Page 53 of No Reason to Trust

When her car was out of sight, he took his own suitcase and briefcase out of the car, then carried them up to his apartment. Once inside, he slammed the door so hard that the frame shook. He searched every room, and checked all the tells he’d left among his belongings. Nothing was out of place.

Tomorrow, he’d review the listening devices he’d placed around the apartment, but tonight, all he wanted to do was write up his report for Diana and do his best to put Livvy out of his head.

A fool’s errand, he knew, but what other choice did he have?

Chapter 20

Jake spent the evening writing up his report for Diana. He went step by step from the time they arrived in Brooklyn until that morning when they left. He included a transcript of the tape they’d listened to from Alexei’s office, the one that implicated Nelson, and a step-by-step account of their conversation with Sergei, his phone call and the call they’d had with Roman Peters. He described exactly what had happened when they met Sergei and his wife in the garage and explained what he and Olivia had seen when they were walking home -- the lights on in Sergei’s house, the two men with guns standing on their front porch.

He described almost word for word the meeting they’d had at the fast-food restaurant with Alexei’s group the next morning. He detailed how Nelson had been cited several times as directing the group’s activities, and that, based on their words, Nelson was their boss.

Jake described the ambush waiting for him and Livvy in the alley, explained why Livvy had shot the guy, and their urgent rush back to the hotel when they found out about the other man in the alley and the others scouring the streets for them.

When he summed up his findings, he noted that Nelson was clearly the one giving orders to Alexei’s group. He also clarified that he had no proof that Nelson was the only Russian mole in the FBI. He suspected someone higher up in the hierarchy was also involved, but hadn’t gotten any clues about who it might be.

He stared at the document for a long time, thinking about anything else he might have missed. Finally he added that the camera was still installed in Alexei’s office, and should continue to stream its audio and video content if it wasn’t discovered. He included the password to access the recordings, as well.

Shoving away from his dining room table, Jake paced his living area, wondering what else he needed to tell Diana. Finally he collapsed back into his chair. Nothing else was needed. He’d told her everything that related to the job. Nothing personal was required.

The following morning, when he dropped off his report for Diana, her receptionist asked him to wait for a moment. She disappeared into Diana’s office, only to emerge a few minutes later. “The Director would like to talk to you,” she said.

Jake shrugged. He’d put everything necessary in his report, but if she had questions, he was glad to answer them. Diana looked up from her computer when he walked into the room. “Jake,” she said with a nod. “Please, have a seat.”

He eased into a chair and kept his gaze on Diana. “What can I do for you, ma’am?”

She leaned toward him. “What we discuss can go no further than my office. Is that clear?”

“Absolutely,” Jake said. “I won’t discuss it with anyone.”

“Except for Olivia,” Diana said. “Since she was with you these past few days.”

“I won’t be discussing anything with Olivia,” Jake said, curling his hands into tight fists beneath the edge of the desk. “She’s already gone back to Montana, and we won’t be in contact again. Unless she comes to headquarters for some reason, and even then, she won’t be seeking me out. And I have no reason to go to Helena.”

Diana’s expression softened. “I’m sorry to hear that, Jake.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “Wasn’t my decision,” he said.

“I see.” Diana looked as if she was reaching across her desk to him, then she pulled her hand back. “I’m sorry, Jake. I asked you to come in so I could ask if you wanted to be transferred to the Helena office, but I’m guessing that’s off the table now.”

“Yes, ma’am. At this point, I have no interest in working in Helena.”

“If you change your mind, let me know,” Diana said. “That would be an easy ask.”

“Yes, ma’am. I will.” Based on Livvy’s demeanor, it would be the proverbial cold day in hell before that happened.

“Again, I’m sorry,” she said. She drew in a deep breath. “I wanted to talk to you about Nelson and Windsor. It’s clear from what you’ve told me that Nelson is deeply involved with the Bratva in Brooklyn. It seems as though he’s in charge of your Alexei’s little group.”

Jake nodded. “That was my understanding. I’m pretty sure Olivia felt the same way.”

“Based on that, I think I can assume that he’s also the liaison for the group in Brighton Beach. The one that almost murdered Olivia.”

“Yes, I think that’s fair to say. Nelson supervised both of us.”

“Nelson also supervises Windsor. Am I correct in that?”

“Yes, ma’am. It’s my understanding that Nelson is also Windsor’s supervisor.”

She bounced a pen off her desk. Plink. Plink. Plink. “I’ve had both Nelson and Windsor arrested. They’re being held in isolation in a secure, secret facility. No reason was given for their disappearance. If anyone asks, both of them are on assignment.”

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