. She knew it was going to be loud and ugly, all for Carlos' benefit.
"Dammit, CT! You can't even do this right." And he dislodged CT from his lap, all but throwing her in the floor of the limo. Dani caught herself before she hit, making sure to rattle the glasses and bottles in the limo's lighted panels as she landed.
"I'm sorry, sugar," she cried. "Just tell me what you want and I'll try again." She got to her knees and crawled toward Goren.
Before he could reply, the limo stopped. Once again, the two actors made eye contact. Carlos quickly exited the vehicle and came to the door. Goren, keeping in character, reached down and pulled Dani up abruptly, shoving her ahead of him out of the limo. She stumbled as she got out, but Goren's firm grip kept her from hitting the ground. Carlos closed the limo door and then led them into the abandoned warehouse. While Goren pushed-pulled Dani along, she looked around, appearing oblivious. He knew she was checking the surroundings for the two of them. When Dani finally made eye contact again with Goren, she winked, and quickly looked down.
Once inside the warehouse, they could see that it was well guarded. Approximately another ten men, all armed, were scattered throughout. They stopped Dani and Bobby in one of the better lit areas in main room. Another guy, also Hispanic, appeared beside Bobby and began searching him.
"What is this?" he asked in heavily accented English.
Bobby looked at the man as if he had three heads, "You think I'm gonna walk into a situation like this unprotected? It's a vest and yes, I have a gun."
"What d'you mean, you're wearing a vest?" CT's shrill questioning drew all of their attention. "You let me walk in here in practically nothing and you're wearing a vest?"
Goren swung, hitting Dani in the chest, knocking her to the ground, "You forget who you're talking to CT?" And he took another menacing step toward her. Dani scrambled, still on the ground, backing away from Bobby. The diversion of the two fighting had completely sidetracked the security guards from disarming either of them. Carlos and the other man watched as Bobby grabbed Dani by the arm and jerked her back up. Before he could continue the act, another voice broke in.
"Don't you think you're playing it a little over the top, Dani?"
Dani froze and instantly paled. Goren knew from the look in her eyes something was terribly wrong.