Page 91 of Facing the Enemy

My turn.

SAC Dunkin glared at me. Silence thickened like cement. He drummed his finger on the desktop. “She’s not to do anything until I have her psych eval.” His tone was flat, low.

I refused to relax.

“There’s more on the line here than me raking you two over the coals.” He leaned across his desk.Here it comes.“Get to the source of the crime ring. Now. The monitoring bug on Mercury’s phone gave us a downtown location in a bank lobby. The back of a man, who appears to be Florakis, is to the camera. Agents are combing the area and setting up surveillance, but for now he’s still on the loose.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Who planted the bomb in Ethan Mercury’s car?”

“I have only a suspicion. I have the license number of a Happy Feet Pet Grooming van, a legit business. The female driver confirmeddropping trash at the Starbucks location and the time. She remembered seeing Mercury’s Jaguar but didn’t see anyone.”

The SAC’s scowl stayed intact while he uttered a few expletives. “Follow up on the list of Mercury’s clients. Do your job, Agent Patterson. Do it right. Do it now.” He pointed to the door.

I didn’t need a written invitation.

I arranged for Ethan’s safe house. The isolation protected him from those who meant business, but unless he was the type of personality who opened to strangers, the agents assigned to him wouldn’t be much company. Too much think time increased the worry over his family.

“Ethan, you have a few minutes before agents arrive. They’ll escort you to your home to pack a few things. Until then, I’d like for you to join me in a conference room.”

“Are you sure? I smell rank.”

“We’re good. Don’t worry about it.”

Wordlessly he followed me back to my cubicle. I grabbed a chair for him.

“Any questions for me?” I said.

He pressed his lips tight and shook his head. “Just want this over.”

“We all do.”

“I forgot you have an agent in the hospital and another one dead. My apologies. When this is over, how long will I be sentenced to prison?”

“You were blackmailed with threats to your family, and you’ve helped the FBI by risking your life. It’s not for me to say, but I believe a judge may look favorably on your case.”

“Thanks. A judge’s favor goes a long way. Not sure if the guilt for those who’ve been hurt or killed will ever leave me.”

“Counseling would help.”

“Have you read the names on Florakis’s list yet?”

“About to handle that now.” I pulled up the list of requested Mercury clients on my phone. “Tracking down these people will show why Florakis needs access to their security systems.”

“Usually they are located in different states.”

I scrolled for any recognizable name. I snorted ... Midway down I saw my name. Glad I’d changed my security info since I’d made the hit list. Of the fifteen names, three were pharmacies. I texted the FIG to find out what kind of drugs had been stolen in past break-ins. While I waited, I contacted one of the agents with Ethan’s family. After speaking to him and explaining the next steps forward, I gave Ethan the phone.

“You might want to tell your wife about your new status. I’m sure she’ll be relieved. Carson too.”

He sighed and took the phone. “Hey, honey. I have good news ...” His voice sounded happier for her benefit.

While they chatted, the info on previous crimes and what had been taken from the pharmacies connected to Mercury Alarms Inc. dropped into my inbox. As I suspected, oxycodone, codeine, and basically opioids. Illegal adoptions weren’t the only way Florakis and his buds made money. I forwarded the reports on to ASAC Kendall and SAC Dunkin.

Agents arrived for Ethan, and I made introductions. But I had a change of mind. “I recommend driving straight to the safe house. I don’t want to take any chances.”

Ethan startled. “I need clean clothes. I smell horrible. And work items like my laptop.”