Page 37 of So Twisted

Michael scoffed again. “Hmm. Are you sure you didn’t just make up a reason to fire him because he blew the whistle and put your company in trouble?”

Rather than answer the question directly, Thurman returned to his tried-and-true standard. “The company isn’t a few executives, Special Agent. It’s thousands of people. A lot of those people couldn’t feed their families or pay rent anymore afterthe crap that happened when James decided to play hero. To directly answer your question, it’s true that he wasn’t effective as an animal trainer, and it’s true that we fired him for that reason. Andthatresponse I can and will back up in court.”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Faith said. “In the meantime, we need the most recent contact information you have for James Hawkins.”

Thurman sighed and opened his computer. “Sure. The information is years outdated, but sure, knock yourself out.” He shook his head. “We’re doing our best here, agents. We’re just trying to keep our heads above water.”

“I sympathize with that,” Faith said. “But someone’s trying to hold other people’s heads underwater, and we need to find him before he drowns anyone else.”

Thurman didn’t respond until he had the address. He wrote it down and handed it to Faith. “Something to think about, Special Agent. These victims weren’t good people. Maybe ask yourself if the world isn’t better off without them in it.”

It was Faith’s turn not to respond. The three agents left the bitter CEO in his office and headed outside. The receptionist paled again when she saw them and pretended to be busy with paperwork when they left the building.

Once in the car, Michael chuckled. “People are so good at finding ways to justify their actions. Even when those actions get people killed.”

“They have to find some way to live with themselves,” Faith opined. “Otherwise… well, they don’t live with themselves.”

“Yeah. Well, I’m glad I’m not him.”

“Me too,” Faith agreed.

Still, Thurman’s words remained in Faith’s head as they headed toward James Hawkins’s house.

Ask yourself if the world isn’t better off without them in it.

***

James Hawkins lived on five acres of land abutting the Hackberry Nature Preserve a few miles east of Council Bluffs. As soon as the property came into view, Faith could see a collection of exotic animals in enclosures throughout the property. There were bears, antelopes, big cats and a few different species of eagle that Faith could see just from the driveway. It looked like James had kept up his animal training business.

They parked the car, and as soon as they left the vehicle, Turk became agitated. He put his nose to the ground and growled, staring at the animals and baring his teeth.

“What is it, boy?” Faith asked. “What do you smell?”

“Probably the wolves,” Michael replied, gesturing to a large enclosure where five huge gray wolves could be seen prowling among a few trees planted to simulate their natural forested environment.

“Maybe.”

Turk only grew more agitated as they left the animals behind and approached the house, however. By the time they stood on James Hawkins’s front porch and knocked on the door, Turk had his ears pricked up and his tail flat out behind him, a sign of extreme alertness.

It wasn’t the animals.

The door opened, and a tall, muscular man of about forty poked his head out. His eyes widened when he saw the FBI uniforms. “Can I help you?”

“James Hawkins?” Faith asked.

“That’s me. Is everything all right? What’s going on?”

“I’m Special Agent Faith Bold,” Faith replied. “This is my partner, Special Agent Michael Prince, and our K9 unit, Turk. Can we talk to you for a few minutes?”

“May I ask what this is about?”

“We have questions about your former employment with Global Wildlife Experiences.”

James’s demeanor changed immediately. His eyes narrowed, and his lips curled into a frown. “I don’t have anything more to say about them.”

“This is important, Mr. Hawkins,” Faith insisted.

“I made an official statement to Global’s HR department when I left. I still have a copy of it. Give me an email address, and I’ll send it to you.”

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