Page 79 of Dangerous Pursuit

Mia

I rush to the elevator, not caring if they’re behind me. I’ll wait in the lobby if necessary, but I need to walk away before my resolve crumbles. I’m sobbing as I enter, pressing the button frantically, but before the doors shut completely, they stop them and step in. Agent Wallace hands me a tissue.

“I’m sorry,” I say through my sniffles. “I’ll be fine in a minute. Is there somewhere we can go other than my house? I don’t want to worry my mom.” My eyes widen from my sudden thought. “What if they find out about this and they go after her? She’s home alone. Is there anything you can do?” I’m panicking.

“It’s okay, Mia, she’s safe. We have someone watching your house 24/7 right now.”

“Thank God. So, can we go somewhere else, then?”

“Sure. Would you like something to eat or some coffee?” she asks as we make our way out of the building.

“Yeah, coffee sounds good.”

They remain silent the entire way, leaving me to cry it out while they drive. Looking back, my reaction may have been harsh. I know he was trying to protect me, but it’s hard to come to terms with him doing it behind my back. Even at the time of my own confession, he said nothing. Would I have been mad if he had told me then? I’m sure finding out this way made it worse.

My phone has been pinging with texts from Jackson, telling me he’s sorry, that he loves me, that he’ll do anything to makeit right. God, I said some terrible things to him. The fact that he’s still trying after that is a testament to his desperation. I’m tempted to respond but decide to get this over with first.

After arriving at the coffee shop down from my house, Agent Wallace starts in as soon as we’re seated with our drinks. “We’re going to start where we left off, all right?” I nod, staring down at my cup, my mind numb from the last hour. “So, as we put the pieces together about your situation, it became clear that you could put these guys behind bars by bringing them in for extortion, money laundering, illegal gambling, and why not tack on assault of a minor. We start there, then go after their boss who’s giving the orders.”

“Yeah, they mentioned their boss quite a bit, but never by name. It was always just ‘boss.’ So, how does this work exactly? Do I just give a statement, press charges, and then testify when the time comes?”

Agent Wallace has been nice, but I’m starting to lose my patience as she answers. “I wish it were that simple, Mia. This is where it gets tricky. First, you need to understand that you’re dealing with a very powerful crime family whose reach is wide. They have people on the inside everywhere, from the police to the government and even the courts. They also have handlers, like Frank and Jay, who make sure those individuals do what they ask by issuing threats and following through on them. It’s a dangerous organization to go up against and takes special precautions.”

“Okay, so what do you need me to do?” I just want her to get to the point already.

Agent Wallace continues, “Before we get to that, it’s important for you to know that these things take time. Pressing charges, gathering evidence, filing motions, and getting through a trial, if it comes to that, could take years. While this is all happening, these guys still have connections, meaning they canoften eliminate the proof against them before it ever makes it to court, essentially ensuring their freedom. In this case, you’re that proof.”

I scoff. “So, you’re saying my life would be in danger even more than it is now if I were to help you? Why would I do it, then?”

Agent Bale takes a turn. “Were you aware that you’ve been participating in illegal gaming in the State of California and that the penalty is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to a thousand dollars per occurrence? You’ve been to four, maybe five games, so let’s see, that would be two years for good behavior and five thousand dollars. Or we could take your testimony and call it even.” I’ve decided I don’t like him—at all.

I cross my arms. “Which is only helpful if I’m alive, and from what it sounds like, that wouldn’t be for long, so I think I’m better off going to jail. You’re not selling your case much.”

“What if we offered you a place in our witness protection program? New identity, a new life—safety. You can choose where to live from a list of locations and, after the trial’s over, decide if you want to return to the life you have now or remain in your new one.”

“Let me get this straight: I can either let you put me in jail and fight charges for illegal gambling with money I don’t have or agree to testify for you and be placed in the witness protection program. Are there any other options?” Is this seriously happening right now? I can’t believe my life just fell apart in under an hour.

Agent Wallace answers, “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no. Remember, you would be an integral part of bringing justice to hundreds of people who have suffered at the hands of this organization. You’d be saving lives, Mia.”

“Exactly how does this protection thing work? Can I stay in contact with my family? Friends? Anyone? And what aboutmoney, a job? Where would I live? And my mom? I can’t leave her. Would—”

Bale puts his hand up to stop me. “Listen, there are a lot of details to work out, and we do all that while you’re safe at a secure location, which is our number one priority. As for your mom, she can go with you, but you both leave everyone behind. Not a single person will know where you are. The smallest tip can be traced. A noise in the background can give it away. No contact is allowed in the program.”

How can they be so matter-of-fact about this? They’re discussing uprooting my whole life like it’s no big deal.

I shake my head. “This isn’t something I can decide overnight.”

“Unfortunately, that’s all you have. Your window closes tomorrow at noon, and then we’ll decide for you,” Agent Bale says sternly.

“Meaning you’ll arrest me.”

“The choice is yours, Mia.” He says.

Some choice.“Gee, thanks, that’s so generous of you.”

“Think of the good that will come from this. I’m sorry you’re in this position. It’s a shitty hand you were dealt.” Agent Wallace’s pun doesn’t go unnoticed but isn’t appreciated under the circumstances.

“Can I go home now?” My reasonableness has worn off, and any more jokes and I just might lose it.

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