When He's Dirty, стр. 22
I do as he orders and he says, “Tell me you have Adrian Mack because if we lose Waters and don’t take the trade, I’m fucked.”
I walk to a visitor’s chair and capture the back with my hands. “Waters is manipulating you. The trial is not going to end until after the election and he knows it. Stay the course.”
He scrubs his jaw and settles his hands under his jacket on his waist. “And if our witnesses keep falling and Waters pulls the trade?”
A memory of Rafael holding my hand and telling me to call Walker Security plays in my mind and lends confidence to my next statement. “First of all,” I say, “my gut is that Adrian Mack will show up, but not until right before the trial. Maybe even after it starts.” He opens his mouth to, no doubt, tell me that’s not good enough and I hold up a hand. “We need to hire private security to protect the witnesses.”
“Give me a break, Miller. They’re as corruptible as the next guy.”
“I recommend we make an educated gamble on Walker Security,” I say. “I talked with them. I’ve checked references, including one from the Secretary of State today and yes, that’s the Secretary of State, among others.” I set the file in my hand on his desk. “They won’t be cheap, but this is about putting Waters behind bars and keeping you, the man behind his demise, in office. As a bonus, I feel like hiring them will make Mack more comfortable coming forward.”
“How much?”
“I don’t have the numbers yet,” say, “but how much are justice and your career worth?”
“Your career is on the line here, too. We’re riding the same boat. A hole sinks us both. You get that right?”
“Yes. I get it. Hire Walker Security. They’re based out of New York, but they have a team in the city for another case and can start now.”
“How did you find them?”
“Are you really going to micromanage me right now, Ed? The Secretary of State recommended them. I know it’s not the President but—”
He holds up a hand. “Fine. Hire them. I’ll call the US Marshals’ office and make it official.”
“Don’t call them until I talk to Walker this afternoon. I don’t want to risk one of those leaks that sinks us.”
“All right.”
“And I think you need them to protect you, too, Ed. If Waters gets desperate, there’s no telling what he’ll do.”
“I’m single, I’m ex-military, and I’m capable of protecting myself. Use the resources for other people.” He motions me onward. “Go. Make it happen.”
I hesitate. I want to push him to accept protection, but I’ll take what I can get for now. I exit his office and in this moment, I feel relief and a sense of calm that defies the situation. And I know why. It means Rafael is involved. My reaction has to mean I trust him. Unless this crazy attraction I have to him has clouded my judgment? In which case, more than my career will die. I might go with it.
Chapter Thirteen
PRI
By the time I’m in my office, Blake has emailed me contracts, non-disclosures, and other documents. I’m ready to hand over the witnesses to Walker. And right on time, Adam arrives.
Adam turns out to be tall, very tall, like six-four or five, good looking, with dark wavy hair and blue eyes. We sit down at my two-person conference table and I’m struck by his calm energy.
“Why didn’t Rafael come with you?” I ask.
He levels me in a stare. “I think you know why.”
It’s a tricky reply. It could be about the kiss or Rafael’s identity. “I’d feel better if he were here.”
“I’m a good second choice. I was a Navy SEAL, on Team Six. My specialty is disguises. I’m good at being present and not seen.”
“But you’re so—well—”
He arches a brow. “Big?”
“Yes.”
He leans closer. “If I can hide, I can hide your witnesses. Everything happening right now is about protecting them and protecting you.”
“Everything?”
“Everything,” he repeats.
“I guess that’s a topic I can argue with Rafael.”
His expression doesn’t change, but I swear his lips hint at a curve. “You and Rafael do have plenty to discuss. I’m sure you can appreciate the position your relationship places on his duty.”
I could read his statement a few ways and he knows it. I leave it alone for now, and go over the case, focusing on the safety of our witnesses.
“As it should be. Who have you told about us?”
“Just the DA.”
“Good. We’ll handle the US Marshals at the highest level and discreetly. Our plan is to make it seem as if those witnesses are still in place,” he explains. “We’ll place our people in their positions. If Deleon comes for them, we’ll get him.”
“You know about Deleon?”
“We don’t take a case we don’t research first. We believe he’s the one killing your witnesses and we’re looking for him. If we get Deleon, I suspect he’ll sing to save himself.”
“If we get him,” I say, “nothing he can say will convince me to save him. I need Adrian Mack.”
“And I feel certain he’ll show up in time for your trial.”
“And why exactly do you feel certain of such a thing?”
“Because you called Walker Security.” He stands up. “Let us get to work before Deleon beats us to another witness.” I blink and he’s gone.
The way I blinked and Rafael was gone this morning.
I can only hope that means Adrian will soon appear.
For now, I return to my desk and get to work.
With Walker on board, my confidence in the case against Waters is restored. I dig into damage control for lost witnesses and try to find ways to save those portions of the prosecution. That turns into hours and hours with my team, pinning down our options. As the afternoon becomes the evening, Cindy and I end up at the coffee shop again. And yes, I secretly hope Rafael will show up, but he doesn’t, even after Cindy