needs something else I can’t define. She’s looking for a reaction, I think. Horror seems to fit, that this is what happened to her.”
“An easy emotion to feel, given what she described,” Paul said. “There will be the appropriate moment to express that, but it’s not on the first day, not to her first remarks about whatoccurred. If this turns emotional, she won’t be able to survive the telling, not if it’s the opening card she’s laying down. That deck is going to have some brutally hard info still to come. You have to stay even keel enough to let her play them.”
Matthew ran his hand through his hair. “I hear you.” He needed to get professional help involved, someone Shannon would trust. He was going to screw this up and do some unintentional damage if he had to fly solo for much longer. He shifted the phone to his other hand. “What can you tell me about Adam York?”
“I know him by reputation,” Paul replied. “He’s not running a regional office yet, but he’s on the short list to get there. He’s a case guy, with his fingers in a lot of investigations, rather than moving up the policy side of the shop. He’s not strayed too far into organized crime, inter-state trafficking, violent serial crimes. He’s aggressive on white-collar crimes—pension fraud, charities that fund someone’s personal account, real-estate schemes, political kickbacks, bribery. Insurance fraud is a favorite. He arrests a lot of lawyers.”
“That’s not what I expected to hear.”
“I’ve been scrolling through his personnel file while we talk. Shannon’s envelopes to him on the child abductions seem out of place in his portfolio, but it looks like he’s done an excellent job with the information she provided. He’s exploited every bit of intelligence those mailings have produced. As far as the rest of his career—the people tapping him when something goes across regions are the top guys in the get-it-done side of the bureau. Simply from the ones who are using his time, I can tell you Adam is in the category of being a very good, very solid, agent.”
“That’s useful to know. Is he the kind of guy willing to share?I’m trying to sort out how to make sure this next package lands on your desk too. There’s a high probability one or more of these people were involved in Shannon’s abduction. You and Theo both need to see the contents as soon as possible.”
“I’m guessing Shannon put Adam’s name on the package for a reason. Let him open it. Tell him to reach out to me concerning the implications regarding Shannon and Chicago. He’ll take that advice. If he doesn’t . . . well, I’ll just move around whatever is necessary and shift him over to work for me. One way or the other, I’ll have the package details on my desk. Keep your priority with him on keeping the news Shannon is alive under wraps. Imply her further cooperation depends on how he handles what she’s now giving him.”
“I can play that tune without a problem.” Matthew saw Shannon heading back to the car, carrying a garment bag and two other bags. “I need to go. I’ll call you later tonight, Paul.”
He put the phone in his pocket and leaned against the side of the car. When Shannon was near enough for him to use his normal voice, he offered a smile and remarked, “Trying to impress me with your shopping speed?”
“You said pink. I think I look like a bit of cotton-candy fluff, but I admit it’s a nice dress, and I love the shoes.”
He laughed and opened the back door of the car so she could use the garment hook. “Then I’m grateful you took my advice.” He opened the trunk and deposited her other bags. “Like to do some more shopping, have a longer break, or do we head north a few more hours, choose a hotel to stay at for the night?”
“Let’s drive. What’s nearby this restaurant you mentioned to Adam York—shopping malls, movie theaters?”
“I remember a few.”
“I’m thinking I’ll see a
“An easy emotion to feel, given what she described,” Paul said. “There will be the appropriate moment to express that, but it’s not on the first day, not to her first remarks about whatoccurred. If this turns emotional, she won’t be able to survive the telling, not if it’s the opening card she’s laying down. That deck is going to have some brutally hard info still to come. You have to stay even keel enough to let her play them.”
Matthew ran his hand through his hair. “I hear you.” He needed to get professional help involved, someone Shannon would trust. He was going to screw this up and do some unintentional damage if he had to fly solo for much longer. He shifted the phone to his other hand. “What can you tell me about Adam York?”
“I know him by reputation,” Paul replied. “He’s not running a regional office yet, but he’s on the short list to get there. He’s a case guy, with his fingers in a lot of investigations, rather than moving up the policy side of the shop. He’s not strayed too far into organized crime, inter-state trafficking, violent serial crimes. He’s aggressive on white-collar crimes—pension fraud, charities that fund someone’s personal account, real-estate schemes, political kickbacks, bribery. Insurance fraud is a favorite. He arrests a lot of lawyers.”
“That’s not what I expected to hear.”
“I’ve been scrolling through his personnel file while we talk. Shannon’s envelopes to him on the child abductions seem out of place in his portfolio, but it looks like he’s done an excellent job with the information she provided. He’s exploited every bit of intelligence those mailings have produced. As far as the rest of his career—the people tapping him when something goes across regions are the top guys in the get-it-done side of the bureau. Simply from the ones who are using his time, I can tell you Adam is in the category of being a very good, very solid, agent.”
“That’s useful to know. Is he the kind of guy willing to share?I’m trying to sort out how to make sure this next package lands on your desk too. There’s a high probability one or more of these people were involved in Shannon’s abduction. You and Theo both need to see the contents as soon as possible.”
“I’m guessing Shannon put Adam’s name on the package for a reason. Let him open it. Tell him to reach out to me concerning the implications regarding Shannon and Chicago. He’ll take that advice. If he doesn’t . . . well, I’ll just move around whatever is necessary and shift him over to work for me. One way or the other, I’ll have the package details on my desk. Keep your priority with him on keeping the news Shannon is alive under wraps. Imply her further cooperation depends on how he handles what she’s now giving him.”
“I can play that tune without a problem.” Matthew saw Shannon heading back to the car, carrying a garment bag and two other bags. “I need to go. I’ll call you later tonight, Paul.”
He put the phone in his pocket and leaned against the side of the car. When Shannon was near enough for him to use his normal voice, he offered a smile and remarked, “Trying to impress me with your shopping speed?”
“You said pink. I think I look like a bit of cotton-candy fluff, but I admit it’s a nice dress, and I love the shoes.”
He laughed and opened the back door of the car so she could use the garment hook. “Then I’m grateful you took my advice.” He opened the trunk and deposited her other bags. “Like to do some more shopping, have a longer break, or do we head north a few more hours, choose a hotel to stay at for the night?”
“Let’s drive. What’s nearby this restaurant you mentioned to Adam York—shopping malls, movie theaters?”
“I remember a few.”
“I’m thinking I’ll see a
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