39. Going With His Gut

39

GOING WITH HIS GUT

" L eonard Birch just bought a ferry pass in Boston."

A month later, Jarrett was in his SUV when his phone rang. Seeing Griffin's name always made his heart race. This was more than racing—this was an all out sprint over the words.

"What?" he asked. A few weeks ago he couldn't let his gut settle down and met with Griffin. He'd told no one what he was doing. Not even Mac.

He didn't want it to blow up in his face, but he was glad he'd filled Griffin in to just flag several names and faces on the docks. That was all he wanted for now.

He didn't expect to ever get a hit. Least of all Andi's ex.

"He's on his way to the island?" he asked. His speeding heart forced his foot down on the gas and he took a turn to get to the docks to make sure he was waiting there when the ferry pulled in.

"No," Griffin said. "I got a hit on the name, I went back and found where he came in and I couldn't get an exact facial match. He wasn't facing the cameras well enough. When he boards I would know for sure."

"I don't want him on the ferry," he said.

"Which I assumed," Griffin said. "I flagged him right away, security has him in a room and told him they needed to go through his vehicle before he could board. They are dragging it out."

"He'll miss the ferry," he said, looking at the clock on the dash. "It's leaving in ten minutes."

"That's the plan," Griffin said. "It's the best I can do right now."

"I appreciate it," he said. "I'll keep you posted if I need anything else."

Jarrett never told Griffin why he wanted Leo and members of the Dustin Family flagged. Even some of Leo's friends back then.

Guess going with his gut was the right move.

He called Jack next. Jack would get to Leo faster. Jarrett could get on the ferry when it docked here and return to Boston on it.

"Is Andi okay?" Jack asked right away.

"She's fine. Leo Birch is in Boston and being detained by security at the docks."

"What?" Jack asked. "How do you know?"

"I told you we have resources that you don't even have access to," he said.

"Shit," Jack said. "What the fuck is going on? Leo met me that once and got my name. Nothing more. If I show up there, he's going to suspect something. This could be a coincidence. I should see if I can find out when he got here and how long he might be staying."

"Already have it," he said. "I'll text it to you. He flew in last night. He has no hotel reservations on the island. At least none under his name that we could find right away. The plan is to not even let him here. I'm going to get to Boston fast. It's probably best if State Police talk to him. It'd make more sense than you or even Mac."

He was going to call his brother and let him know what was going on but didn't see the need for Mac to go over just yet. He'd rather his brother stay on the island where Andi was.

"I'll head down there and wait for you," Jack said. "Is there a room you can question him where I can watch but not be seen?"

"Yes," he said. "For now he's in holding while they question him. They will do a search of him and his car for any weapons. I just hope he's not the type to push it to be released. We can bar him from the ferry. Bonds own the ferry and have the right to not take passengers."

"So all ferries to the island are owned by the Bond family?" Jack asked.

"Yes. And unless he finds another way over by air, he won't make it via Bond Charter."

Jack laughed. "You've got that island almost surrounded or protected. I just thought you were bragging before."

"I told you we protect what is ours," he said. "Speaking of the charter, I'm going to try to get there that way."

"Keep me posted," Jack said. "I'm going to swing over there. Make sure Leo stays put. I hope it's a vacation, but I don't buy it. You're not telling Andi, are you?"

"And worry her? No way," he said. He hung up the phone and drove to the airstrip. If Egan or Lincoln were in the air, they wouldn't answer his call. Best to have the people in the office reach out to them.

"Hi, can I help you?"

He didn't know this woman and was pulling his badge out. "Jarrett Bond, State Police. I need to see if I can get a lift to Boston before the ferry. Do you know if Egan or Lincoln are available?"

"Lincoln is off today," the woman said. "So not even a helicopter available for him to take you. Egan is doing a tour that will end with him flying over the island and then going back to Boston. If my math is right on the timing, he might be around here in the next five minutes. Let me call him."

"Thanks," he said. He hoped that was the case.

"Egan, this is Maria at dispatch. Jarrett Bond of the State Police is requesting a lift to Boston if you've got the room on the helicopter and the time."

"Put him on," Egan said.

Maria gave him the headset she'd put on. "Hey, Egan. Can you get me to Boston? Griffin just called. We've got someone being detained at the docks."

There was silence there and it was enough for Egan to read between the lines that it had to do with the island. Otherwise, someone from the State Police in Boston would just go there. Detained at the docks meant an internal issue.

"I'll swing by in five minutes. I've got the room for you. I'll be landing and then taking right back off," Egan said.

"I'm here waiting," he said. "Thanks." He gave the headset back to Maria. "I've got a few calls to make while I wait."

"No problem. You'll hear the helicopter coming in before it gets here."

He moved off to the side, andsenta text to Jack to let him know he'd be there in thirty minutes or less. He called Mac next.

"Leo is being detained at the docks."

"Did Jack call you?" Mac asked.

"Griffin did."

"Jesus. You had him set up watches," Mac said. "You told me you were going to keep me in the loop."

"Sorry," he said. "I guess it's a good thing I went with my gut a few weeks ago and set it up."

Mac sighed on the other end. "I suppose. I would have preferred you to let me know you were doing it and why. What do I need to be on the watch for? You put me in a bind and I'm not prepared."

"Nothing to prepare," he said. "Jack didn't even know. Egan's getting me in a minute and I'm flying over. I need you here on the island and keeping an eye on Andi."

"Does she know what is going on?" Mac asked.

"No," he said. "I don't want her to. I'm not sure what's happening either. We are going to find out, but I don't believe the guy is coming here on vacation when there are no reservations in his name."

"I can hear the helicopter coming, so is there anything else I need to know before you head out?" Mac said. "Andi is working?"

"Yes," he said. "Shouldn't be much for you to do, as I have no plans on this guy setting foot on this island."

"Keep me in the loop this time, Jarrett," Mac said firmly.

He'd have to deal with his older brother when this was done, but one thing at a time.

He walked out when he saw the helicopter coming in, waited for it to land. Climbing in, he found a seat and Egan took off fast.

There was no reason to say a word and he wouldn't in front of tourists. His badge and gun were visible and saying enough.

Once they landed, he was out first and walking toward the security building. They knew him here and the officer in charge said, "He's in the back. He's not happy that he's being detained. We went through his rental car and it's clean. Nothing on him either. He has no luggage with him."

Which didn't sit well with Jarrett.

He walked down the hall and was ready to go into the room when his phone went off that Jack had just pulled in. "Jack Wilson is coming in now. Can you show him into the screening?"

"Sure."

They wouldn't question him or anyone. They did their job.

He walked in and saw Andi's ex sitting there looking at his phone. He glanced up impatiently.

"Why am I being held here?" Leo asked.

The guy looked annoyed more than fearful. His eyes dropped to the badge and gun at Jarrett's hip. "Your name was flagged when the ticket was purchased," he said.

"Flagged why?" Leo asked. "No one will answer that. And who are you?"

"Investigator Bond with the State Police."

"Am I under arrest for something?" Leo asked. "I'm here on vacation and was going to the casino for the day. I don't even have luggage with me. It's all in my hotel. I wanted to just leave and they told me I couldn't."

He wasn't buying it. It was too neat, but he couldn't say a lot more either. If the guy had no clue Andi was alive, the last thing he wanted to do was alert him to that fact.

"When you're flagged by security, they need todo a search," he said. "I was called in and I'm trying to get to the bottom as to why. Maybe it's a misunderstanding."

"So you have no idea?" Leo asked.

"Why are you in Boston?" he asked. "Just a few questions.You flewin yesterday from California? Work, pleasure?"

Leo frowned. "You know my flight schedule, but you don't know why I'm detained here. Don't you think if there was an issue, I wouldn't have been able to get on a plane?"

"Could be," he said. "We've got people looking into it right now to get this cleared up and get you on your way. I see you've got an arrest in your file."

"Those charges were dropped," Leo said. "It was a mistake."

"Most don't take too kindly to people being associated with fentanyl and drug trafficking."

"I'm not a dealer. I've never been a dealer," Leo said. "I made some mistakes with paperwork."

"Is that what it's called now?" he asked, leaning back in his chair. Let that slip when he shouldn't have, but he'd see how the guy reacted even without words.

"Do I need to call a lawyer?" Leo asked.

"You're not being charged with anything. We are just having a conversation," he said. Though he damn well didn't want this guy out of his sight and wasn't sure he could hold him much longer. His phone went off with a text from Jack to bring up the loss of his pharmacist license. "But I'd think losing your career over that mistake didn't sit well with you."

Leo's face turned red. "I worked hard to get there and it's all gone, but that has nothing to do with me wanting to take a vacation."

"So you're in Boston to blow off some steam? There are a lot of casinos closer to California than the little one on Amore Island."

"I'm beginning to see that," Leo said. "Maybe I came here looking to meet someone?"

He felt his heart rate pick up. "Do you want to share the name of that person? Maybe we can let them know you're running behind."

"No," Leo said. "It's not a crime to meet people."

"It isifthey are criminals themselves. Are they on the island already?"

"I'm not sure," Leo said.

"Well, you're going to have to stay here a bit longer while we check on a few more things. If you want to reach out to that person, go ahead. Maybe we'll get this cleared up by the time the next ferry is ready to depart."

Over his dead body, but he could see he wasn't getting anywhere and thought if he tried to be accommodating it might help some.

He got up and walked out and moved into the room to see Jack.

"You're not getting anywhere with him," Jack said. "I can't go in. It will raise too much suspicion."

"I know," he said. "I'm not sure of our next move other than let him just sit and stew."

"His phone is ringing right now," Jack said. "Let's see what's going on."

"Hello," Leo said. "I'm not skipping town. No. I'm just on vacation. I told you that. I was only going to be gone a few days. I'm trying to get the cash. I know, I know. It's hard to pay it down when you keep jumping my interest and timeline on top of it."

"Now we are getting somewhere," Jarrett said. He called Griffin. "I'm going to assume you'd know if Leo was banned from casinos in Vegas, right?"

"He's not," Griffin said. "His name would have cross-referenced any problems in other casinos."

"Just checking," he said. He hung up with Griffin and turned to Jack. "We can't use that as a reason to not let him in the casino. He's not banned anyway, but he owes someone money. Do you think it's a coincidence he's here? I'm not feeling it."

"Neither am I," Jack said. "He's looking at his phone and he's starting to sweat and fidget in the chair."

"I'm going to play on that," he said and went back to the room. "Everything okay? Can I get you something to drink?"

"Sure," Leo said. "Just some problems back home."

"That can ruin a vacation," he said. "I'll be back with a bottle of water."

He walked out of the room and before he returned with the water, Jack texted him that Leo was messaging someone and getting nervous, then slammed his phone down on the table.

"Thanks," Leo said.

"Sure you're okay? You're looking a little guilty over something."

Leo looked up—he had tears in his eyes. Talk about a turn of events. "Can you get in touch with a US Marshal for me out of Boston?"

Jarrett lifted his eyebrow but wasn't going to let on. "We have connections there. Who are you looking for and why?"

"I'm not talking anymore until you get me in touch with Jack Wilson."

Fuck!

He could almost hear Jack swearing in the room next to him.

"What am I supposed to tell Jack if I can reach him?" he asked calmly.

"He's my ex-girlfriend's cousin. I need help. I found out that Colleen's father, Luke Huntington, was a US Marshal and when she was in the hospital, her cousin came in to visit. I realized he was a marshal too after reading an article in the paper. I tracked Jack to Boston. It's something that happened in Denver where he was years ago. He's the only one I'll talk to and maybe the only one who can help me."

"Sit tight," Jarrett said and walked back into the screening room.

"He didn't say anything about knowing Andi or her name now," Jack said. "We are going to have to wait at least thirty minutes before I can go in there."

"We'll just sit in here," he said. "It will save me from wanting to slam his head into the desk for what Andi went through."

"This has to do with the drugs and maybe he fears Andi witnessed something. Could be they are after him now," Jack said. "It's the only thing that makes sense. He owes people money. My guess is he's in trouble and ready to sing like a bird."

"It only goes to show your gut was right to get her out of there," he said.

"I told you they'd made an example of a woman after Andi was out of the picture. I never got the full reason as to why. The woman was too afraid to talk or press charges."

"Maybe Leo knows about that," he said. "I'm going to let him know I reached you and you're on the way."

He got up and walked back in, told Leo that Jack would be here in thirty minutes or less. The guy nodded, sat back and closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. Then Jarrett left him alone again.

"He's feeling relief I'm on the way," Jack said.

"Are you going to let me stay in there with you?" he asked.

"If you keep your mouth shut and let me handle it," Jack said. "And don't get your back up. We have to do this by the book. Your way got him here and in our custody, but you know as well as I do you got lucky."

"I did," he said. "I won't risk him getting off or away. For Andi. The same reason you moved here to get away from the Dustin Family, so they didn't think you were onto them. But the fact remains, Leo was following you and that means you brought him here close to Andi."

He could tell Jack didn't like having that pointed out, but he didn't care. He wasn't going to sugarcoat the facts.

When their time was up, he and Jack went back into the room where Leo was calmer than he'd been.

"Jack Wilson," Jack said. "You used to date Colleen Huntington? I'm not sure I remember you."

"It was after her father died. She fell down the stairs at my place and was in the hospital. I went to visit and you were in with her. She introduced us. You are cousins?"

"I remember now," Jack said, nodding his head. "You broke up shortly after that."

Jarrett was going to let this play out and not say a word. He already knew he'd get an earful from Mac.

"I need your help. I know US Marshals can put people into Witness Protection. I need it. I've got information on a drug ring that I can give you, but only if I have immunity and can disappear."

"I pulled your file on the way here," Jack said. "That was all turned over to the FBI."

"It was," Leo said. "But I thought if I knew I could get out of here then it'd be easier to talk.OtherwiseI might as well be dead."

"What's going on?" Jack asked.

"Do I have immunity? And protection?"

"I can't grant that until I know what is going on and have to call in the FBI," Jack said. "We've got the State Police here."

"It's crimes in Colorado and California," Leo said.

"Which leaves me out," Jarrett said. "But I'll stay just the same since you're in my state."

Leo nodded and proceeded to tell him that once he lost his license and his ability to notify those he was working with when fentanyl shipments were coming in, he was in debt to the cartel that his buddies worked for.

That they'd already placed threats on his sister and mother and when his girlfriend, Colleen, got hurt and needed time to recover it was perfect timing for him to distance himself from her. That he'd seen another guy's girlfriend beaten and raped to prove a point that no one was out of their sight.

Jarrett was going to gag but held it in.

Leo was willing to give names and places, where deals were going to go down. That he'd been trying to get out and away for years and every time he thought he could, he was sucked back in owing more.

"Honest to God, as upset as I was to see Colleen had died, I would have been fearful of her life had she stillbeen inColorado and had any connection to me. My life has been hell for years and I can't do it anymore. I need to make sure my mother and sister are safe too."

"We can make you disappear if it comes down to that," Jack said. "Why don't we go to the Marshal office and continue from there?"

Leo nodded. "I can follow you there. I've got the rental here."

"I'll drive it there and you go with Jack," Jarrett said. No way he was risking Leo changing his mind.

"That's fine," Leo said. "I don't know why I feel relief right now, but I do."

Once Jarrett knew Leo was taken care of, he'd feel it too.