Double Cross (18 page)

12:50 P.M. TUESDAY

Daniel met with Wilmington outside a popular Cajun restaurant near the Galleria. They had some things to discuss before Cayden joined them, especially if Cayden refused Wilmington and Laurel as part of his operation.

Wilmington laughed at Daniel’s appearance as Krestle the bodyguard. “You clean up pretty good. I’m the only one of us having lunch who looks like my real self.”

“I’m up for an Academy Award.” Daniel enjoyed this part of law enforcement.

“Did you know a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and dementia has booked a fund-raiser dinner on October 15 at the Junior League?” He glanced around. “Been on the calendar for eight months. SSA Preston texted me on the way here. Laurel was copied.”

“I’m low guy here. Last to find out.”

“We’ll see if Cayden brings the date up.”

“You mean if we’ve passed his scrutiny.”

“Here he comes now.”

A broad-shouldered man walked into the restaurant and stuck out his hand to Wilmington. “Glad you could make it, Mort.”

Wilmington shook his hand. “I’ve been looking forward to our conversation.” He pointed to Daniel. “This is my bodyguard, C. W. Krestle.”

“I wasn’t expecting anyone but the two of us.” Cayden smiled, but his eyes emitted displeasure in a cold stare. “A table for three.” His face tightened.

Once seated, they gave the server their food and beverage orders.

Wilmington leaned onto the table. “What’s the stand? Laurel and I have plans on hold while waiting for your decision.”

“Josie is opposed, but I expected that. She sent her errand-boy brother out on a job and lost.”

“Why?”

Cayden shrugged. “A female thing about Laurel being seen with some guy she wanted to date.”

“Hardly. My Laurel’s loyal.”

Daniel cringed internally.

“Do you run the operation or does Josie?” Wilmington’s words raised a challenge.

“I do. And I say you and Laurel are in. But if I suspect anything from her, then I’ll personally take her out of the game.”

“You indicated a female partner, and I assumed she was it.”

“Got to cover my bases, Morton,” Cayden said.

“So no partner?”

“A silent one. For now.”

Wilmington snorted. “Glad it isn’t Josie. She was wacko years ago, and from her record, she’s wanted all over.”

“Yes, but her IQ makes up for it. As long as she behaves herself, she stays alive.”

The server set their beverages on the table and disappeared.

“What happens from here?” Wilmington said.

“What we discussed in prison. Did I mention my nonprofit? It was formed to aid those suffering with Alzheimer’s and dementia. In fact I’m hosting a fund-raiser on October 15 right here in Houston.”

Daniel bit back his thoughts about Cayden’s nonprofit and fund-raiser. The man just thought he had the good-guy facade.

“Who’s invited?”

“A select group of four hundred men and women from the Southeast and Gulf States who share our ideals. Wealthy, highly respected.”

They were talking in circles. Then it hit him. Cayden feared one of them might be recording the conversation. Nothing he’d said could be used against him. Wilmington played into it too. Daniel had now hit the big dogs, and he wasn’t sure he could outsmart them.

“Your input, support, and encouragement with the nonprofit is what we need.”

“Laurel and I are in.”

“Excellent. We appreciate your participation. All that we went over a few months ago is still intact. Our website has a tab for online donations.”

“When do Laurel and I meet with you again?”

“Friday night. I’ll let you know where.” He sneered at Daniel. “Without your bodyguard. If you can’t trust me after what we went through in the military, who can you trust?”

Wilmington leaned back. “No one. I owe you, and this is how I can repay what you did for me.”

How much of this was real for Wilmington? Daniel chose not to go there
 
—his facade might crack.

Cayden pulled an inhaler from inside his jacket and drew in the medicine. Didn’t look like it was for show.

The server approached their table and asked for Geoff Cayden. “Sir, there’s a woman who wants a word with you.”

“Who is it?”

“Says it’s a personal matter about your daughter.”

Cayden swore. “My wife would have called.” He turned to Wilmington. “Excuse me while I see what this is about. Be right back.”

Daniel watched them walk away and used his cloth napkin to retrieve the inhaler and drop it into his jacket pocket. He swiped a napkin from another table and stuck it by Cayden’s plate.

“You might be in the wrong business,” Wilmington whispered.

“Don’t think so.”

In less than three minutes, Cayden returned. He took his seat swearing, face red.

“Is your daughter all right?” Wilmington said.

“Wasn’t my wife at all, but a woman I met last night. Said she followed me today from my hotel. I blew up and she ducked into a car. She won’t live past the day.”

Coco had come through for him. The FBI had arranged transportation for her to the airport and she was off to a Hawaiian vacation, courtesy of a dip into Daniel’s savings account. Worth every dollar to have Cayden’s DNA.

2:35 P.M. TUESDAY

Laurel had never been one to wait for information, and finding out the results of FBI interviews in Miami meant contacting SSA Preston. She’d win the dinner with Daniel
 
—sharing a meal with him sounded better than all those with Wilmington. Once home, she checked e-mail and saw a Google alert about her and Wilmington.

Her stomach rolled, and she almost wished she hadn’t set up a way to keep tabs on him.

Laurel and I are planning a February 14 wedding. I’d like sooner, but Valentine’s Day makes it special.

Beneath the post was a photo of the two of them at Damian’s for dinner. She couldn’t remember smiling at him. Must have been Photoshopped. For a moment she despised herself as much as she had five years ago.

Why did he give someone a quote? Then it hit her like a punch in the gut. This told Cayden and Fields they were committed to the relationship. Smart but irritating.

She read through the comments. Well-wishes from those she didn’t know. Probably criminals like him.

Where was the woman who once worked violent crime? She reached deep down to regain her composure. The Facebook post played into the ruse with Wilmington. She simply needed to stay on top of it.

The task at hand was to call SSA Preston on her burner. “Good afternoon, sir. Can you tell me if the employee interviews from Almet Pharmaceuticals are completed?”

“Received them earlier. I’ll forward the report to you.”

“Thanks.”

“You and Wilmington are receiving a lot of attention.”

“I saw. Hope it works.”

“Just sent the reports your way. Interesting, as I’m sure you’ll find. We think Cayden is our man, but we still have nothing for prosecution. From his history, if we bring him in for questioning, he’ll go dark.”

The call ended, and she read through Miami’s findings. The employee interviews revealed information about thirteen males and females who had military backgrounds. That pinpointed her concentration and the FBI’s. Ten of the ex-military passed FBI radar. Two men held possibilities for a strong cover.

The first suspect was a former Navy man who was less than honorably discharged for admitting use of a controlled substance. The incident occurred eleven years ago. Vendettas could easily fester. The Miami FBI office was in the process of an investigation. His ex-wife claimed his drug addiction led to their divorce. Police record for assault. Currently in a court-ordered rehab.

The second man, Geoff Cayden, managed a team of salesmen. He was married with a daughter. Described as intelligent and reliable. He’d been a part of Army Delta Force until adult-onset asthma forced his early retirement. Commendable. Highly decorated. FBI was investigating his unconventional missions. No flags there except Wilmington’s claims. Delta Force knew how to plan and execute missions. Trained to beat a polygraph test. But she didn’t think he’d offer to take one. Preston sent her the information
regarding Cayden’s nonprofit, which he’d formed eighteen months ago. The board of directors were influential people across the US, a blend of clergy and politicians. Nothing on this guy but the American hero who wanted to help the elderly.

Laurel texted SSA Preston for more information from the FIG. Did Cayden travel with his job? She received a positive response. He had trained salesmen all over the country prior to his medical leave. She posed four additional requests: Did the FBI have his travel log? What was his work attendance for the past year, along with his sick days? Did his travel and sick days line up with any of the elderly scams? Had the doctor who wrote the work release and past medical slips been questioned again?

A text came in from Daniel.

They always say time changes things, but u actually have 2 change them urself - andy warhol

She laughed. So Daniel. She loved it and texted him back.

Thanx

Got the DNA

Yes! I have the employee interviews you wanted

Why am I not surprised?

Sending now

What am I to do with a partner who always seems 2 b one step ahead of me?

Change the music.

She held her breath as reality paralyzed her. She cared for him, and it frightened her. He could be taken in an instant, and she’d be alone. Selfish . . . but life had always thrown her a curve when it came to her heart.

She’d gladly step into the line of fire to keep him safe. Inhaling sharply, she felt chilled at the gravity of her thoughts. Would she give her life for Daniel? Had her feelings for him gone too far?

She needed to talk to someone who could help her make sense of what was happening.

4:30 P.M. TUESDAY

Abby believed the secret to longevity was a positive outlook on life. Other things were important too, like eating healthy and exercising, which meant doing sit-ups . . .
Forty-one, forty-two, take a breath, then forty-three.
She stood and admired her flat stomach.

Girl, you still have it. A few things might not look like a Barbie doll’s, but the rest of you is in place.
At least she didn’t need a walker.

The doorbell rang, and she made her way to the door with Earl emerging from the living room. Pete escorted Laurel. Abby swung the door open and gave the young woman a huge hug.

“So glad you came to see us. Earl and I are bored to tears,” she said.

Earl wrapped his arm around Laurel’s waist. “Now I have two beautiful women to keep me company. Come on in.”

How dear to see him like the man he used to be.

Laurel stepped inside the foyer. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Please do.” Earl’s blue eyes twinkled.

Once all three of them were seated on the living room sofa with iced tea, Abby sensed Laurel wasn’t making a business call. “Is everything okay?”

“The best it can be while I look for a job. Won’t be long, though.”

“What can I do for you?”

“Oh, just talk.”

Earl excused himself. “You girls have a nice chat. Laurel and I will have plenty of time to catch up in the future.”

“I hope I’m not running you off,” Laurel said.

“The History channel is calling my name. Time I generated some brain cells instead of wasting them.” He disappeared into the next room.

“How can I be a friend?” Abby studied her. Why did Laurel want to visit with an old woman?

“I’m in a reflection mode.” Laurel’s lips turned upward but quivered slightly. “I want to tell you about my foster mother.”

Abby listened to the heartbreaking story of a little girl abandoned except for an older woman who loved her unconditionally. She believed Laurel held back, but Abby wouldn’t question. Not at this point anyway.

“Joining the FBI helped me deal with the ups and downs of life while helping others.”

“But you’re still with them, right?”

Laurel blinked. “The FBI released me.”

Abby reached for Laurel’s hand. “Oh, I know. Just calling it like I see it.”

“Abby, I think you could handle anything.”

“Not always. Life can be a formidable taskmaster. Jimmy, Daniel’s dad, nearly destroyed us, but Daniel is our joy.”

“Have you ever made choices you regret?”

Abby pressed her lips together. The question was more about Laurel than herself. “Choices can be forced on us or made voluntarily. In either case, we can have regrets.”

“Do you mind telling me how you met Earl?”

Abby laughed. “How much of it? I’m a cross between eccentric and quirky.”

“I respect the woman you are now. So tell me about the beginnings.”

Abby stared into the depths of the young woman before her.
Daniel could easily fall in love with her. Laurel could feel the same for him. Love was like that. People spent their lives looking for the perfect fit, but did they always recognize it? Hopefully both of them would see the gift before life passed them by.

“All right.” Abby kept Laurel’s hand firmly in hers. “I was born on a farm in east Texas, deep in the Piney Woods, where time still seems to take a step back. I was one of eight children, right in the middle with three older and four younger brothers. My mother and I had a hard road working the fields beside the men, then cooking and taking care of them. I hated it. When I was fourteen, I ran off with a man who swore he loved me. He said he had a ranch in west Texas and we’d go there. But that isn’t what happened at all. He sold me into slavery. Law enforcement types now call it human trafficking. I couldn’t figure out how to get away. Couldn’t trust anyone.

“Once a month, the man who owned the business took three of us into town for a treat at the Dairy Queen. Called us his DQ girls. Earl and his father had stopped there on their way home from a hunting trip.” Abby closed her eyes. “He was the most handsome boy I’d ever seen. I could see the man he’d grow into. He approached me at the booth and started talking. The man who owned me told him to get away.”

“What happened?”

“Earl’s dad must have suspected something. He leaned over the table and asked me if I was all right or if he should call the police. I couldn’t go back home after the things I’d been forced to do. But living on my own had to be better than what I’d experienced. I asked him to contact the police. My owner was furious. Earl’s father wouldn’t let me leave with the man. So my captor took the other two girls and left. When the police arrived, I explained how I’d been tricked. The officer contacted my parents, but they didn’t want me back. No surprise there. Earl’s dad made a few phone calls and found a place for me to stay with a family from his church. From then on, Earl and I were inseparable. He showed me faith
and helped me find my way to heaven.” Abby swiped at a tear. “Jesus and Earl, in that order.”

Tears streamed down Laurel’s face. “Oh, Abby, you are an inspiration. Maybe I can walk through this nightmare, see it through to the end. All I have to do is remember your strength.”

11:20 P.M. TUESDAY

Laurel drove to meet Wilmington in the bar near downtown. Finding answers often meant looking into dark and angry places. Laurel understood associating with Morton Wilmington brought those things and more. She’d been there, a survivor on the outside, a fragile soul on the inside. The one thing she hated about her job was the exposure to the worst of evil. The one thing she valued was contributing to the end of that evil.

The seclusion of night fit their conversation. She needed to pose a few questions without Daniel. If the situation got hot, she didn’t want him killed.

She watched her mirrors and didn’t detect anyone. Agents were there, hidden in the unknown, like the ones who’d followed her on the other occasion. Then there were Cayden’s people. He’d approved her as part of the team, but Fields wasn’t pleased. Cayden and Fields were good at accidents.

When she arrived, Wilmington sat at a small table in a corner. The shadows of the bar hid far too many people. Her gaze swept the room before she joined him. Two bodyguards faced the entrance at one table, and a third nursed a beer at the bar, all looking like businessmen enjoying a drink. Their hands rested close to their concealed weapons, and their scrutiny was fixed on her the moment she stepped in. She understood they didn’t trust her any more than she trusted their boss.

The others didn’t appear as threats. A woman with more cleavage than Laurel owned eyed the bartender. A couple clasped hands and shared a drink. Another couple brushed past her.

Wilmington stood when he saw her. She knew his leather jacket held a weapon in the left pocket. Possibly two. He was fond of wallet guns.

“We made it through tonight and it worked.”

She reached for his hand and noted the cold fingers. “I’m assuming we’re being photographed.”

“We are.” He ordered water and lime for them.

Anger bubbled inside her. The new info regarding him made her want to pull her Glock. “Why didn’t you tell me Messner had been on your payroll?”

“He left my business while I was in prison.” He paused and smiled. “We kept tabs on him.”

“I’m sure you did. Who’d he go to work for?”

“Mostly himself.”

“Can you be clearer?”

“Flew low until he connected with his half sister.”

She held on to his hand, but her thoughts were murderous. Wilmington
had
kept information from the FBI and her. “You’ve not held up your end of the deal.”

“I’m not the man from five years ago, so wipe that image out of your mind.”

She kept her emotions intact, playing the role of the agent, not the woman concerned about a bullet piercing her skull. “Explain why you kept valuable information from me and the FBI.”

“We lost him until he turned up dead.”

One more reason why she’d never trust him.

“Why isn’t Daniel with you?” Wilmington said.

“I wanted this private.”

“He can’t work undercover, help his grandparents, and babysit you. I like the man, what I know of him. Wouldn’t want to see him dead either.”

“I don’t need a babysitter. Neither am I protecting him. He’s your bodyguard.”

“Look, babe
 
—”

The sound of his voice made her skin prickle. “Don’t call me that.”

“Laurel, back when we were together, I loved you the best way a man like me could. When I saw you at the prison, the old anger and bitterness surfaced. I thought the issues of betrayal were resolved, but I was wrong. Those things won’t vanish overnight, but I’m working on it.”

He took a deep breath. A look of tenderness swept over him, and it frightened her more than his anger did.

“I’m following God and I’m committed to ending the elderly scam. When this is over, I’ll leave you alone. But I’ll continue to assist the FBI in fighting crime.”

“I’m afraid for Daniel.”

Wilmington chuckled. “At least I’m aware of one allegiance.”

“It’s not like that. We’re all a part of a team.” Dare she play into the emotion she’d just seen? “Please, Morton, don’t keep information from me.”

He finished his water and set the glass on the side of the table for a refill. “I could use a good epitaph on my tombstone.”

“I’ll do my best.”