Chapter Twenty-four
“What the hell? Man, what are you doing up here? If they catch you, you’re in deep shit.” Dale grabbed Noel’s arm and hauled him away from the office in the opposite direction. They ran toward a moving set of stairs that Dale must have driven close in order to save Noel from being caught.
They both jumped on to the machine so Dale could wheel it away from danger. They’d managed it just in time as they saw the three angry men running for the office, Bart taking a verbal beating from a very unhappy Duggan.
Spying the situation from his perch above the mess, Noel had to grin.
Clarence certainly knew how to make an impression.
Before he could leave the platform of the lifter, Dale stared him down.
“What the hell were you doing up there, man? You know if they found you, they’d have hurt you.
That office is off limits. I warned you. ”
“You did. And I appreciate it. But there was something I needed to do, it means the world to a lot of people, and I’d take it as a personal favor if you didn’t tell anyone what just happened.”
Dale leaned in close and spoke softly, “I’ve got your back, bro.
I’m FBI, an undercover agent. Lately, I’ve been working with your cousin, and he warned me you might try some heroics like this.
” Dale slid his credentials out from his pocket long enough for Noel to see them.
“Look, in case you think you’re all alone dealing with these thieving mobsters, it just isn’t true.
We’ve been on this for some time now, just never got close enough to get the evidence I figure you got today. Am I right?”
Noel grinned and grabbed the other man’s arm, shook his hand and passed on the memory stick.
Then he removed the laptop and held it out.
“Here’s an early Christmas present for my cousin.
If it holds the proof I’m praying it does, then I have a feeling everyone in the town will be looking forward to a new year of prosperity. ”
“You got it, man. A pleasure working with you.”
Noel left the plant then, walked out without giving notice or even speaking to Bart. He felt lighter than he had since the nightmare began.
That was for you, Harry… Dad. We’ll prove to the world that the Bradford’s are good people. Always have been.