Tanner’s expression looked pinched, suggesting what he was about to say wasn’t pleasant. “Correct. A few things, but first, let me make sure we’ve covered all the bases. As Shapiro told you, we’ve picked up intel that there’s a plot to take out politicians who are blocking certain bills in Congress. To bribe, discredit, or even go so far as to kill them if the perpetrators can’t get what they want.”
He paused for a moment. “The bills in question have last-minute provisions or circuitous wording that could allow money to be funneled to terrorist-leaning organizations. It’s nothing obvious, but our teams have traced the money, and can clearly see the dollar trail flowing into terrorist hands if those pieces of legislation pass.”
Dex nodded, having heard that from his head analyst already. “Shapiro mentioned that some of the targets are refusing protection?”
Tanner tapped his pencil against the yellow pad in front of him on his desk. “True. There are the main five who are at the top on the hit list, with at least a dozen more as secondary targets, or ‘bonus’ targets, as they were referred to in some of the transcripts.” He shook his head. “It’s a tough one. The top targets are high visibility, so it will be harder to protect them without tipping our hand. Four of the five have already flatly refused any security. There are another handful who are less than household names, but are even more resistant to any added security. We need to get this tied up fast.”
Dex scowled. There was a lot at stake here. “I’m on it. By the way, I never got to ask Shapiro, which analysts are working on this with him?”
“His team consists of Whitfill, Burgener, and Ripley.”
All analysts Dex had worked with in the past and knew to be very good at what they did. “That’s a great team.”
From his boss’s knowing smile, he already knew Dex would approve of the group. “I wanted to make sure your first time without training wheels set you up to succeed.”
Dex ran a hand over his face. “I appreciate that, and also your confidence in me. I won’t let you down.”
“I have no doubts in that area, Dexter. When I recruited you straight out of Arizona State, it was one of the best things I could have done for the bureau.” He pointed at Dex. “And for you. I’m afraid if I hadn’t snapped you up, you would be a beat cop right now instead of using that vast computer between your ears for the good of the nation.”
Dex cocked his head to one side. Tanner was the only person besides his parents who got away with calling him Dexter. That was only because he respected the man so much. His boss didn’t often wax eloquent, so when he did, it always caught Dex off guard.
“Don’t get me wrong, you would’ve made a great cop in any capacity, but you were one of the best analysts we had, anywhere, and I have no doubt you’ll distinguish yourself as a field agent as well.”
Dex smiled at his boss’s compliment.
“Now I just have to be extra careful you don’t steal my job out from under me.” Tanner winked at him.
Dex laughed.
“I wouldn’t laugh too hard at that. You could definitely be sitting in this chair when I move up the chain one of these days.”
Dex warmed again under the praise. One challenge at a time. Right now he needed to complete the case in front of him.
Tanner gave a small smile. “All right. Enough of the touchy-feely stuff. Suffice it to say that I have every confidence in you. Now it’s time for you to prove me right.”
Tanner leaned back in his chair, resting his hands on the desk in front of him.
Dex watched on the monitor as his boss clenched his fingers into fists before loosening them again and starting over—something he often did when frustrated.
“Now for the new details I received about twenty minutes ago.” He took a deep breath and rolled the pencil between his fingers, as if the simple action helped him order his thoughts.
“There has also been an influx of cash to various banks around the country, and a lot of that cash is set up to flow to extremists who want to promote violence here in the States, or recruit our people. We’ve caught some of it, but I’m sure not all.”
Dex’s blood chilled. “Is there any pattern to the deposits, from where the money is being spent or the types of institutions it’s flowing through?” Dex bit his tongue against listing even more possibilities, knowing the analysts on his team would have already covered all those bases.
“We’re working it.” Tanner scrubbed a hand over his face. “It’s odd amounts and circumstances. There were two last month, one in Pearland, Texas for one hundred and forty thousand dollars to one of the small banks in town. It went into a well-respected junior high principal’s account. After the bank tracked down the mistake, they realized that one digit was off on the account number.
“Then on the first day of this month, there was a seventy-thousand-dollar deposit to a retired farmer’s account in Hillsboro, Ohio.”
“Have they all been to small towns?” Dex interrupted.