Page 36 of Wild Fever

"A friend.”

"Your friend’s got an attitude. I don't think she likes law enforcement."

"I don't blame her.”

Stratton glared at me.

"Is there something I can do for you?”

"What were you doing at the Seven Seas earlier today?”

"You following us around?”

Stratton and Ward exchanged a glance but said nothing.

"Somebody just tried to kill us. Black sedan. No plates. Could have been government issued. Who knows? It wasn't you two, was it?”

I didn't think it was, but I figured I'd harass them a little bit.

"If you're still investigating this case, I suggest you step aside,” Stratton said. “It's a federal investigation, as you well know.”

JD and I played innocent. We exchanged dumb glances.

I said, "I don't know what you're talking about. I have no interest in your case.”

"If you know something, and you’re not sharing it with us, you could be charged with obstruction."

I just stared him down. "I'm sure I don't know any more than you do.”

"I'm going to ask you again. Who's your friend?"

"She's a confidential informant. That information is protected. Sorry, my hands are tied.”

Kara smiled.

"Lying to a federal agent is a crime."

I laughed. "I'm not lying. How about you tell me why the CIA is involved?”

"I don't know if you’ve been hiding under a rock, but this is a matter of national security. We take that kind of thing seriously. So do a lot of other agencies.”

"I take it you haven't drummed up any leads. I mean, you’ve been too busy following us around all day.”

Stratton glared at me.

"If you don't mind, gentlemen, we're really hungry. We’d like to get something to eat.”

"You two think you're cute, don’t you? I swear to God, if I find that you’re sticking your noses where they don't belong, I willhave you both arrested for obstruction and whatever else I can think of."

"Maybe you should focus on the task at hand.”

He didn't like that. After another angry look, Stratton and Ward marched across the passerelle to the dock.

Jack smiled and waved as they looked back.

Stratton looked like he wanted to flip him off, but he restrained himself.

When they were out of earshot, Piper said, "What the actual fuck, man? You call me down here just to get harassed by feds? No," she said, shaking her head. "I didn't sign up for that. I’ve got enough trouble as it is. I don't need those dickholes crawling up my ass.”