Counterfeit Lies

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

As soon as he reached the Range Rover and pulled away from the curb, Jake was on the phone to Rachel Chang. “We need to meet, ASAP!”

“I’m with the ASAC at the San Marino Police Department headquarters, mending fences,” she replied.

“Good, I’m heading that direction,” he said, making a turn at the next intersection that tested the advertised traction of the SUV’s high-performance tires.

“Jake, cool down before you get here. Come around to the parking lot in the back. I’ll have Lieutenant Osborne, your new best friend, clear in your vehicle.”

“Not a good idea,” the undercover agent replied. “I don’t know how big Park’s network is. He may well have spotters watching the station or someone on the inside. I can’t take the chance one of his goons could put me or this vehicle up on YouTube as I pull in there.”

“How about the pharmacy parking lot at the end of the block?” she replied.

It took him less than ten minutes to negotiate the traffic. By the time he pulled into the parking lot and spied Rachel on her cell phone, he had dialed back his visible anger. But when he saw Hafner sitting in the government Ford, he slammed the door anyway — just for emphasis.

The ASAC jumped out of the car as Jake approached.

“What the hell was that all about?”

“What?” said Hafner, not quite sure whether to adopt a more forceful demeanor.

“Don’t give me that crap!” Jake yelled. “Nobody told me you and your buddy Wilson were going to show up at Park’s. You almost blew my cover. No one knew about the kidnapping but Park, me, and the kidnappers. Then you start running your mouth about the daughter and granddaughter and calling me Jake when no one addressed me by name.”

If the leadership skills he learned in the Marine Corps taught him anything, it was to praise in public and criticize in private. While on active duty he employed the principle daily when dealing with those he commanded. But when it came to FBI administrators, Jake’s leadership traits had gone the way of the Oldsmobile. Maybe if he burned fewer bridges he’d find more support from the Bureau’s command structure, but tonight his volatile nature was on full display.

Rachel quickly stepped in, attempting to head off a career-ending confrontation between Jake and Hafner.

“Jake, relax. It’s okay. Park’s not suspicious at all,” said Rachel.

“How would you know?” snapped Jake.

“I just talked to Bill Holodnak in the wire room. Park and his security chief were on the phones as soon as you left calling some people we have yet to identify,” said Rachel with a calming professional confidence. “Park has called up additional security personnel and they are on their way to the house.”

“Good,” said Jake, still hot.

Rachel inched away from Hafner, trying to direct Jake’s attention on her rather than the ASAC. The ploy worked as Jake focused on her next statement. “Bill said Park was very appreciative of you being at the residence while the cops were there. He said, ‘The round-eye is a strong ally,’ so he’s not suspicious at all. In fact your little two-step with the ASAC enhanced your credibility.”

Hafner flashed a self-congratulatory grin as if it were all part of his investigatory scheme.

Jake settled down momentarily after hearing the reassurances from his supervisor. She had been a street agent and had done UC work on a nasty sex-trafficking ring and had what her peers and subordinates considered to be street smarts.

“What happened after the police left?” asked Rachel, still trying to divert attention from Hafner.

“He showed me the ransom note for three million dollars.”

Hafner nodded and said a little too enthusiastically, “That’s good.”

Jake barked, “What’s good?”

Rachel answered, “That he showed you the note.”

Exhausted by the events of the day, Jake replied simply, “Yeah, well, why wouldn’t he? He needs to trust someone. He doesn’t suspect me of being behind the home invasion.”

“Does he have the money?” asked Hafner.

“No.”

Hafner nodded again. “Good.”

Jake’s suspicions grew. “Whattaya mean, ‘good’? What’s going on here?”

Rachel remained cool. “Nothing, Jake. We’re trying to figure out what Park’s next move is.”

“His next move is to get his daughter and granddaughter back.”

Hafner smirked. “And how does he do that without money?”

“He’ll have to get it. He said he was going to make some calls this evening.”

“Any idea where he’ll get the money?” asked Hafner.

“Maybe he’s taking up a collection. Calling in a few markers. I don’t know, maybe a garage sale.”

“That’s it?” asked Hafner.

Jake glowered. “How about you? You got any ideas? You seem to be on top of things.”

Rachel Chang was beginning to understand the admonition she’d received from Jake’s last supervisor. “He’s great undercover; maybe the best we’ve got, but keep him away from people.” She’d laughed when she heard the warning but had come to realize the wisdom in it.

“Jake,” said Rachel, “if Park doesn’t have the money, he’ll need to reach out to those who do. We may be able to identify the broader scope of the conspiracy. Maybe he’ll seek the Supernotes for payment. The phones are lit up now. Let’s see where we stand in the morning. It’s been a long day for everyone. We could all use some rest.”

Before they parted, Jake handed the evidence envelope with the microchip to Rachel and said, “I know I’m supposed to give this to Trey, but since he’s not here, you should take it back to the office. There’s a lot on it that may mesh with what Bill is picking up on the phones.”

As he watched the transaction, Hafner couldn’t resist one last bureaucratic dig: “We really don’t want administrators testifying in court on chain-of-custody evidentiary issues.”

Jake stared at the ASAC for a long moment, but he had the self-discipline to say nothing. Instead he shook his head, got into the Range Rover, and drove out of the parking lot, headed for home.