Part 14 (1/2)
”Well, you have. And those two Feds are back. Now everyone is screaming.”
Jack put his elbows on the table and leaned into the ice pack.
”What am I supposed to do, Cindy?”
”Are you going to throw away your career on a gut feeling, Jack?” She rubbed his shoulder. He looked at her and then at the ceiling.
What the h.e.l.l am I supposed to say?
”Yes. Yes, I am. I'd rather throw it away than do nothing.”
Cindy frowned as she shook her head. ”Can you just try to back off for a little while?” She pulled at her hair.
Walter Prescott surged through the door. ”Oh, your boy is going to back off for a while, now. He's been suspended.”
”What?” Jack and Cindy both got to their feet.
Jennifer came in behind Walter, and Jack noticed the disapproving look on her face.
”You don't have the right to suspend him.” Cindy wagged a finger in Walter's face.
Walter sneered. ”I don't. Collins does. I'm sure he'll want to officially notify Jack once he's done signing the paperwork.”
”Jack.” Cindy put her arm on his shoulder. ”Don't say anything without your delegate.”
”Jack's a big boy-he can talk to me.” Walter nodded sarcastically.
”Stop it, Walter.” Jennifer walked over to Cindy. ”Cindy, we need to talk to Jack, alone.”
Cindy looked at Jack, and he nodded. She patted his arm, leaned in closer, and whispered, ”If you need Peter, I'll get him. You have a right to a delegate.” She glared at Walter as she left the room.
Jack dropped the ice pack onto the table. ”No way. There's no way I'm getting suspended because I went into a friend's apartment-WITH A KEY.”
Walter sneered. ”You're right, Stratton. You're not suspended because you went to a friend's apartment. You're not suspended because you went to meet with a known felon who is the head of the Mancini crime family. You're not even suspended for going to Chinatown and meeting with the Yakuza.”
I guess they really did have all those places under surveillance...
Walter pulled out the chair and sat down while Jennifer stood beside him.
”No, Stratton, you're suspended because you used an authorized police account to send an unauthorized email.”
”What? They've been dragging on that investigation for weeks. You're trying to tell me they made a decision now and it has nothing to do with this?”
I didn't even send that stupid email. Replacement did. I can't say anything or I'd jam her up.
”Stratton, you're one stupid son-of-a-b.i.t.c.h.”
Jack walked around the table. ”You know what? I'm sick of hearing words come out of your mouth,” Jack snarled.
Jennifer stepped forward and raised her hand. ”Walter, can I please have a moment alone with Jack?”
Jack turned his head to glare at her.
”You better listen to her if you want to see the sun in the next couple of weeks.” Walter's voice grated. ”Since 9-11, we have a little bit more leeway, if you understand me. But, since you just crossed the line when you met with two groups I can lump with terrorists, you'd better sit down or we'll handle you how I want to handle you.”
Jennifer scowled as Walter stormed out. Jack stayed on his feet while Jennifer sat down.
”I tried to warn you.” She crossed her arms and leaned back. ”Seriously? You met with Severino?”
”You said I did. I haven't confirmed that.” Jack stared at the door.
She put down the manila folder she held and flipped it open. There were pictures of Jack walking up to Ilario's house. Jack tried to act casual as he flipped through the sequence. They all appeared to show Jack arriving at the house and not leaving. Jack held up a close-up and grinned.
”Can I get this one in an eight-by-ten?”
Jennifer laughed. ”Maybe you can get yourself a job in stand-up since you seem so intent on throwing your police career away.” Jack's smile vanished. Jennifer continued, ”What did they say?”
Jack shrugged and sat down. ”Nothing. He told me Walter had called him, and he thought Walter was a b.a.s.t.a.r.d and that's about it. They haven't heard anything.”
”How many men were inside?”
”You're asking me?” Jack leaned back. ”Why don't you check the drone surveillance?”
Jennifer frowned. ”So Severino didn't say anything. Did he give you any idea who could be involved?”
”Have you talked to him? He's not a real great conversationalist.” Jack looked directly at the two-way mirror and raised his voice. ”It went something like this: 'Walter sucks; you're a cop; get out. Walter is a piece of garbage. I haven't heard anything. Tell Walter he sucks.'” Jack held his hands up and leaned back.
”Shut up, Jack. Severino hated Walter long before Marisa. Besides, Walter has a right to hate Severino.” Jennifer cleared her throat as she moved the pictures around in front of her before she continued. ”What about the Yakuza? Who did you meet with?”
Jack stared down for a moment.
There's no picture of me with Ilario. He was waiting on the far corner of the street. These photos were taken from someone standing on the opposite side. They may not have seen us.
Jack looked up. ”Four guys rushed me-”
”Four?” Jennifer's voice was lower.
Jack grinned but winced as his lip curled. ”Four guys came at me in the bathroom, and then I talked with a guy.”
”Who did you meet with?”
”I think he was j.a.panese. He called himself the owner.”
Jennifer frowned and took out her smartphone. She pressed a few b.u.t.tons before she slid it across the table to him.
”This the guy you met with?”
It wasn't the type of picture Jack expected. He a.s.sumed it would be a grainy, slightly blurred photo from some surveillance van at dusk. Instead, it was a professional headshot.
”Did he pose for the FBI Christmas calendar?”