“Let’s just say the local law enforcement here is about as helpful as talking directly to the oil companies themselves. And where it happened, back in Carbondale, isn’t exactly cooperating, either. And if this was simply just about the murders, I’d agree. The problem is, I just don’t have the proof.
“But what I do have is someone trained by the U.S. Army in black ops over in Iraq and Afghanistan who was there at the very same time that kid was killed. And I have a witness who claimed they saw something suspicious out there who’s now dead as well along with four others. And with RMM spreading money around here like they were printing the stuff, you can only imagine what the enthusiasm is for getting any kind of investigation off the ground.”
Naomi sighed. “I see what you’re up against. I admit is sounds shitty, but we’re not exactly the Better Business Bureau here. We’re Treasury. Financial terrorism.”
“Murder. The intimidation of potential plaintiffs in a lawsuit. The manipulation of public resources …”
“I’m just being honest here, Ty.” Naomi exhaled. “Anyway, what is it you’d like me to do?”
“I was hoping you might pressure someone in Justice to take a look. Just the threat of that could get these companies to back off. Or maybe use your own resources to look into it as unfair practices or something, on the water issue.”
“We’re not exactly a business fairness panel here. That’s what the courts are for.”
“I’ve already told you what kinds of things take place when they do try to address it that way. Besides, these energy firms have given all the local lawyers either jobs or retainers. So they have to recuse themselves.”
“You’re starting to sound like you’re out there staring at black helicopters, Ty.”
“SUVs, maybe,” Hauck added darkly.
“What does that mean …?”
“I already had a run-in with a couple of them. That’s what they’re driving here.”
“Ty, the Justice Department isn’t going to stick its nose into a local murder case, even if I did have some sway over them, which I assure you I don’t. I’m the head of one, poorly funded investigative unit here at Treasury. And if you’re looking for me to send out my own people, I barely have the resources to look into the things we’ve been charged to do. Not to mention I would need to see a lot more proof and specifics about how hundreds of people have been harmed by their actions.”
“I have a copy of the lawsuit I mentioned.”
“Okay. How many plaintiffs were signed on?”
Hauck exhaled, knowing his answer wouldn’t exactly bowl her over. “Seven.”
“Seven? Now there’s a good ol’ prime number for you, huh …? Look, I have to go. Seems to me you got your goddaughter out of jail, which is really what you went out there for. All you can do now by digging around into this is put her and you at risk. I know how you look at this and how you want to help. But you should just come home. You could come here. You could sail your boat right up the Potomac. We could jog on the mall in the morning and—”
“I’m not sure they let private boats sail up the Potomac, Naomi. For obvious reasons.”
“Then sail it up Long Island Sound; that’s fine with me, too. It’s just not your fight, Ty. Come on back and see what you can do from here.”
“I’m not sure I can, Naomi. At least not just yet.”
“And why is that?”
“Because it’s gotten personal.”
She paused. “It always seems to get personal, Ty. For you.”
Hauck overheard voices interrupting her again. This time, she came back. “Sorry, I’ve got a staff meeting, Ty … Look, I’ll make some inquiries, that’s all I can say. Not just because it’s you, and because you have this cool goddaughter you’ve never told me about. But because I know that anything you get involved in this deeply probably should be looked into. Even if I’m not the right one. How’s that …?”
“You’re a doll. Have I ever told you that?”
“Now there’s far too many people in here now to tell you that yes, I think you have. I’ll check into it. That’s all I can promise. But I wish you’d come home, Ty. You can still fight the good fight from here.”
“You’re breaking up,” Hauck said. “I can’t hear you.”
“Good Lord,” Naomi chortled, “can’t you come up with anything a little more imaginative than that?”
“How about that you’re the best. And I kind of miss you. In my own way.”
“And I kind of miss you, too, Ty. And I might a whole lot more if I knew I could keep you alive.”
“Message received.”
“Did it work?”
“Sorry, I’m getting that interference again …”
“Didn’t think it would.” She blew out a resigned breath. “Take it easy out there, my charming white knight.”
CHAPTER FIFTY
“I want you to stay here,” Hauck said, dropping Dani off back at the café on the main street in Templeton.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Back out to Watkins’s one more time.”
“So what do you want me to do in the meantime?”
“I don’t know … Make some calls. Keep your ears open. Hopefully, I’ll be back in an hour.”
“An hour? Please don’t leave me hanging like you have lately.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“Okay. And watch your back. Don’t let any trucks creep up on you this time.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Hauck made the drive out, along the river and brown, fenced-in fields. He thought about what Naomi had said to him: Come on home. It’s not your fight. You’ve done what you came out to do.