“Neighbor’s theory was Van had a sexual encounter and was so overcome with guilt for cheating on his dead wife that he shot himself,” Dominic continued.
Frazer’s lip curled. “I find it hard to believe a retired agent would leave himself exposed in that fashion even if he’d felt guilty enough to kill himself. He knew how law enforcement talked.” He narrowed his eyes. “It is the sort of thing an UNSUB might do if they wanted to humiliate a victim.”
“We need the surveillance footage from the bar the night Van was there. See who he spoke to.” Dominic adjusted his sling, lips twisting into a grimace.
Frazer eyed Ava. “That’s not going to be easy.”
“Once the higher ups see the list of dead agents surely the DEA will cooperate?” she said defensively. “And the DEA saw us enter and leave that bar. We weren’t exactly low profile. I’m assuming they had someone inside the place. Why the hell hasn’t one of them contacted us about Van being there the night he died? Don’t they read the damn news?”
Frazer spread his hands on the table. “It’s all circumstantial.”
“It seems to me like we have several different things we’re trying to establish here that are muddying the waters.” Parker leaned forward. “Whether Van Stamos or any of the other agents were murdered and who spiked Sheridan’s drink last night. And are the events linked?”
“How do we find answers if the DEA won’t cooperate with their surveillance footage?” Ava asked.
Parker shrugged. “I might be able to see what the DEA has if they keep the digital evidence stored in their system, but it could take time.”
“There’s also an ATM machine opposite the Mule & Pitcher.” Ava had forgotten about that with everything else that had happened.
“What about the guy who started the bar fight last night?” Dominic asked her.
Ava shifted on the hard, wooden chair. “He said he’d be willing to work with a police sketch artist but wasn’t sure what he’d remember when he sobered up. I was suspended before I could follow up.”
Frazer made a note on his phone. “I’ll check in on the status of that and get a background check run on the guy. Then, while Alex is conducting pen-tests on the DEA’s system—”
Alex grinned at Ava’s startled look. “They pay me to find faults in their network.”
Frazer grunted. “Too damn much. Anyway, I’ll talk to a friend there and explain this thing might be bigger than a drug bust or even the attempted murder of two agents. If nothing else they might be able to get us some information on whether or not the men in custody admit to roofying Dominic. Dominic—you check into the status of the task force investigating Calvin Mortimer’s murder. If we get any definitive evidence that these other deaths are connected then the investigation will most likely be taken over by that task force. Mark Gross is in charge. He’s a good agent.”
“I’d go question the waitress—if I wasn’t suspended.” The reality of Ava’s situation hit her all over again.
Dominic cleared his throat. “I was hoping you might put in a good word for Agent Kanas with the director…”
So that’s why he’d invited her over here with these guys. Ava rolled her eyes. She wasn’t going to beg for favors from people she didn’t know.
Frazer laughed. “I don’t have that kind of pull with the director.”
“Bullshit.” Dominic started to fold his arms and then winced in pain.
“Not bullshit.” Frazer sent Rooney a rueful look. “I used up all my favors over the last nine months. And if Agent Kanas isn’t reinstated, she can’t work this case, not even on the periphery. It could throw any evidence we collect into jeopardy once it gets to court.”
Ava felt the blood drain from her head. The idea of sitting around in her apartment waiting to be fired was soul destroying.
“You do it,” Frazer said to Sheridan. “With your personal connections you could probably get her reinstated at Fredericksburg while OPR conducts its investigation.” Frazer played with his mug as he spoke.
“What ‘connections’?” Ava bit out.
Dominic stayed stubbornly silent.
“His father is the Governor of Vermont.” Frazer’s expression was cloaked, but a slight smile played around his lips.
Ava blinked slowly. She’d guessed Dominic came from power and influence.
“And his godfather is Joshua Hague.”
Ava’s eyes stretched wide. “Joshua Hague?”
“Yes, Joshua Hague, the President of the United States of America.” Frazer seemed to enjoy outing Sheridan’s connections, but Ava felt as if she’d been punched in the stomach.
Dominic refused to meet her gaze. “My father and godfather have no influence on anything within the Bureau.”
“They shouldn’t have.” Frazer’s smile was cynical. “If you ask Ray Aldrich to reinstate her, he’ll do it. You know he’ll do it for you.”
Dominic grunted. “And what does that say about my integrity? I’ve spent years making sure I never crossed that line. Never asked for favors based on who I might be related to.”
So much for Dominic using all his influence to help her get her job back.
“That’s very convenient when it’s my career on the line, not yours.” Ava should admire the man for not using his connections for personal gain. Except this wasn’t about him. She was the one with everything to lose.
“I won’t compromise my integrity.”
“You don’t think I’m even worth the trouble of picking up the phone.” The realization stung.
“Of course, I think you’re worth it. But these are politically powerful men—they are not FBI. They do not influence the day to day running of the Bureau. And I can’t approach the director because I don’t want him feeling like if he doesn’t do something for me then he gets in trouble with POTUS.”
So, she got to rot after almost dying trying to figure out what happened to him. Angry tears pricked the back of her eyes, but she blinked them away. She’d rather die than cry in front of these people.