“Yes?”
“Are you still dating my cousin Gemma?”
“I am, yes.”
“I do not want her or any of my family members involved in this from now on.”
“Agreed.”
“You’ll keep this secret from Gemma?”
“I will.”
“Good day.”
“Good day.”
Click.
Jude rushed through the rest of his grocery shopping. When he was back in his car, he called Shannon.
“Bailey,” she said when she picked up the call.
“Cedric Bettencourt just reinstated contact and told me that he wants to sell his secrets.”
“Was the call recorded?”
“Yes. I’ll send the recording to you now.”
“Come into the office. We'll meet with Dixon.”
* * *
It felt like longer than three weeks since Jude had walked through the FBI bullpen. His fellow agents greeted him, but it wasn’t the same. Either pity or mistrust now tinted their faces—which was hard to see, hard to accept.
When he and Shannon had taken seats in Dixon's office, the older man rested his forearms on his desk. “Shannon and I listened to the call several times while you were en route. It seems clear that Cedric asked for thirty-two million because what he really wants is the round number of thirty million. I suggest you call him back and tell him that's your client's highest offer.”
“All right,” Jude said.
“Please suggest that the two of you meet at your New York apartment,” Dixon said. “So that we can prep a location.” The FBI's Tech Squad were experts at audio and video recording. Agents out of the New York office would first have to secure an apartment for use, then the squad would need to get it fitted out with equipment. Two days was a tight timeline, but it could be done.
“And if Cedric doesn't agree to meet at my apartment?” Jude asked.
“In that case, we’ll have to accept his proposed location,” Dixon answered. “Of course, the sooner he provides that location, the better for our purposes.”
Jude nodded.
“I’m temporarily revoking your administrative leave,” Dixon continued, “but only to work on this operation.”
Uncomfortable quiet lengthened.
“Any other questions?” Shannon asked.
“No.”
“Ready to call Cedric back?” Dixon asked.
“Yes.”
