Page 53 of A Shot at Love
Ready for a fast exit.
One they’d, hopefully, be spared.
A one-hundred-pound heavy bag was suspended from the ceiling beams, something he’d be using later on for sure.
For the most part, this little mountain retreat would serve to keep them safe and isolated.
Ky checked his watch and realized it was time to call in.
“Who is this?” the assistant director said immediately when the call connected.
“It’s me, boss.”
A long, deep, and steady draught of air pushed through the phone.
“Are you alone, Sir?”
“Yes. Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you. Just know Miss Laine is safe and we’re secured.”
“Dammit, Papps!”
“Sir, please. I don’t have much time on this phone and I need to get some information from you.”
An infinitesimal moment passed. “Go ahead.”
Ky had been working out what he wanted to say ever since the long car ride the day before.
“First, how’s Jon?”
“As good as can be expected after taking a bullet to his arm and having to undergo reparative surgery.”
“What’s his prognosis?”
“Full recovery says the surgeon. Guy’s got a real shit bedside manner, but he’s the best, so I’m confident Winters will recoup.”
“Good.” Ky waited a moment before saying what needed to be said. He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck and prepared for what was to follow once he’d said his piece.
“I’m convinced we have the mole, Sir. There’s no other explanation. No one but my team knew where we were going.”
He waited for the explosion, was staggered when it didn’t come.
Tiege inhaled deeply again. “You need to include me in that group, Papps,” he said into the phone. “I knew, too.”
To cover his surprise, Ky said, “Sir, I’m fairly confident I can eliminate you as the source of the leak.”
A dry chuckle floated to his ears. “Well, thanks for being fairly sure. No, I agree with you. I knew it the minute I heard about the second attack. I’ve tapped everyone connected to this case and can’t eliminate or confirm anyone.”
“How in depth have you gone?”
“Trust me when I say deep. LaRoux and Coble were clean. I made sure of it. I even had you and Winters looked at.” He made a disgusted sound and clicked his tongue. “Barly insisted.”
Ky wasn’t surprised or upset at being targeted. It made sense from an investigative stance. That Davison Barly had pushed for it was the disturbing point.
“Man is the most annoying pissant I’ve ever had to work with. Why the AG assigned him to this case is one for the books.”
Ky agreed.
“He screamed bloody murder when I told him I didn’t know where you and your witness were and had no way to reach you.” That dry chuckle sounded again. “It was almost worth having to deal with him to see how hot and bothered he got. Asshole.”
“He’s worried the case will fold now because of the Calafano hit. Has anyone been able to get a bead on Ritandi’s whereabouts?”
“No. Guy went to ground right after Calafano bought it. No electronic communication, all his networks have been offline. That court order to freeze his accounts you pushed for finally panned out. Barly had some cockamamie answer for why it took so long, but as of yesterday Ritandi can’t access the accounts we know about. That includes the ones in Italy and England.”
“Good. With those funds cut off he’ll have some serious cash flow issues.”
“Unless he’s got some stashed someplace you weren’t able to locate from Calafano’s info, I’d say he’s sitting pretty pissed at you about now.”
The phone beeped, signaling the prepaid minutes were almost complete.
“Sir, I don’t have much time left. I can’t do much from where I am because I don’t have access to my files—”
“Don’t worry about that, Papps. I’ve got it covered. I’m betting as soon as the doc will let him, Winters will be all over this. Maybe even before he’s discharged. Just keep your witness safe.”
They agreed on another set time for Ky to call to check in.
