Counterfeit Lies

CHAPTER FIVE

Jake Kruse and Trey Bennett were sitting in Trey’s Ford Fusion just down the street from the entrance to the CBS Studio City lot. Those walking past, more concerned with midmorning auditions, paid no attention to the two men.

Jake smiled at the question and answered with bureaucratic perfection, “I used a force-multiplying instrument to successfully stop the lethal threat.”

“You shot them,” said Trey.

“Okay, I shot them.”

“You’ve been in so many shootings, you’re beginning to sound like OPR,” said Trey, referring to the FBI’s dreaded Office of Professional Responsibility.

“It’s all how you write up the paperwork,” said Jake, offering a lopsided grin before passing a worn pillowcase to Trey. “This has the wallets and weapons from the two hijackers last night. I cleared both weapons and there isn’t much in the wallets, but maybe you can come up with something.”

Trey set his coffee in the cup holder before peering into the bag. “San Diego got an agent down there right after you called. The locals didn’t seem too concerned and welcomed the Bureau’s help. The agent called me this morning and said it didn’t even make the paper.”

“Those guys weren’t virgins. I’m sure once they do some digging a few open investigations get closed. The video and audio tapes from the cab are also in the pillowcase. After you listen to it you’ll see it was righteous.”

“I didn’t doubt that it was.”

“I dropped the container off at their warehouse about two this morning.”

As Trey was poking through the pillowcase, he said, “We should be able to pick up the delivery schedule from the phone traffic. We’ll let a couple of small loads get through but then intercept the bigger deliveries with a traffic stop en route to the ultimate destination. It’s worked so far and they haven’t linked it back to you.”

“I’m still golden with Tommy. How do you want to handle this latest issue?”

“We have to play it out.”

Jake smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that. I always enjoy the chance to take down a lawyer. I’ll set up a meet for tomorrow.”