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Chapter 12
“Here’s what I know,” Cam said, slapping a file folder onto the conference table in his room. “The del Fuegos still aren’t cooperating, and Miami PD has no idea who the shooter is.”
Everyone around the table let out a frustrated grumble.
“However,” Cam continued. “I reached out to Mike, who made some calls. Turns out, the Feds have a guy deep undercover down here in one of the rival cartels. According to the intel Mike got from him, there’s been some bad blood between the del Fuegos and another family. He also said there’s a new group out of Eastern Europe who are trying to make headway into the drug and weapons trade, and that the old, established families aren’t exactly welcoming them with open arms. The Feds don’t have any intel on the newcomers yet.”
Mike Flynn was Fiona’s brother, former Army, and a current federal agent. He was also someone Cam had been trying to recruit to the private sector for the last several years. While Mike hadn’t made the leap yet, his wife, Lucia, happened to be Jake’s counterpart for TSI on the West Coast. Although Mike still drew a paycheck from Uncle Sam, he was often a solid source of intel.
“You think our guy could be Eastern European?” Tank asked.
“I think it’s a possibility,” Cam answered.
“Did the cops show the del Fuegos the sketch?” Maria asked. Earlier that morning, a sketch artist had worked with Teag and produced a very detailed rendering of the killer.
“No. They’re keeping it close to the vest for now. They know it’ll tip the killer off that he left a witness.”
Maria tapped her fingernails on the table. “They’re moving Teag out of the ICU today. We’ll be breathing down the staffs’ necks during the transfer, but the regular floors are much less private. There are more people coming and going who could see him and let his condition and whereabouts leak to the public. We need to get him out of here as soon as possible.”
Cam sighed and ran a hand over his chin, the stress of the last several days showing up in the tightness of his jaw. “Agreed. When do they think he’ll be discharged?”
“He’s doing great and healing well, but he won’t be released for a couple more days.”
“The rest of the band, including Fiona, are flying back to Boston today. Jake’s going to head back with them, make sure Fiona’s good, and start working on a plan for Teag when he gets out of here,” Cam said.
That explained Jake’s absence from their morning meeting.
“We’ve got to figure out who the killer is, or Teag will be looking over his shoulder forever,” Maria said.
Cam leaned back in his chair. “I gotta say, I’m not all that impressed with Miami PD’s investigation. Teag isn’t their priority. They figure he’s alive and we’re protecting him, so they don’t have to expend the resources. I’m open to suggestions.”
Maria cleared her throat. “I grew up around here,” she said. All eyes in the room fixed on her intently. “I still have some ties to the community. I can try to set up a meeting with Esteban. If he knows I’m not a cop, he might be more forthcoming.”
Cam narrowed his eyes at her. “I don’t think the fact that you aren’t a cop will be enough.”
“No, but I can suggest we’d like to exchange intel with him.”
“You mean let him know the witness is awake and talking?”
Maria nodded. “I know it’s a risk. It means working outside the police investigation, and potentially fucking with it, but like you said, the cops aren’t as interested as we need them to be. They aren’t the ones who’ll be trying to protect Teag while completely in the dark about the threat.”
Cam drummed his fingers on the table. “I don’t know whether or not the del Fuegos have an idea who killed the girls, but I’m betting they won’t start a war with another crime syndicate without proof. They might bite at the chance to confirm the shooter’s identity. I don’t like this, though. These guys don’t fuck around. You’ll be taking a big risk, not to mention we could really piss off the cops if they find out we’re going around them, and I’ve worked really hard to stay on the good side of law enforcement.”
“I’ll deny you signed off on it if anyone finds out,” Maria said.
“I’m not hanging you out to dry, Maria,” Cam said, scowling.
“I appreciate that, but it might be more believable if I make this seem personal anyway.” She wouldn’t have to make it seem like anything. It was personal.
Cam looked around the room at the small group. Maria followed his gaze. No one seemed thrilled with the idea, but no one out right objected either.
“All right, do what you have to do to make contact with Esteban, but listen to your gut. Stand down if you think shit’s going south,” Cam ordered.
“You got it,” Maria said.
**
Moving Teag out of the ICU and onto a regular floor went off without a hitch. Maria had a candid conversation with the charge nurse, who seemed committed to protecting Teag’s privacy, but she wasn’t willing to make any guarantees that his presence would go unnoticed. More visitors and medical personnel came and went on a daily basis, which made the team twitchy.
