“Ten, you say,” Bertha repeated. “Are you sure?”
“I am.”
Bertha moved the carpet and opened the trap door. “Kendrick is in a foul mood,” she revealed. “I wish you luck.”
They descended the dimly lit stairs and headed towards Kendrick’s office. Mr. Wilson stood up from behind his desk and greeted them.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Mr. Wilson said. “Kendrick is waiting for you. You can just go on into his office.”
Caleb acknowledged Mr. Wilson with a tip of his head before he opened the door.
“It is about time you two got here,” Kendrick grumbled.
Roswell followed his friend into the office. As he went to sit on a chair, Kendrick stopped him by putting his hand up.
“Don’t bother sitting,” Kendrick said. “You won’t be staying long since I just want to know what progress you have made on your case.”
Roswell hesitated, unsure of what he should reveal. Fortunately, Caleb spoke up and revealed, “We suspect that my father has been working with Lord Chester.”
Kendrick’s brow shot up. “Your father?”
“Yes, we found a coded piece of paper, just like we discovered in Lord Chester’s desk,” Caleb explained.
Leaning back in his seat, Kendrick asked, “Have you spoken to your father about this?”
“I have not,” Caleb replied. “We wanted to report back before we did so.”
“Good. You are relieved of this assignment henceforth,” Kendrick said. “I will reassign you shortly.”
“You are removing me from this case?” Caleb asked in disbelief.
“I have some doubts as to whether or not you can handle this assignment, knowing what great lengths you might have to pursue to get a confession out of your father,” Kendrick replied.
“I can do this, sir,” Caleb asserted. “Frankly, I need to do this.”
Kendrick looked hesitant, which was a stark contrast to how he usually looked. “What if your father confesses to being a traitor? We all know what that entails. It won’t end well for him, or for any of you.”
Caleb’s expression grew determined. “I know what is at stake, and I am fully committed to getting my father to reveal the truth.”
Roswell could see the indecision on Kendrick’s face and he doubted it was any different than what he felt. But he trusted Caleb- with his life. And if his friend was convinced that he could get a confession out of his father, then he believed him.
His voice broke through the silence and drew Kendrick’s sharp gaze to him. “Caleb can work this assignment,” he said firmly. “It would be a mistake to pull him off of it.”
“Why is that?” Kendrick asked.
“Because Caleb can use his position to catch his father off guard,” Roswell replied. “Furthermore, he might be more open and honest with his own son than being interrogated by another agent.”
Kendrick studied both of them, his expression giving nothing away. Finally, after what felt like hours, but was probably only mere moments, he conceded. “Fine. I will give you twenty-four hours to get your father to confess his involvement in all of this. After that time, I am sending in Warnick.”
“Warnick? You can’t be serious,” Caleb said. “He will kill my father after he interrogates him.”
“I am perfectly serious,” Kendrick stated. “Your father is suspected of being a traitor. We don’t have time to coddle him. Those are my stipulations. If you don’t like them, then you can work another assignment.”
Caleb nodded solemnly. “I understand, and thank you, sir.”
Kendrick's face softened, conveying his understanding of the man’s situation. “I am not without compassion, which is why I am allowing you to conduct this interview. Do not mess it up, though.”
“I won’t.”
