Page 32 of Kevin's Destiny

“Why do I have a feeling that if someone does come knocking, she’ll knock them into next year with her stump?”

Kevin grinned. “You would be correct, and she would and does have every person that is on her payroll at her back.”

“Good.” She slumped back with a sigh. “I don’t want to borrow any trouble, but would you mind if I called my former Director regarding your ex-wife’s case?”

“Why?”

“Because as far as we, or they, the FBI, are concerned, no one has ever been arrested from that gang. There are seven of them sitting behind bars as we speak. I’m thinking that if I call Director Anderson, tell him the situation, then he can contact the FBI office out there.”

“Here,” Kevin said as he looked around wildly, then jumped to his feet to grab the pad of paper and pen that had been attached to the refrigerator. He sat back down, pulled out his phone, accessed his contacts, and wrote down several numbers. When he was done, he turned the pad around and pointed.

“Boggs, my Captain in the Homicide division at Seattle Police Department. This is his e-mail, work number, and personal cellphone. This next guy, Brooks, he’s the District Attorney for Karen’s case. Same numbers, cell and office.”

“What’s this number?”

“Karen’s case file from the original trial. I know I have no right to say this, but I want to put something on the table.”

“What’s that?”

“I know she’s still got twenty years on the inside, and I’m good with that. I fell out of love with her years ago, and only stayed with her for Caleb’s sake. I know now that was a mistake, but I’m completely over her. If somehow the gang Strokes contacted is affiliated with other gangs across the country, then I would like to see her protected in some way. Right now she’s in a regular prison. Again, I have no say in anything, and I don’t expect her to be released, but maybe, and that’s a slim maybe, she could be moved to a Federal facility.”

“Let me talk to my boss. Do you mind if I call him now?”

“No, but can I remind you of something?” He smirked when she cocked her head and gave him a weird look.

“What?”

“Former.”

“Excuse me?”

“You keep saying boss, as in you still work for the FBI. He’s yourformerboss.” He smirked harder at her look, then she slapped her forehead.

“Damn, yeah, thanks for reminding me. My last day was Friday, and it’s only Sunday.” She rose to go get her phone, and when she settled back at the table, he laid one of his hands over hers. At her shocked look, he studied her intently.

“No meeting here, I won’t bring this to any ranch in the area. If they want to meet with me, I can reach out to someone in Fool’s Gold and have your former co-workers meet us there. I’m sure nothing will come of it…” he let his statement trail off.

“But it’s better to err on the side of caution. I totally agree. Just off the top of your head, do you know where we would meet?”

“I would reach out to Jake Cogburn.”

“Brotherhood Protectors?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I met Hank Patterson, the founder. I had something come up at work and reached out to Duane, who reached out to Jake. I needed discreet background checks done, and I didn’t want a trail on my work computer. Hank reached out to me when he started digging.”

“Really? Can you talk about it?”

Yvonne rose to refill their coffee cups, then settled back down. She told him what had happened from that elevator ride, to what she and her team had uncovered, all the way up to Arroy being led away in handcuffs.

“Pardon my language, but holy hell. He stole the identity of a dead man?”

“Yes, but he failed to make the connection that that dead man was black, and Arroy himself wasn’t.”

“Jesus, I could probably write a book on the stupid things criminals do to try to get away with shit.” They shared a laugh, and she held up her phone. At his nod, she dialed and put it on speaker.

“Wilson, are you ready to come back?” Tom Anderson answered the phone with a laugh.