“How the hell did they get through our security?” Wes yelled.
“Easy, one was already here. Agent Gideon Murrow was working as one of our therapists—Theo Harding. He welcomed a guest, Lawrence Nash. We have calls out to Kieran and Mike. They are at a Pentagon meeting, but we are trying to break through,” Troy said.
“Thanks, Troy. We will be there soon; Wentworth out.” Zach ended the call.
“What did you do that for?” Wes asked, maintaining a level tone.
“Because there is nothing you can do,” Zach said. “Call Fury.”
“Ice, all okay?” Ford “Fury” Cox, the executive officer for the DC branch, answered.
“Get ahold of our FBI contacts. I need a quiet reach out to get me information on Gideon Murrow, Lawrence Nash, and Stewart Forsyth, DC FBI. I also need to know the status of a case involving Eleanor West.”
“Roger,” Ford said with no question.
“We’ve got a case blowing up with a training center employee,” Zach filled in the blanks.
“Got it. Tell Alamo to hang tough. I’ll talk to you as soon as I hear.”
Zach turned to Wes. “We need to get some non-file information. I’m not questioning your feelings, but you need to be open to the idea that there is more to Eleanor’s story. The FBI is going at her hard.”
“I need to know too. You heard the recording. She’s holding on to something.”
Zach showed his identification, along with Wes’s and Saoirse’s, and entered through the South Gate. At the sight of a group of training center vehicles outside the counseling center, they parked and went inside. They found Troy sitting at Eleanor’s desk and Kip across from him.
“Any word?” Wes asked.
“Negative. The FBI is currently denying they even have her. Our people tracked them to their DC building. Gwen reported Ellie at first refused to go with them. She asked to call Lance Starr. The request was rejected by Murrow. Ellie complied when Nash gave her no other options. He called her a material witness,” Kip said.
Wes watched Zach and Saoirse share a concerned glance. “What?” Wes demanded.
“According to federal statute, the government can seek a warrant from a judicial officer in order to arrest a material witness. They believe Ellie is a witness, and she is aflight risk. Though it is not to be used as a preventive action or a punitive action, they can hold her until we get an order of release, or they release her on her own.” Saoirse placed her hand on Wes’s shoulder. “We will get her released.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll get us a flight back to DC, and we can work on her release. I’ll be in touch.” Zach extended his hand.
Wes shook it. “Thanks for today. Keep safe.” He turned and hugged Saoirse before she and Zach left.
Troy turned motherly. “You need to eat, then we will sit down and make a plan. First on that list, we need to know how FBI Agent Gideon Murrow impersonated a therapist named Theo Harding. How he was hired and how he made it through our background check and his internship. Also, according to a note on her desk, she wanted to speak to therapist Brandon Finch about me. Gwen confirmed she had a conference planned with someone.”
“I was trying to remember my schedule.” He scrolled through his calendar. “Ellie and I had a meeting scheduled at two with Finch to name him assistant director of the program. It’s five o’clock now. Damn.” His stomach growled loudly. “I’ll eat. Troy, could you give Finch a call and send out a message to all available staff for an emergency meeting? I need to clear the air and tell them their boss is not a felon. Also, as soon as TJ, Ken, and Chris come up for air, I need to meet with them.” According to his schedule, the three were supervising a multi-team tactical exercise.
* * *
Wes sat on a stool at his kitchen island eating the sandwich his friends made for him. They cut the bread into four triangles and gave him a serving of chips. Kip and Troy hovered as he forced down the sandwich.
“Guys, stop. I’m alright, really. Would I like to force my way into the FBI building, toss Ellie over my shoulder and make our escape? Yes, of course. But that’s an adventure fantasy. Right now, I have a center to run, and as far as our investigation of the missing women goes, we need more information.” Wes took a sip of his water.
Troy nodded. “Meeting is called for 1900 hours.” He grabbed a potato chip from Wes’s plate.
“I spoke to TJ. He says the exercise is going well. Their final piece is to recover the hostage. He figures they should have it wrapped up in a few hours,” Kip said.
Troy looked down as he blew out a breath. “I’m concerned about Witch. She was upset after they took Ellie.”
“It wasn’t her fault. If she interfered, they would have arrested her too,” Wes said.
“That’s what I said. Kip spoke with her. Gator Mirouette, her team leader, spoke with her,” Troy said. “She’s not as tough as she appears.”
Wes saw more than concern on his friend’s face. “I’ll talk to her tonight, after the staff meeting.”
