State of Play (Virgil Jones Mystery Thriller Series Book 16) by Thomas Scott

Author:Thomas Scott [Scott, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: High Road
Published: 2022-12-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Late in the day, Rosencrantz walked into Virgil’s office and said, “Got a minute?”

“Sure. What’s up?”

Before Rosencrantz could answer, the intercom buzzed. Virgil gave him an apologetic look and said, “Sit tight.” Then he pressed a button on his desk phone and said, “Yes?”

“Becky got Franklin to come through for you. The senior agent in charge of the ATF’s Chicago field office is on line three. His name is Alex Caldwell.”

“Thanks, Sarah.” Rosencrantz started to get up, but Virgil held out his hand. “No need, Rosie. This should only take a minute.” He punched the Speaker button and said, “Agent Caldwell? Detective Virgil Jones with the Major Crimes Unit down in Indianapolis. Thanks for taking the time.”

“My pleasure, Detective. How may I help?”

“I’d like to inquire about one of your agents…Carla Sawyer.” When Virgil’s statement was met with silence, he glanced at Rosencrantz, a frown forming on his face. “Agent Caldwell? Are you there?”

Caldwell’s tone had changed slightly. “What exactly would you like to know about Sawyer?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” Virgil said. “But she turned up here after the shooting outside the statehouse asking for our help. I understand that she lost her husband not long ago in an undercover op, and she seems somewhat—”

“Forgive me for interrupting, Detective, but Agent Sawyer had no business coming to you and asking for help. As a point of fact, she’s been placed on administrative leave pending a formal inquiry into her actions regarding her investigatory methods after the loss of our undercover man. She seems to think it’s open season on the range because he was her husband.”

“You’re saying she’s gone off the books?”

“That might be something of an understatement. Do you know where she is? We haven’t been able to reach her for days.”

Rosencrantz leaned forward and got Virgil’s attention. He held his index finger to his lips and shook his head. The message was clear: Don’t tell him.

“I’m afraid I don’t,” Virgil lied. “She might be here in the city. I spoke with her earlier this morning. She asked for an update regarding our investigation. In the spirit of cooperation, I gave her some very basic information on our case. That seemed to satisfy her.”

“If you happen to see her again, sit her down and hand her a telephone. If she refuses to call me, I want you to detain her until I can dispatch one of my agents to pick her up.”

“I’ll do that,” Virgil said. “Thanks for the intel.”

Caldwell didn’t respond. Instead, he slammed the phone down so hard the sound made Virgil jump a little in his chair. He looked at Rosencrantz and said, “What’s with the subterfuge?”

“I’m surprised you have to ask,” Rosencrantz said. “If she’s on leave pending an investigation, that means those papers that Mayo and Ortiz signed are worthless. If she gets hung out to dry, they’ll be swinging in the wind right along with her.”

Virgil rubbed the sides of his face with his fingers. “Ah, shit, you’re right.” He punched the Speaker button on the phone again and called Mayo.

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