I study him, recalculating our approach. If what he suggests is accurate, his information could be worth far more than our initial offering. But verification is essential before committing resources.
"Give me something concrete," I counter. "Prove the value of what you know. Then we can discuss specific terms."
He considers this, weighing his options with the calculation of someone accustomed to negotiating from disadvantaged positions. "The operation in Seattle that sourced some of your... recent rescues," he begins, choosing his words carefully. "It reports to a hub in Vancouver. That hub coordinates all West Coast trafficking for the network, moving 'product' between Asia and North America."
The clinical terminology for human beings turns my stomach, but I maintain my dispassionate exterior. "Vancouver connection was already established through the ledger decryption."
"Sure, but you don't have access to the secure server in a high-rise downtown that contains client lists, financial records, and blackmail material on half the political establishment in the Pacific Northwest." Griffin smiles thinly. "Or the fact that the Vancouver operation is personally overseen by a Board member named Michael Chen, who travels between legitimate business ventures and trafficking operations using diplomatic credentials provided by compromised officials."
The specificity suggests legitimate intelligence rather than desperate fabrication. "How would you have access to Board-level information?"
"Quarterly operational reviews," Griffin explains. "Territorial managers like Hargrove report directly to their assigned board member. Regional security chiefs—my position—are included in select briefings to ensure proper protocols." His expression hardens. "I've met Chen personally during inspections of our security arrangements."
I process this, evaluating both the information and its source. Griffin has always been ambitious—his rapid rise through Reapers ranks testament to that quality. His willingness to sacrifice Hargrove and the organization suggests he's already calculated their downfall as inevitable and is simply leveraging his position for maximum personal benefit.
"If what you're saying is accurate," I begin cautiously, "the federal case against Hargrove barely scratches the surface of the operation."
"Finally catching up," Griffin says with condescending satisfaction. "Hargrove goes down, The Board simply replaces him. Operations pause briefly, then resume under new management. The women your club rescued? Others take their place within months."
The implications are disturbing on multiple levels—not just for the trafficking victims but for the safety of witnesses against Hargrove. If the network is truly this extensive, they could easily reach Cara, Miranda, and others scheduled to testify.
"I need verification," I tell him, maintaining professional distance despite the urgency building inside me. "Specific details we can confirm independently."
Griffin nods, apparently having anticipated this requirement. "In my cut, behind the liner, is a microSD card. Contains account numbers, contact protocols, meeting locations for the Vancouver operation. Enough to verify everything I'm telling you."
I signal through the observation glass, and moments later Ghost enters with Griffin's cut. A careful search reveals the hidden card exactly where described. Ice Pick will need to verify its contents, but the existence of the card itself lends credibility to Griffin's claims.
"Start talking," I instruct, returning to my position. "Everything you know about the international structure. Names, locations, operations."
For the next two hours, Griffin details an organization more extensive and sophisticated than anything we imagined. Operations spanning Asia, Eastern Europe, South America, and North America. Political protection purchased at highest levels. Financial structures laundering profits through legitimate businesses. Security protocols including counter-surveillance and proactive elimination of threats—like Sophia's murder.
Most disturbing are the contingency plans Griffin describes—pre-established responses to exactly the kind of legal case we're building against Hargrove.
"They've already activated protocols for witness elimination," he explains with disturbing detachment. "The shelter attack was just the beginning. They have detailed files on every potential witness, including family connections, daily routines, security vulnerabilities."
"Cara Mitchell," I say, her name feeling strange on my tongue in this context. "What specifically do they know about her?"
Griffin's expression shifts subtly—recognition of particular interest he can leverage. "She's designated Priority One. Not just as a witness, but as a message. Kane has personal interest in her elimination due to her connection to you."
Though I've maintained professional distance throughout the interrogation, this direct threat ignites a cold fury I struggle to contain. "Specific threat assessment."
"Multiple approaches planned," Griffin continues, clearly aware of the emotional impact of this information. "Surveillance on the safe house project she's developing. Three separate infiltration attempts at the Saints compound already. Two assets inside federal building security where she'll testify."
Each detail lands like a physical blow, but I force myself to process the intelligence objectively. "And you know this how?"
"Security briefing two weeks ago. I personally reviewed the elimination protocols." He studies my reaction with calculated interest. "That's why I brought the microSD. Insurance, in case I was captured. The Saints might be the only organization capable of disrupting those protocols before they're fully implemented."
The statement contains both flattery and manipulation, but potentially truth as well. If the network is as extensive as Griffin describes, conventional law enforcement would be too constrained by jurisdiction, procedure, and potentially corruption to respond effectively.
"What exactly are you proposing?" I ask, needing absolute clarity on his expectations.
"Safe passage out of the country. New identity documentation. Five million in untraceable cryptocurrency." Griffin delivers these demands without hesitation. "In exchange, I provide complete operational details on the Northwest trafficking network, including the Vancouver hub, Chen's movements, and all active elimination protocols targeting your witnesses."
The price is steep but potentially justified if his information proves authentic. Still, something doesn't align in his proposal.
"Why not take this to the feds?" I challenge. "Witness protection, immunity deal, the works. Why come to us?"
Griffin's laugh holds genuine amusement. "Because I'm not stupid. The network has people inside every federal agency. Witness protection programs have mysteriously 'lost' participants before. Besides," he adds with cynical pragmatism, "the Saints have more motivation to act quickly. Personal stakes tend to accelerate response times."
