Wolanski offered a reassuring smile that I did not buy. “Don’t worry, I don’t mean it that way. Standard procedure to look up backgrounds on everyone connected with an investigation.”
“Like lawyers?”
“Well, sure. And you surprised me, Mr. Seagraves. I read the sheriff’s file, but I have access to more databases than Tompkins does. You worked for the National Security Agency. Staff counsel. Rose through the ranks. But then you quit … abruptly.”
“You, more than most, should know I can’t get into any of that.”
Wolanski leaned back in his chair. “Yeah, Mr. Seagraves, but I figure we’re a lot alike. Both federal employees, well, former for you. Both investigators, of a sort. We also know our way around a courtroom. But now you’re all the way out here in the sticks, practicing law in a tiny town on the Maryland Eastern Shore. The gig at NSA was impressive. Those opportunities don’t come along every day. I’m surprised you left and came here.”
“I like Chester County. Besides, there’s no mystery. I was burned out.”
“We all get that way from time to time, but you’ve got to miss the real action. There’s more going on with this Benton Dynamics case than a couple of disgruntled employees stealing files. My primary concern isn’t your hearing tomorrow. Sure, it’s a big deal for you and your client, but I am after more. I’m after the truth. You know, what’s going on beneath the surface. Interested?”
Leaning forward and resting my elbows on the conference table, I asked, “What do you mean?”
“Well, look, this is all happening fast. We got time, well, at least a little time. I know you got a job to do. I respect that. You’ll represent your client at the hearing, but what about the big picture? Would you consider helping me figure out what’s really going on in this case?”
I rubbed my stubbly chin. “Not sure how I could do that. I’m representing Marisa Dupree. This litigation won’t end with the preliminary hearing tomorrow.”
“No, it won’t,” he replied. “Just beginning really. A civil lawsuit. Criminal charges. I don’t want to have to take Ms. Dupree down unless it’s necessary. You want what’s best for your client. That might not be apparent right now, especially since she denies any involvement. Whatever happens in court tomorrow will happen, but there’s more.”
I exhaled and waited for him to continue.
Special Agent Wolanski gave me an earnest, grave look. “I’ve been in counterintelligence for a long time. Enrolled in the FBI right after 9-11, graduated Quantico in 2003. I’ve been hunting foreign spies for a long time. Whatever Kostas and Dupree were up to, there were others involved. If foreign agents acquire technology from Benton Dynamics, well, it doesn’t get more serious than that. Maybe they’ve got it already, maybe not. Benton develops top secret weapon systems for the Navy. If that technology lands in the wrong hands, they’ll use it against the United States.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Think about the consequences, Mr. Seagraves. Global warfare. Nuclear submarines. Mushroom clouds. That’s exactly the kind of thing you were protecting this country from when you were with NSA. The spark that could set off this inferno is right here in Bridgeford.”
Shaking my head as I looked at my meshed fingers, I said, “All this is above my paygrade, Agent Wolanski.”
“No, I don’t think so.” His grave eyes focused on me as the tone of his voice deepened. “You can play a part, if you’re open to it. I’m going to identify and shut down a spy network. Kostas and Dupree are just little strings in this big, twisted knot. I can help your client, if she’s willing to help herself.”
“Well, I’ll have to see. I’ve really got to get back to trial prep. Maybe if you had something tangible to offer.”
Wolanski winced and looked in the direction of my bookshelves. “Immunity may be on the table, though an Assistant U.S. Attorney usually offers that only after indictment. If you can get Marisa Dupree to speak with me, maybe we won’t have to go that route. I want to know what files were taken, where they went, and who she dealt with.”
Everyone in this case seemed to want the same thing, and I could not give it to them. I exhaled and said, “You know she denies being involved.”
Wolanski adjusted his watch on his wrist. “Well, I’m sure, but that story won’t hold up after the hearing. I’m open for a deal. Benton wants their flash drive back. I want to know who her contacts were, the foreign agents who ran this operation. I’ll figure it out eventually … the hard way or the easy way. The door is open for Ms. Dupree. I guess she won’t come around until after she loses the case tomorrow. Just keep an open mind. I’ll do the same.”
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll let you know, one way or the other.”
Wolanski drummed his thick fingers on the table. “She’s my best lead right now. Richard Kostas is dead, so see what she’ll do. I’m still curious about something though, when’d you first meet Kostas and Dupree?”
“I never met Kostas. Just spoke on the phone. Dupree came to my office the morning after they found his body.”
His eyes studied my reactions closely, though he could have concealed his ongoing investigation of me a little better. “And you never knew either of them before?”
I shook my head.
He asked, “Any idea how they both found you?”
“No, not really.”
“Well, in time we’ll get their phone records and computer history. You’re familiar with that from your former job. I’m still surprised that you’d leave NSA and move to Bridgeford. Sure you won’t tell my why you’re really here?”
I leaned back in my chair. “You can read my resignation letter, if you haven’t already.”
Agent Wolanski just blankly stared at me.
I said, “If anyone shouldn’t break the law, it’s our own government. I wouldn’t have any part of it and couldn’t change things. Just a little fish in a big
