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“Why are you hesitating? What’s the problem?” she pushed out.
“It’s not typically how things are done. But if you talk with Patton’s daughter and she agrees to this deceit, then I’ll approve it. Fair?”
She shouldn’t have expected him to say anything different. Even Simon had given her a heads-up in this regard. “I’ll call her right now.”
“No. You will get a hotel room and some rest.”
She bristled. She had a go-bag in her trunk with a change of clothes and toiletries, but she didn’t have her own car. “I’m just supposed to let this hang until morning? Meanwhile Olivia’s out there with that lunatic.”
There were a few beats of silence. “I feel for your situation, Agent Vos, but I remind you that I’m your boss. I’ll excuse the outburst because I appreciate that the situation, coupled with exhaustion, is playing on your nerves and emotions. I will get an agent over to speak with Natalie Roth.”
“When?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Time’s running out. I’ll call her, get approval over the phone, and Special Agent Pratt can get to work on the video.”
“I realize I can’t physically stop you from calling her, but again?—”
“I know you’re my boss, but Olivia’s my daughter.” She threw that out, and it landed with a thud.
“Fine, go ahead and try calling, but I’ll still need her consent in writing.”
“But a verbal one should be enough so we can get the ball rolling.”
“Now I know you’re exhausted. Writing upfront. That’s how the Bureau works.”
“Protects its ass at all times. Check.”
Elwood didn’t respond to that, but she took that as a small mercy.
“If that’s all, Agent Vos, I wish you a good night. Try to get some sleep.” With that he hung up, and her chest pinched. What the hell was that supposed to be? Tough love? And where had things been left? Was he still getting an agent over to talk to Natalie Roth?
THIRTY-NINE
Sandra checked into a motel near the prison, taking Elwood’s direction. She really was too wiped out to drive back to Washington. The choices weren’t great in this area, but her body and mind were begging for rest. The place was seedy, and her room smelled strongly of cleaning chemicals and a fragrant floral spray. All of it was likely an attempt to override other unpleasant odors.
She’d tried reaching Natalie Roth several times without success and had finally given in and told Elwood. He said he’d dispatched an agent to the Roth residence, and no one was home, but he’d send another agent back in the morning. It was only after that she started to munch on a cheeseburger she’d picked up and brought to the hotel, but the patty had gone cold. Most of it wound up in the trash. Probably for the best as what she had eaten churned in her stomach.
The bed was firm, like lying on a board. She didn’t expect sleep to come easily, but if she could just rest her eyes for a bit it might help. Instead, she found herself staring at the cracked ceiling. There had been a leak at some point given the discoloration in the corner near the door. Maybe there still was.
There was no way she was even going to rest. Not without any give to the mattress. Yet, she remained stretched out as she returned Eric’s call. He’d left a voicemail when she was in with Patton.
“There you are,” he said when he answered. “How did it go with Patton?”
“Don’t even ask.” She massaged her left temple. Her eyes were achy from exhaustion.
“Not well, then.”
“Not at all.” She told him that she was working to make a deepfake happen to convince Patton that Jennings had Natalie.
“It could work.”
“It had better work. Listen, I’m completely wiped out. I just wanted to return your call, give you an update.”
“I had a message for you too. It’s why I called, otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered you tonight.”
“Right. You said you wanted to talk.” She must be more tired than she realized. She was losing the ability to think clearly, and her memory was shit.