Collins knocked on a thick hardwood door, built for privacy. They waited until a masculine voice beckoned them inside.
He wasn’t sure if his face flushed, but his body heated as he entered the room where his actions would come to a reckoning. He did his best to stand tall and rack his brain for any excuse to make this all right. Just like every time he tried to find a lie to explain his choices, nothing came to mind. His actions were inexcusable.
“Take a seat,” Collins said quietly, motioning him into the leather-bound chair directly across the desk from the AG. “Give the attorney general a minute longer.”
Cash nodded, forgoing the “yes, ma’am” he’d normally give. He didn’t trust his voice not to waver. He took the seat. The AG had a cordless phone at his ear. While he was listening intently to whomever was on the other end, his unreadable gaze remained riveted on Cash.
He held the stare, keeping his face blank. Not giving Cash any clue as to what thoughts were going through his head.
The AG was a no-nonsense man. He handed the phone to Lily without saying a word. She took it, brought it to her ear, and left the room.
“How are you doing?” the AG asked. His voice sounded genuinely concerned.
Cash had no idea how to answer such a loaded question. He opened his mouth, but no words came then he closed it again.
“I understand. I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Let me begin,” he said and reached for his eyeglasses, putting them on as he sifted through the paperwork in the folder in front of him. “Of course I want to issue a formal apology on behalf of the entire United States Department of Justice. As far as I know, Deputy Assistant Collins was able to quash the video as soon as we were made aware.” The man looked over his glasses at Cash. “I’m told very few eyes have witnessed any part of its contents. We’ve placed a warning over the file and marked it highly classified. As soon as legal confirms, it will be destroyed. By gaining Devin Fox’s cooperation, you’ve accomplished more in Dallas than we ever thought possible. We can’t have your cover jeopardized now.”
Okay. Cash blinked. The AG nodded and looked down at his papers again.
“Thank you. I’m confused. Why am I here?” Cash finally asked.
“Always getting to the bottom line.” The AG chuckled. “Your personal file reflects as much. Agent David Durham had a significant lapse in judgment by allowing that video out. As your lead security detail, he should’ve had your back at every turn. That’s a red flag. Your partnership is now of critical concern to us. You’re putting yourself on the line, moving faster than any of us believed possible. You don’t need to wonder about the loyalty of the agent at your back.”
The uncertainty had to show on Cash’s face as the AG continued his explanation. “We’ve removed David and his team. I believe that consists of two additional agents.” He looked down at his wristwatch. “The phone call I was on confirmed his removal. It’s the reason for your wait.”
Cash nodded. His eyes narrowed as his brain tried to catch up with the shifting events. “Additionally, it’s time to bring you in for a formal face-to-face briefing on the Disciples of Havoc operation. I wasn’t sold on your value here. Deputy Assistant Collins advocated for your assignment to this case. My hesitancy was due to the pure chaos in the structure of this operation. I wasn’t sure anyone could gain any clarity, but it appears you’ll get deeper inside than even she believed you could. I’m going to give you an overview, the deputy assistant will field the questions she’s at liberty to answer later. First, I want to ask you what you think of Shanna Fox?”
Cash sucked in all that data for analysis later and tried his best to answer the questions put to him. “I initially had questions, but she’s been supportive since day one. I’ve grown to trust her,” he answered honestly. “I was pleased she agreed to work with us.” Not that he’d given her an option, but she also hadn’t asked for an out either.
“Good. I believe she can be a valuable resource who’s been underutilized. I haven’t filled David Durham’s position. I’m looking for the right person. Someone outside of our organization. For the next few days, we want agent Shanna Fox to assist you in security. Can you handle Devin Fox’s protection until I find the right person to put in the field with you?”
“I believe so, with Agent Fox’s help.” Cash gave a single nod of confirmation.
“Good. She’s being briefed right now. Give me a few days. I don’t want anything to jeopardize how far you’ve gotten, which also means you need to watch yourself closely.”
The AG gathered his hands together on top of the file, staring Cash straight in the eyes. He looked as if he wanted to say more but held back.
“We needed a different perspective on this operation,” he finally said. “A field view, if you will. That’s the reason we’ve been purposefully vague with you and will continue to be, but the stakes have raised. Last evening, we intercepted Russian chatter that hasn’t been fully dissected. We believe the outer ring to the Disciples trafficking operation is beginning to recognize the extent of the loss.”
Cash nodded. He had a limited opportunity to ask questions and several raced through his mind. He decided on, “It would help to know what kind of loss.”
“Four hundred and fifty million dollars has gone missing over the last four years. Although the sum seems large, to the overall operation, it’s a drop in the bucket. At first, the loss appeared to be tied to mere negligence. Now, we see something more systematic. We need to know who is involved, and where that money is, before the Russians begin searching.”
The emotions of the day and the abrupt shift of events from when he’d walked through this office door had left his body in need of a long, punishing run to loosen all the twitching and tight muscles. At this point, the video meant nothing. His career wasn’t in jeopardy. Cash had been called to DC to finally gain an understanding of the assignment, which had only become more convoluted with each revelation the AG revealed.
So it was the Russians who were involved, not South America as Joe had indicated.
How was that much money lost, and not a larger concern? The Russians had never been big players in the drug trafficking game, but they were mighty in tactical brutality.
Cash nodded again, only out of sheer professionalism. Up to this point, he’d dealt with small-time rogue agents. Four hundred million dollars had vanished, and no one could find the reason why?
“Also, about Joe Wiscaver. Deputy Assistant Collins is bringing him fully into Exempt Operations. He’s become an asset to you, and us. He’s gone above and beyond. We’ll continue his cover as your official handler with the Dallas DEA field office. Do you agree?”
“Yes, sir.” Cash nodded. He hadn’t known Joe long, but he’d come to trust him completely.
“Our indirect communication will go through Agent Wiscaver. Good?”
“Yes, sir,” Cash nodded again. He had so many questions, but the answers would come from his field work. He couldn’t imagine what was in those files if they refused to share the data with him for fear it would risk the veracity of his investigation or it didn’t matter.
