Page 158 of Smoke Screen
Based on his tight lips, locked jaw, and the dark shadows under his eyes, Maddy wasn’t sure if this was a fatigued Special Agent Blackwell or a furious one.
Probably both.
She peered up at Phin, waiting patiently beside her to be ushered through the checkpoint. “Your brother looks mad.”
“Eh. Wouldn’t be the first time. He’ll survive.”
Phin held up the duffel bag containing the priceless jewels and Special Agent Blackwell nodded before wandering over to the guard. They spoke briefly. Special Agent Blackwell pointed at Phin and the duffel and the man nodded.
“Sir,” he said to Phin, “place the bag on the belt and step through.”
Doing as directed, Phin waited for the bag to enter the machine before moving.
Phin had already warned her that BARS would receive no credit for their role in this recovery.
The idealist in her found it a travesty. The Blackwells had risked their own lives to recover priceless artifacts and the FBI would enjoy the accolades?
So unfair.
The guard waved her through the machine.
Press.
Ooh, they’d been trying to reach her for days. Maybe she’d leak the details of the recovery? Give them a good juicy story praising BARS.
Could she get in trouble for that?
A week ago, Good Girl Maddy would’ve been terrified. Now? After what Phin and his family had done for her?
Bad Girl Maddy found the idea massively appealing.
Special Agent Blackwell took two steps toward them, lifted the bag from the belt and … wait … held it out to Phin. He halted, his head literally snapping back as he stared at his brother.
At some point, Maddy would laugh about it. Phin, the master schmoozer, stymied.
“Take it,” Special Agent Blackwell said. “You did the work.”
After a rough start, Maddy might grow to admire Ash Blackwell.
Or maybe, even if the FBI froze BARS out, Special Agent Blackwell intended to let whatever late-working coworkers remained in the building see his brothers carrying a bag, the contents of which possibly being the stolen jewels.
“Huh.” Phin took the bag and clucked his tongue. “You feds. Always with the surprises.”
At that, Special Agent Blackwell laughed. “I’m still pissed at you.” He made eye contact with each of them, including Maddy. “All of you. You shouldn’t have gone rogue on us.”
“Sorry, bro,” Phin said. “You guys have too much red tape. By the time you secured a warrant, these pieces would’ve been in the wind.”
Special Agent Blackwell lifted one shoulder. “Possibly.” He pointed at the duffel. “Is that everything?”
“Yes,” Maddy said. “I packed them myself.”
“Good.” Special Agent Blackwell headed toward the elevator bank. “Follow me. Thompson is upstairs.”
Maddy had figured as much. The bigger question, though concerned his brother. “What about Louis?”
Special Agent Blackwell nodded. “Him too. He’s talking with his lawyer now. We’re hoping he’ll cooperate and tell us what he did. The kid is here as well. Waiting on a lawyer.”
Cooperate.
