Too Far Gone

12

As much as Alexa wanted to help Casey, it wasn’t going to happen unless Jackson Evans asked her to help, and that was no more likely to happen than the moon was likely to deflate. She had packed her bag, was dressed and watching the latest hurricane news on the Weather Channel, glad she was leaving before the tempest came roaring in from the Gulf of Mexico. She had made arrangements to have a cab pick her up at the lobby entrance in thirty minutes, which gave her three hours before her nine-twelve flight, plenty of time even if traffic was heavy, or an accident stopped traffic. The room phone rang twice before she picked it up.

“Yes?” she answered.

“Special Agent Keen?” a stern female voice asked.

“Yes.”

“Please hold for the director.”

FBI Director Bender? Alexa waited with the phone frozen to her ear, a hollow churning in her stomach. It was a feeling she was familiar with. She had experienced it on the occasions when she was waiting to be disciplined.

After a long pause, during which time the weatherman on her television set droned on about Katrina, there was a click and a man’s voice filled the earpiece.

“Agent Keen, I’ve heard a lot of good things about you. I need for you to do me a big favor.”

“If I can, sir.”

“It’s just come to my attention that a fellow named…” he paused, Alexa assumed so he could check a note, “Gary Alexander West has gone missing. I was informed that you are already familiar with this incident.”

“I am.”

“Gary West is married to the niece of a valuable friend of the Bureau, a man I have known for some time. I understand you have met Dr. LePointe and his niece.”

“Casey West. Yes, sir.”

“What is your assessment of the situation?”

“I’m not sure what the situation actually is. It’s sort of hard to read at this point. Gary West is missing, and the authorities are looking for him.”

“What is your personal impression, Agent Keen?”

The director of the FBI wants me to tell him what my gut feeling is? “At the moment there’s no evidence it’s an abduction. While there’s no indication that this is a kidnapping, I don’t think it can be ruled out, sir. There are circumstances that make me think abduction is very likely, but at this time there’s no request from the locals for us to become involved. I believe the situation warrants close monitoring though.”

“Is it, in your opinion, beyond NOPD’s capabilities?”

“Detective Manseur is in charge here, and he’s a good and competent man. That said, there’s a political angle that could potentially lead to a tragedy. It’s complicated, and I’m not sure I have enough information or understanding of the precise politics to make a thorough judgment at present.”

“Meaning what exactly, Agent?”

“Dr. LePointe appears to be the VIP here. The locals are not going to do much that the doctor doesn’t support. The family fortune he heads makes him an indispensable asset to the community. I think the concerns he has for his niece’s best interests, for his family’s reputation, and his nephew-in-law’s best interests may be in that order. I think he sees this incident more as an intrusion by the authorities and a potential embarrassment to his niece than a danger for Gary West.”

“New Orleans is a political cesspool. And when I say that, I could be sued by cesspools for slander.”

“Sir…”

“Everybody knows it, Agent. Dr. LePointe is the closest thing to a god in that particular kingdom, and this Detective Manseur’s ability aside, the whole bunch has got to be already tripping over one another to kiss LePointe’s ring. Here’s what we’re going to do: You’re going to be my eyes and ears on this. I want you to interface with Chief Jackson Evans. I want you to play the role of adviser to NOPD and be our liaison. If this isn’t an abduction, you can back off, the NOPD will appreciate whatever help we gave them, and I won’t forget your help. If it turns out to be a kidnapping, you’ll be right there on top of things. If you have to hurt some feelings, do it. I know you’ll do the Bureau proud, Agent Keen. I’m counting on you to help keep this low-profile, because the family deserves our discretion. If necessary, you request a Bureau team. Call on the New Orleans field office if you need to. The lab is yours as needed. We’ll give your evidence top priority. You are representing me personally as well as the Bureau. Make us look good. Find Gary West. That’s a direct order.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Be as gentle with Evans as possible, but don’t let him block you. We don’t want the locals to think we’re working at cross-purposes or trying to steal their thunder. This is a new day for the Bureau, and all that. If we’re going to build bridges of trust and cooperation between ourselves and other law enforcement departments, we have to do whatever it takes. But if the locals get in your way, don’t hesitate to break a few heads. We are the Federal Bureau of Investigation after all.”

Bender hung up.

Alexa set the phone in its cradle, sat down on the edge of the bed, and stared at the wall trying to figure out just what the hell had happened in the hours since Casey West had walked out of her hotel room. She glanced up at her image in the mirror and was surprised by the smile she was wearing.