JOSIE
Stone briefs me after Church, spreading Steel’s evidence across the desk in his office like a war map.
It’s damning. Timestamps, facial recognition, audio clips of Caruso discussing shipments. Steel’s done incredible work—the kind of work that would make federal prosecutors weep with joy.
“This is solid,” I say, flipping through the printouts. “Steel’s wasted as a prospect. You should kick him out so he can become a CIA operative.”
“Don’t tell him that. His head’s big enough.” Stone leans against the desk, watching me work. “Can your contact use it?”
“If she’s still the same Alex I remember? Then yeah. She’ll build a cathedral out of this evidence and burn Caruso at the altar.” I pull out my phone. “Give me twenty minutes.”
“You want me to stay?”
“I want you to watch.” I meet his eyes. “You should see what you’re getting with me.”
His expression flickers—curiosity, maybe. Or heat. Hard to tell with him sometimes.
He settles into the chair across from me, arms crossed, and nods.
I dial.
Agent Alexandra Pilkin picks up on the third ring.
“Josie Bright.” Her voice is friendly but there’s a question in it. “It’s been a while.”
“Two years.” I lean back in Stone’s chair, letting the leather creak. “How’s the husband?”
“Divorced. How’s the small-town lawyer gig? I heard you got pulled into some white collar crime with a touch of local cartel. Sounds like it hasn’t been the restful change you were searching for.”
“That’s actually why I’m calling.”
“I’m listening.”
I let the pause stretch just long enough to build anticipation. “How badly does the Bureau want Vincent Caruso?”
The silence on the other end is deafening. I can practically hear her sitting up straighter.
“What do you know?” Alex’s question is sharp. The voice of an agent who’s suddenly very, very interested.
“What if I told you I have evidence sitting on my desk that you and your team might want.” I examine my nails casually, even though she can’t see me. “Enough to build a case that’ll stick.”
“You’re telling me you have actionable intelligence on one of the most wanted men in the country, and you’re just... calling me up to chat about it?”
“I trust you. But, I also need a guarantee in return.”
“Of course you do.” I can almost hear her rolling her eyes. “What’s the ask, Josie?”
“Full immunity for my clients. The people who obtained this footage are civilians caught up in his operation. They’ve been threatened, targeted, nearly killed.” I glance at Stone, who’s watching me with an unreadable expression. “I want protection for them. Complete insulation from any blowback.”
“That’s a big ask.”
“It’s a big case.” I let steel enter my voice—the same steel that made defense attorneys flinch when I was prosecuting in Atlanta. “Alex, I know exactly what Caruso means to the Bureau. I know how long you’ve been chasing him, and I know how many careers have stalled because no one can pin him down.” I pause. “I’m offering you the chance to be the agent who finally takes him down. The one whose name goes in the history books.”
“And all you want is immunity for some civilians?”
“That’s all I want.”
“The footage would need to be verified?—”
