Page 104 of Wild Oblivion
"I think I figured out who your perp is,” she continued. “Cam Newport. He's a sleazy arms broker who seems to be well-connected. Plays both sides of the fence. Has no loyalty and will take jobs from the highest bidder. I have no doubt he’s selling the Oblivium to the Russians or some terror group. He's been able to keep himself clean up to this point, probably by making generous political contributions.”
She texted me a picture.
"Yep. That's him. Grade A scumbag.”
"I’ll keep looking, but I doubt that phone will ever pop up on the grid again. I'll keep you updated as soon as I find something."
I thanked her for the information, then ended the call.
We left Ashton’s Stingray Bay mansion and drove to the Delphine. Emily was more than happy to chauffeur us around. She was desperate to see the look on Ashton’s face when we slapped the cuffs on his wrists. I think she also wanted to get a look at the brunette and see what her competition was. Claudia Valletta was smoking hot. The kind of woman who could spark lustful desires and make a man lose all sense of reason. But she didn’t hold a candle to Emily.
We pulled into the visitor parking lot of the Delphine, followed by a parade of squad cars. We parked near the entrance, hopped out, and I buzzed random numbers at the call box until someone let us in. The team stormed thelobby and marched across to the elevators. I told Emily to wait in the lobby for us, just in case things got ugly.
She wasn’t about to sit this one out. She wanted to see it firsthand.
We took the elevator up to the fourth floor, then hurried down the hall to unit #416.
Emily lingered down the hall, closer to the elevators. Close enough to see the action but out of harm’s way in case things got out of hand.
Deputies hovered on either side of the door.
I rapped gently.
A few moments later, footsteps shuffled down the foyer, and the peephole flickered as Claudia peered through. “Who is it?”
"Claudia, this is Deputy Wild with the Coconut County Sheriff's Department. I know Ashton is with you," I said, bluffing. "I just want to let you know that you are aiding and abetting a felon. If you continue to do so, you will be charged as an accessory to murder after the fact, along with a host of other charges. It's in your best interest to open the door."
We had an arrest warrant for Ashton. We didn’t have a search warrant for Claudia's apartment. We might have been able to get one, but it was another process step and would take time. Every second that ticked by, Cameron Newport got farther away.
After a long beat, Claudia flipped the deadbolt and pulled open the door. She stepped aside, and her eyes fell to thefloor, ashamed of the betrayal. But notthatashamed. I suspected she wasn't all that into Ashton.
I led the tac team down the foyer, my pistol leading the way.
Ashton froze in the living room, contemplating his options.
His options weren't great.
He could dart through the sliding glass doors, take the balcony, and try to climb down. But that really wasn't viable. Not for a guy like him. He'd fall and bust his ass and end up as a grease spot in the alley.
With a frustrated look, he surrendered.
I kept my weapon aimed at him as Jack advanced and slapped the cuffs around his wrists.
"You have the right to remain silent…" Jack began.
He marched Ashton over to the couch and sat him down.
"Unless you want to spend the rest of your life in prison, developing a close personal relationship with your cellmate, you need to start talking," I said. "Where is Cameron Newport going, and who is he selling to?"
"I don't know any of the details."
"Bullshit.”
"I swear. He approached me a few months ago. Said he'd make it worth my while if I just provided him with information. I didn't know anyone was going to get hurt. He never said anything about bombing anyone. He just wanted access to the lab and all of Emily's work.”
"What better way to show Emily you cared," I snarked.
"Look, I was in a bind," he explained. "I made some bad moves."