Chapter 26 #2
“And Celia’s mother, Loretta.” I add quickly, remembering how much Celia misses her family. “If she wants to relocate with us, she should be included in the protection arrangements.”
“That’s asking for a lot.” Patricia speaks for the first time since we began reviewing evidence. “Immunity for multiple homicides, witness protection for four people, and new identities that would cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
I don’t bother to share that we’ll slip out of WitSec and assume our own new identities once the heat dies down, after I’ve fulfilled my obligations. I don’t and can’t fully trust the government with my family’s safety.
“Yes, but that’s in exchange for evidence that could save dozens of federal agents’ lives and expose corruption that reaches into the highest levels of Bureau leadership, like Director Frayne.
” I gesture toward the laptop. “What I’ve shown you so far is maybe thirty percent of what we’ve collected.
The rest is firewalled behind passwords that would take you months to break, if you can break them at all. ”
“Or we could charge you with the murders you’ve admitted to and let you explain your justifications to a jury.” Lipsey’s tone suggests he’s testing my resolve rather than making an actual threat.
“You could try, but while you’re building that case, corrupt agents will be destroying evidence, eliminating witnesses, and probably killing more innocent people.” I meet his stare without blinking. “Do you want justice or convictions?”
The silence that follows stretches long enough for me to hear the building’s ventilation system cycling.
Lipsey and Patricia are weighing options and considering political implications alongside legal ones.
What I’m offering could make careers, but it could also destroy them if the corruption reaches higher than they’re prepared to confront.
“We’ll need to verify the evidence independently.” Patricia finally breaks the silence. “And we’ll need guarantees about your continued cooperation.”
“I’ll provide whatever verification you need, and my cooperation continues as long as the people I care about remain safe.
” I pause, then add the crucial element.
“I need protection for Celia now, not after you’ve spent months investigating.
She’s pregnant and vulnerable, and Lang’s associates know she exists. ”
“Where is she now?” asks Lipsey.
Patricia answers. “I have her in a safe house, under federal protection.”
I’m glad to hear that but have to point out, “Federal protection means nothing if the protective detail includes corrupt agents.”
There’s another exchange of glances between Lipsey and Patricia. They’re beginning to understand the corruption I’m describing makes normal procedures potentially dangerous for everyone involved.
“What kind of timeline are we talking about?” Lipsey opens his legal pad again. “How long to turn over all evidence and provide the testimony you’re promising?”
“Depends on how fast you can arrange new identities and secure relocation.” I remain relaxed and leaning back, signaling I’m negotiating from a position of strength rather than desperation. “I’m not providing anything else until I know Celia and our child will be safe.”
“New identities take time. Background documentation, employment history, financial records—you’re talking about creating entire life histories for four people.”
“Then we better get started. Every day we delay is another day for Lang’s associates to regroup and eliminate loose ends.”
Patricia taps her pen against her notes. “You mentioned Lang’s associates. How many people are we talking about?”
“At least eighteen corrupt agents across six field offices, plus judges, prosecutors, and political figures who were taking Lang’s money.
That will lead to multiple crime families and potentially hundreds of arrests.
” I gesture toward the laptop again. “All documented, all provable, and all ready to be prosecuted if you’re willing to follow the evidence where it leads. ”
“What if some of that evidence implicates people in this building?” asks Lipsey.
Once again, Patricia answers before I can. “Evidence suggests it does, from what I’ve seen. We’ll deal with that problem when we come to it, but I’m not protecting corrupt officials just because they happen to work for the federal government.”
The conversation continues for another two hours, covering details about evidence locations, witness testimony, and the logistics of dismantling a corruption network that spans multiple states.
Lipsey asks sharp questions designed to test the credibility of my information, while Patricia focuses on operational details about how the network functioned.
By the time we finish, the coffee smell has given way to the staleness that comes from spending too long in closed spaces. I can see in their faces they understand the value of what I’m offering.
“We’ll need time to review everything and coordinate with appropriate authorities.” Lipsey closes his legal pad and gathers his files. “A preliminary agreement is possible if the evidence checks out.”
“How much time?”
He shrugs. “Seventy-two hours for initial verification. If everything you’ve shown us is legitimate, we can begin formal arrangements for immunity and protection.”
I look at Patricia. “And until then?”
“Conditional release with monitoring.” Patricia produces an ankle bracelet from her briefcase. “You’ll be under house arrest at a secure federal facility, where your associates are being held. You’ll be reunited with them while we process the agreement.”
I nod my agreement. The ankle monitor feels heavier than expected as they fasten it around my leg, but it’s infinitely better than remaining in federal detention while they verify information I know is accurate.
The important thing is getting back to Celia and making sure she’s safe while we wait for bureaucracy to catch up with necessity.
“One more thing.” I stand as they prepare to leave. “The corruption network knows about tonight’s events. They’ll be moving to protect themselves and eliminate evidence. If you wait too long to act on what I’ve given you, the opportunity will disappear.”
“We understand the urgency.” Lipsey pauses at the door. “But we also understand the consequences of moving too fast on allegations this serious.”
I incline my head. “Just remember that while you’re being careful, people might be dying.”