Chapter 22
“I’m impressed, Kathrine.” My boss nods at the files he’s been reading through.
“Thank you, sir,” I try my best to sound enthusiastic despite the fact I hate what I’m doing. The more I’ve learned about Jimmer the more I realize how needed he is in the cruel, fucked-up world we live in.
“We’re getting closer. Sending you to L.A. was worth the shit I got from the director.” He laughs to himself and I can understand why he’s amused. Holden and Fentor have been investigating the Lambroni brothers for nearly three years. They were not happy about having two of their most wanted handed in by a female agent from out of state.
“Right place at the right time. I got a tip on Adams from watching the Souls and had to see it through.”
“And where is Adams now? He’s the weak link, he was supposed to be your focus,” he reminds me.
“What if we aim a little higher?” I suggest, knowing that it will pique his interest. Adrian Longford is an ambitious man and although he’s an asshole, he’s one I’ve ruled out from being connected to the organization. “Colorado is the Dirty Souls’ founding charter; it”s always been our primary target,” I remind him. “What could we offer Jimmer Carson if he turned himself in?” I ask, keeping my head held high when he spits his coffee back into his mug and laughs at me.
“Leaders of organizations like the Souls never turn themselves in. They don’t do time, not when they have men prepared to do it for them.”
“But, what if he was different? I think I could get a lot out of him, but he cares about his family. If we could offer him some kind of transition and some assurances?—”
“We don’t negotiate with criminals, Katherine.” He looks at me over the top of his glasses.
“We both know that’s not true, Mr. Longford.”
He looks a little unnerved when I stand up and rest my palms on his desk.
“I know you struck a deal with Lincoln Mathers.” I lay all my cards on the table, and he does a real shit job of hiding how nervous he’s become. “I know that you didn’t get a confession, and the best spot in the parking lot, just from evidence. You made him talk, you offered him security, and consequently, all our investigations on the Irish were dropped when he went down.”
“That was different, the Irish don’t wear leather cuts and?—”
“It’s exactly the same. I want one month in the Fort Collins facility. One month to talk to the man who holds all the power. I can make him talk, but there is no way I can make him turn on his members, they’re family to him.”
“Do you know what favors I’d have to call in to pull off a deal like that? Fort Collins is a confidential facility, and way above your level of clearance. How do you know about it?” he questions suspiciously.
“I know I can make Jimmer Carson talk, and I know the director can bend a few rules and offer him a deal. I guess the question you should be asking isn’t how I know about it, but how badly you want Jimmer Carson.” I retake my seat and wait for his answer.
“I want the Souls. The club, Kathrine.”
“No, you don’t, you know as well as I do that when it comes to organized crime, there has to be a balance. It’s just like the food chain, boss. You take out the Souls and there will be chaos. Whether you like to admit it or not, law enforcement needs them. In most towns they run out of, they are the balance. They may be outlaws but they hold respect, without them there would be a lot more case files building up and we’re already understaffed.” He focuses his eyes on mine and I hold them because I won’t back down on this. I made Jimmer a promise and I will get him the deal that will save his club.
“You got three weeks.” Longford glares at me.
“And a deal?” I push for what really matters.
“That all depends on what you can get, Consuela.” He stands up and opens the door so I know to make my exit.