Chapter 35
“Wait. You can’t find him either?”
Haversham sighed. “He’s been all over the place lately. Stressed from his new responsibilities as ASAC, overseeing all the RAs. Then dealing with his parents and his grandfather’s continued determination to get Matthew to leave the Bureau and come work for him at Raleway.”
Jaen blinked. “Seriously? That company is worth millions.”
“I know. So does Matthew, which is why he wants to stay far from it and the shady work his grandfather does.” Haversham scowled. “With the Collective exposed, it’s a sure bet Senator Scott is a part of it. And if he’s not, he certainly knows who is.”
Jane didn’t discount anything Haversham said. He and Matthew had been good friends for years. Everyone knew it. It had been no surprise when Matthew took the ASAC role when Wade left and the director shuffled everyone around.
Matthew was smart, organized, and successful at work. But he also had friends and family in high places. His promotion made sense on a multitude of levels.
She wondered if it bothered him that others might think he hadn’t earned the promotion, then knew it did. He had been trying so hard to distance himself from his father. Even now, with the investigation, he wanted so badly for his father not to be involved in anything illegal.
Yet Jane understood that Matthew would do what was right in the end. No matter how it might hurt him.
She hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but her gut said the Scotts were involved.
“He’ll do the right thing,” Haversham said softly, watching her. “Matthew can be stubborn and arrogant. But he always does what’s right in the end.” He shook his head. “How he came from a family like the Scotts and the Ruperts is a mystery.”
No love lost between Haversham and Nelson Rupert, apparently. “You’ve met Matthew’s grandfather?”
“I have.”
“By your tone, I take it the meeting wasn’t pleasant?”
“No. The man’s a snake in demon’s clothing.”
“Ouch.”
Haversham snorted. “Don’t act surprised.
You can see that natural born conceit any time Nelson talks on TV.
He’s frightening because he buys into the notion that he’s superior just because he’s rich.
” Haversham sighed. “Hell. Ignore me. I’m worried about this case.
Nothing involving August Kaminski ever turns out right. ”
“Which was why you didn’t want me saying too much in front of my boss.”
“Precisely. Natalie’s one of us and sides with the law. But Kaminski’s dangerous. The less others know, the better for them. You’re already read into this and have been since the Mazzuca case. I’ve been on this since the Harvesters in Vegas. And now Matthew’s involved.”
“Well, he was my boss during the Mazzuca case.”
“It’s more than that, Jane. I’m afraid Matthew’s going to become a pawn to shake his father or grandfather into doing Kaminski’s bidding. I’m keeping a close eye on him. Make sure you do too.” He smiled but said nothing else.
“What’s that look?”
“What look? There’s no look here, Agent Cannon.”
“You know we shared dinner.” So much for having a private life.
“What?”
“Matthew and I were discussing my previous experience with the Poulsbo RA. He wanted to know about the people there. We talked about it over dinner.”
“Of course.”
He didn’t believe her. What exactly had Matthew told him, if he even had? Haversham was shifty and could be fishing. Well, Jane had no intention of sharing any more of her personal life. She shut up and nodded with respect. “Sir. I’d best get back to work.”
He escorted her to the door. “If you hear from Matthew, please let me know.”
“He went quiet on me last week. I think he’s letting his obsession with this case get to him.”
“You’re probably right.” He stood with his hand on the door frame. “I hadn’t anticipated the Scotts losing Louis Miller. That’s not going according to Kaminski’s playbook. It’s way too visible. Someone wants us to think Kaminski planned it that way.”
“We know he didn’t.”
“So does Matthew.” Haversham looked uneasy. “Look out for him, would you?”
“I will if he’d just keep still.”
He gave a short laugh. “That’s never going to happen with Matthew Scott. Report back when you can. I’m always a phone call away.” Before she could leave, he added, “Tell your uncle I said hello and that I’m taking good care of his niece.”
She wiped a hand over her face.
He added, “And please ask him to stop hacking into my personal files before I’m forced to retaliate.”
“Yes, sir,” she mumbled and escaped before he could say any more.
She had plenty she wished to say to her uncle at dinner the following night.
* * *
After a few more hours at work, Jane checked her messages. Still nothing from that TS who’d talked to Grimshaw. What did he have for her? It bothered her not to know.
She’d just decided to go home for the night when she ran into Jenn at the stairwell.
“You’re not going to believe this.”
Jane smirked. “And hello to you too.”
“Hello. And get this…”
“What?” Jane was in no mood for guessing games, exhausted by trying to second guess every move Kaminski and Rook might make and coming up short every time.
Jenn pulled Jane aside so another agent could get past them. “Remember the fraud case I was working?”
“Fraud? I thought you were on gangs and trafficking.”
Jenn nodded. “That too. But the fraud case is based on this scammer using fake charities to solicit donations in crypto. So yeah, I’ve been talking to Lisa too. And you’re right. She makes your head hurt. But you’ll never guess whose name the scammers are using to gain donations.”
“Who?”
“Belinda Scott.”
Jane stared. “Are you serious?”
“Do Seattleites like coffee?”
“Hold on. Belinda Scott, Matthew’s mom, is involved in fake charities trying to scam people out of their crypto? She’s super wealthy. Why would she be doing that?”
“Who knows? Maybe she never thought she’d get caught.”
Or maybe August Kaminski and Rook were spinning more webs and lies.