Page 67 of Unbridled Fire
“Understood,” I said with a nod. “I learned that being a cop’s kid.”
“Since we’re covert, there won’t be a paper trail like there is here,” Brian said, his hand circling the room. “If you get caught, you’re not officially an agent. You won’t have a badge, and you’ll carry your own private firearm.”
It was risky, and I took a deep breath to settle in with that. “I’m okay with being off the books. How will I get paid?”
“You’ll get a check every two weeks from Blackridge Security Consulting LLC,” Jack said. “It’s the shell company the government set up to pay us. It sounds boring and corporate to keep it off the radar.”
“Your FBI pension will end immediately. You’ll keep what you’ve earned in the pension so far, and the task force will create a new one for you through the shell company moving forward.”
I nodded, digesting the details as I realized how quickly my life would change. But change wasn’t always a bad thing, and I would still be doing important work to bring down criminals and save lives.
Rising, they both extended their hands. “So, Leo, what do you say? Are you ready to join us? It will be a transition, but we both think you’re a perfect fit for the task force.”
Standing, I shook both their hands. “I accept your offer and will give it a hundred percent.”
“We have no doubt. You’re a fantastic agent, Leo, and we look forward to working with you.” Brian pointed toward the door. “Daniel has been notified of everything we discussed today. When you leave this room, go to your desk and pack your things. Leave your badge and gun on your desk. Do you have any questions?”
“I’ll need to access my old emails and files from time to time to get information,” I said.
“We have access to the FBI servers, and can get any info you need.”
We finished up and Brian picked up the folder. “We’ll be shredding this now. See you soon, Leo. A package will arrive at your house containing a laptop and cell phone. It will have instructions on how to set up an encrypted task force email. Once you receive it and complete those steps, we’ll go from there.”
“Looking forward to it.”
I headed to my desk, overcome with how quickly my career as an FBI agent was coming to an end. In truth, although I loved solving cases for the bureau and bringing people to justice, my heart hadn’t been fully in it for years.
Removing my badge from my waist, I ran my thumb over the gold shield, acknowledging the nostalgia for what I’d accomplished. I set my gun on the desk beside my badge and packed my things in the backpack I kept in the bottom drawer of my desk. Slinging it over my shoulder, I turned to Jermaine and gave a salute.
“Stay in touch, man,” he said, smiling behind his desk. “It was a pleasure working with you.”
“You too, buddy. See ya.”
Inhaling a deep breath, I walked out of the Brooklyn field office for the last time in my long career.
Chapter 25
Katia
Isat on the couch, biting the hell out of my thumbnail as I waited to hear an update on Leo. It had been an eventful morning, to say the least, and I was fraught with worry.
First of all, I’d discovered that Dmitry wasn’t in his bed once Leo left. I searched everywhere and called Leo, but I knew his phone was on silent. I’d been terrified that Dmitry had run away, or worse, gone to the meeting with Marco.
Sure enough, Nick showed up around eleven-thirty with Dmitry in tow. He looked sheepish, his eyes downcast as he apologized for lying to me. I hugged him for what felt like an hour straight, and made him promise never to scare me like that again.
When he’d gone upstairs to his room, Nick pulled me aside and told me that Leo had been arrested.
“What? How?”
“I got the call while we were driving Dmitry home,” Nick said. “Apparently, his boss has enough evidence on his work with Michael to prosecute him.”
“Shit,” I hissed, raking my hands through my hair. “How can we help him? Can I bail him out or something?”
“We need to wait until he’s questioned, which could take hours. I can stay here if you want.”
I shook my head as anger and fear warred deep within. “I appreciate the offer, but that won’t help. Go on and get back to work. You and Michael will call me if you hear anything, right?”
“Absolutely,” Nick said, rubbing my arm. “We’ve got our entire network on it and hope to hear something soon.”
