Chapter Eleven
“What?” Jimmy’s breathwas stolen away by pure shock, and he gawked at Cold in confusion. “You already knew?”
“Why is everyone always so surprised when I say that?” Cold mumbled to himself, snatching one of the champagne glasses and chugging it back.
“Huh?” Jimmy’s mind was still reeling, and he was having trouble making sense of what was happening.
“Yes,” Cold confirmed impatiently. “I already knew.”
“What, what do you mean? How did you know?”
“Charlie Swenson, also known as Thomas Eastwick, is a federal agent who I went to great lengths to ensure personally received this assignment,” Cold replied. “I have been preparing for this investigation for almost twenty years, if you recall. I always knew that a federal presence was a possibility.”
“So, you... you just what?” Jimmy scoffed. “Found some freakin’ federal agent to stick in your pocket until you needed him?”
“I made sure that I had the proper connections in place to protect myself should the need arise,” Cold corrected.
“You lied to me,” Jimmy accused, his shock fading as his anger took over. “You told me there was nothing going on with Charlie! You said he’s just planning our wedding!”
“I did not lie,” Cold said firmly. “Charlie is planning our wedding.”
“Federal investigator and wedding planner?” Jimmy dragged his fingers through his hair exasperatedly. “Do you have any idea how fuckin’ nuts that sounds?”
“Before the academy, I believe his background was in event planning and hospitality.”
“Good for him!” Jimmy shouted. “You still fucking lied to me! Fuck, I’m so fucking mad at you right now!” He grabbed the other champagne glass, guzzled it down, and refilled it again.
“You’re such an unbelievable jerk!”
“So, I take it you’re not accepting my proposal?” Cold asked dryly.
“Fuck, no!” Jimmy snapped bitterly, his shoulders sagging as he looked around the pool again. His heart sank knowing how much of an effort Cold had made for him, but his anger would not be dissuaded. “This really is wonderful, Rod. It’s absolutely beautiful. This is the perfect proposal I always wanted. But it’s just...” He floundered for the right words. “Just...”
“Just what?”
“It’s tainted,” Jimmy replied finally. He swallowed back the bile creeping into his mouth, trying to wash it back with a gulp of champagne. “You still don’t trust me, and you’re still keeping things from me.”
“I’m providing Mr. Eastwick with a very specific service,” Cold said curtly. “In return, he is controlling the flow of information to the investigation and giving me insight into the authorities’ recent activities. Happy now?”
“The raid,” Jimmy realized. “That’s how you knew about the DEA raid on Holliford. Charlie told you. But why, why was he there?”
“He was asked to step in and assist with the task force,” Cold replied. “When he saw you go into the building on the surveillance feed, he tried to get you to leave to avoid any unnecessary complications. Obviously, he failed.”
