Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 146392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Sami opened her laptop. “We have intelligence that puts The Jester in Germany at the same time this photo was taken. It was uploaded to a tip site we have asking for help finding The Jester. It’s run through Interpol and talks only about him moving arms in the Middle East. We don’t want to tip off that the intelligence community is looking for him because of his connections to the bombmaker.”
“And this is the first tip you’ve gotten?” Lou leaned over, studying the picture. Well, there was no way to argue that wasn’t TJ, however the other man’s face was down, a hood over his head. They were walking down a street in Berlin that led by the Brandenburg Gate and eventually to the US Embassy.
“Not at all.” Oliver was all business now. “We’ve had several. Most of them didn’t pan out. Here’s the truth. Something changed a little over two years ago. The Jester had been small time before then, and suddenly the man was everywhere, but no one is willing to confirm his identity.”
“This is the best picture you have?” Kenzie asked. “Because that seems weird. I know Berlin isn’t as packed with CCTVs as London, but there should have been more than one picture. If you were following him…or were they following TJ?”
“That’s the question,” Sami agreed. “Why would anyone have been tracking them? And if they were, why this grainy, tells-us-nothing photograph? It’s frustrating, but I believe it’s real enough that this is the reason TJ was targeted the way he was. I also find it interesting that they were smart enough to know TJ was vulnerable. I would bet he usually went out on the town with members of his team when they have downtime.”
“You’re right,” Zach agreed. “If they’d waited even another day, he likely would have been called back in, or he would have caught a flight back to the States. That night was the perfect one to take him.”
“I don’t like coincidences,” Oliver admitted.
“So all you have is that picture.” Lou was getting angry. One picture was all it took to put TJ’s whole career at risk?
“Of course not. Along with the picture, we received proof that someone has been paying the sergeant. He received five thousand in an offshore account three days after that picture was taken,” Oliver explained. “There was also an eyewitness report placing TJ in close proximity to one of The Jester’s recent large sales. We have intelligence that proves The Jester recently sold a hundred thousand dollars’ worth of small arms to several groups in Eastern Europe.”
That part of the continent was on the edge, Russian saber rattling causing all the old Soviet bloc countries to take sides and stash arms.
The money was the key. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had put money into an account to frame another person. She shook her head. “Five thousand is nothing in that world.”
Oliver’s shoulder shrugged. “It’s enough for an errand. Or to purchase some intelligence.”
She didn’t like Oliver Knight. “He wouldn’t sell his country out for any amount, much less five grand. You know his family is well off, right?”
“His uncles are,” Sami mused. “His parents, not so much. Theo and Erin are relatively middle class. I know they didn’t pay for their daughter’s college.”
“No. My dad and uncles did that,” Kenzie said, her eyes narrowing. “And they offered to pay for TJ’s, too. Devi wanted to go to a private school. Most families can’t afford that, but there’s not a lot Uncle Case’s money can’t buy. Which is why it’s ridiculous to think TJ would take five grand to do something that could ruin his career when all he has to do is ask his uncles and they’ll pay for anything he needs.”
“Case Taggart’s money belongs to his wife,” Oliver pointed out.
“I assure you Aunt Mia would disagree,” Kala argued. “Look, none of this matters because you’re not going to believe us until we tear apart your evidence. Which Lou’s going to do.”
Zach stared at his screen, his hands working the keys. “I need a date. When was this sale TJ was supposedly close to, and when was the money transferred?”
“We believe The Jester was in Bulgaria to finalize a sale on this date. Two days later, the money went into the account.” Sami wrote on a piece of paper and slid it Zach’s way. “You have to understand why we’ve been so cautious. If your team is involved in any way, we have to be careful. Honestly, we haven’t wanted to work with the Agency since we realized TJ was potentially involved. The Taggart name opens some doors we would rather stay closed.”
“Meaning the Agency would come in and take control and cover things up if they needed to,” Kala said, polishing off one of the cinnamon twists.