Chasing Clay by Lance Charnes

Author:Lance Charnes [Charnes, Lance]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: smuggling book, antiquities novel, narcotics trafficking, con job novel, looted art, ex-convict, detective agency
ISBN: 9781733398954
Publisher: Wombat Group Media via Indie Author Project
Published: 2019-11-15T08:00:00+00:00

.

Chapter 31

They stick me in a small, windowless room with a smaller oval table before the nine o’clock meeting starts. It reminds me of an interview room, except not as homey. I’m not supposed to exist, so I guess I don’t get invited to the party.

Twenty or so minutes later, another contractor appears, has me sign forms, then hands me a sealed, clear-plastic bag with my phone, cash, wallet, tie and belt in it. I don’t ask what happened. I don’t care right now. They’re letting me out.

Savannah called my phone three times last night and sent a dozen texts. They begin with Running late? and escalate to Where are you? Are you ok? Please call I’m worried .

When I call back, her phone rings twice, then rolls to voicemail. What do I tell a machine? I send a text (I’m ok something came up I’ll try to call again) instead.

A frosty text rolls in a few minutes later (You’re still alive). I’ve been in the doghouse enough to know when I’m in the doghouse. I can’t afford to have her pissed off at me—I don’t know what she’ll do with it.

I try to call again and finally reach her. After a chilly conversation, we settle on dinner, where I promise to tell her everything—at least, everything I need her to know. I say, “I promise I’ll be there.”

“You’d better be. If you’re not, don’t call me again.” Click.

I get almost ninety minutes to stew about that, and McCarran, and whatever else jumps up to torture me. I call Bandineau to set up lunch so I can hit him with the storage cube. Somewhere along the way I fall asleep for fifteen minutes. It isn’t restful.

Finally, Samson walks in. “Son, you’re off the hook. They’ve dropped the charges.”

Thank god. Something finally went right.

He gives me the TV Guide version of the meeting. After a lot of interagency head-butting, they came to a typically bureaucratic decision: DEA will continue its investigation separately, but they’ll meet weekly with the Task Force (HSI and the IRS) to “discuss” information their operations uncover.

He says, “Both case agents are on their way to talk to you. Cooperate with them, answer their questions, make them feel good. They’re just looking to catch up, not to trap you.”

“Will you be here?”

“No, you don’t need me for this.” He must see the panic in my eyes, because he pats me on the shoulder. “You’ll be fine, son. If you get nervous, call me.”

Carruthers and another guy appear five minutes after Samson leaves. Carruthers looks like his suit and tie are smothering him. The other guy gives me the once-over. “Friedrich?”

“Yes, sir.”

He sticks out his hand. “Vern Talbot, ICE HSI. Good to meet you finally.” He’s in his late forties, balding, a profile off a Roman coin. He seems more comfortable in a suit than Carruthers does.

We settle around the table. Carruthers stares at me like I give him indigestion. “Whadda I do with you? I already got a UC working this line.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.