Page 65 of Trust No One

“After I share them with you? I’m taking the FBI names to the FBI Director.” He smiled. “A little tit for tat. I give her the names, she gives your friends an FBI safe house. And some agents to guard them.”

“I think we need to talk to the CIA Director,” Mel said. “But would you have any objections to giving the CIA names to our friends the Livingstons? They might know some of them. I want them to be warned.”

“Not at all. Good idea to talk to the CIA director, too. I think both agencies prefer to handle their own dirty work.” He patted his pocket. “Got all the information on some flash drives. A couple for the FBI director, a couple for the CIA.”

Mel turned to face Gideon. “What kinds of stuff were they talking about in their dark web sessions?”

Gideon’s expression hardened. “Mostly about money. Which dirty agents they could extort for money. Who they could extort for information, which they could then sell for money.” He shook his head. “Basically, it was a smorgasbord of illegal dealings that could lead to money-making opportunities.” He tapped the briefcase he held on his lap. “It’s all laid out in a document I put together.”

Dev interrupted to ask Mel,” Any signs of a vehicle following us?”

“I’ve been keeping my eyes open. Haven’t seen any cars behind us for more than a mile or two. I think we’re clear, but just in case, let’s go to the FBI building before we check into another hotel.”

Gideon leaned forward. “There’s a private garage that has an entrance directly into the FBI building,” he said. “I know all the guys who work the booth, or at least I used to. If one of them is on duty, I’m pretty sure they’ll let us in.”

“Tell me where to go,” Dev said.

Thirty minutes later they were parked in the FBI garage. The man in the booth had chatted Gideon up for a few minutes, checked Mel and Dev’s IDs, then waved them through.

“At least we know Kingsley can’t follow us down here,” Gideon said.

“Don’t assume anything,” Mel replied. “That bastard has assets all over town. Probably has one or two at the Bureau.”

“Once they get him into interrogation, he’ll give up the names,” Dev said. “I suspect the CIA is like the Bureau. They don’t play nice.”

“No,” said Gideon. “They don’t. They got the name of that one Russian asset out of Kramer, but I’m sure there are more. He refused to give any other names or details.” His eyes hardened. “Probably knew he’d be a dead man if he did. Probably one of the reasons he’s sitting in solitary. Not only to protect him, but they’re hoping that a few months with no human contact will loosen his tongue.”

He opened his car door, and Mel and Dev did the same. Mel’s gaze scanned the parking garage out of habit, but she didn’t see any threats. Dev gave her a sidelong glance. “If you can’t be safe in the FBI parking garage, wherecanyou be safe?”

She elbowed his side. “What happened to trust no one?”

“It’s taking a breather while we walk through the garage,” he shot back. “Once we’re in the building, all bets are off.”

Gideon scowled, and Mel bit her lip to hide her smile. Even though Gideon was no longer an agent, he was very protective of his old agency. Swore they only hired the best people.

But Doug Kramer had been an agent, and he’d been as dirty as they came. He’d almost killed both Gideon and Alex.

As they pushed into the lobby, Gideon walked toward the reception desk. The woman behind the desk looked up, spotted him, and smiled widely.

“Gideon Wolf! How are you doing?”

“I’m good, Cindy. How about you?”

“Can’t complain,” she said, transferring her gaze to Mel and Dev. “These two with you?”

“Yep. My employers. Mel Melbourne and Devlin Smith. They run Blackhawk Security out in Montana.”

Mel and Dev both shook hands with Cindy. Then Gideon said, “We were hoping to see the Director. Is she here today?”

“She is,” Cindy said. “But you’ll have to talk to her assistant about an appointment. Want me to give Toby a call?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Gideon said easily. “We’ll just go on up and talk to Toby.”

“Okay.” The woman handed them visitor badges, and Mel clipped hers to her shirt. Cindy waved them toward the elevator bank. “You know the way, Gideon.”

Gideon led them into an elevator, then pressed a button for the highest floor. When they stepped out, Mel saw a long corridor with doors at regular intervals. The walls were paneled in what looked like oak, and all the doors were closed.

Gideon led the way to one of the offices. A small sign reading ‘FBI Director’ hung on the wall. Gideon opened the door and led the way in.

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