“How in the hell do you have the juice to ward off Homeland Security?”
“Because it’s a matter of national security, and in this case, there are people in governmental high places who understand the importance of finding out what the hell is going on. I’m sure I’ll be talking with you soon. I get into bad spots with my consulting work. Sometimes, for a period of time unwanted attention is focused back on me. Then things get dicey for a while. I admit I may have stepped in it somewhere along the line on this case I’m unaware of. It smells on my shoe, but I’m uncertain where it originated.”
Dickerson nodded. “Okay, Nick. Be careful. If you need something, give me a call. We’re all under orders to support your ‘consulting case’ status.”
“Thanks.” Nick walked around to let Jean out. “Let’s go get a couple bags, and get out of here. I have work to do if I’m going to get you to the dance on Friday.”
Chapter Nine
Contract Kill
Rachel brought in coffee to Nick’s away from home office. Gus, John, and Nick poured over databases for any thread connecting the Rashidis with the names they worked on in the last few days, Wargul and Sadun. They also ran the names related to Formsby’s empire, along with Formsby’s connections with Tanus Import/Export conglomerate.
“Any luck?”
“Not yet, Rach,” Nick answered. “We haven’t heard from anyone yet. I have a call in to Tim and Grace. If they get anything set in motion with Sadun, I know they’ll call me. Paul’s working on the faces and fingerprints I sent him from this morning’s uninvited guests. He knows how important this is. He had a hit put out on him. We haven’t ruled out the Salvatores moving into our area either. This puzzle needs a couple more pieces put in place. I know Sadun is at least partially responsible; but without his lawyer Wargul passing notes in class, he should be irrelevant in this situation.”
“It’s early though,” Rachel pointed out. “That was great you getting let loose like you did. Paul really greased the rails for you there.”
“I doubt he was the only one. I have a feeling he has some close confederates in the DOJ who like what we’ve accomplished. I don’t want to ruin the backing we’ve garnered by making enemies due to name dropping. I’m glad Dickerson knows some of the story, and he doesn’t think I’m a bad guy.”
“But you are a bad guy, Muerto,” Gus chimed in to Rachel and John’s amusement. “Every horrific reference they can think of would fit you like a glove.”
“Gee… thanks, Payaso, you prick.” Nick’s phone dinged. Nick turned on his scrambler. “Oh good. Here’s Paul. Hey buddy, we’ve been waiting anxiously for your call. We’re having trouble with tying all the players together on our end.”
Gilbrech wasted no time on small talk. “It’s Lee Collister, Nick. You were right to wonder about Salvatore. I’m sure he doesn’t know why, but he was sent to keep an eye on you, and your movements. Collister promised him a way back in after his demotion, if he did exactly what he was told. Word is Salvatore is proving he had nothing to do with Nancy Pettinger, but in doing so through Collister, he’s working under a traitor.”
“All that puts the corner pieces of the puzzle together. How about the would be assassins from this morning?”
Paul was quiet for a moment. “Black op NSA. Collister restarted where Frank left off, Nick. Those three exist nowhere on any government payroll. They’re private contractors just as you were under Frank. Collister is the one who ordered Formsby to try and hire you to take me out. It was to be a test run with the objective of getting you on the hook, and back in the Black ops business. I was the bonus, because of the hit on Formsby’s operations. When Formsby and his men vanished without a trace, Collister knew exactly what happened to them. I’m not sure how long he’s known about you for certain, but I believe Sadun and his lawyer explained how you took down Sadun’s ring, and exposed Nancy Pettinger. If you had not rigged Pettinger’s death the way you did, he would have went at you with prison time, trying to implicate me.”
“The scandal would have been enough. How are we with the DOJ?”
“Solid. They have the right people spouting the ‘bring them to justice’ crap, but they want more of the ‘ends justify the means’ operations, including Sadun. I held off calling you, because orders have been issued to move Sadun. US Marshals Reinhold and Stanwick are to take custody of Sadun at 4 pm today from Atwater Penitentiary. What will you need to get this done?”
Nick’s mind raced, picturing the Atwater facility. “Unfortunately, a little luck. I’ll call Tim and Grace right now. Do you have eyes on Collister?”
“Every minute of every day at this time.”