“We need him to see this without tipping off the mole,” Marci muses.
“Do you think he’ll be able to keep a raid quiet?” I ask.
“I do.” She pushes the pictures into a pile and slides them into a file folder. “He’s incredibly principled. Rumor has it, the president is looking at the governor for a position on his cabinet, and he’s told several he’ll appoint Walker to replace him.”
“The governor’s mansion sounds like an incredible place to have a poker game,” I note.
Marci grins. “I’d love to see that.”
We make some small talk over coffee, and Marci and Jim’s team leave shortly before five for Walker Clifton’s home.
I stare into my mug. “Now, we wait.”
An hour later, we still haven’t heard anything. Tinsley gets in the pool, and I watch her swim lap after lap for a full sixty minutes. I have the local news on, waiting and hoping for something. Anything.
I eventually get on my Peloton and put in a hard ride, half listening to my workout and half to the news.
When Dee calls from downstairs to tell me Marci has arrived, I’m nervous.
Tinsley holds my hand as we watch the elevators open. Unlike this morning, Marci now looks like the high-priced attorney she is, dressed in a robin’s egg blue pencil skirt and an off-white silk blouse.
“I have good news.” Marci puts her bag down. “Shortly after seven this morning, the FBI arrested Heather Marie McCoy, Patricia Jean Cooper, and Earl James Fort for fraud and blackmail.”
Tinsley jumps up and down and leaps into a hug with Marci. “That’s awesome.”
Marci nods. “It should make the news, which means you’ll be swarmed with paparazzi today, so if you want to get out of town, go now. Just tell me where I can find you. Otherwise, you’ll be in here for a few weeks.”
“I can’t tell you how happy I am,” I gush.
“I don’t blame you. I’m pretty happy myself,” Marci agrees.
“Who is the Patricia person?” I ask.
“She calls herself Patty, and she’s married to Heather’s brother. She was a paralegal in the DA’s office and seems to be the person behind pushing to investigate Heather’s disappearance. And, since the case started with the SFPD and the DA’s office, she had access to pieces of information, and people were keeping her apprised as a courtesy. She was the mole.” Marci smiles.
“That’s fantastic. I can’t believe in two hours they put all that together.” I pull Tinsley into a hug.
“They didn’t know she was Heather’s sister-in-law. But we figured out she was pushing for the investigation. She was also behind the first faulty blood test at the lab. Through her work at the DA’s office, she met a black hat hacker and hired him to make the switch. As soon as Heather was arrested, she threw Patty under the bus, along with her boyfriend, Earl. She said it was their idea. The crazy thing we learned was that Earl has been involved with both of them.”
Tinsley’s face scrunches up in disgust. “What’s next?”
“You may have to testify against Heather and gang if they don’t take a plea. But I’d suggest we pull in a PR team to celebrate not only this being a hoax, but also your good news about Disruptive.”
Marci gives us hugs goodbye with a promise to keep us up to date.
When the elevator doors close, I turn to Tinsley. “What did you do with the box from the sex shop? I say we hang around here the next few days, stay naked, and celebrate by playing with our new toys.”
Chapter 41
Tinsley
It’s been over a week since I’ve been to work to see my team, and I’m ready to get out. Yolanda says the paparazzi are still hanging around, but I’ve been missing my ladies. I’ve been hesitant to go in to the office, or out with them in public, fearing Tomas will appear.
After long discussions with Jim and Yolanda, we’ve set a plan. I’m going out with my team, and if Tomas shows, we know something’s up. If he doesn’t, the girls and I will have a fun night hanging out.
I craft a text message to them, asking if they’re up for happy hour tonight.
Me: I’ve been in hiding from the paparazzi, but how about Bourbon & Branch tonight? It’s upscale, and they don’t even have a sign, so it can be easy to miss if you don’t know where you’re going.
Danica: Sounds excellent. Bourbon is a man’s drink, so there will be lots of men there.
Vanessa: Down, Danica. I think it sounds perfect.
Me: Do you mind if Landon joins us?
Ginger: Only if he brings single hot friends.
That makes me smile.
Me: I’ll have him put the word out.
I turn to Landon. “Do you want to join my team and me for drinks at Bourbon & Branch tonight after work?”
“Oh, that sounds good. I can never find it, so maybe between you and Jim’s team, I’ll get there.”
I shake my head. “According to Ginger, you must invite single friends if you’re going to come.”
He nods. “I can invite a few guys. But no guarantee they’re good guys to date or have a lot of money in the bank.”
I shrug. “That’s fine.”
With that settled, I get to work and trade Slack messages with the team. The pressure is on.
When the end of the day arrives, Landon has a call and says he’ll join us when he’s done, so I head out with my bodyguards.
The girls are already waiting for me when I arrive.
“We ordered your first drink,”
