Chapter 57

CHAPTER 57

B ACK AT HIS HOTEL, HE phoned Campbell, woke the man up, and they met in the latter’s room.

Devine brought him up to date on what had happened, but didn’t mention Jackson.

“So a police officer from Ricketts tried to kill you?”

“Yes.”

“Is that all?” said Campbell.

“Isn’t that enough?”

Campbell stared at him for a long time.

“Okay, Devine. If you don’t tell me right now what you’ve been withholding, you will be immediately terminated from DHS and I’ll have them get a cell ready at Leavenworth.”

Devine shot him a dark look. “So all my past missions mean nothing? I’m still a probie subject to a life sentence?”

“Yes,” said Campbell. “Until I say otherwise.”

Devine stood and paced before leaning against a wall and staring down at his boss.

“The girl on the train is here. I met with her tonight.”

To his credit, Campbell didn’t look surprised, only intrigued. “Explain, in detail.”

Devine told him about the message given to him by Betsy Odom.

“So you met her and she said what?”

And Devine told him everything that he and the girl on the train had discussed.

When he was finished, Campbell rose, poured himself a glass of water, and sat back down.

“Just to be clear, the woman who tried to kill you used to work for us? Only our side sacrificed her when another opportunity came along?”

“Like you said they did to me.”

“Now she’s a mercenary for hire but still, understandably, holds a vendetta against those who betrayed her?”

“Yes. And she and Mercedes King, aka Anne Cassidy, had a big falling-out when King tried to kill her.”

“So she sees a chance for revenge against CIA?”

“Apparently.”

“She really believes that Ricketts is owned lock, stock, and barrel by CIA?”

“Yes. Have you heard of such, sir?”

“I told you before, this plane of existence is not the battlefields we’re used to, Devine. And we’re not the only country who plays these back-stabbing games. They all do, including our closest allies.”

“She did mention domestic terrorists who may want to overthrow the government. If Glass has a way to help our government neutralize that threat, it would definitely be in their interests to work a deal with him.”

“But she couldn’t be more specific?”

“No. But the answer may lie in Glass’s criminal enterprises. If he had valuable intel, he had to get it somewhere, and his business associates, suppliers, and clients seem the likeliest avenue.”

“I’d call in reinforcements, but I’m not sure who would come and what they would do when they got here.”

“Roger that.”

“I know this sounds absolutely crazy, but do you trust this woman?”

Devine didn’t answer right away, not because he wasn’t sure, but because he wanted to give the question the thoughtfulness it deserved.

“I think she represents the best shot we have to bring this house of cards down.”

“Can you get back in touch with her somehow?”

“I think so, yes.”

“If we do bring all this tumbling down, our own side might be coming for us.”

“I actually relish the fight, sir.”

“Me too, Devine.”

“And if we resign and leave the field to them, sir? Then only the power-hungry assholes without a hint of moral conscience will be left in charge to trample all over the Constitution and the rights of every American.”

“I agree. We’re staying right where we are. Fuck ’em.”