“It’s so good to see you. How is work? Have you seen anyone sniffing around Ree on campus?” Alexis slipped her arm around his waist.
Matt shook his head. “Thankfully, no.” Matt leaned in to give her one more kiss. “Last one, then let’s go talk to your friends. They’re probably wondering what’s taking so long.”
Alexis, Matt, and Waffle entered the small house and Ree fanned her face when Matt wasn’t looking. Alexis felt her cheeks heat and Ree laughed. Just because Ree was giving the new couple space didn’t mean she wouldn’t give Alexis a healthy amount of grief about it along the way. Waffle trotted ahead of them, sniffing everything in his path and greeting all of his friends. Soon, they were gathered in Parker and Ree’s living room. Waffle settled by Ree and rested his chin on her knee. Ah, Ree still wasn’t feeling well. She was putting on a good show, but Waffle had a good sense for when people needed him. Alexis eyed Ree, who shook her head slightly. Alexis sighed. She’d leave it. They had bigger fish to fry if Ree didn’t want to talk about it. Technically, it was poker night. Before that, however, they had some FBI business to attend to. Alexis cleared her throat. “I assume everyone here read Quinn’s update?”
Parker nodded. “The CIA officer Cam and Quinn sent, Joey, believes the customers coming to visit have a high probability of being Dmitri’s associates. Email traffic intercepted by the NSA backs up his assessment.”
Alexis tipped her head towards her dog. “If Dmitri is making his move, I’d feel better if Waffle was a little closer. We still don’t have any idea what he’s planning, and Waffle can sniff out trouble faster than we can.” Waffle’s ears perked up at his name.
Matt nudged her. “You just don’t like being left out.”
Alexis lifted an eyebrow. “Neither do you. You and Ree volunteered to look at Stef’s prototypes. Still, it could be nothing. But if it isn’t – why wait? No one suspects Waffle of being a cop.” Waffle thumped his tail by way of reply. “What if we sent along some earpieces and Matt and I provided support close by? Not in the room, maybe just the parking lot.”
Matt nodded. “I’ve got a buddy with a research lab out there. We could just be in the area for a visit. He’d corroborate my story without asking too many questions if I needed him to.”
Ree tapped a finger against her lips. “That still doesn’t help us with getting Waffle close. Could Alexis bring him in as some kind of employee benefit? Waffle could be part of a service that rents out dogs to businesses for employee morale. Then, he could check for explosives before and after the team arrives. Alexis cleverly used some old evidence to train him on Dmitri’s scent. If Dmitri is physically interfacing with these guys, Waffle is the only one in the room who can figure it out.”
Waffle’s tail thumped and Alexis smiled. “That sounds perfect.”
“Okay.” Ree picked up a tablet. “Let’s call them and let them know it’s an option. Stefanie likes to be in charge, so it’d be nice to ease her into it.” Alexis snickered and Ree narrowed her eyes. “I’m aware that we may have that personality trait in common. After we get that sorted, we can get back to poker night. Matt, I don’t know if anyone warned you about your girlfriend. She’s ruthless.” Matt gave Alexis an adoring look. “Alright, that’s enough of that. Now let’s get this over with and everyone, be on your best behavior. I don’t want it to sound like we’re meddling.”
Ree dialed Stefanie’s number and Alexis and Matt moved behind the couch so they could lean into the video when they needed to talk. They didn’t look unlike a family all trying to squeeze in frame to say hello to a distant relative on a holiday. Stefanie answered right away with Joey next to her. Stefanie smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Evening…everyone.”
Matt’s mouth twitched. He whispered to Alexis, “Can’t she only see Ree and Parker?” The little picture at the bottom of the screen showed only the two of them.
“The Ryland sisters are nothing if not observant.” Ree grinned.
“Correct.” Stefanie pointed at the screen. “I spy Waffle’s head, so Alex can’t be far away. Hi, Alex!”
“Hey, Stef! How are you holding up?” Alexis ducked her head so she was in frame.
Stefanie twisted her hands in her lap. “Great!” Alexis eyed her skeptically and Stefanie raised her hands in defense. “Okay, it’s going great considering that I have a protective new best friend–” she turned to Joey, “–no offense, and I guess we’re meeting some customers that are reluctant to share many details about themselves. I mean, it’s probably nothing. I feel silly even bothering you with it. But if it’s not nothing…”
Before Stefanie could spiral, Ree cleared her throat. “Yeah, about that, Stef. I – we – don’t like the idea of you both meeting them alone.”
Joey looked at Stefanie for a brief moment before looking back at the team on the screen. “I think it’d be a good idea if we had some help. Just in case.”
Parker nodded. “Alexis and Matt have offered to come. They can’t be in the meeting, but Waffle can sniff around the office. We’ll have Alexis and Matt waiting nearby in a surveillance van.”
Stefanie turned to Joey with an amused smile. “You were right. They couldn’t stay out of it.” She turned back to the camera. “I mean, it sounds like it’s already decided. When will you get here?”
Alexis exchanged a look with Matt. “We can fly out Saturday and get you guys up to speed.”
“Sure.” Stefanie shrugged. “The more the merrier. The real question is, how are the rest of you guys going to handle being benched? Sis, this can’t be easy for you. Are
