He hangs up and looks at me with an expression I can't read. "FBI traced the surveillance equipment. It's registered to a security company owned by one of the shell corporations we identified."
"Which means we've got a direct connection to the Collector."
"Yeah and Agent Monroe thinks she knows who it is." He stands, pulling me up with him. "Get dressed, Vulture wants us in the war room."
We dress quickly and head downstairs where the war room, really just Vulture’s office with extra monitors, is packed with brothers and FBI agents. Agent Monroe's at the center with a photo displayed on the main screen.
"This is Richard Vance. Sixty-two, billionaire investor, sits on the boards of half a dozen Fortune 500 companies." She pulls up financial records. "And he's the majority shareholder in Apex International Holdings, the parent company of all the shells connected to Castellano."
"So he's the Collector," I say, studying the face. Distinguished, silver-haired, the kind of man you'd see at charity galas and political fundraisers.
"We believe so. But belief isn't enough for prosecution. We need proof, concrete evidence that ties him directly to the trafficking operation." Agent Monroe looks at me. "Which is where you come in."
"Here we go," Mason mutters.
"I'm not asking you to be bait. I'm asking you to be bait with very specific parameters." Agent Monroe pulls up a layout of an office building. "Vance has a private office in the financial district. We've got warrants to search it, but so farwe haven't found anything incriminating. Everything's hidden behind layers of encryption and deniability."
"So you want me to do what, exactly?" I ask.
"Interview him. You're a journalist who just broke the Castellano story. Reaching out for comment would be normal, expected even. We wire you, you get him talking, and maybe he slips up." Agent Monroe's expression is serious. "It's risky, but it's controlled. We'll have agents in position, Mason can be in the building, and at the first sign of trouble, we pull you out."
"Absolutely not," Mason says. "You're asking her to walk into a billionaire's office and try to trick him into confessing to crimes he's been hiding for decades. That's insane."
"It's also our best shot." Agent Monroe turns to me. "Ms. Langley, this is your decision, but if you're willing, we can end this. Put Vance away, dismantle his operation, make sure no one else gets hurt."
I look at Mason, seeing the fear and anger warring in his expression. Then I look at the photo of Richard Vance, this monster hiding behind wealth and respectability.
"I'll do it," I say. "But on my terms. I want Mason with me every step of the way. And if anything feels wrong, we abort immediately."
"Ava, no." Mason's voice is low, dangerous. "This is exactly what you said you wouldn’t do."
"I know. But it's also the only way this ends." I turn to face him fully. "I can't live in lockdown forever, Mason. I can't spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. If there's a chance to end this, I have to take it."
"Even if it gets you killed?"
"Even then." I step closer, lowering my voice so only he can hear. "But I won't do it without you. I need you there, watching my back, ready to get me out if things go bad."
He wants to argue, I can see it in every line of his body. But he also knows I'm right. This is the only play we've got.
"Fine," he says finally. "But we do this my way. A full security detail, multiple exit strategies, and you wear armor under your clothes."
"Deal."
Agent Monroe looks relieved. "We'll set it up for tomorrow. Give you time to prepare, work out your questions. And Ms. Langley? Thank you. I know this isn't easy."
"Nothing about this has been easy." I look at the photo of Vance one more time. "But it'll be worth it when he's in custody."
After the meeting breaks up, Mason pulls me back to his room where he immediately starts checking weapons and planning contingencies. I watch him work, seeing the Ice Pick persona take over, cold and efficient and absolutely lethal.
"Mason."
"I need to make sure we're prepared. I can't leave anything to chance."
"Mason." I cross to him, pulling the gun from his hands and setting it aside. "Look at me."
He does, and the raw fear in his eyes nearly breaks me.
"I'm going to be okay. You're going to make sure of it. We're going to interview Vance, get the evidence we need, and end this. Together."
