needed to be around to protect Callahan, who was playing the dangerous informant game with the ATF.”
Sean asked, “How did Bobbie know she was an agent?”
“She didn’t-Sampson Lowell did. He had scouts in town once he decided to work with the Swain operation. Apparently, his intelligence is exemplary. When he uncovered Victoria’s identity, he canceled the meeting and told Swain to take care of it. She sent him proof that Victoria was dead. Lowell waited four months to ensure there was no increased police presence or chatter, then rescheduled the meeting for this past Sunday. Swain was providing storage and distribution channels for his gunrunning operation into Canada. It was a megadeal. If all went well Sunday, the guns would have been in the warehouses by midnight.”
“And now Lowell has disappeared,” Sean said.
“He’s not our concern,” Hart said. “He’s ATF’s problem.”
Sean disagreed. Sampson Lowell was
“What’s going to happen to Ricky Swain?” he asked.
“We’re recommending leniency, and Detective Dillard is helping smooth things over with the prosecutors to give the kid probation and wipe his record when he turns eighteen. The Hendricksons aren’t filing charges and Tim Hendrickson offered to serve as the boy’s guardian. Dillard thinks they’ll get what they want.”
Sean was relieved. That someone was willing to step up and help Ricky meant he had a real shot at a future.
“We may have some follow-up questions,” Candela said, “but we’ll run them through Agent Armstrong. Again, thank you. Because of you, we know what happened to our field agent, and we can move forward.”
After final good-byes, Noah walked Sean and Lucy out of the building. “I’ll be returning to D.C. late tonight,” he said. “Take the rest of the week off, Lucy. You can start fresh next Monday.”
“Thank you, but if you need me to come in tomorrow, I-”
Sean cut her off. “
Noah smiled. “Monday is soon enough. Good work all around.” Noah looked directly at Sean as he spoke. “This was a dicey situation and a testament to your skills that we all came through without major injury.”
Sean was surprised at the clear compliment. “I appreciate that, Noah.”
Lucy let out a breath and Sean glanced at her. She wanted everyone to get along, especially the people she cared about. He might not like that Noah was important to Lucy, but he loved Lucy. Sean vowed to make a real effort with the Fed.
Sean broke the awkward silence. “Now, there’s the matter of you getting my plane shot down.”
Noah nodded soberly. “I thought you might be a little upset, so I’ve taken care of it.”
Sean couldn’t hide his surprise. “I don’t get it.”
“I called in a friend of mine, a former Air Force mechanic who now works at Lockheed. He’s flying in this afternoon to take your plane to his shop.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Sean said in all seriousness.
“I know.” Noah extended his hand. Sean shook it. Then Noah grinned broadly and winked at Lucy. “You never know when I’ll call in the favor.”
Sean returned the good will. “Anytime.”
