Page 148 of Nash Falls

Later, back at his motel room, Nash pulled up a corner of the tattered rug and hid the locket and necklace there.

He spent the next few hours going over the flash drive that Shock had provided him with intel on Victoria Steers. Nash decided to set this up as a business problem to overcome. That put him more in his comfort zone. His prior research had revealed the types of business maneuvers she had used to launder funds through Sybaritic Investments. He had to think of a way to get back into those databases. It would not be easy because he had long since lost all security privileges there.

What he really needed was Agent Morris and the FBI to come back into the picture.

With that thought in mind Nash sent Morris a message: Can we still work this? I need to prove my innocence and I have every incentive in the world to bring down Rhett Temple and Victoria Steers.

He waited a half hour for a reply but got none. Restless, he once more drove out in his truck and headed downtown despite the late hour.

He parked across the street from the building where Rhett had his penthouse. He had been there several times for company functions and twice with Judith for dinner. With what he knew now had gone on between them, he wondered if they had snuck a kiss or an intimate touch while he was in the next room and they had been together in the kitchen supposedly getting the food plated. The thought sickened him.

He crouched lower when a car pulled down the street, traveling fast. It was Rhett’s Porsche and the top was down. He was driving and there was a woman beside him. Her hair was swirling with the wind, but Nash had no problem recognizing Elaine Fixx.

The Porsche slowed to pull into the underground parking garage, and then the door closed behind the vehicle.

Nash imagined them getting out of the car and riding up to the very top, where they would get off at Rhett’s penthouse and… Well, he doubted they were going to be discussing mergers and acquisitions at two in the morning. And she was married. Rhett just seemed to relish that sort of thing.

He sat up when his phone buzzed.

Well, what do you know?thought Nash.

Special Agent Reed Morris had messaged him back.

CHAPTER

72

NASH QUICKLY SENT BACK A REPLY. He was driving with his AirPods in when Morris called him.

Morris said, “I won’t ask where you are because I don’t want to know. But first of all I want to express how sorry I am about your daughter, Walter. I have kids. I can’t imagine what you must be going through. I just…”

Morris paused and Nash thought he could hear the FBI agent take a heavy breath that might have disguised a sob.

“Thank you, Reed. I appreciate that. Now I just have to hold those responsible accountable.”

“Wait a minute. You’re not thinking of going after Steers alone? That’s suicide.”

“I have no other choice. I don’t see any other way to get to them.”

“Losing you was a big setback. Everyone at the Bureau working on this was really impressed with what you had uncovered. And I won’t deny that we’ve lost some morale and momentum.”

“Then give me a chance to get it back.”

“You’re a wanted man. You can’t exactly fly off to take on Steers.”

“I will do what I need to do.”

Morris didn’t reply immediately. “Officially I’m not supposed to have any further contact with you.”

“And unofficially?”

“You lost your daughter because of us, so screw my career,” Morris retorted.

The two men remained silent for a bit until Morris said, “Giveme some time to pull stuff together. I don’t want anything else to blow up.”

“I think certain things are going to blow up regardless of what we do or don’t do.”

“You’re probably right,” conceded Morris.