Chapter 37 Donovan
Donovan
I pace through the foyer of the city building, seeing it quiet as you would suspect for a Saturday afternoon.
“Donovan.”
“Jai. I came as soon as I could.” I nod to him.
“Won’t take long. I just have a few things. You need to submit your cell and show ID.” He nods toward the security desk, and I pass everything over. They take my photo, and I’m handed a pass.
“Great, this way.”
I follow him as we walk past the security doors into the FBI’s office here in New York.
I see people everywhere. It’s one of the largest and most active FBI divisions in the country, often handling high-profile investigations involving organized crime, terrorism, financial fraud, and public corruption.
They have the staff and the resources to investigate Marcus Jasper. I know they will get him.
“Just in here.”
I walk into an office, one that looks more homely than I ever considered.
“What do you need?” I ask, because I don’t want to be away from Jessica for too long.
“I just wanted to clarify a few things with you, but we’re almost ready to move.
We’ve been watching Marcus since you brought us the information.
He has displayed further evidence of his business behavior, but we saw him meet up with a man yesterday.
I wanted to know if you if knew him or had any feedback on this person. ”
Agent Jai slides an image across the desk, and I grab it. Looking at it, I feel sick.
“Jimmy.” I say his name as my world starts to crumble. Panic runs up my chest, knowing she’s at the shop, the one place Jimmy frequents.
“Jimmy? His name is Justin Owens. A convicted con man, been in and out of jail most of his life.”
I look at Jai like he’s crazy.
“This is Jimmy. A lawyer in the city.” I frown, not connecting the dots.
“Justin has been jailed for fraud, money laundering, and sexual assault.” My back straightens.
“Sexual assault?” I ensure I heard him right.
“Yeah, he’s a real peach. We saw him meet with Marcus Jasper earlier this week, so we’re now almost certain Marcus Jasper has been funding his business expansions illegally, if this is the kind of company he keeps.”
“Take a look.” He slides a file across the desk to me, and I open it. I see report after report, photo after photo of Jimmy in various states of disarray.
“I don’t believe it…” I say, almost to myself.
“He grew up in foster care, bounced around from house to house for most of his teen years before he learned a few tricks on the streets and eventually paved his way into being a criminal con man.”
“He’s a friend of Jessica’s.” I look up at Jai, panic starting to fill my bones.
“He’s no one’s friend, Donovan.” Jai sits forward.
“I need to get to her.” I stand, ready to run. I have no idea if Jimmy will pop by the shop today, but… “It’s Saturday, and Jimmy always stops to see her at work on Saturdays.”
“Then we better go.” He grabs his suit coat, and we walk out. I immediately call her as Jai barks orders, and before I know it, I’m in an elevator, going down to a basement.
“She’s not answering…” I scowl, seeing she called me when I was in with Jai but didn’t leave a message.
“Keep trying. Get in,” Jai barks as I jump into a car with men who look ready for war and shoot Gordon a text to get him to meet me at the shop.
“I’ll call her uncle.” I dial the shop number and get Vivian.
“Vivian. Where’s Jessica? Can I speak with her?” I don’t mean to sound abrupt, but I can hear commotion on her end.
“Donovan. Oh, thank God. We have a situation.” She’s panicky, I can hear it in her voice.
“Situation, what situation?”
Jai looks at me sharply as the car we’re in speeds out of the city. We have a green corridor the entire way.
“Media have come into the shop. It’s out of control.”
I can hear Bob yelling in the background.
“I’ll get some men there. Can you put Jessica on? Is she alright?” I hate that I left her. I hate that she has to deal with all this. I put the call on speaker as I type out a text to my security team that I have based around the shop, getting them to surround the shop and help with media control.
“She’s not here…” Vivian's voice stalls. “Oh, she left a note.”
“A note?” I pause.
“She’s snuck out the back with Jimmy. She’s gone to the subway to go home.”
“She’s gone with Jimmy?” I look at Jai, who eyes me fiercely, and the vehicle we’re in goes even faster.
“Said she’s making her way to the subway and then to her apartment.”
“Thanks, Vivian. I’ll get help to you soon.” I end the call with my shoulders tight.
“He got her?” Jai comments, and I can’t say anything. I just grit my teeth and nod. Because if Jimmy has touched her, I’m going to fucking kill him. Damn the consequences.