reached D. Shirley dialed the number but got the answering machine.
“This is Delores Murphy. I’m not here right now, but please leave your message… BEEP!”
“Ms. Murphy, this is Shirley Green at the VA hospital. Please call me as soon as you can at 555-9… 3… 2… 6. I’m calling about one of my patients who believes you’re his wife. His name is Bernard James. It really is… urgent.”
Shirley hung up, happy to have done a good deed, but not knowing the Pandora’s box she had just opened.
QUANTICO, VIRGINIA
CHAPTER TWELVE
The director of the FBI held court at a large round wood table. Around it, several field agents sat with thick files and binders placed in front of them. Behind the director on a large white screen were mug shots of Dutch, Craze, Angel, and Rahman.
“For many years we’ve tried to pin him down, but all was in vain. Even when faced with multiple life sentences, Angel Alvarez and Rahman Muhammad refused to give him up. We had him in custody. Then the tragedy he orchestrated at the Essex County Courthouse. After that, he disappeared.”
The director debriefed his staff with bitterness in his voice.
“Under our directive, the Newark police department concealed his successful escape from the courthouse from both the press and the public. For obvious reasons, we needed them to believe he was dead. We fabricated the technicality that allowed Angel and Rahman to be released from prison. We wanted them to lead us to him. And that is what we are here to discuss today.”
The director looked around the table to make sure he had everyone’s attention.
“Years before we orchestrated their prison releases, we placed an agent in deep cover, an agent none of you know.”
Several of those in attendance at the meeting snapped their heads up and raised their eyebrows.
“Only I and a handful of those who needed to know are aware of the agent’s identity. This agent has been on the case for over three years, and we’re finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.”
He pressed a button on the intercom.
“Please bring in Agent Reese.”
The pressurized door slid open with a smooth
“Let me introduce Agent Kimberly Reese, also known as Goldilocks.”
The director smirked and there was a smattering of laughter.
Goldilocks smiled politely and turned to the business at hand.
“I know the director has briefed you so I’d like to bring you up to date. I spent two years in a federal penitentiary getting close to my contact, Angel Alvarez.” Goldilocks pointed to Angel’s mug shot. “Angel is the only woman in James’s organization. At that time, we believed that there was a romantic connection between her and Bernard James for us to exploit, but I have subsequently learned that there is none.”
Goldilocks pointed to the other mug shots.
“These are James’s last two remaining players. A third, Qwan Taylor, was murdered by Angel herself upon her release from prison,” Goldilocks said, remembering the blood she had wiped from Angel’s cheek.
“We were beginning to think James had abandoned Alvarez, and we were prepared to reindict her under the Rico Act. Since she’s been out of jail, her murder rate alone would incarcerate her for life. But fortunately for her and for us, James reached out to her through Christopher Shaw, better known on the streets as Craze, a few days ago,” Goldilocks explained, smiling triumphantly.
“We are 100 percent certain that Craze will lead us to James. We, as in myself, Angel, Craze, and Rahman, are scheduled to leave on a plane the day after tomorrow. I haven’t been told the destination, but I am included on the journey.”
A young Asian man asked, “I’m sure this case has been grueling, and I commend you on your work, but isn’t this a little much? Despite the courthouse fiasco, he was just a kingpin, correct? Why all the extra muscle for a criminal the public believes is dead anyway?”
Goldilocks looked at her boss. “Director?”
The director stood up and addressed the question.
“Mr. James is still very much a threat. There are things we are privy to but aren’t at liberty to discuss. Whatever his agenda is, we need to know it, now, and at all costs.” The director punctuated his statement by hitting his fist on the table.
“You have been brought in for an extremely covert assignment. I’m counting on all of you to do your best work. Thank you.”
The meeting broke up and all except for the director and Goldilocks left the room.
“Two days, huh?” the director questioned.
“Yes, sir,” Goldilocks replied with a smile.
“Understand, Reese. Whoever and whatever you have to do, it must be done. Do not let James get away from us now. He is our number one priority,” the director affirmed.
Goldilocks nodded. Dutch was her number one priority as well.
READING GROUP GUIDE
1. Were you surprised that Craze showed up in the end of the book?
2. Do you think that Roc is making the best decision by leaving with Craze?
3. Do you think Roc should stay with his family?
4. Do you think that Roc’s wife will really divorce him?
5. Do you think that Angel was really going to kill the children?
6. Do you think that Angel should go with Roc and Craze?
7. Were you surprised to find out Goldilocks is an FBI agent?
8. Why do you think Angel never figured her out?
9. Do you think Angel did the right thing in killing Qwan, even though Dutch had told Craze to leave him alone?
10. Do you think that Delores should go to the hospital to see Bernard, Sr.?
11. Do you think she still loves him?
12. Does Bernard, Sr. still love her? Even after all these years?
13. Do you think Craze is really there to take them all to Dutch?
14. Do you think that Goldilocks will arrest Dutch?
15. Do you believe that Nina should go to France with Dutch?
Teri Woods
