Page 33 of Red, White, and BearCat Blue

“We’re not stopping at my apartment?” Cam asked as I drove past his flat.

“We need to check in with our boss and get you a room for the night,” Mickey replied.

“Okay…uh…but I don’t have any other clothes.”

I glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “We’ll discuss this all when we get to our ‘otel, Cam.” I was a little concerned he wouldn’t be able to go back to his place at all; we’d see what Candy had to say about it, but I had a sinking suspicion that’s exactly what he’d decide.

We went to the registration desk as soon as we were back at the Flamingo and got him registered in a room on the same floor where Mickey and I were. As soon as we were inside Mickey’s room, with the door locked and bolted, I breathed out a sigh of relief. I had no idea how many guys Josiah had around town but knowing he could be watching unnerved me just a little. Perhaps I was overreacting but I didn’t fancy the idea at all. I could only imagine how Cam must be feeling.

Mickey’s room as always, was neat as a pin. I gestured to one of the two beds. “’Ave a seat, Cam. We need to check in with the boss.”

Cam sat on one of the queen beds while Mickey and I perched on the other. I checked the time on my dive watch; it wasn’t yet nine and pulled out my mobile, hitting speed dial, connecting with Candy after only a couple of rings.

“Clifford. I’m glad you called. I was getting concerned.”

“Hey, boss. I ‘ave ya on speaker with Mickey and Cam.”

“Hi, Candy,” Mickey said.

“Hello, everyone. I’m glad to finally meet you, Mr. Demarco.”

“Hello…um…” Cam looked at me.

“Sorry…Cam, you’re talking to Captain Candy Sorensen,” I said.

“Hi, Captain Sorensen,” Cam said. “It’s nice to talk to you.”

“You too, Mr. Demarco. I understand you’ve been helping our agents identify a man by the name of Josiah Sterling. Is that right?”

“Ah…yeah.”

“We weren’t able to get any photos of ‘im, boss,” I told him, “he’s the suspicious type. Should ‘ave ‘eard ‘im in the earwig. Doesn’t take any chances, that one.”

“Makes sense,” said Candy. “But what can you tell us about him?”

Cam shot me a wide-eyed look. I nodded. “Go ahead, tell ‘im about Sterling, Cam.”

“Anything you can tell the FBI about Mr. Sterling would be helpful, Mr. Demarco.”

“Okay. Well…ah…Josiah isn’t the kind of guy I’d ever cross. He’s dangerous.”

“What makes you say that?” Candy asked.

Cam shrugged. “Well, I told Mars and Mickey this…he’s just not a good guy.”

I nodded to him as he stared at me. “Tell Candy what ya told us about ‘im, Cam.”

“Please start at the beginning, Mr. Demarco. How did you meet him?”

Cam frowned, looking at me with wide eyes and shaking his head. I nodded my head in encouragement.

“It’s okay, Mr. Demarco,” Candy said. “I know what you do for him.” When Cam didn’t reply for several seconds, Candy clarified. “I know about the auto theft. The FBI isn’t going to prosecute you because you were acting as a confidential informant when you took the car today.”

“What about in the past?” Cam blurted, eyeing Mickey and me. “Is the FBI planning on prosecuting me for anything I did for Josiah before today?”

I snorted, unable to hide my smile. He was smart.

“If the FBI is able to put Josiah Sterling behind bars as a direct result of what you say or do to help catch him, we will grant you immunity from any non-violent crimes you may have committed involving him. We’re not concerned with what you’ve done in the past and as soon as you’re back in Los Angeles, you’ll have that immunity agreement in writing. Is that satisfactory?”