“How did he take it?” I asked.
“He said, and I’m quoting directly, ‘Dad, I always thought the maintenance story was a little thin.'”
I laughed.
I couldn’t help it.
“He’s flying in tomorrow,” Dad said.
“He wants to be here.”
Director Marsh had used the hour to make calls of her own.
When Dad returned to the table, she was ready.
“I’ve spoken to the deputy director,” she said.
“He’s aware of the situation.
He’s authorized a formal review, which means Victor’s documents will be taken into evidence under a protected chain of custody.” She looked at Victor.
“You and Ray will be placed in a secure location tonight.
Not a field office — a private residence we use for sensitive witnesses.
You’ll be comfortable.”
Victor looked at Ray.
Ray gave a small nod.
“All right,” Victor said.
“The woman named in that document,” Director Marsh continued, “has not been contacted and will not be contacted until the deputy director has reviewed the full record.
That review begins tomorrow morning.” She paused.
“She doesn’t know we have the documents yet.”
“She will soon,” Dad said.
“She has eyes in a lot of places.”
“I know.
That’s why the review is being handled by a team that reports directly to the deputy director and no one else.” She looked at Dad.
“Your name will be part of the record.
There’s no way around that.
But the deputy director has agreed that your operational file will remain sealed to the public.
What becomes part of the investigation record is separate from what becomes public.”
“I understand.”
“Do you want legal representation before this goes further?”
“I want to go home,” he said.
“After it’s done.”
She nodded.
Captain Reeves came in from the parking lot.
He leaned down and said something quietly to Director Marsh.
She looked up.
“There’s a car parked across the street,” she said.
“It’s been there since we arrived.
Reeves ran the plate.”
“Whose is it?” Dad asked.
“Registered to a federal motor pool.
Which means either we have a tail from our own side, or someone borrowed a car they shouldn’t have.”
Dad looked at Victor.
“Did anyone follow you here?”
“Not that I saw.
But I’m not twenty-five anymore.”
Ray spoke for the first time in an hour.
His voice was quiet and flat.
“There was a man at the counter when we arrived.
He left about ten minutes after you came in.
I didn’t like how he left.”
“How did he leave?” I asked.
“Like he’d already gotten what he came for.”
Director Marsh was already on her phone.
She spoke for thirty seconds, listened, spoke again.
When she hung up, her expression was controlled.
“The car across the street just pulled away,” she said.
“We have a team picking it up.” She looked at Dad.
“We need to move Victor and Ray now.
And I need you somewhere secure tonight.”
“I’m staying with my daughter,” Dad said.
“Thomas—”
