Falcon's Prey by Terry Odell

Author:Terry Odell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: covert ops, mystery, suspense, Big Sister Program, Illegal opioids, drug smuggling, small town police
Publisher: Terry Odell
Published: 2018-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

FISH ADJUSTED THE COMPUTER to join the conference with Adam, who was sitting behind the wheel of a car, along with Scrooge. Both men wore satisfied expressions.

“We set?” Adam asked.

“I don’t see Fozzie,” Fish said.

“He’s otherwise occupied,” Adam said.

“Did you find any proof that John Gunther is the Falcon?” Lexi’s impatience was obvious.

Adam smiled, a cross between understanding and indulgence. “We couldn’t come out and ask him. My meeting with him was limited to nothing more than an introduction and a handshake, but I spent quality time with Mr. Bartholomew—call me Bart—the Chief Financial Officer, and he’s anxious to work with us. Amazing how many doors a budget in the upper six-figure range will open.”

Manny interrupted. “On task, please.”

“I was able to ascertain,” Adam said, “a part of Merlin is behind the public view. I mentioned—very discreetly—the need to minimize the financial information provided to Uncle Sam, and Bart assured me their company was well-versed in creating workarounds. Legal ones, he said.”

“He provided this information based on the documentation Blackthorne provided?” Lexi asked. “In other words, he took your word for the budget?” She ducked her head again after the interruption, but Manny seemed to think it was a valid question.

Adam laughed. “Of course not. Thanks to Blackthorne’s expertise in setting up my cover, my make-believe company’s bank accounts are overflowing. The marketing vice president I started with sent me to meet with an advertising director who wooed me with slick video presentations of successful campaigns she’d run. I’m sure that meeting was arranged to keep me busy while they verified the financial information before referring me to Call me Bart.

“Meanwhile, I have a few more shell company names—companies Bart swore could never be traced to Merlin or any of its subsidiaries. He also intimated that should I run into issues due to any less-than-aboveboard workings of my company, they had ways to assist there as well.”

“As in bribing cops?” Lexi asked.

“Per instructions,” Adam said, “we left things very vague for the time being.”

“Will we have eyes or ears in Gunther’s office?” Manny asked.

“Affirmative on both,” Adam said. “Fozzie took care of that before he left.”

“Very well,” Manny said. “You and Mr. Cashman can return to the airport. We’ll see you when you get back.”

“I don’t suppose I can keep the suit.” Adam fingered the lapels.

“It will remain in wardrobe until it’s needed again,” Manny said.

“Was worth a shot,” Adam muttered. His side of the screen went dark.

“Any issues I should be aware of?” Manny asked.

Should Fish mention the other potential breach they’d found?

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