Page 85 of Very Special Forces

Maddoxnarrowed his eyes. "Are you following me?"

"No!"

"You doknow it's a crime to follow a federal employee?"

"I donow. Damn. Is it really?" I wished I hadn't known that but thenignorance didn't make it legal so perhaps it was best that I didknow. Then I could take steps in the future to avoid looking like Iwas doing something criminal even if I were. "Hey, don't evade theanswer. Who or what are you watching?"

"Thebuilding across the street," said Maddox.

"Thewarehouse?"

"No, theone on the right. It's part of the case we're building."

"Fromthat place where you never were?" I asked, thinking about thedumpster dive I'd previously taken.

"I'mstruggling to follow that confusing question, but yes."

Iapproached the filthy window and peeked out. Not only did Maddoxhave a very good view of the building opposite but also of thewarehouse. That made it a great vantage point for me, but also abig problem. We could hardly share viewpoints but the problem wasbigger than that.

"Howlong have the FBI been here?" I asked.

"Sinceyesterday. Why?"

"Justyou or anyone else around?"

"Just meand my partner. He's out getting us some food."

"Wemight have a problem," I said. "A very sensitiveproblem."

"Something to do with why you're lurking around the'hood?"

"I'm notlurking. I was casually strolling, but yes. You're watching thatbuilding—" I pointed across the street then redirected my pointingfinger to the warehouse "—and I'm watching that one. I'm not theonly one here too. We're working a joint op with another agency andthe neighborhood is crawling with our people."

Maddoxset the camera on the table pushed against the wall. "How sensitiveare we talking?"

"Majorissues if word gets out. How sensitive is yours?"

"Millions of dollars of sensitive. There's an art forger whouses that building. I'm this close to nailing him," said Maddox,holding up his thumb and forefinger and squeezing them togetheruntil barely any air separated them.

"Both ofus have operational issues. We need to get a handle onthis."

"I can'tpull out," said Maddox.

I chewedmy lip. "Neither can we. Can you look the other way?"

"I onlyhave a vested interest in catching my guy," he said. "But I can'tleave my post. I'm happy not to record anything unconnected to mycase but I can't just leave."

"My opgoes down in the early hours. It might scare off yourguy."

"I haveenough to move in on my guy but the Feds turning up would probablycause issues with your op. We're at a conundrum," said Maddox. Hesighed. "Dammit!"

"What ifthere was a coordinated takedown? Can you nab your guy as we takeours?"

"It'spossible. Who's the other agency you're working with? A localcrew?"

"Thinknational."

"Hownational?"

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