Page 21 of Caleb's Cause
“Wow, okay, I didn’t think she was lying, because there were too many details that she never deviated from, and I’m not telling you what to do, but I have a suggestion.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ll give it, then I’ll be over in the lab to give you privacy.” He held up a stack of papers and Duane knew it was the orders for Riceman Stallions, and knowing that, Tom would be locked away for hours.
“Lorissa joining you?”
“Not today, she was called in for an emergency on a ranch south of here.”
“Got it. Okay, what’s your suggestion?”
“You don’t have to answer this, because it’s none of my business. However, it is something you can think about before acting.”
“Spit it out, Tom.”
“Did you leave the FBI on good terms? Is there someone, an old partner, an old boss, an old friend, that you could call and I don’t know if you could go into details, but maybe give them the name and have them check into it.” At Duane’s dumbfounded look, Tom grinned. “I might be a country bumpkin vet, but I do have a brain in my head. I thought that you could reach out to someone in the FBI, and I don’t know if it will mess up Katherine’s mother’s bosses, or whomever the hell is trying to investigate the assholes’ case, but maybe someone in your old unit has this Babcock and Mason characters on their radar. I’m not saying you need to bring the wrath of the FBI down on Erin’s Way, but play hardball, and do a quid pro quo thing. I’ll give you this information, if you give me this.”
“Holy shit,” Duane said, then laughed. “I could do that. I just have one question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“Why did you suggest I reach out to my old office?”
“Didn’t you work out of Los Angeles? Didn’t Katherine say everything happened in Los Angeles county? I’ve never been there, but in my mind, Los Angeles isinLos Angeles county.” He shrugged and saw the dawning light on Duane’s face. With a smile, he gathered his papers, and stood. At the door, he waved and said he would leave him alone, and shut the door behind him.
Duane took the next fifteen minutes to use the facilities, make a fresh pot of coffee, fill his cup, grab a bottle of water, and made sure his notes were all organized before he accessed his contacts in his cell phone, but picked up the land line on his desk to make his call.
“Director Grayson’s office,” came a pleasant voice, and Duane held his breath as he began.
“Director Grayson, please.”
“May I ask who’s calling?”
“Special Agent Manchester,” he said firmly. He didn’t release his breath until he was told to hold. He had just taken a sip of his coffee when his former boss answered.
“Is this Duane Manchester, retired from the FBI?” came the barked greeting.
“Yes, Sir, it is.”
“Are you calling to get your job back? It’s here if you want it, just say the word, but remember, you’ll have to push a desk. There’s plenty of paperwork to go around” Duane was glad his former boss couldn’t see his expression, because even over the phone he realized that he hated the director. He couldn’t put his finger on exactly why, it was either his tone, his condescending attitude, or maybe it was the fact that it had been Director Grayson that had been the most vocal on getting Duane out of being an undercover agent, and riding a desk.
“Unfortunately, Sir, I’m going to have to decline at this time. I’m pretty well established in my new gig now, and I even met the woman of my dreams.”
“Hot damn,” the other man laughed. “So, Manchester, what can I do for you?”
“Sir, I’m calling about an unusual situation. I’m not calling for the Bureau to take over, I’m only calling for information.”
“Playing your cards close to the vest, huh?”
“Yes.” Again, Duane scowled at the other man’s tone.
“Okay, what do you have?”
“Do you know if the following people are on the watch list.”
“Whoa, okay, this is serious then, give me the names.”
“George Babcock, and Larry Mason.” Duane gave him the names and when the man on the other end of the line didn’t say anything, he scowled. “Hello?”
