His eyes bulged, his surprise uncontainable. He stared at her for so long, he looked catatonic. “I would laugh, but that’s not funny. That is an egregious accusation. I take personal and professional offense with that. I’m going to ask someone to step in here.”
He opened his office door and his jaw dropped when Carrera and Nikki Cardoso appeared in his doorway.
“Mr. Hirzog, I’m Commander Nikki Cardoso, Metropolitan PD.”
Carrera glared at Peter. “Deputy Director Carrera Santini.”
“Fuck me,” Peter grumbled.
Nikki eased into the second guest chair while Carrera stood like a sentry, arms crossed. He wore no smile, he said nothing.
A peace settled into Simone’s troubled soul. She felt hopeful she was on the right path to getting justice and to healing her heart.
“Peter, sit back down,” Simone demanded.
Peter crumpled into his chair, his gaze jumping from Carrera to Nikki, then back to her. “Why the ambush?”
“You have a bank account with ten deposits of twenty-five thousand dollars each,” Simone continued. “Where did that money come from?”
“Jerod paid me,” he said.
“For what?”
“I helped him bring his family into the country.” Peter pulled out his phone, showed her several pictures of people, but Jerod wasn’t in any of the shots.
Simone’s brain skidded to a stop. “That’s what he told you?”
“Yes, he wanted to help them, especially his mother.” Peter pulled up a picture of an older woman. “I put him in touch with several people who could make that happen.”
“Like?” Simone asked.
“Cary Newburg at State, Trish Benderson at SSA. I created an entire network for him.”
“Peter, you’ve created an intragovernmental crime ring to bring terrorists with the Haqazzii terror cell into the country.”
Peter recoiled. “No, that’s not true?—”
“Is his family’s name Haqazzii?”
“Jesus, no.”
“Jerod manipulated you, worked you for information,” Simone said. “With your help, he brought an unknown number of terrorists into the United States. Where the hell did you think all that money was coming from?”
Peter swallowed. “He told me his family had money.” He glanced furtively at Carrera. “I was too caught up in the excitement of the relationship.” A growl shot out of him. “That son of a bitch used me.”
“Peter Hirzog, you’re under arrest for treason,” Simone said.
“No, wait,” Peter blurted. “Let me help you. I’ll do anything. Anything so that I don’t get arrested forthat. I’ve worked here my entire career. I don’t deserve this. I’m guilty, but not of losing my allegiance to my country or its government.” He paused, his eyes shifting left and right, as if searching for a way out. Then, he sat ramrod straight. “If I’m arrested, the press will find out, and Jerod will bolt. I’ll help you catch him, if you don’t arrest me for treason.”
“Go on,” Simone said.
“He’s money obsessed. I’ll offer him the quarter of a mil he paid me if he’ll meet me one more time. Then, you can arrest him.” Hirzog exhaled a squeaky breath like the air was being released from a balloon.
The two women exchanged glances.
“We’ll consider that,” Simone said. “Where would you meet?”
“My house,” Hirzog said. “Lucy left today to visit her sister. She stocked the fridge for me, made me a casserole last night.”
