Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ty sat next to Nick in the downtown Airbnb, talking with Danny via conference call at the small kitchen table.
Over the last ninety minutes, he’d rehashed the pertinent points of his last three weeks in Shoalmans Bay, telling and retelling his co-workers the information that Will had shared with him today.
“So, you feel like he was being straight with you?” Danny asked from his desk at FBI Headquarters.
Ty nodded. “Without a doubt. The guy’s stressed out to the max.
He’s at his breaking point. He’s out of money, his wife just packed up the kids and left, and he’s terrified about exposing his family to the mess he’s made.
He’s fully aware that the backlash of this getting out could destroy his father’s career. ”
“And you feel confident that the senator knows nothing about any of this?”
He nodded again. “Absolutely. As I’ve mentioned, Will had no idea that Richard Russo had ties to organized crime until last night.
And that makes sense. If Will and the senator knew who Russo was, I have a hard time believing that Will would’ve been meeting with him in public, and they never would’ve allowed Russo to donate to their nonprofit with a personal check.
As it is, there will be questions about the donation if James does throw his hat into the ring for the presidency.
His opponents and the media will be looking for any ammunition they can find to bring question to his character. ”
Danny blew out a breath. “Okay. Let me make some phone calls and talk to the powers that be. Sit tight, and I’ll get back to you guys.”
Ty nodded as Nick ended the call, struggling not to get up and pace in the small space. Undercover ops tended to be a roller-coaster ride. They had their highs and their lows, but when things fell into place, they moved fast.
He stood from his chair because he couldn’t stay still, heading over to the fridge. “Do you mind if I grab a bottled water?”
Nick shook his head. “Not at all.”
Ty opened the fridge. “Do you want one?”
Nick shook his head again. “I’m all set.”
Ty grabbed one, not at all interested in his drink as he set it on the counter in the tiny galley space.
Pulling his phone from his pocket, he opened the text app, selecting Lydia’s stunning face. He wanted to check in—to tell her something after leaving so abruptly, but at this point, there was nothing to say. Will had spilled the beans, but they were a long way from any sort of resolution.
Clenching his jaw, he shoved his phone back, realizing that Nick was studying him. “What’s up?”
Nick shrugged. “Nothing. I guess I’m just wondering how you’re doing with all of this?”
Ty shrugged now, not planning to say a damn thing about much of anything, especially after his co-workers had questioned where his loyalties lie mere hours ago. “It sounds like Will’s made a big mess for himself.”
“What does Lydia think about that?”
“I haven’t said anything to her. Will told me what he told me, and I headed over here.”
Nick nodded.
Ty grabbed the bottle of water and moved to the sliding glass door, staring out at another view of the Atlantic from the third floor.
“Do you want me to order us a pizza?”
Ty nodded. “Sure. Why not?” But mostly, he just wanted Danny to get back to them.
“Do you want anything in particular on it?”
Ty shook his head. “I’m pretty easy.”
“I’ll get us a large classic. It seems like it has a little bit of everything.”
“Sounds good.”
Nick placed the online order as Ty stepped out onto the tiny balcony, breathing in the ocean air.
Several agonizing minutes later, the computer alerted them to an incoming call.
Ty moved back to his spot next to Nick as Nick answered. “So, what’s up?”
“I talked to our guy at the DOJ. He’s comfortable with Ty’s findings.”
Ty nodded, waiting for the rest. Because there was always more. “So, what’s the plan for Russo and the drugs?”
Danny shook his head. “There is no plan. Our surveillance of Will and the senator seems to back Will’s story.
James Monroe hasn’t been seen with Richard Russo since the day they were together at Monroe House.
By all accounts, they shook hands in the parking lot and Russo got a tour of the facility.
Now that we have context for what that was most likely about—a generous donor getting a personal shmooze session with the senator himself—it’s clear that no laws have been broken. ”
“Yet,” Ty added. “Until Will Monroe allows Russo and the Giordano crime family to bring their drugs onto the Monroe House property.”
Danny shrugged. “I brought that information to the brass, and they said that’s outside our scope.”
Ty frowned. “And what the hell does that mean?”
“It means they’re shutting down our leg of the investigation. We made our quiet inquiry into the senator’s conduct on behalf of the DOJ. They’re satisfied that the senator’s done nothing wrong.”
“So that’s just it?”
Danny nodded. “Will Monroe, Richard Russo, and any narcotics stashed on the Monroe House property are the Boston Field Office’s problem. I mean, shit. They’re about to have a hell of a win.”
And Will and the Monroes would ultimately lose because of the information that he and his team had brought to the brass.
“You and Ms. Monroe need to stage your breakup,” Danny said next. “The brass wants you back in DC by Monday.”
Ty sat up straighter as the sucker punches kept coming. “It’s Friday.”
Danny raised his brow. “I’m well aware.”
Ty shook his head. “So, I just break up with her now that we have the answers? I talk to Will, then I immediately dump his cousin? That’ll look suspicious.”
Danny shrugged. “The Monroes can think whatever they want to think. This operation has nothing to do with us anymore.”
“So, all of this is just over?”
Danny nodded. “We’ll do our debrief on Monday morning and take care of any paperwork. Once again, you’ve done excellent work, Ty. We’ll give you a few weeks back on your squad while we wait for the next op to come along.”
Ty nodded because there was nothing else that he could say or do. “I’ll see you on Monday.”
Nick disconnected their call and stood. “I guess that’s a wrap.”
Ty gained his feet, pushing in his chair. “I guess so.”
“Do you want to stay for a slice of pizza? It should be here any minute.”
Ty shook his head. “I should probably get back to the compound.”
Nick held out his hand. “It was nice working with you, Ty. You’re a hell of an undercover.”
He returned Nick’s handshake. “Thanks. Maybe we’ll catch another case together.”
“You never know what might fall into our laps.”
Ty nodded. “That’s true.” He glanced at his watch because he needed to get the hell out of there. “I should get going.”
“What do you plan to say to Will?”
“That my clients weren’t able to think of anything that they could do to help him.”
Nick nodded. “When will you head back to DC?”
“Probably on Sunday.”
“Well, safe flight.”
“Safe flight.” He tossed up a wave at the door and headed for the elevator, never feeling quite so disgusted.
It had never bothered him to wrap up a case and move on.
The criminals he usually brought down deserved whatever they got, but this situation was entirely different.
Every single one of the Monroes was a genuinely good person.
Will had certainly made plenty of mistakes over the last several months, but none of them were worthy of bringing down the entire family.
He got into the Telluride and stared out the window, bobbing his leg up and down as he decided on his next move. Exhaling a long breath, he searched his contacts for a number he hadn’t dialed in a while, putting the call through as he turned over the ignition and pulled into traffic.
“Special Agent Corddry. To what do I owe this honor?”
Ty smiled as he heard Mason’s voice. They’d been buddies for years—since their LA Task Force days. “I’ve got something for you, and it’s big.”
“How big?”
“Pretty fucking big.”
“I like pretty fucking big.”
“If I share, it has to stay between us. No names. Not mine. Not my informants.”
“Are we stepping on toes?”
“I’m stepping on all the toes.” Because bringing FBI information to the DEA without permission was a big fucking no-no.
Mason whistled through his teeth. “Well, damn.”
“Can I trust you with this?”
“You know you can trust me with it.”
And he did. “It’s going to happen fast—early Sunday morning. You need to get your ass up to Boston, so we can figure all of this out.”
“I’ll make some calls to the Boston office and book a flight now.”
“I appreciate this.”
“It sounds mutually beneficial.”
Mostly, it was just the right thing to do—what the FBI should have done after he’d brought them Will’s information. “Let me know when you get your flight.”
“Sure thing.”
He hung up and found Will’s number next as he made a right onto the coastal road, heading closer to the compound.
“Yeah? Hello,” Will answered groggily.
“Hey, I just finished talking to my clients.”
“What did they say?” Will asked, instantly more awake.
“That they most likely have a way to help you.”
“Holy shit. Holy shit, man. You kept my name out of it?”
“No one knows anything about you.”
“Okay,” Will said with a sigh of unmistakable relief.
“I’m still waiting on some information. They have to get their ducks in a row. I’ll let you know what’s going on later today, but probably, it’ll be tomorrow morning.”
“I don’t know how to thank you, Ty.”
“You can get yourself some help.”
“It’s not going to be easy, but I plan to.”
“Good. This needs to stay between you and me.”
“I have no plans to tell anyone.”
“Sounds good.” He hung up, putting his phone down in the console as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. It was time to get home to Lydia. Somehow, they would have to figure out how to say goodbye.
Lydia paused with the dust cloth in her hand when she heard the car door slam outside. Tossing the microfiber to the table, she hurried to the window, relieved to see Ty walking down the path to the house. Moving quickly to the door, she opened it before he could. “Hi.”
He sent her a small smile. “Hey.”