Atlanta Federal Prison
Sunday, October 23, 9:15 a.m.
“Turn the cameras off.”
The guard named Malcolm appeared startled by the request. “Agent LeDoux, you know we’re not supposed to do that unless Mr. Zacharias visits him. The warden—”
Tony leaned closer to the man. “Unless you want the warden to know about your arrangement with Shade, you should do exactly as I say.”
Malcolm’s eyes widened. “I...don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You shouldn’t use your personal cell phone if you want to keep your communications secret.” Tony gave a half laugh. “Now turn off the video and the audio.”
“Yes, sir.” The guard went to the control box and did as Tony asked.
Malcolm unlocked and opened the door to the corridor leading to the interview room. The two guards who had escorted Weller there waited as per protocol. Tony opened the door between the two and entered the room where Weller waited. Behind him the swoosh of the door closing was followed by the definitive sound of the lock turning.
“My, my.” Weller smiled. “So many visitors in one week. Aren’t I the lucky one?”
Tony dragged out the lone chair on his side of the table and dropped into it. Weller was shackled per regulation. There was always something revitalizing about seeing psychopathic killers like him in chains. Personally Tony would much rather see them dead but this was the next best thing.
“I hear you’re having trouble with the old ticker.” Tony scrubbed at his chin, made a mental note to shave on the way back to Montgomery.
“They tell me I’ll live,” Weller assured him.
“That’s too bad.” Tony cleared his throat. “I met with your son last night.”
Weller smiled, his evil eyes gleaming. “Is that so? How is my dear son?”
Tony allowed several seconds to pass before responding. He wanted the bastard to worry. Funny, he decided, how a man who ruthlessly murdered and butchered so many could worry about another human. Three or four times Tony had watched each interview in which Weller’s son was mentioned. In each instance the bastard’s expression and posture changed so subtlety it was nearly impossible to note. Unless you watched and watched and watched. This vicious monster had one Achilles’ heel. In whatever way his black heart worked, he cared for his son.
How fucking unbelievable was that?
“He’s determined to get himself killed just to prove he’s nothing like you,” Tony said bluntly. He’d figured out what drove Shade. “Frankly, I don’t see how he stands the idea of who he is long enough to get up each morning. Maybe he’d be happier if he didn’t.”
The fury that lit in those fathomless eyes abruptly extinguished and a slow smile spread across his thin lips. “Watch yourself, Agent LeDoux, you’re sounding more and more like the very monsters you profile. Oh, wait.” He pursed his lips a moment. “That’s right. You don’t do that anymore, do you? You’re being reassigned. Didn’t you get the memo? Your erratic behavior has become a liability to the prestigious BAU. Perhaps you’ll land in North Dakota or some other godforsaken place more suited to your skill level.”
Tony kept his jaws clamped together for a full ten seconds before he dared to speak. “I guess that puts us in—” he shrugged “—a similar situation. You’re stuck here—” he gestured to the room at large “—and I find myself at a not so happy place in my career. What I need is a big sensational splash to get my career back on track.” He cocked his head and smiled at the bastard across the table. “I think I’m going to help your son prove you ordered the murders in Montgomery just to lure him into a trap. You know how badly the Bureau wants to prove he’s not what he seems. I can make sure that effort fails.”
“What a clever man you are, Tony.” Weller’s eyebrows hiked up. “Too bad your speculation is nothing more than exactly that—speculation.”
Tony stood and leaned over the table, bracing his hands there and putting his face in the bastard’s. “Or maybe I’ll really fuck with you and see that your son is framed for those murders. Wouldn’t that be a shame?”
Weller looked him straight in the eyes. “Watch yourself during this difficult time, Tony. We wouldn’t want your superiors to find that you are more unstable than they think.”
Tony drew back, turned and walked out.
There was no reason to worry that the guards stationed outside the door had heard anything, the room was basically soundproof. Still, before leaving he checked the video and audio to ensure Clinton had done as Tony directed. At this point he didn’t trust any damned body. He paused as he passed Clinton. “You tell a soul about my visit and you’ll be filing for unemployment.”
Clinton said nothing as Tony walked away.
Tony should feel guilty for what he was doing, but he didn’t. He felt nothing except the determination to prove he could do something no one else had been able to do. He’d watched how the game was played for too long not to understand there was only one way to survive in this world. Do whatever necessary to get the job done.
To hell with the rules. He knew exactly what he had to do no matter the cost.
Find and reveal the person inside the Bureau who allowed Randolph Weller to reach outside these prison walls.