Page 65 of Facing the Enemy

“Yes, sir.”

“As soon as Smith gives you an assignment, walk outside your office or home and call me immediately with the requested names and security information. The extra precaution is imperative.”

“What about my family’s disappearance?”

“Tell him they left you. You’d changed over the past several months, short-tempered, disagreeable. You have no idea where they are. Understand?”

“Got it.” He held his forehead in his hands. “Will I be under surveillance?”

“Count on it. If we sense you’re in danger, we’ll pull you out of the situation. Also, we need a handwriting sample from you.”

He nodded. “I’ll give it to you now.”

I lifted my notepad to a clean sheet and slid it to him. He wrote and pushed it back to me. I read:This is Ethan A. Mercury, owner and CEO of Mercury Alarms Inc. I have never killed anyone, but I have been blackmailed by John Smith.

“If he’s to pick me up, do I wear a wire?” Ethan said.

“Not a good idea for an untrained man. If detected, you’re dead.”

“Might be worth the risk to end these crimes. I’m caught in a trap by organized crime, and I have no idea who’s involved. Agent Patterson, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Don’t play rogue or hero. Understand?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll take a polygraph.”

“Ethan, in Texas polygraph tests are not admissible in a court of law. You are innocent until proven guilty. We’ll find the evidence to make arrests. That’s our job.”

“You are all I have left.” His eyes watered. “I must talk to Carson. Is it possible to see him now?”

33

I weighed Ethan’s statement, and unless he and Carson had collaborated, they’d told the truth. After listening and observing Carson and Ethan, I leaned toward the innocent side for both men. But it wasn’t my job to pronounce innocence or guilt. My job was to protect the innocent and find the facts.

I studied Ethan, who sobbed.

The Mercury family needed each other, whether the men were lying or telling the truth. I contacted the agent with Carson and learned the kid had reservations about talking to his stepdad, then reconsidered. I asked to have him escorted to the interview room with ASAC Kendall. I believed Ethan and Carson experienced terror and desperation to protect the ones they loved. Both had used futile methods that brought them to the FBI’s attention. If I’d misjudged their character, I needed to resign. My gut instincts hadn’t failed me in the past. But there was always a first time.

Carson entered, red-rimmed eyes and trembling lips. He stepped back at the sight of his stepdad and stiffened.

Neither Ethan’s nor Carson’s body language revealed deceit, but fear ... an emotional apocalypse.

“Carson, I’d like to talk.” Ethan stood and kept his distance. “Will you hear me out?”

“Why?”

“Please, Son, I need to explain my actions, the threats, and danger.”

Carson glanced at me. “If I listen, will you stay?”

“If that’s what you want. You and Ethan have expressed concern about your mother and baby. They are with agents now.”

Wordlessly, ASAC Kendall and the agent who’d escorted Carson into the room exited. No doubt, the ASAC would view what transpired.

“Carson, why don’t you sit on the other side of the table, and I’ll join you?” I said. The tension in the room could have been sliced with a hunting knife. He obliged and I gestured for Ethan to begin.

He retold the story about John Smith with accuracy of what he’d relayed in the interview. When he finished, Carson faced me. “Do you believe him?”

“Do you?”