“Not if.” Reid swallowed a bitter taste in his mouth. “When. Any mention in the order about staying away from Megan?”
“No. We should’ve thought to have it added at the time.”
“Rookie mistake.” There were a lot of things Reid should’ve done differently, like not fall for Megan. “And the protection detail? Did you get approval for that?”
“Request refused.”
“Why?” Reid’s voice rose, drawing Megan’s worried gaze and Russ’s questioning appraisal. Reid turned his back to them to hide his anger.
“Come on, Reid. I told you it was iffy at best, and you honestly didn’t think our office would respond any differently than the local PD, did you?”
“You bet I did.” Reid snapped. “The Bureau got her into this mess. I figured now that Fowler’s out of prison they’d man up and take care of her.” Reid wanted to place responsibility on the FBI, but her dilemma sat squarely on his shoulders. Fowler’s threat had Megan changing her mind about testifying, and Reid convinced her to go through with it. After all, testifying was the right thing to do, but Reid had also selfishly wanted to make his first case.
“I’m sorry,” Jack said. “I know how much she once meant to you. If I could do anything about our response, I would. If things escalate I can ask again.”
Jack spoke the truth. He was a good man, and he didn’t like leaving Megan at risk for Fowler’s attack any more than Reid did.
Didn’t mean he couldn’t help in other areas. “Maybe you can redeem yourself by getting the name and address of the attendant Fowler was talking to at the gas station.”
Jack didn’t answer right away. “I might have better luck with that, but you know the privacy issues are more important these days. It’ll likely take a warrant.”
“Which no one in your office is going to approve when no crime, especially not a federal one, has been committed.” Reid shoved his free hand into his hair.
“You know I’ll do everything I can to help and won’t let it go at that.”
“I know.” And Reid would do everything he could too. Starting with asking Russ to see what he could do about getting the locals to request a warrant too. It might be a challenge and even if the locals got the warrant, it didn’t mean they would share the information, but at least they would be working on finding Fowler.
“Just like you aren’t going to let Megan’s need for protection go,” Jack said.
Reid didn’t deny it as he would be lying. “And?”
“And when you finalize a plan, call me. I’ll do what I can to help.”
“Thanks.” Reid disconnected.
Before he returned to Megan, he wanted to have something positive to report. Like help from his teammates. He would start with Colin Graham, who Reid once worked closely with at the FBI. He and his brother, Devan, along with Micha Nichols, were invaluable members of the Shadow Lake Survival team. Dev was a former Clackamas County Deputy, and Micha served with Russ as a Marine weapons expert before he moved to military investigations.
Reid wouldn’t even have to reschedule their classes as Shadow Lake Survival was closed for the holidays. The guys had little real family of their own, and the team had become like family, so they stayed on site to celebrate.
“Yo, boss man,” Colin answered. “What can I do you for?”
Reid heard Christmas music playing in the background and hated to interrupt Colin’s holiday. But he would. He explained the situation. “I was hoping you’d see if the guy’s staying at the motel and keep an eye on him.”
“Sure thing,” he replied without hesitation. “You want me to take Dev along?”
“I have another job for him,” Reid said.
“He didn’t mention it.”
“Haven’t told him yet.”
“He’s right here if you want to talk to him.
“I would.”
“Hang on.”
Reid heard Colin explain the situation to Devan before he came on the line.
