Page 52 of Billion-Dollar Ransom

“Unless you’re willing to share a name, I’m not interested.”

“Oh, you are very much interested. You are a special agent, skilled at investigations, and I am sure you’ll uncover the name. But will you be able to do it in time to save the lives of the Schraeder family?”

“Hold on—”

“Good luck.”

The caller disconnected.

Nicky waited until they were through security and at the elevator before she relayed the other end of the conversation to Mike. He smiled and let out a long, slow whistle.

“These people really do love messing with our heads, don’t they. Every time we turn around, there’s someone telling us that we should be chasing our own tails.”

Nicky scanned her card at the elevator. “That doesn’t mean they’re not telling the truth.”

“Next, someone is going to call me and sayyou’rebehind the whole thing.”

Nicky gave him a sardonic smile. “Can’t believe it took you this long to figure it out, Detective Hardy.”

“Well, save me a piece of that sweet Schraeder billion,” Mike said. “I’ll help you make your getaway. I know people who know people.”

On the ride up, Nicky and Mike quickly reviewed the list of task force members, trying to figure out who could possibly be the mole. The list was short; their task force wasn’t that large. It was agreed that Nicky would give the names to someone in the Office of Professional Responsibility, OPR. Pure surveillance and background checks for now.

As they reached their floor, Mike said the uncomfortable thing that nonetheless had to be said: “By the way, add my name to that list.”

“Because you used to work with Tim Dowd?”

“Okay, that. And I don’t want any doubts getting in the way of…”

“In the way of?” Nicky asked, watching him closely.

“Whatever it is we are,” he replied with a boyish smirk.

“Maybe I was going to add you to the list anyway.”

“That’s because you’re a smart woman,” he said, then his smirk vanished. “Oh, shit—I just thought of another name for you. Jenna Hetzel.”

“Why her?”

“Bunch of years ago, she used to be Dowd’s partner.”

Nicky nodded. “Consider her added.”

Before they reached the office, Nicky’s assistant, Hope Alonso, intercepted them with a padded envelope in her hand.

“There’s another tape.”

CHAPTER 56

“WHY DIDN’T YOU message me immediately?” Nicky asked.

“This was hand-delivered just three minutes ago,” Hope said. “It literally just reached your office.”

Three minutes ago, Nicky thought. Just as she was held up by the mystery caller. The only way to hand-deliver something to FBI headquarters was to give it to someone at the security station downstairs.

That meant whoever delivered it had passed right by them both.

The first tape-delivery person had turned out to be a true nobody—no priors, no criminal past. Chances were, the second one would be the same, but Nicky sent agents in pursuit of this person anyway. The kidnappers might have slipped up.