“More than that,” the AD talked over him, “I want that asshole Bowers gone.I know he’s a climber.So am I.But he’s also an insult to what we do every day.He’s right, you’re conflicted, but not like he is, and you are the best attorney to try this case.And I want it done, once and for all.”
Yes, there was definitely more to that story, for another time over a beer maybe.Hopefully when all this shit was decided in their favor, and everyone was safe and sound.“Jack’s on our side, El,” Nic said.“I’ll get this done.Your work, your sacrifices, won’t have been for nothing.”
Moore still didn’t seem one hundred percent convinced, but he was enough of the way there to open the door to the conference room.They crossed through to Aidan’s office, and it was not a pretty sight when they got there.Aidan sat behind his desk, elbows propped on the blotter, hands doing a number on his auburn hair.His brown eyes were hot with anger as Bowers droned on from the other end of the line.
“This is an abuse of power, Jack.Price is conflicted as hell and all his little friends are in on this too.”
Aidan dropped his arms, glaring at the phone like he could blow it up with his mind.“His little friends are sitting right here, Lou.”
“And they’re all blatantly insubordinate.”
“I’m not your subordinate.”
“Gentlemen,” Moore interrupted as he and Nic claimed the guest chairs across from Aidan.“Jack, I’ve got Price with me.”
“Deputy,” Nic said.
“Did you have your boyfriend testify earlier today?”Jack asked.
Nic didn’t second-guess or hesitate in answering, “I did.”
“You don’t think that’s a conflict of interest?”
“My boyfriend happens to be the ASAC of the local field office.He would be the agent on this case regardless of whether I was involved.”
“That’s correct,” Aidan chimed in.
“Not you, Talley?”
“I’m just a desk jockey now.”Nic had to bite back his guffaw, which turned into an eye roll with Aidan’s next words.“And I dated Price too so that argument’s moot.”
“That office—” Bowers started with some insult or another, which Moore shut down with indisputable facts.
“Talley’s office has the highest close rate in the country.”
“Respectfully,” Nic said, interjecting before this got further out of hand with the testosterone jockeys.They were dealing with two attorneys on the other lines; that’s how Nic needed to approach them.He had to win the argument.“Agent Byrne was the most qualified to testify.He’s been with me each time I questioned Vaughn, has been the point person with the local morgue, and is fully up to speed on the case.”
“What about this statement that you knew how he’d answer and react if there were any curveballs?”
“That statement was obtained illegally, through an unauthorized listening device planted on a federal agent and in the context of a private conversation.”
“A conversation you wouldn’t be having,” Bowers said, “if you weren’t fucking the lead detective on this case.”
“I beg to differ.If I’m doing my job right, of course I’m supposed to know how my witness is going to testify, regardless of my relationship with them.And I wouldn’t even be having that conversation or this one if Vaughn hadn’t been allowed to proceed unchecked for this long.”
“That sounds like an FBI problem,” Bowers replied snidely.
“Or a no one wanted to prosecute him problem,” Moore bit back.
“Until Nic’s father became indebted to him,” Bowers said.“And now he does all of a sudden.Another conflict.”
“He’s got a point, Price,” the Deputy AG weighed in.
“And I’ve got a case.”Nic stood, bracing his hands on the front edge of the desk.“One the FBI started building before I was involved.I just had enough motivation to bring it.I also have enough evidence to support it.I should be permitted to bring this case to a conclusion, and Vaughn and his associates to justice, which will be soon.”
“You’ve got nothing,” Bowers sneered.
“If we drop this now, we’re going to lose Vaughn for good.He’s funneling assets out of the country.It’s only a matter of time.He gets his vengeance and he’s gone.”
