Page 49 of Zale's Little Girl
Completely unfazed by that request, Scroggins scoffed, “Or what?”
A red light appeared on his chest. Zale pointed to it casually. “That’s one way it could happen.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Scroggins growled. He took a protective stance behind the car as he searched the darkness for the person aiming that laser light.
“Your worst nightmare unless you forget she exists.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” Scroggins snarled.
When Scroggins reached toward the inner pocket of his jacket, Zale watched the red dot reappear in the center of the man’s chest. He warned, “I wouldn’t if I were you. Too many witnesses. And it doesn’t really matter at this point. Have a pleasant evening, sir. Drive carefully. I’d hate for something to happen to that car.” Zale jogged away as the man shouted after him. He saw the young valet coming from the opposite direction. That had worked out well.
After sputtering for several minutes, Scroggins had gotten in his car and screeched away.
Rejoining his team in an unmarked panel van several blocks away, Zale reported, “That went well. He’s a bit spooked.”
“I’d say. At every stoplight, he’s checking over the car,” Jerico said.
“Shall I start part two?” Koa asked. “He’s pulled over in a parking lot.”
“Go for it. I can’t wait to see his reaction to my present.” Max celebrated with a restrained chair dance as they all gathered around the screen that Jerico held.
With a soft poof, confetti and pink powder exploded from his visor. The image was obscured for several seconds and then the vague sight of a hand waving through the particles floating in the air appeared. Scroggins did think of opening the windows after a couple more seconds clicked by. That helped clear the picture.
They could now see him staring at the number two that dangled in front of his face. Zale was pleased to note a bit of concern onhis face. He was getting the message. There were several ways they could take him out.
“Go ahead and tap into his phone through the Bluetooth pairing in his car,” Zale suggested.
A woman’s voice filled the car. “This is a message and documentation I’m sending to all the large media outlets regarding the business activity of Jacob Scroggins, Sr. and his son, Jacob, Jr. The elder Scroggins’ career as a financier is a decoy. His real income comes from drug and human trafficking. His son is integrally involved in all the illegal activities. I was loyal to him until he decided to target my granddaughter. She’s only eleven. I stayed for the last four weeks to gather proof. I had access to everything. Enclosed you will find videos, documents, shipping contracts, photos, and known collaborator contacts and profiles. I have gone into hiding to protect myself and my family. You may contact me through my lawyer, Augustus Scalari.”
“That’s his former secretary. I think he recognizes that voice,” Max suggested as Scroggins’ expression morphed from shock to absolute panic.
They watched him grab his phone and pull up a number. The sound of a disconnected line rang through the Bluetooth connection in the car before he was notified that the number was no longer in service. He pounded on his steering wheel before systematically calling one number after another. No one answered.
“How did you find out about the secretary, Zale?” Koa asked.
“I had some buddies digging into his close associates. Turns out she’d contacted the FBI about a month ago.”
“And they hadn’t moved on this yet?” Hank spit out, obviously pissed.
“I’m impressed the secretary could maintain her composure for so long. Her life was in jeopardy every day,” Zale said.
“Do you hear sirens coming over his Bluetooth?” Max asked with a shit-eating grin.
“I shared his location with the police,” Koa admitted. “Oh, and the news. They’ll arrive soon.”
“Secretary, police, and the newsies. That would be three, four, and five,” Zale announced, noting the next three ways Scroggins’ world had come crashing around him. “He’s going to look good in that pink powder on all the news outlets as they feature his crimes. I think that’s my favorite one. Thanks, Max.”
“My pleasure. I wish I had a picture of his face when his secretary started talking,” Max laughed.
“You don’t really want to remember him, do you?” Jerico asked.
“No. He’s not worth an iota of space in my brain,” Max agreed. “His evening just got worse. Sucks to be him.” The team turned back to the camera feed and watched Scroggins’ face as patrol cars entered the parking lot, cutting off his retreat.
“There’s still a faint smirk on his face. I wonder how long it will take for him to realize that he isn’t above the law anymore,” Jerico commented.
“His lawyer will clue him into that,” Zale suggested. “Let’s go home, guys. I know a couple of little girls who’ll want to know what’s happened.”
CHAPTER 18
