Chapter 14 #2
Peyton opened her mouth, but Dawson placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. He knew Chief Garcia well and trusted him to handle this.
“SSA Fallon, I appreciate the delicate balance you need to strike, but what you’re asking for is out of the question.
We have direct evidence linking the Iron Serpents to Ms. Morrison’s disappearance, and as it stands now, we believe she may be alive.
I cannot stop pursuing leads or hold up our investigation. Not when a woman’s life is at risk.”
“Our intelligence suggests the Iron Serpents are not involved in your missing persons case.”
Peyton inhaled sharply. “Is Lilia dead?”
Derek looked at her, and a flash of sympathy sparked before he buried it.
“I don't know where your cousin is, Special Agent Hughes.
What I do know is that my operation has eyes and ears inside the biker gang, and Lilia Morrison has not come up recently.
If she were being held by the Serpents, we'd know it.”
Dawson was tempted to ask what Fallon knew about the evidence Lilia supposedly stole, but he wasn’t sure he’d get a straight answer. If the ATF undercover agents were embedded with the Iron Serpents and knew Lilia had taken evidence, then they should be looking for her too.
“Might I suggest a compromise,” Chief Garcia said. “An ATF agent is welcome to join our task force. That way we can avoid stepping on your toes, but still have the freedom to pursue all leads.”
“Chief, I don’t think you understand. Pursuing the Iron Serpents in any way puts my people at risk and threatens an investigation we’ve spent nearly a year building.
As fellow members of law enforcement, I would think that means something.
” His expression hardened. “I’m formally requesting your assistance in this matter, and hope you’ll give it.
I would hate for things to become political and messy. ”
Dawson rocked back on his heels. Who was this guy? He’d worked with federal agents before, and found them to be cooperative and helpful. Fallon was making it clear this was his ground, not theirs, and was willing to threaten the Chief over it.
Was he simply protecting his case and his people? Or was there more to it?
Chief Garcia straightened. “SSA Fallon, I don’t take orders from you, and I don’t appreciate the attempt to railroad me.
Out of respect for your undercover officers, we will proceed with caution, but I won’t stop looking for Ms. Morrison simply to save your investigation.
Working together is our best option, and I encourage you to reconsider my offer to do so. ”
Fallon looked ready to spit nails. “I’ll assign an ATF agent first thing tomorrow morning. Until then, I’ll need you to steer clear of the Iron Serpents. I’m sure none of us want to put my agents at risk.”
“Of course not.” Chief Garcia rose, a polite smile on his face. “I’m glad we could come to an agreement.”
Derek scowled, the veil of politeness completely gone. He stormed out of the office, slamming the door hard behind him.
Dawson almost laughed. “Wow. Talk about a dramatic exit.”
Liam grinned. “I have a feeling whoever he assigns to the task force won’t be bringing donuts and coffee to our next meeting.” He plopped back down in the chair. “They didn’t forget to inform us about their operation. They purposefully left us out of the loop.”
“The ATF should also be knocking down our door, asking for help to find Lilia.” Peyton’s gaze narrowed. “She dated Cade, and could be an asset. So why are they trying to hinder our investigation?”
Chief Garcia’s expression was speculative as he reclaimed his seat.
“It may be exactly as Fallon said. They’re close to dismantling the entire organization, and they don’t want us to screw that up.
He didn’t tell us to stop looking for Lilia, just that we needed to steer clear of Cade and the Iron Serpents. ”
Dawson frowned. “All this time, we’ve assumed Cade kidnapped Lilia from the train depot. It was a reasonable theory based on the attack on Peyton and the bandana we found at the scene. But what if she escaped and has gone underground?”
Liam tilted his head. “It could explain why we didn’t find her car at the train depot.”
“So…where is she? And why hasn’t she contacted anyone?”
“Maybe she thinks it’s too risky,” Peyton suggested. “Marvis certainly sounded scared of Cade. He said he has eyes and ears everywhere...” She straightened in her chair. “Her lawyer.”
Dawson frowned. “What?”
“Lilia hired an attorney to draft the guardianship paperwork for Grace. What if she knows where my cousin is? She could even have the evidence Lilia stole in her possession.”
“I called her,” Liam said. “Carmen Reyes refused to talk to me because of attorney-client privilege. I explained it was a matter of life and death, but she didn’t budge.”
“That doesn’t mean anything. Lilia may have left specific instructions with her attorney, but only for me.
” She turned to the chief. “Not to mention, if we really believe Lilia may have escaped on the night of the train depot attack, then she’s hiding out somewhere.
We never figured out where she was living right before and right after having Grace.
That could be where she is now. Speaking to her lawyer could be the break we need to blow this open.
” She grinned. “And it keeps me far away from the Iron Serpents.”
Chief Garcia shot her an amused look. “You’re a team player, Special Agent Hughes.”
“Anything to help out the ATF, sir.” She rose and arched her brows at Dawson. “What do you say, Graham? Interested in a road trip?”
He sighed. What Dawson wanted to do was lock her on his ranch behind a wall of armed guards, but he was wise enough to know he wouldn’t win that argument. Peyton’s mind was made up. There would be no talking her out of this. “Do I have a choice?”
She laughed, hooking an arm through his. “No. Not really.”