Page 46 of Sly Like a Fox
“We need to ensure this reaches the right people simultaneously,” I say while creating encrypted files on multiple secure servers, all grouped by the relevant crime or person of interest.“If Anklor gets advanced warning about the investigation, he’ll use his remaining contacts to suppress evidence or eliminate witnesses.”
Jenna sits beside me at the computer, helping identify key recipients who can act on the intelligence without compromising our safety.
After uploading our backups onto a set of servers, I lean back in my chair and look at her.“What about your ex-sister-in-law?The detective?She seemed intense when she was warning you about me in front of me.”I laugh softly, though thinking of the woman does make me a bit apprehensive, probably because I’ve broken several laws.
She slowly nods.“Maria works white-collar crime, which makes her perfect for this kind of evidence.”
I pause in my typing, considering the implications.“Contacting her means revealing that we’ve been conducting an illegal investigation.”
“She already suspects something about your identity.Better to control the narrative by approaching her directly than waiting for her to figure it out on her own.”
I nod.Maria’s already digging into my background, which means uncomfortable questions are coming whether we like it or not.Better to get ahead of it and direct how this plays out.
The tricky part is making her want to work with us instead of slapping cuffs on us immediately.Sure, we broke a few federal laws gathering this evidence, but the intel itself is solid and will hold up in court.We just need to position ourselves as the solution to her problems, not more headaches to deal with.
I write a message asking for an urgent meeting, making it clear we have something big on her corruption cases without spelling out details over email.I keep it professional but urgent, being cooperative not desperate.
She gets back to me within an hour, agreeing to meet at a downtown coffee shop this afternoon.The fast response tells me she’s genuinely interested, not just going through the motions.That’s a good sign.
“Nervous about seeing her again?”Jenna asks as we prepare to leave for the meeting.
I shrug.“I’m more concerned about her reaction to learning that her suspicions about my identity were completely justified.”
She laughs for a second.“She’s a professional.Once she sees the evidence, she’ll focus on the prosecutorial value rather than our methods.”
“I hope you’re right because if this goes wrong, we could both end up in federal custody while Anklor’s associates have time to destroy evidence and eliminate witnesses.”I try to hide any concern about that outcome, but it haunts me.
The drive to the coffee shop gives us time to rehearse our approach and prepare for various scenarios.Best case is Maria recognizes the value of our intelligence and coordinates with federal agencies for immediate arrests.Worst case, she treats us as suspects rather than assets and attempts to detain us pending further investigation.
The coffee shop Maria chose is busy enough to provide cover for sensitive conversation but quiet enough for privacy.She’s already waiting when we arrive, wearing a professional outfit that indicates she’s treating this as official business.
She stands when she sees us approaching, her body language cautious but not hostile.“Fenton.Jenna.Thank you for reaching out.”
“Detective Ortiz, I appreciate you taking the time to meet with us.”I settle into the chair across from her while Jenna takes the seat that provides the best view of potential exits.“I have information that I think will interest you.”
“Before we begin, I should mention that I’ve been investigating your background more thoroughly since our last conversation.The identity you’re using is sophisticated but not perfect.”
Her directness doesn’t surprise me, but it does confirm that honesty is our best strategy.“You’re right.Fenton Nielsen is a constructed identity I created three years ago for a specific purpose.”
Her eyes narrow.“Which was?”
“Gathering evidence against Garret Anklor and his criminal network.”I slide an encrypted tablet across the table.“Everything is on there.Financial records, communication logs, recorded confessions, and enough evidence to prosecute him and at least a dozen co-conspirators.”
Maria’s expression shifts from professional skepticism to genuine surprise as she reviews the tablet’s contents.The scope of evidence clearly exceeds her expectations.She scrolls through financial records that detail money laundering operations spanning multiple states.“This is incredible.How did you gather all of this?”
“It took three years of infiltration and intelligence gathering.Anklor destroyed my family’s construction business through illegal bid rigging.My father died from the stress, and my mother followed eighteen months later.”
“So this is personal revenge?”She sounds faintly disapproving.
I hold her gaze, letting her see the truth when I speak.“It started as personal revenge but became about justice when I realized how many other families he’s destroyed over the years.”
She continues reviewing the evidence while asking pointed questions about our methods and the legality of our intelligence gathering.Some of our activities clearly violate federal law, but the evidence itself is legitimate and admissible in court.
After a while spent reviewing it all, Maria sets down the tablet and fixes me with a direct stare.“I’m prepared to move with this on one condition.You both need to cooperate fully with the official investigation.That means testimony, depositions, and whatever else prosecutors require.”
Jenna and I exchange glances.Cooperation with law enforcement means exposure of our methods, but it also ensures Anklor faces the full consequences of his actions.“We’re prepared to cooperate completely,” I say confidently.
“Good.I’ll need to coordinate with the FBI’s financial crimes unit and the district attorney’s office.How quickly can this evidence be distributed?”
