“Well, I like Shae, and we consider her, Chris,andKev close friends. Inside the trust box, as it were. If you get my drift?”
Oh, shit.
That means he knows about their triad. I know it does.
“Y-yes,” I say, trying to regain my mental footing. “The trust box.”
“You signed an NDA with them?”
I take a breath. “Yes, sir.”
“That means with this conversation, I’m counting onyouto maintain that trust box. I amnotsomeone you want to cross, Jordan.”
“Absolutely, Mr. Wilson.”
“Call me Carter,” he says. “And the person I’m about to pass information to you about will both respect your trust box, as well as require one of their own from you in return. I don’t know if they’ll say yes to the job offer, but I have permission from them to give you their information and pass along to you that they’re willing and interested to hear you out.”
Hot damn!I grab a pen and my notepad. “Thank you. It’s greatly appreciated. Of course, I’ll respect their trust.”
The name he gives me isn’t the last one I would’ve expected to hear but it definitely hadn’t hit my radar as one who would make the top of the list.
“Your call is awaited,” he says. “I suggest calling immediately after we’re finished. If things don’t work out between you, you can call me back directly, and we’ll talk some more. I have other suggestions, but I honestly believe that’s your solution.”
Wow. This is…unbelievable. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
He chuckles, and in many ways it sounds every bit as evil as Benchley’s did earlier. “Don’t thank me now. Just consider it a favor in need of repaying, at some to-be-determined future time.”
“Absolutely.”
“Call from your personal cell. Your call is expected as soon as you and I hang up.”
“Will do.” I don’t need a map drawn as to why I should do it from my personal cell.
When I get off the call with him, I immediately place a call to the provided number.
Twenty minutes later, I’m stunned and sitting there staring at my phone in my hand to prove to myselfthatjust happened. I have an eight o’clock breakfast meeting tomorrow morning at a hotel in Arlington. A room number will be texted to me.
And I’ve been sworn to secrecy about the meeting.
I’m not even allowed to tell Elliot or Leo about it yet.
Except…
I really think I might have found Elliot’s chief of staff.
* * * *
Tuesday morning, I don’t have to lie to Elliot or Leo about what’s going on. I simply tell the truth—early morning, need-to-know meeting, campaign-related. Nothing illegal, obviously, but the person I’m meeting with wants absolute secrecy until they hear me out and give me an answer one way or another. If it’s a no, then no one is to even know we talked.
My stomach’s a knotted mess as I step out of the cab in front of the hotel and head upstairs. I’m in suit and tie this morning but not feeling so much like Elliot’s Sir as I am a very nervous boy. I’ve done some research since our call last night, and this candidate would be perfect, if they want the job.
They also have a very vicious political reputation, lots of hidden power, and probably could ruin Elliot with a single phone call and zero hard evidence.
Meaning I must tread very carefully and respectfully.
I step off the elevator on the top floor and quickly make my way down the hall to the suite, where I knock five minutes early.
Yes, I learned some things from Leo in my time with him.
