“I can’t believe this.”
“It’s a trap, they’re baiting us. You know that.”
“Yeah, I know. Shit. This really sucks.”
“What can you do about it? Do you honestly think Janey’s going to welcome you into her life with open arms? She doesn’t even know you other than what she’s seen on TV and that hasn’t exactly been favorable lately. Think about it, Ern. You were out of Amber’s life. She wanted a divorce and you agreed. You must know Janey can never be a part of your life. Let’s not blow everything we’ve worked for over this.”
Ernie nodded, but didn’t respond.
Leonard walked into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. On the television, Breckensen was wrapping up the press conference. He watched his brother closely. What a disaster. He had to admit it, though. It was brilliant move on the FBI’s part. But it only worked if Ernie took the bait.
Leonard thought through his own options. It might be wise to put some distance between himself and Ernie, but he’d need to do it carefully, so it didn’t look obvious. He wasn’t willing to lose everything they’d earned over this. He didn’t plan on rotting on death row over a long-lost niece that he neither knew nor cared about. If Ernie became a liability over this, he’d be on his own.
He went back to the TV room. “We might want to accelerate our plans. Are you okay for a few hours? I’m gonna get our cash near Quincy. We’re gonna need it. We’ll pick up the big stash on our trip up north.”
“Want me to go with you?”
“Safer if you don’t. We shouldn’t be seen together, even in disguise.” He came over and patted Ernie on the shoulder. “I know you got a lot to think about. I’ll be back by sundown. If you haven’t heard from me, don’t assume the worst, just head up north to the rendezvous point. We’ll meet there. How much time do you have left on your cell?”
“I don’t know, a few hours.”
“Me too. I may not call, depending on the situation. Keep your cool, okay?”
“I will.”
He looked Ernie in the eyes. “I know you want to call Amber. I’m not even gonna tell you not to. But be careful when you do it. Make sure she calls you back from a pay phone to your cell. Don’t use the phone in here. Keep your conversation under thirty seconds. Don’t do anything until we’ve had a chance to work out a plan. I’m serious, Ernie, stay put. Everything’s going to be fine if you keep your cool. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Ernie nodded.
“One more thing.”
“What.”
“If the owners of this place show up, don’t kill them.”
“Yeah, yeah. I won’t.”
As Leonard drove away from the cabin, he looked in the rearview mirror and wondered if he’d ever see his brother again.
Chapter 20
Rather than order room service, Nathan and Harv decided to head downstairs to Dawson’s American Bistro, a nice place with a classy atmosphere. The hostess seated them in a corner table. A few couples, engaged in quiet conversation, were present.
They hadn’t been real talkative with each other, and for good reason. They both felt deeply. Nathan took a swig of iced tea and again wondered why Frank Ortega hadn’t told them the truth. Ortega must’ve thought they wouldn’t take the assignment. The truth was that they would have helped him find his grandson, no matter what his motivation had been. None of this deception had been necessary. He really felt bad for Harv.
Nathan set his glass down. “You okay, partner?”
“Yeah, I’m okay. Just embarrassed I got us into this mess.”
“Harv, forget about it.”
“I can’t. I’ve known the Ortegas for over twenty years. Maybe I should’ve seen this coming.”
“Be careful, you’re starting to sound like me.”
Harv raised his glass in a toast. “I consider that a compliment.”
Nathan smiled and clinked his glass. “Everything’s in place, we’ve done what we can. Let’s hope Ernie takes the bait.”
“He probably knows it’s a trap.”
“No doubt he does.”
They both turned at the same time and saw their two FBI friends enter the restaurant. When Grangeland noticed them sitting across the room, she seemed to hesitate. Nathan was sure they weren’t here to keep an eye on them: that game ended in a wrestling match. He motioned them over with a nod. Harv switched sides and sat next to him.
“Will you join us?” Nathan asked.
Grangeland managed a smile. “Are you sure? We don’t want to impose.”
“Not at all.” Both he and Harv stood as Grangeland slipped into her chair.
“Such gentlemen,” she said.
Ferris seemed all-business. To each his own. Nathan addressed Grangeland. “Are you okay? No broken ribs, or… other damage?”
“I’m not a china vase. But to answer your question, yes, I’m fine. I was raised with three older brothers who sometimes fought dirty. I’ll live.”
Nathan thought Grangeland looked stunning. Her red cocktail dress was cut low and tight. Below her blond hair, half-karat diamond studs adorned her ears. Nathan grinned. “I was… just wondering where your piece is concealed.”
She leaned forward and whispered, “It’s a secret.”
“I’ll bet it is.”
“Do you want Ferris and me to leave?” Harvey asked.
“No,” Nathan said quickly. “That would be dangerous.”
“Agreed,” Grangeland added.
Harvey looked at Ferris. “I apologize for snapping at you up there.”
“Already forgotten.”
“So,” Nathan continued. “Ferris here said you were an alternate for the 2000 Olympic team. I’m assuming it wasn’t for synchronized swimming?”
“Yes, that’s a fair assumption.”
“Look, I know we didn’t get off to a good start. I’m sorry for busting in on you like that. I was frustrated with the surveillance. Not a very good excuse, I know.”
Grangeland placed her napkin in her lap. “Understandable, given the circumstances.”
“Were you guys in the building when it blew?” Harvey asked.
Ferris shook his head. “No, we’re from the Fresno resident agency.”
“We’ve been under a lot of stress too,” said Grangeland. “I feel like I wake up every morning with a gun in my face. I guess that’s why I challenged you. I shouldn’t have done that. At least there’s one saving grace to all this,” she said, looking around. “This hotel’s first-class. We’ve stayed in some real fleabags before.”
“I can imagine,” Nathan said.
Their server arrived and took their orders for dinner. Grangeland and Ferris ordered iced tea. Officially, they were on duty.
“Harv and I discussed it, and although we don’t think very highly of Director Lansing’s tactics, we don’t extend that resentment to you. We’d like to work with you, if you’re willing.”
“What do you have in mind?” Grangeland asked.
“We’ve set a trap for Ernie Bridgestone. If he calls Amber Sheldon again, I specifically told her to mention my name. She didn’t know why that was so important. Do you?”
Grangeland looked at Ferris, then back to Nathan. “No, should we?”
“During the Freedom’s Echo SWAT raid, we killed their little brother.”
“You were there at the compound when the claymores went off?”
“Yes,” Harvey said. “Sammy Bridgestone was seconds away from shooting the SWAT team when we nailed him.”
“I see.”
Nathan leaned forward slightly. “We can’t tell you everything that’s happened, but we can tell you this. We’re going to need your help if my plan is going to work.”
“To avenge his little brother, you’re thinking Ernie Bridgestone will use Amber to set you guys up.”
“That’s right.”
“It sounds like another SWAT job. Why use us?” Ferris asked.
“Because we don’t know who we can trust.”
“But you can trust us?” Grangeland asked.
“I don’t know, can we?”
An awkward silence settled around the table. No one spoke for several seconds.
Grangeland broke the silence. “You’re already working with one of our agents, Bruce Henning. Why involve us?”