Chapter 46

CHAPTER 46

D EVINE, WALKER, AND SAXBY WERE out in the hallway of the courthouse.

Saxby said, “Okay, I thought Glass’s head was going to explode in there.”

Devine glanced over at where Odom was sitting on a bench with her headphones on. She had not uttered a word after making her startling statement in court. She had her sketchpad out and was using a pencil to draw something.

Mehan, obviously bewildered by this development, had demanded to know who Travis Devine was, forcing Devine to make an impromptu sworn statement to the court. The flustered judge had then ordered the court adjourned, after stating that the status quo—namely Odom’s being in the custody of the FBI—would remain in place while this was sorted out.

Glass and his lawyer had left the courtroom immediately. Glass had not even looked at Odom, but he had aimed a vicious glare at Devine.

Saxby said, “Nancy Fine is pissed off beyond belief. She was leading the RICO prosecution against Glass.”

“Why is the case being dropped?” asked Walker.

“DOJ has lost some witnesses, to be sure, like she said. But Fine also told me that orders came from up high that the RICO matter had to go away in the interest of national security.”

“I thought prosecuting a guy like Glass was in the interest of national security,” said a stunned Devine.

“Up is down and down is up, apparently,” replied Saxby.

“Well, whatever is going on,” said Walker, “Betsy just threw a big wrench into the works by saying she wants Travis to be her guardian.”

“But I can’t be her guardian, obviously.”

Saxby said immediately, “Why not?”

Devine gaped. “I’m a single guy. I have no permanent residence. I’m always traveling and my work is, well, more than a little out of the norm.”

“Well, you could be her guardian temporarily, until the dust settles,” suggested Walker.

“I agree,” chimed in Saxby.

In a raised voice he exclaimed, “Guys, you’re not listening to me. I can’t be a twelve-year-old girl’s guardian. It would be a disaster.”

He looked over to see Odom staring at him, her earphones still on. He didn’t know if she had heard him or not.

“But the alternative could be even worse,” pointed out Saxby. “The judge could still grant Glass guardianship. Or she could be placed with a stranger and that doesn’t always end well. And if someone does wish her harm, she would be totally unprotected.”

Devine refocused on her. “You’re her guardian now. Why can’t you keep on doing that until we figure this out?”

“I spoke with Nancy Fine about that, Devine. She said they won’t allow the FBI to pursue an extension of its guardianship. So I’m out of the running.”

“Why the hell won’t she allow it?” demanded Devine.

“Well, there she is,” observed Walker. “Why don’t you ask her?”

Nancy Fine was storming past and on her phone when Devine and Saxby stopped her.

Saxby formally introduced Devine and Walker and said, “DHS wants to know why DOJ and the Bureau are walking away from all of this.”

Fine held up a finger, and said into the phone, “I’ll call you back.” She clicked off and ran her gaze over Devine. “Why does the girl want you to be her guardian?” she said suspiciously.

“I guess because I treated her with kindness and listened to her.”

Fine gave him a long stare before turning to Saxby. “We’re walking away from all of this because we were ordered to. I already had this discussion with you, Ellen. I don’t have time to have it again.”

Devine said, “To my thinking, Danny Glass is a national security issue, so why are you letting him off scot-free?”

Fine got right in his face; he could smell coffee on the woman’s breath. “For your fucking information I’m not letting anybody off scot-free, okay? But I have bosses, just like you. And I have to obey them or else I don’t have a job. Are we clear on that?”

“I’m not saying it’s your fault. I’m just trying to understand this, that’s all. Wouldn’t you, if the positions were reversed?”

She stepped back and her aggressive manner faded. “Look, I’m as pissed about this as you are. I was given my marching orders and specifically told to come here today and announce to the judge that the RICO prosecution against Glass is kaput. I don’t know why, but I’m guessing it’s so all impediments to his gaining guardianship over the kid are now gone. I don’t know why he wants her that badly, but he clearly does.”

“But why would the Justice Department do anything to make it easier for him to gain control over Betsy Odom?” asked Devine. “Why would they even care about that?”

“My boss works for the AG. The AG has a boss, too.”

Devine glanced sharply at Saxby and said, “Are we talking at the very top of the government?”

“I’m not going to dignify that with a response,” said Fine, even as she nodded.

“Why would that level of leadership give a crap about saving Danny Glass?” said Saxby.

Fine shrugged. “Glass is a big prize. But if he can help deliver a bigger one?”

Devine said quickly, “You speculating or do you know for sure?”

“It’s just a theory, Devine. But it’s the only one that makes sense. And we trade up all the time at Justice. Cut deals with the barracudas to snag the great white.”

“Meaning the sorts of people Glass does business with, or allegedly does business with.”

“If you have a better theory, I’d love to hear it,” said Fine.

Devine said, “But the thing is, if that is the case, the great white shark has a lot of incentive to survive. And a lot of incentive to take out its revenge on Glass.”

Walker added, “And maybe use Betsy Odom to do that.”

Devine glanced over at the bench where Odom was sitting. Only the girl was no longer there.