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Cross That Line

Page 71

by Barbara Freethy

Kara had worked joint counterterrorism cases with the NYPD and the FBI field office at 26 Fed, so she would drive that end of the investigation. Since Kara was also living with Max Malone, who had worked for the CIA, she would bring him into the loop to see what he could find out about their former asset, Mei Zheng.

Zane would concentrate on Waverly Health and Dr. Neil Levitan, who ran the medical program.

Tyler would focus on Megan Prescott and the East River Hospital connection, continuing to work with Rachel on outreach to former patients.

Cole would go to Melody's house and try to locate Jack's shaving kit. If the medication was there, they could have it tested, and maybe the label would lead them back to the buyer and the manufacturer.

In the meantime, Jack would remain in the safe house with Evan, who would try to obtain as much information from Jack as possible.

Other members of the team were available for support and research, and Tyler was happy to have his fellow agents behind him now that he knew the magnitude of what they were dealing with.

As the larger meeting broke up, he remained in the conference room with Zane and Kara.

"Jack Barrone could be the tip of the iceberg," Kara commented. "God knows how many others have gone through the intensive treatment program, and we don't know what happens at the end when all the information they have has been extracted. Many of these people may not have had families or friends who even knew they were getting treatment, much like Jack. He was a good target for the clinic. Not just for what he might know, but also because he was alone in New York, no family, not many friends in sight."

He nodded tightly, feeling a grim rage for the veterans who had been treated so cruelly and cavalierly by a facility proclaiming to be dedicated to health. "I know Jack is not the only veteran to be treated like this, which is why we have to shut them down as fast as possible. But we need more than the garbled, rambling testimony of someone who's been heavily medicated for the past several days."

"We'll get it," Zane said confidently. "I know you've been focused on the doctors, but I started looking into the clinic itself, which is funded by Frank Conover, who runs a private equity firm." Zane took out his phone and pulled up an image. "This is Conover."

He stared at the photo of a tall dark-haired man with silver at his temples. "I saw that guy at Waverly when I had my appointment. He was with a bodyguard. I thought he was a rich veteran; I didn't realize he was the owner."

"Frank Conover is also a veteran," Zane said. "He's forty-eight years old, served a decade in the Army as a helicopter pilot. Was shot down in the mountains of Afghanistan and spent six weeks in captivity before being rescued. He left the service shortly after that. He went into his father's investment company, made a lot of money, and eighteen months ago, he opened Waverly Health and hired Dr. Neil Levitan to be the medical director. But Levitan wasn't just any hire. He also treated Frank for PTSD issues, which is how they connected originally."

"That's interesting."

"Why would someone who served want to exploit veterans?" Kara asked.

Zane shrugged. "Money."

"Doesn't he have a lot already?" she questioned.

"Some people can never have too much." Zane paused. "We need to know more about Conover, but I don't think we should speak to Frank directly. Alerting him to an FBI investigation won't help at this point. He'll just bury everything before we can get to it."

"What's your suggestion?" Tyler asked, seeing the gleam in Zane's eyes.

"Frank went through a bitter divorce six months ago, accusations of cheating, drug use, etc. It was all over the tabloids."

He instantly knew where Zane was going. "You want to talk to the ex-wife."

"I doubt there's any love left between them. The judge upheld their prenup, so she didn't get nearly as much money as she wanted. She might be willing to talk."

"Let's make that happen."

"I'll work on it," Zane replied.

"I'm going to head up to 26 Fed," Kara said as she got to her feet. "Keep me in the loop. Let me know what Megan Prescott has to say."

"I will. With any luck, she can break this case wide open."

Chapter Nineteen

"Dr. Thorne. Do you have a minute?" Naomi asked, catching Rachel in the hall after her last patient.

"I'm just going to my office. Walk with me?"

"Sure. Dr. Hollander and I were just wondering if you've heard any more about Mr. Barrone?"

"I haven't, and since Mr. Barrone hasn't returned to the ER or reached out to any of us, I have to assume he's all right."