“I was looking into the case of the FBI director’s daughter, who is currently missing, and I think your director has her.”
“Why would he take Douglas Raymond’s daughter?”
“Because Raymond and Helms haven’t seen eye to eye in years, because of the shit Helms pulls. With the new presidential election, Raymond’s seat is threatened, but not quite. The new administration aligns with the way Raymond does his job, so I think Helms wanted to ensure he gets Raymond to step down.”
“Has he sent ransom notes or threats?”
“Threats. Notes that she’ll be released if Raymond gives up his seat and the controlling powers that come with it, but Raymond has held firm, saying he won’t be bullied. That whoever is doing this is a tyrant that he won’t hand power to.”
“So, he tasked you to look into it?”
“Off the books, yes. There’s a team working the case, but I’m free to operate in the black.”
A lot of what I do for the government keeps me operating in the black, so the notion doesn’t shock me.
“He suspected Helms all along?”
“Yes, but my case was weak. That was, until you were removed from custody, and then I started getting watched like a fucking hawk. Helms has been sloppy.”
I think about how he was just at Greer’s house, and inwardly agree with the assessment.
“So, Director Raymond wants to do this completely in the black, or does he want this done properly?”
“With your involvement now, I’d need to meet and discuss it with him. I doubt he’ll want to hand the job over to you, but I also doubt he’ll have a problem with a cover-up if necessary.”
I nod as my mind swirls in circles. “You meet with your man, and then contact me on this. My number is saved. Afterward, burn it.” I toss a burner onto the table.
Lasko eyes it momentarily. “And when Director Raymond wants to know your interest in this?”
“You tell him we both share a common weakness.”
“Love,” Lasko whispers, snatching up the burner before making his hasty exit.
I give him a few moments to get clear before I stand and head out.
I’m left with the final word Agent Lasko left me with rattling in my brain like a fucking echo.
Greer is pacing in the living room when I walk back into the cabin. The ride back, I took the curves at nearly ninety to try to get the notion of loving her out of my head, but the faster I went, the more I homed in on the idea.
Lasko saw a detail I’ve been ignoring.
Love gets you killed.
Love is weakness in this game.
Greer wraps around me. “Fuck, I was so worried, and Chase wouldn’t let me contact you.”
“There are rules,” Chase says from the hall as he rolls to the end of it. His tone is exasperated, but his eyes look grateful to see me.
“I’m sorry, but the meeting had to happen.”
“With Helms?” She pulls back, looking up at me with wide eyes, fear coating their surfaces.
“No. I met with Lasko.”
Chase’s surprised eyes find mine before he grins and drops his stare away.
Does he see it too, what Lasko pointed out?
