Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
BECKETT
"How could you?" I laid into Callahan as soon as he sat in the booth across from me at The Pit.
Sloane sat at the bar. Half her attention was on me and the other half on Ranger. I had to ensure her in no uncertain terms that I wouldn't attack my old partner in a bar full of people. I don't think she believed me, considering she was watching me closely.
"What are you talking about? You said you had information on Alexander's whereabouts and wanted my help."
"Oh I know where Alexander is. Talked to him actually. Care to guess what he told me?"
For the first time, Callahan looked concerned. "I'm sure whatever it was, was a bunch of lies. The guy was known for screwing people over."
I had to give Callahan credit. He was saying all the right things so far.
If it weren't for the apprehension in his eyes, I would think nothing of his words.
"Normally I would agree with you, but then I discovered his thumb drive.
An insurance policy of sorts. He kept very detailed reports of his interactions and those of his family. "
I could see the moment Callahan realized I knew what was going on.
"Tell me why you helped Mason escape WITSEC and stay hidden all these years? Why you purposely jeopardized the Dunkin case when you knew how hard I worked on it? Tell me why you lied to me?"
It was that last question that hurt the most. I trusted Callahan and to know he went behind my back hurt more than any other betrayal.
"It's not what you think."
I slapped the table with my palm. Causing several of the patrons to glance over. "Then tell me what it was. Help me understand because from where I'm sitting, you're a dirty federal agent."
"That's bullshit, and you know it. I tried to tell you not to force Mason. I knew he would never testify, but you wouldn't listen. You were too young and too eager. You thought you were invincible. If Mason had testified, he would be dead right now. I saved him."
"Saved him, how? By making him a wanted man?"
Callahan looked at me with disappointment. "No, that was you who did that. You forced my hand when you wouldn't listen."
I couldn't believe my ears. Callahan had the nerve to blame me.
"Think about it, Walsh. If Alexander was able to find out I helped his son, just think how much he knew before that. Mason never would've made it to the courtroom, let alone long enough to testify. He knew Mason was talking to you. He was just waiting to see how it played out."
"How did you know that? And why didn't you tell me?"
"Would you have listened?"
I didn't even have to think about it. No, I wouldn't have. Back then, I thought I knew it all. Was convinced I had Mason eating out of the palm of my hand and ready to help me with my case. It was a blow to my ego when he ran off and took my shot of putting Alexander away behind bars.
"No." I met his stare head-on. "But why didn't you tell me when I came to you about Mason resurfacing."
"And say what? I killed your case seven years ago. Sorry but I hope you can forgive me. We both know that wouldn't have ended well."
No, it most likely wouldn't have. "Just tell me how you knew?"
Callahan sighed. "Deputy Director Banger came to me.
I didn't think anything of it at first because he was praising you.
He kept talking about how good of an agent you were already and had such a bright future.
But it was his parting shot that worried me.
He said how it would be a shame if your career came to an end early on because you got too carried away trying to turn a mobster's son against him. "
I had a feeling I knew where this was going now that I knew more about Banger.
"Around that same time, a lot of the senior agents were talking about good agents getting canned or leaving the job unexpectedly. At first, no one thought much about it, but then we started to notice patterns, and they all circled around Banger."
"You didn't think to tell anyone?" This was the man who preached to me about doing the right thing when I started.
"Who would I tell? Banger was the FBI's golden boy. Everyone loved him, and we had no evidence. I knew damn well you had a bright future ahead of you. I didn't want to see it destroyed before you had the chance to show the world."
"If you really felt that way, then why did you tell me recently you didn't think I was meant for the FBI?"
Callahan sighed. "Your reaction to Mason disappearing changed my mind.
At first, I thought you were too hyper focused on the case that you didn't see the problems. Then I realized too late you genuinely cared.
And after what Banger said. The not-so-subtle threat, I knew one day you would end up like those other agents if I didn't keep an eye on things.
It was why I was so adamant after retirement that you stayed in touch with me.
I wanted to make sure, when the time came, you left for good reasons, not because Banger pushed you out. "
"And you figured Anita was a good reason."
Some of what he was saying started to click. I wanted to believe Callahan had my best interests at heart even though I still felt betrayed by what he did with Mason.
"She stands for more. From what I can tell, Anita doesn't give a shit about bureaucracy.
She cares about helping innocent people, and I know you feel the same way.
The FBI is holding you back. People like Banger will fuck you over, and before you know it, you'll resent the job. I was trying to avoid that for you."
I didn't necessarily agree with the way he went about things, but I got it. Callahan saw what I couldn't.
"So what are you going to do now?" Callahan genuinely looked interested in knowing my answer.
"I'm going to try and take down Banger. Alexander provided me all the evidence I needed.
I guess he figured if he was going to die, he might as well take everyone with him.
Then once I do that, I'm going to leave the FBI.
You're right. The FBI is holding me back.
I can do a lot more good with Anita and her team.
I just have to convince her it's the right move. "
"Is that one of her teammates over at the bar? She hasn't taken her eyes off you."
I snickered. "Yeah, that's one of them. I'm sure she's getting anxious at this point."
"Well, go assure her I'm not here to hurt you and then go get your girl. I meant it when I said she's your soulmate. I think the two of you will do great things."
We both got out of the booth, and I slapped Callahan on the back. I had to think about everything he said and decide how I wanted our friendship to be moving forward. Callahan's heart was in the right place, but the betrayal stung. It would take some time to get past that.
I walked over to where Sloane was waiting for me.
"You ready to go?"
"I've been ready for awhile now. Anita's blowing up my phone. Once she realized you left the compound, she went apeshit. I had to talk her off the ledge from coming here to drag your ass back."
"And here I thought she didn't like me all that much."
Sloane snorted. "She'll never admit her feelings are involved. It's just not the kind of woman she is. But if you're okay with that and can accept her for who she is, then I think the two of you have a future together."
Oh, I would accept it. I would take Anita any way I could get her because I knew damn well she cared. She was just emotionally stunted, and that was one of the many things I loved about her.
I might never hear her say she loved me, but in my heart, I knew it was true. And that was all that mattered.