“Pretty much, yeah. I can’t demand Russia steps in and helps, because for starters they’ll laugh and tell me to go fuck myself. Secondly, I can’t point at any crime he’s committed, much less been charged with, to take our case public.”
“What about the Ukraine? Any chance we could tap an ally there to help?”
“I’d rather not drag them into this, if possible. Unless we find out he’s there. Which I doubt.”
“We’re already looking at countries without extradition treaties and with very lax banking laws, I hope?”
“Ahead of you there.”
“How could the money just disappear?”
“They suspect he converted it right there after withdrawal. Bitcoin, most likely. Once it’s in bitcoin he can take it nearly anywhere he can get away with an anonymous deposit and convert it back into money, or deposit it under a different name. Any name, personal or corporate. Or he could buy gold or any number of assets. He could launder the funds through a dummy corporation, or buy stocks with it and then liquidate them. They’re still trying to untangle all of that.”
“Jesus fuck me,” he mutters as he slumps back. “How much money?”
“At last report nearly $100 million.”
“Oh, my god. There’s a lot of fuckery that can be had for that much money.”
“Yeah. Exactly.”
He scrubs his face with his hands. “I don’t envy you this job, buddy.”
“Neither do I.” I stand. “But who says you couldn’t be my chief of staff?” I grin.
He laughs as he stands with me. “Don’t want it, can’t make me. I like what I’m doing just fine, thanks.” He steps over to me, bounces up onto his toes, and kisses me. “And now that my job’s got a little lighter I’m enjoying it even more. Besides, if something happens and I ever have to resign to avoid a scandal, at least we now have Leo who can fill in.” His smile fades. “Finding you a new chief of staff would be a freaking nightmare.”
I shove back the shiver that washes through me at the thought of something like that happening.
Of him having to resign, I mean. “How’d you get Casey-Marie to serve this long, anyway?”
He grins. “I begged. And, she’s a sadist. I think she’s enjoying the hell out of torturing people. Especially her fellow GOP members.”
“She’s a RINO.”
He shrugs. “Makes it even better that she can ‘cuck’ them, as they refer to it on their side, right? She’s one of our best weapons. And after eight years spent working in the White House she’ll be able to write her own checks no matter what she decides to do later.”
“Poor George and Declan. They’ll have their hands full keeping her busy if she ever decides to retire.”
“Oh, she’ll never completely retire. Like Susa’s father, down in Florida. She’ll just become an even more dangerous political animal because she’ll have even better cover.”
Later that evening, up in the residence and while Jordan’s handling a few calls, Leo pulls me into our bedroom and closes the door.
Then he turns and stares at me, his hands propped on his hips as he arches an eyebrow and stands there, waiting.
I don’t need a hint. “Your sources are now covered,” I say.
He rolls his eyes but leans in to kiss me. “You got that right,” he says.
“You’re welcome.” I grin.
“Smart-ass. And, yes, you blasted through the logjam, in case you were wondering. Which was already leaking pretty hard due to pressure from investigators following up on his disappearance and wanting more resources devoted to finding him.”
“Please tell me they’re going to be booted.”
“My sources say that person is officially filing for retirement next week. Which is something I guess they’ve been mentioning off and on for a few months now, so it’s not suspicious timing.” His evil smile makes me glad he’s on my side. “So, yeah, they’re out.” He kisses me again. “Thank you.”
“Any other anthills I need to stomp on?”
