He stood and checked sound on everything, then tested the signal. He was lucky that his old friend allowed him to park the RV behind the station. Usually, no one was allowed to park for any length of time but he owed him a favor.
In Leopold’s mind, everyone was a suspect for something. He believed the POTUS, congress, the House, mayors, any public officials were taking money and gifts illegally. He believed that secrets were hidden from the general population, that they needed to know.
And most importantly, he believed that he was the one who should tell the world about it.
With the locks secured on the passenger and driver doors, he bolted the door to the back of the RV and took his seat. Seven minutes to live. Just as he was about to speak, a crashing through the roof window made him turn, shaking as he saw a man, then another standing in his RV.
“What are you doing? Get out!” he yelled.
“I don’t think so, Leopold,” said U-Jin. Sebastian unlocked the door and the others walked into the small space of the RV.
“Well, this smells, uh, disgusting,” frowned Moose.
“Hey! It’s my home. I shower when I can but thanks to assholes like you, I’m on the run all the time.”
“Assholes like us?” asked Leif.
“You’re feds, right?”
“Not even close,” said Mike. He held up a photo of Priscilla and River and stared at the man. “Why were you watching them?”
Leopold stared at the men, then back at the photo. He seemed confused at first, then complete clarity crossed his face.
“Holy, shit. You’re them. You’re VG or whatever you’re calling yourselves now.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Why were you watching them?” asked Moose. Leopold tried to put on a brave face but the jiggling of the fat on his belly gave way to his shaking. “I won’t ask you again.”
“She was in danger,” said Leopold. “Priscilla, the fed girl. She was in danger and I was trying to warn her. She was always nice to me. One of the few that was. She never called me crazy or delusional. She would buy me coffee, ask me what was happening, and really listen. I liked her.”
“You’re not explaining yourself,” said Leif.
“The woman she worked with was very different, the one that was murdered. I knew she was a fraud but no one would listen to me. She was rude, entitled, and she was a slut.” U-Jin slapped the back of his head. “Hey! It’s the truth. She was sleeping with everyone and anyone, including her step-brother.”
The men went silent, staring at Leopold. He was a short, stout man maybe in his late thirties or early forties, possibly older. His hair was long, hanging in greasy wisps, valiantly attempting to cover his bald patch on top. His clothes were dirty and the entire space smelled like body odor and fried fish.
“How do you know that?” asked Leif.
“How do I know? It’s what I do, Einstein. I watch, I listen, I follow. Lawrence didn’t attempt to hide his affection for his sister. They had coffee in the shop one morning, just as it opened. She was wearing one of her suits with the skirt way too short. Dear old brother had his hand sliding up her thigh beneath the table and she was enjoying every second of it. They cuddled, kissed, and were seconds away from doing it on the table when customers started to come in. So, I watched them every time I could. I paid attention and when I was able I followed them.”
“Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?” asked Moose. He looked at Moose as if he’d lost his mind.
“Uh. Yeah. I know how dangerous it is, but someone has to do it. The feds have been trying to shut me down for decades now. Listen, Priscilla’s old man was a good agent. One of the few. He was trying to protect you guys. That is, if you’re who I think you are. You killed Lincoln Morris and his son knew that, so he was coming after you.” They started to speak but Leopold held up his hand.
“Don’t insult me. Her father knew that because he was the keeper of the files on you guys at the bureau. He was a good man that could be trusted. The POTUS at the time knew that. He charged him with keeping your information away from everyone else. Every mission, every op, every new family member that entered Special Forces, he knew about them and kept that information from everyone else. It’s why no one could ever find files on your people.”
“Alright, so Natalia found out?” asked Leif.
“She didn’t know what it was, only that her step-brother wanted it and he had something she wanted. Money.”
“From the looks of her home, she had plenty of money. Why more?” asked Leif.
“Why?” he frowned staring at them. “Spoken like men who don’t have to worry about money and don’t possess an ounce of greed within them. That’s all it was. Greed. She always wanted more. More money, more art, more house, more men. The only thing she didn’t have was female friends. Priscilla was the only one.”
“Where is Lawrence Morris?” asked Moose.
“He’s in D.C., I just don’t know where. He wants all of you but he especially wants the woman. Not just for what she possesses, but he wants to possess her.”
