Page 22 of Caleb's Cause
“I’m here, Manchester. I’m trying to decide if you’re going to give me any information if I give you the answer to your question.”
“I can, but only with the promise that you won’t be bringing the wrath of the entire FBI down on my head. Like you said, I’m playing this close to the vest. Give me my information, and I’ll tell you why.”
“Fair enough, and to answer your question, I first have a question of my own. Here goes: Are you fucking kidding me?”
Duane jerked at the tone and the question, not understanding Director Grayson. “I don’t understand.”
“First, yes, Babcock is on our list, however, we knew he was working with someone else, but didn’t have a name. I’m going to assume it’s this Mason character you mentioned.”
“May I ask why they are on your list?”
“Drugs, money laundering, the shit you always went undercover for, and no offense, but what your ex-wife was arrested for.”
“Shit, so it’s bad.”
“Yes, and now I want to know why you’re asking. Wait, before you answer that, I’m not saying we have nothing, but I am saying that we have very, very, very little to connect any dots. If we do connect them, there is so much shit between them, the connection will get lost.”
“Okay, first, do you still have my cell phone number.” He waited and when it was read off to him, Duane nodded. “That’s it. I’m going to give you some numbers. It’s a case that happened there in Los Angeles county earlier this year. You’re going to want to go over it with a fine-tooth comb. Oh, it’s a closed case.”
“Closed in?”
“In it was solved, people were arrested, went to trial, and the sentencing was handed down.”
“Ah, closed, closed.”
“Correct. Sir, I’m not being difficult, but I need you to read that file, then get back to me ASAP.”
“Why?”
“Because the victim in that case is in my custody as we speak. And no, you will not be getting your hands on them. They are safe right here where I am. They are protected by sixteen former military personnel. And, Sir?”
“Yes?”
“Eight of them are SEALs. I can make one phone call and have a dozen more just like them here in under an hour.”
“Got it, you’re telling me that this victim is safer with you.”
“Yes, and I feel with them staying here, then they are out of sight, hopefully out of mind, and you won’t have to worry about keeping them safe. I will do that for you.”
“You know, if this case goes to trial, you’re going to have to produce this victim, wait, I hate that word, I prefer survivor, or even witness.”
“Okay, I’ll go with that, and yes, they will be brought forward, but don’t go all ape shit if they have an armed escort.”
“Will I be able to talk with this witness, not directly, but over the phone?”
“I’ll let you know, but you have to run everything through me first.”
“I understand, Manchester. Send me what you have and I’ll get back to you. I’m heading into a meeting in fifteen minutes, I’ll do the reading at home tonight. Would that be okay?”
“Yes, and I don’t expect to hear back from you for a couple of days.”
“Good, give me what you have.” He listened as Duane read off the numbers he’d found in the file, and afterward, theyagreed it would be three days before Duane’s former boss called him back. He hung up, wiped his face, and sighed heavily. He gave a start when he saw Laurie standing there. Because he could, he rose, walked over, and gathered her in his arms, feeling grounded once he held her.
He stepped back, but kept his arms around her. “How long have you been standing here?”
“Since you dialed the phone. I didn’t hear who was on the other end of the line, but you are one hell of a negotiator, Mr. Manchester.”
“Thank you,” he said as he stepped away and went to the coffee pot, but instead of filling his cup, he set it on the counter and turned back to her. “I called my former boss. He wasn’t my direct boss, but he was the boss, or rather, the Director of the unit I worked in.”
