Damage Control

“She was the drunk driver and her own victim. Insurance isn’t covering anywhere near the special care she needs. In other words, Ted needs money, and since this is not something he’d normally do, it’s going to cost you.”

“How much?”

“Fifty thousand,” he says.

I whistle. “That’s a big number for a one-hour operation with no guaranteed outcome.”

“I’ve checked out Ted,” Seth says, sliding a thumb drive in front of me. “That includes my notes, his personal history, as well as my live interview with him earlier today. He gets my thumbs-up.”

“Even if I agree,” I say cautiously, slipping the drive into my jacket pocket, “aren’t there repercussions to Ted for doing this off the record, and still using his badge?”

“There could be,” Nick agrees, “thus the price tag, but we have a plan if this ever surfaces to cover his ass.”

He stops there, as if I’d actually let him get away with telling me nothing more. “Go on,” I press. “Because if he’s busted, the FBI is then linked to my facility.”

“We’re covered and so are you,” Nick says firmly. “We’re contracted by the Feds on several Most Wanted List cases. It’s known he works for me on a contract basis because of his sister’s situation. We’re going to tell them we were on a case that led us to your facility. With reasonable cause, Ted made the decision to lead my team inside. That story also covers any press that might arise out of this.”

I shake my head. “No. I don’t like the Feds being involved at all. And I’m damn sure not paying fifty thousand dollars to invite them into my facility.”

Seth leans in closer. “Think about this, Shane. You need to shake Martina loose, and it’s better to do this on your terms, not someone else’s.”

I bite back another rejection, reminding myself Martina is a problem we might not survive, quite literally. “You said you want to do the raids here and in Boulder, in unison. Ted’s one man. He can’t be in two places at once and this Most Wanted List idea won’t hold water for multiple locations. He can’t chase someone into two of my locations. Not without implying we’re sheltering fugitives.”

“That’s where I come into play,” Seth says. “I’ll go to Boulder, report an insider tip about a raid that never materializes, but everyone will scramble and I’ll get a bird’s-eye view.”

My mind goes back to this morning. “Martina assured me there is nothing to find in my buildings.”

“It’s not about what we find,” Nick responds. “It’s about him thinking the FBI is looking into you, which leads to him.”

I lean back in my chair, considering all they’ve said, but not ready to make a decision. “I’ll think about it. What else?”

Nick studies me for a few beats, and I have the distinct impression he wants to argue but apparently decides better. “Mike Rogers,” he says instead. “He’s rich, powerful, and has a lot to lose by way of a drug scandal. I have nothing to support this theory, but my gut is that Martina has forced his involvement with some sort of threat or leverage.”

“If that’s the case,” I say, “then he’s voting to give my brother control and we can assume that the head of the transportation division is as well.” I consider that possibility, thinking back on my brother’s recent behavior, and my own gut regarding Mike, whose silence, and my father’s file, has made me question. “No,” I say firmly. “Derek is still too afraid of me for that to be the case. Mike must not know what’s going on. He’s a target they want to own, just like me. I’ll talk to him, and feel him out.”

“He’s shut you out, Shane,” Seth reminds me. “That doesn’t speak of innocence.”

“Based on Mike’s file, he’s hiding money with my father,” I say, thoughtful again. “In fact, he has to know Derek isn’t the man to protect his money. I am.”

Seth arches a brow. “Are you suggesting you take over your father’s efforts on his behalf?”

“I’m suggesting I either convince him to let me handle it legally, or that we move his affairs before my father is no longer capable of handling them.”

“You need to tread cautiously here,” Nick warns. “If you’re wrong, and you say anything about Sub-Zero to Mike, he could alert Martina that you’ve become a problem.”

I cut him a hard look. “I can handle Mike. You handle Martina.”

My cell phone beeps with a text and I grab it from my pocket and find a message from Jessica: Brody wants you to call him. And then the number. I glance between Seth and Nick. “Brody Matthews sidestepped his management team and made direct contact with Jessica. He wants me to call him.”

Seth arches a brow. “Really? That’s unexpected.”

I key in the number and it rings once before I hear a voice. “Shane Brandon?”

“That’s me,” I confirm. “I assume your team told you I wanted to chat.”

“Yeah, man, but we both know it’s not about an endorsement deal.”

Yet something else I don’t expect and I eye Seth. “No. It’s not about an endorsement deal.” Seth tilts his chin slightly and I add, “It’s time we talk.”

“In person,” Brody agrees. “Tonight.”