They were less likely to draw attention here in busier Paso Robles, and from this spot, they could execute his and Aidan’s raid plan, approaching the property from multiple directions, not drawing too much notice in any one.Doubly important as they no longer had the cover of darkness.The sun was well on its way up, rising over the two-strip airfield and the surrounding vineyards, their leaves a spectacular splash of fall colors.Cam was used to seeing the reds, oranges, and yellows on trees, but this was just as pretty.A rolling spread of autumn.He’d like to visit here again with Nic.
He’d also like to call Nic, let him know all was handled on this end, but he’d be in front of the grand jury by now.Making his case and hopefully putting the final nails in Vaughn’s coffin.Bowers’s too.Cam didn’t want to interrupt.He did have Garrett’s number though, and unlike yesterday’s recon, Garrett was there, not here.He’d appreciate an update, would relay the same to Nic when he got out of the hearing.Cam got as far as opening Garrett’s contact card when the surveillance van doors banged open, Jamie flying out with a phone in hand.
“What—”
“We’ve got a problem.”Jamie handed him the phone, Aidan’s face on-screen.Raised voices blared through the speakerphone, an argument mid-progress.
Cam stepped to the side of the van and kicked down the volume before everyone in the hangar overheard.
“That’s enough, Lou,” Moore barked, followed by athump, like someone being shoved against a wall.
“Your golden boy missed his hearing,” Bowers shouted back.“He’s done.”
Cam punched off the Mute button.“Nic missed the grand jury hearing?”he asked, stomach sinking.
“He sent a junior AUSA in his place,” Aidan answered.“To request a continuance, which he’s within his rights to do.”
“I’d throw him in contempt if I could,” Bowers spat, as if he were judge and jury.“He’s made a fool of my office.”
“I think you’ve done that all by yourself,” Cam said, sick and tired of Bowers badmouthing Nic.The US Attorney was an easy target for his frustration.Get angry or get sick with worry.Or worse, with betrayal.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”Bowers demanded.
“It means your days are numbered, Lou.”
“Agent Byrne,” Aidan warned.
“Was the case actually compromised?”Jamie asked.
“Delayed, but not compromised,” Moore said.“The grand jury will continue to review the evidence.They work with the prosecutor, not against.”
“Maybe Price needs some checks on him,” Bowers said.
“That’s what we do,” Cam replied.“We make sure the evidence is there.”
“For your boyfriend.”
“You the one who fed that argument to Vaughn’s attorney?”Aidan asked.
“It’s a valid one,” Bowers answered.
Part of Cam wanted to cheer.The asshole had sidestepped Aidan’s question, not denying the truth of it.The other part of Cam wanted to reach through the phone and strangle Bowers because of that truth, because he was in a criminal’s pocket and was destroying Nic’s name on Vaughn’s behalf.
“We were investigating Duncan Vaughn well before Nic’s or Cam’s involvement,” Moore said.“You know that as well as I do.Why would you crater the case now when we’re this close?”
“I’m not bringing a case that has no basis,” Bowers countered.
“Neither are we,” Cam said.
“Price better be back this afternoon or he’s out of a job.”A door slammed, Bowers leaving whatever conference room or office they were in.
“Is he gone?”Cam asked.
“Yes,” Aidan gritted out.
“He better be gone for good by this afternoon.”
“That only happens if you find Nic and get him back here,” Moore said.“Otherwise, he’s going to be the one out of a job.”
