Read Online Convicted by Aleatha Romig - Free Book Online

saw their credentials and badges.”
    “Do you remember the names of these agents?”
    Brent shook his head. “No, it was late. Jesus... I didn’t really look. I assumed it was legitimate. I don’t remember.”
    “Mr. Simmons, the FBI didn’t come here last night.”
    “What does this mean?”
    “For right now, it means you’re coming back with us to the Bureau. We’re going to review hotel footage and discuss your late night visitors.”
     

     
    Sitting in the familiar office of SAC of the San Francisco FBI, Agent Baldwin listened attentively to his supervisor. “Anthony Rawlings was in FBI custody. Now he isn’t.”
    “I’m sorry...what do you mean he isn’t ?”
    “Due to persuasion from unnamed political sources, Agent Easton, SAC in Boston, was unable to keep him detained.”
    Harry’s blood boiled. “So, sir...” Although, well engrained, the title left a bad taste on his tongue. “You’re saying— he did it again? Anthony Rawlings played his political cards, flashed a little money, and got himself out of FBI custody?”
    “Agent, despite the Deputy Director’s request, you clearly aren’t interested in pursuing your career in the service of—”
    “I apologize. Sir, please go on. Claire Nichols. Where is she?”
    “The last direct communication was from Geneva, Switzerland. That was over a week ago. We have local field agents who’ve confirmed her departure from Switzerland.”
    “She left..? Where did she go?”
    “This is a briefing son—I inform; you listen. Agent Baldwin, you seem to have forgotten the protocol. If you choose to honor the Deputy Director’s request and assist in this ongoing investigation—your duty is to say, Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. If that duty is too difficult for you to fulfill, I’ll gladly inform our director, and your duties can be reassigned.”
    Harry bit his tongue. Working undercover had a way of removing the bureau formalities from an agent’s vocabulary. Harry had enough problems with his future in the service of the FBI; he didn’t need to add insubordination to the list. Sitting taller, Harry said, “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. I’ll do whatever the bureau wants me to do.”
    “The bureau wants you to travel to Italy. We have two possible sightings of Ms. Nichols—one in Venice—the other in Rome. We have pictures of the woman suspected of being Ms. Nichols. You’ll see she’s always in disguise.” SAC Williams pointed toward a large screen on the wall of his office. Still pictures projected. Some were grainy, as if taken from a distance and enlarged. Others were much more clear and detailed. Harry studied the woman in each photograph. The last time he’d seen Claire, in person, was in June. That was four months ago. The woman in question could be pregnant, or just heavy. Her hair color and length varied from photo to photo, yet there was something about her—in a few of the photos—when she smiled—Harry’s chest tightened.
    “Sir, I believe that is Ms. Nichols.”
    “This man has been seen with her on numerous occasions. Can you identify him?”
    Repeated pictures projected, again with varied quality. “Most of these pictures don’t show his face. It’s like he knows to keep it away from cameras.” The man’s hair color varied, and he often wore a hat. “I’m sure it isn’t Anthony Rawlings, sir”—Harry studied the pictures closer—“He’s familiar. Are they believed to be together ?” The way he emphasized the last word made his meaning clear.
    SAC Williams’ eyes narrowed. “It appears so. Ms. Nichols told the Iowa City prosecutor that she left the home of Mr. Rawlings of her own free will, and that she feared for the safety of her and her unborn child. She emphasized that the threat wasn’t from Mr. Rawlings. Although you are aware, their relationship has had its perilous moments.”
    “Yes, sir. Ms. Nichols told me about that herself.”
    “She also informed Evergreen that she believed Mr. Rawlings is