“And you’ve felt guilty about it ever since.”
“If the situation was reversed, wouldn’t you? The blue code is just as real to federal cops as it is to you. So don’t tell me you wouldn’t feel exactly like I did when I testified against Charlie, and don’t talk about him like he was a criminal. He made a mistake-”
“He made
“I’m okay.”
Riley put his hands on her shoulders and looked hard at her. “Are you?”
“You can use what they have as leverage, get the information you need.”
“Absolutely. The thing is, I don’t think they have anything solid, either. I think they have what I have: circumstantial evidence that is pointing to Jones, but with no hard facts to haul his ass into an interrogation room. But with Charlie inside-”
“Who would bring him on? No one trusts him.”
Sonia straightened. “That’s it.”
“You’ve lost me.”
“No one trusts him, but when you’re desperate you will do anything.”
“Still lost over here.”
“I know who hired him. Or rather, not who but why.”
“This dumb cop is still in the dark,” Riley said, irritated.
Sonia rolled her eyes at him. “Think about it. Charlie is a renegade, but he’s shared key information with ICE when he has it. He’s still involved, but in the private sector.”
“Who would hire him?”
“Someone desperate.”
“Who’s desperate enough to hire a volatile, disgraced cop who
Sonia cringed. Riley was dead-on. Charlie only tossed them intel when he couldn’t do anything with it. But sometimes, law enforcement’s hands were tied and Sonia didn’t blame private citizens from doing everything in their power to find missing loved ones who all too often disappeared outside U.S. borders.
She said, “The last time he contacted me was four years ago. He gave me information about three college girls who’d gone missing during spring break. He’d been hired by one of the girls’ parents. If you’re desperate enough, you’ll do anything to find out what happened to your child.”
Riley’s voice softened. “I remember. They were found dead.”
She nodded. “But he had information about the trafficking ring that abducted them, and we were able to put together an international task force and take down several of the key players. I’ve heard through the grapevine he’s been taking cases like that for years.”
“And you think this is one of those?”
“It makes sense. And I know exactly who to call.”
“Don’t tell me.”
“Kane Rogan.” She pulled out her cell phone.
“I thought Rogan hated him as much as I do.”
“Maybe, but they were Marines together and Rogan has been known to take similar assignments. Maybe he’s familiar with whatever Charlie is working on. If not, he has enough contacts to find out.”
CHAPTER SIX
Promptly at noon, Xavier Jones walked through the entrance of Chops, a downtown Sacramento restaurant popular with the legislative and lobbyist crowd. Dean and Sam had used their badges to get a good table in the corner with a view of the entrance and most of the restaurant.
Jones entered alone, but he walked over to a booth in the back room where two men had been seated only a few minutes before. Once he sat down, Dean could no longer see him.
“Did you get a picture of those men?” Dean asked Sam, who’d been taking digital photos of everyone who entered the restaurant since they’d arrived.
“Yeah,” Sam said, flipping through the images on his camera. He turned the small screen toward Dean.
“Clear. Great.” The waitress came by with their order. “Can you box this up for us?” Dean asked. “We’re going to talk to someone in the back and we’ll pick it up on our way out.” He handed her his credit card.
They walked into the back room and approached the booth. Though Jones obviously recognized them, Dean still took out his badge and held it up-more to piss Jones off than because he needed to identify himself to the men sitting across from him. “Assistant Director Dean Hooper, Federal Bureau of Investigation,” he said formally. “I just need to follow up with Mr. Jones, if you don’t mind.”
The only sign that Jones was more than a little irritated was a vein throbbing on the side of his neck, and a jaw clenched so tightly that Dean expected to hear his teeth grind.
“This can wait,” Jones told Dean. “You have no right following me.”
“I didn’t follow you. Agent Callahan and I were having lunch and saw you walk in. It saves me another trip to your residence. But I’ll come out this afternoon if that’s better for you.”
One of the two men said as he stood, “We’ll give you a minute, Xavier-”
“No,” Jones commanded. “Sit down.”
It was an order, and the man sat. Interesting, Dean thought. What businessman would talk to his clients like that?
“Agent Hooper, I know exactly what you’re trying to do, and it’s not working. You have nothing and you’ll find nothing because there is nothing. This is a complete waste of taxpayer money, and your boss will realize that sooner rather than later. I don’t have to talk to you. Leave, or I’ll call the police, have you removed, and sue you for harassment.”
“That sounds like fun,” Dean said. “I haven’t had a chance to meet any local police.” He slid into the seat next to Jones. “And you are?” he asked the men across from Jones.
“Don’t answer,” Jones said.
“I’m just making conversation, Xavier,” Dean said.
Jones leaned over and said in a voice so low that Dean was certain no one but him heard the threat. “You do not want to make me angry.”
Dean whispered, “Yes, I do. I’m closer than you think.”
Certain he got his message through to Jones, Dean stood and smiled humorlessly at the men. “Enjoy your lunch.”
As he and Sam were walking away, a fourth man approached the table. “What’s going on?” Dean heard the stranger say.
“Shut up and sit down,” Jones growled.
Dean whispered to Sam, “Get his picture.”
“Already done, boss.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“That was impressive,” Sam said quietly. “I’m learning more from you than I did at Quantico.”
“Sometimes, you learn more by playing up to the stereotype.”
At the reception desk Dean signed his credit slip and grabbed their lunch. Sam said, “Well, that was a ballsy move. If Jones is half as dangerous as Sonia Knight thinks he is, you’d better watch your back.”
“I hope he goes for me. It’ll be easier to put him in prison.”
