‘Soon,’ Dever said.‘We need you in Louisiana until it happens.Could be a few days.It’s not in motion yet, but when it is, it’ll happen fast.We don’t want any publicity.We don’t want the media getting wind of it.And if inmates at Creed’s prison know he’s about to leave, it puts a target on him.’
‘And after?’
‘After, we keep Creed detained here in D.C.We can keep a closer eye on him.No more relying on state corrections to handle a federal asset.’
Ella pictured the scene.A plane consisting of her, a serial killer, a SWAT team and Terrance Dever.At least she had the SWAT team, she reasoned, but one variable was still missing.
‘I want Ripley with me on the journey.’
Vernon didn’t hesitate.‘Done.’
Ella tried not to give away that she knew Vernon would jump at that opportunity.He’d never liked Ripley and any excuse to get her out of the office was a win in his book.
‘Alright.When do I leave?’
‘How fast can you pack your bag?’
CHAPTER FOUR
Mia Ripley, never one for gratitude, dropped her bag in the aisle and said, ‘Dark, what have I done to deserve a trip to Louisiana?’
‘Good to see you too,’ Ella said.
Ripley took the seat opposite and removed her jacket.Ella had made the trip to the airport alone and arranged to meet on board the plane.It was an orchestrated move to give Ripley less time to question the purpose of the trip.
‘I didn’t say it was good to see you.I’ve seen you enough.What’s the case?Vernon was vague with the details.’
‘Yeah, he said he would be.’
‘So?’
‘No case,’ Ella said.
Ripley gave her a stare that was also somehow a sigh.‘So… what?We’re going New Orleans to party?Vernon would never be that nice.’
‘He just sent you to London, didn’t he?’
‘That was a political move.A brown-nose move.Don’t tell me this is the same?’
Ella shook her head.‘We’re going to New Orleans to be escorts.’
‘No kidding?We’ll make a ton more money than we do at the Bureau.’
‘Not that kind of escort.Austin Creed is being transferred from Louisiana State to D.C.We’re the lucky ones who get to keep an eye on him on the journey home.’
Ripley froze, then tapped her left ear.‘Say that into my good side, Dark, because I thought I heard you say that we’re escorting Austin Creed back to D.C.’
‘You got it.’
Her partner put her bag on her lap, then pulled out a bottle of water and some tablets from within.She took two, then put everything back.‘You see that?Doctor says I’ve got high blood pressure, and I’m starting to think it’s because of you.’
‘What?This is your kind of trip.It was me who requested your presence.’
Ripley eyeballed her bag again, like she was contemplating knocking back even more medication.‘Slow down, woman.So this morning I was having a grand old time working from home – on full pay, keep in mind – and now I’m being dragged to NOLA to guard some weedy little bitch murderer on his class outing?And you thought this was a good idea?’
‘Yeah,’ Ella said.‘The good news is that we could be there a few days, too.’
Ripley rubbed her forehead with both hands.Ella knew the routine by now.Ripley needed to complain before she agreed to anything..Ella wasn’t sure if it was some kind of psychological barrier or if Ripley just enjoyed making Ella work for her cooperation, but either way, it was predictable.
