Chapter Eight #2
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Cam.” I reached out to squeeze his bicep.
“Josiah might ‘ave guys watching the care center and it’ll put ya in more danger if he thinks you’re working with law enforcement.
” I looked at Mickey. “Let’s ‘ave a meal and take Cam back to our ‘otel to ring Candy.
We need to know ‘ow to ‘andle this situation.”
“Agreed,” Mickey said, looking up when our waitress came over with our burgers and set them down in front of us.
My mouth started watering at the sight of the delicious looking food.
There was nothing better than a diner for a good American style burger and these were no exception.
We tucked into our food eagerly, polishing it off quickly.
As soon as we were finished, I flagged her down and asked for the check.
I tossed some money on the table and we left the restaurant in much the same way we’d come in, keeping him protectively between us.
“We’re not stopping at my apartment?” Cam asked as I drove past his flat.
“We need to check in with our boss and get you a room for the night,” Mickey replied.
“Okay…uh…but I don’t have any other clothes.”
I glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “We’ll discuss this all when we get to our ‘otel, Cam.” I was a little concerned he wouldn’t be able to go back to his place at all; we’d see what Candy had to say about it, but I had a sinking suspicion that’s exactly what he’d decide.
We went to the registration desk as soon as we were back at the Flamingo and got him registered in a room on the same floor where Mickey and I were.
As soon as we were inside Mickey’s room, with the door locked and bolted, I breathed out a sigh of relief.
I had no idea how many guys Josiah had around town but knowing he could be watching unnerved me just a little.
Perhaps I was overreacting but I didn’t fancy the idea at all.
I could only imagine how Cam must be feeling.
Mickey’s room as always, was neat as a pin. I gestured to one of the two beds. “’Ave a seat, Cam. We need to check in with the boss.”
Cam sat on one of the queen beds while Mickey and I perched on the other. I checked the time on my dive watch; it wasn’t yet nine and pulled out my mobile, hitting speed dial, connecting with Candy after only a couple of rings.
“Clifford. I’m glad you called. I was getting concerned.”
“Hey, boss. I ‘ave ya on speaker with Mickey and Cam.”
“Hi, Candy,” Mickey said.
“Hello, everyone. I’m glad to finally meet you, Mr. Demarco.”
“Hello…um…” Cam looked at me.
“Sorry…Cam, you’re talking to Captain Candy Sorensen,” I said.
“Hi, Captain Sorensen,” Cam said. “It’s nice to talk to you.”
“You too, Mr. Demarco. I understand you’ve been helping our agents identify a man by the name of Josiah Sterling. Is that right?”
“Ah…yeah.”
“We weren’t able to get any photos of ‘im, boss,” I told him, “he’s the suspicious type. Should ‘ave ‘eard ‘im in the earwig. Doesn’t take any chances, that one.”
“Makes sense,” said Candy. “But what can you tell us about him?”
Cam shot me a wide-eyed look. I nodded. “Go ahead, tell ‘im about Sterling, Cam.”
“Anything you can tell the FBI about Mr. Sterling would be helpful, Mr. Demarco.”
“Okay. Well…ah…Josiah isn’t the kind of guy I’d ever cross. He’s dangerous.”
“What makes you say that?” Candy asked.
Cam shrugged. “Well, I told Mars and Mickey this…he’s just not a good guy.”
I nodded to him as he stared at me. “Tell Candy what ya told us about ‘im, Cam.”
“Please start at the beginning, Mr. Demarco. How did you meet him?”
Cam frowned, looking at me with wide eyes and shaking his head. I nodded my head in encouragement.
“It’s okay, Mr. Demarco,” Candy said. “I know what you do for him.” When Cam didn’t reply for several seconds, Candy clarified. “I know about the auto theft. The FBI isn’t going to prosecute you because you were acting as a confidential informant when you took the car today.”
“What about in the past?” Cam blurted, eyeing Mickey and me. “Is the FBI planning on prosecuting me for anything I did for Josiah before today?”
I snorted, unable to hide my smile. He was smart.
“If the FBI is able to put Josiah Sterling behind bars as a direct result of what you say or do to help catch him, we will grant you immunity from any non-violent crimes you may have committed involving him. We’re not concerned with what you’ve done in the past and as soon as you’re back in Los Angeles, you’ll have that immunity agreement in writing. Is that satisfactory?”
I nodded to Cam, and he let out a long sigh. “Okay. I’ll tell you everything I know about the guy. Like I told Mars and Mickey, I’m pretty sure he’s a really bad guy.”
“Which is what I gathered. Now, please tell us what you know about him.”
“One more thing,” Cam said.
I refrained from rolling my eyes.
“What’s that?”
“I want the FBI to protect my mom. He’s threatening to move her to L.A. since he says he’s planning on moving his entire organization there…along with me, of course. He says he’s only moving Mom to make it convenient for me, but it’s not.”
“I see,” Candy said. “What do you think it is then?”
Cam frowned, leaning closer to the mobile I held between us.
“I took it as a threat to hurt my mom if I don’t do everything he says.
I mean that. Once he has us in Los Angeles, he knows I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep her safe, so you’ll have to protect me and my mom or this whole deal is off the table. ”
Since he didn’t really have any other choice but to cooperate with the Bureau in order to keep his mom safe, it really was a hollow threat, but I didn’t think it was the time and place to point that out.
“Okay, I’m sure we can make that arrangement,” Candy said, much to Cam’s relief, if I was reading his body language correctly.
“I need you to promise me or I’m not telling you anything,” Cam insisted.
There was a long sigh on the other end of the phone.
I knew Candy was getting frustrated and judging by the way Mickey was tensing beside me, so did he.
“Fine, Mr. Demarco. Tell me everything you know about Josiah Sterling, and I’ll promise you the FBI will make sure both you and your mother are safe. ”
I smiled at Cam, nodding my head as he told Candy everything.