Geez. Force could’ve told her he’d plastered her dad’s face all over town. Maybe she could’ve helped with the search, if she’d known the police were involved. But at least her father looked safe right now.
Force poked his head in the door. “We just had the state police pick up your dad.”
“We saw it in live time,” Brigid said, her chest pounding. “What now?”
“The cops will turn him over to us, even though they want to charge him with grand theft. He’s only about thirty miles away.” Force leaned against the doorway, his dark hair ruffled, and his green eyes blazing. He’d dressed in his usual jeans, boots, and button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His last name certainly fit. “I need you to be the one to get through to him. If he doesn’t tell us where the evidence is, we have no leverage against Eddie, and we can’t get into that computer room you want so badly.”
Brigid swallowed. Her next words hurt to say, but they were the truth. “My dad doesn’t trust me, Angus.”
Force lifted a shoulder. “Don’t care. Make him trust you.” He turned his grumpy gaze toward Nari. “You’re the famous shrink here. How can she get through to her dad?”
“Hey. Be nice,” Brigid ordered. The guy didn’t have to be so cranky with Nari all the time. He obviously didn’t know about her past, and while Brigid wanted to tell him, it wasn’t her business.
Nari placed her hand on Brigid’s shoulder. “That is nice for Angus.” She rolled her eyes. “Your dad is thrilled you’re back in his life, and he’s going to want to help you. You have to show him that telling you the truth is the best thing for you, not him. It’s you he cares about.”
Brigid pushed the keyboard away. That was true. “Okay. I can work with that.”
Angus clamped a hand on the doorframe. “Tell him whatever you need to in order to get the truth. Time is running out.”
“Fine.” She’d do her best.
He looked around. “What else is going on?”
Brigid gestured toward the second computer. “I’m trying to find the link between Eddie and Senator Tyson. The fact that Tyson is running for president is interesting.”
Angus nodded. “That is interesting, timing wise. What all did you find in those emails?”
She shook her head. “Nothing that made sense. Just talk about tennis and boating. I’m sure it’s all in code, but I didn’t have time to print anything out or even email it.” Darn it. “And I’m trying to get back into the account, but I’m having trouble.” Which meant that she might’ve left a trace, and the senator was on to her. That wouldn’t be good. “I’m doing my best.”
“I know. Just keep it up.” He started to turn and the piece of paper on the table caught his attention. “What is that?” His tone dropped low.
Brigid instinctively stilled. “I copied that from information I found on Eddie’s computer at his house.”
Angus took the paper and lifted it, reading it over. “Exactly?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Why? Do you recognize it?” She partially stood to look over his arm. “I think it’s some sort of shipping plan with dates but not destinations.”
Angus’s gaze hardened somehow. “I knew it. I just fucking knew it.”
“What?” Nari asked, also standing.
“I wanted to be wrong.” He dropped his chin and took a deep breath before lifting his head. “Those are shipping manifests, and based on the origination points, Eddie has expanded into human trafficking. My source suspected he was moving girls, but the Coonan organization has stayed away from that crime up until now.”
“Until Eddie’s father died,” Nari said quietly.
Brigid’s breath caught. “Why didn’t you tell me this was part of the op?” She could’ve been doing research into those girls. Somehow.
Angus sighed. “Because we thought your dad was involved. We wanted you solely focused on him.”
“We?” she asked.
“Me,” Angus returned.
Oh, Raider had known. How could he not tell her? They were so going to talk about that soon. No wonder he seemed to be on full speed ahead. There was a time limit to this. She leaned closer to the paper. “The delivery date for all three shipments is Thursday, but the how and where of the destination isn’t here.” She grabbed Angus’s arm. “The information wasn’t on Eddie’s computer, or I would’ve found it. We have to access his main computer hub.”
“Agreed,” Angus said. “Get back on the computer and research the situation from this angle, now that we have it. Do what you can.” He pivoted and disappeared from the room.
“Isn’t he just a ray of sunshine?” Nari muttered. A plaintive meow sounded outside, and she stood to let Kat in. “Do you mind if the kitty keeps you company?” She retook her seat, watching the laptop handling the Lassiter case.
