“Because that money is in an irrevocable trust that I don’t control. I get an income from it, and I disclosed that.”
“No one who worked with you at the LA prosecutor’s office knew either.”
“I didn’t know how much money my coworkers had either.”
His pale cheeks flush at my even reply. “Well, I can assure you that none of them are billionaires.”
I expel an aggravated breath. “I’ll have to take your word for that.”
“You can take it to the bank, Mr. Palmer. Just like we’ll need to be able to take yours if you’re lucky enough to join our ranks. And we don’t keep secrets from each other.”
“I’m not keeping secrets. It’s none of anyone’s business how much money I’m going to inherit, and it has nothing do with how well I do my job.”
“I’m the judge of that, and I don’t agree.”
I’ve had enough of his cryptic smugness, and I bite back the urge to ask him to get the fuck out. He’s a federal agent and right now, he appears to be standing between me and this job that I’ve made my light at the end of the tunnel.
I keep my expression neutral. “Are you going to enlighten me, then?”
He uncrosses his legs. “What’s your relationship with Oz Annan?”
It’s the last thing I expect him to ask and my irritation morphs into unease. “Uh…he’s a cousin but we’re not close. Why?”
He arches an eyebrow. “Are you sure about that?”
“If you already know then why are you asking?” I ask, irritation clipping my words.
“Because I want to know the whole story.”
I sigh wearily. “Ozwald Annan’s mother is my father’s sister. She’s also worked for my parents since I was a child. She lived in a cottage on the property and naturally her son lived with her.”
“So, you grew up together.” His nose twitches like a bloodhound catching a scent.
“Hardly.” I scoff and brush off his attempt to frame our relationship. “He’s ten years older than me, and by the time I was old enough to make formative memories, he’d moved out.”
The man nods. “File says he went to college at Oxford. He must bea very smart guy. I don’t blame your father for keeping him close.”
“Yes. My father gave Oz a job at Prosperity Partners after he graduated from business school. He worked there for five years in the real estate group. He wasn’t a vital employee and he works for himself now.”
He blows out a breath and hangs his head, shaking it like he’s disappointed. “Do you know what he does for a living now?”
“He’s a lobbyist and represents governments seeking to do business with the United States government. I think. Again, we’re not close.”
“And did you know that your father, in his personal capacity, is his largest client?”
“What personal capacity? And what has Oz got to do with me and this job?”
He sighs and leans back in his chair, his expression grows grave. “I’m going to share something with you. You signed several nondisclosures when you applied for this position and they apply to this conversation, too.”
I have to stop myself from shifting in my seat. “Understood,” I say through tense lips. “Go ahead.”
“Ozwald Annan has been the subject of a multi-year investigation into a criminal syndicate that runs a black market in priceless artifacts and contraband like ivory fueled by a sophisticated burglary ring. We suspect he’s the person known by members of the syndicate as The Wizard.”
“Based on what?”
He cocks his head. “You don’t seem surprised.”
I laugh humorlessly “That you suspect a wealthy Black foreigner doing business with countries you don’t like of being a criminal? I’d be surprised if you didn’t. But those things in themselves aren’t crimes.”
