Page 50 of Redemption

Chapter 38

Miles paced backand forth across Connor’s office as Crocker concealed the microphone in a button on my blouse. There was no video feed, but the audio was coming in loud and clear according to Morgan, who was outside in their rental car listening to our discussion.

Crocker began a recitation of instructions. “We’re going to do recon at your father’s house before you arrive. Monitor any activity surrounding the house and make sure that there are no unexpected surprises. Once you’re inside, try to get your father talking. See if he’ll give up any information about the auction.”

I nodded my understanding.

“Try to get him to reveal anything at all possible. We need to track down Dragomirov.”

“I get it,” I snapped back. They’d been harping all afternoon about trying to get my father to talk. I understood.

Once the wire was in place, we did another sound check to make sure Morgan could still hear everything. After he gave the all clear, Crocker left and they headed to my father’s. While I took a seat on the loveseat, Miles paced. I tried not to fidget as we waited for the call that we were ready to go. An hour later, Connor’s cell rang. He answered it and spoke only briefly, his eyes never leaving mine. He ended the call and said the words I’d been both waiting for and dreading.

“They’re ready.”

Thirty minutes later I sat in my car outside the house I grew up in. A house I hadn’t seen in seven long years. Miles and Webber were situated in Miles’ car across the street three houses down. Agents Morgan and Crocker were on the next street over. Taking a deep breath and knowing that it was now or never, I exited my car and walked up the drive.

My eyes darted side to side as I scanned the area. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I wasn’t sure if my dad was being over or under concerned about me being here. I didn’t bother knocking on the front door. Instead, I opened it and walked in, heading directly to my father’s office. It was his place of power. When I reached the office, the door stood open, and I spied my father sitting at his colossal desk. It had been hand carved and crafted by a custom furniture maker in town. My dad had it specially made when I was seven. I’d always looked upon the desk with awe. Even the dark walnut wood reeked of power.

Cautiously, I entered the office, still keeping an eye out for any unexpected guests. At the sound of my footfalls, my father looked up and a sneer crossed his face.

“The prodigal daughter returns.”

“Where is it?” Hatred poured from my words. I wanted this over and done with so I could move on with my life. Plus, I had no desire to look at this monster any longer than I had to.

“My, aren’t we a little impatient.”

“Cut the crap. I have no more desire to be here than you have for me to be here. Let’s just get on with the exchange and we can move on.”

“I figured you were only coming here to fuck me over so I thought you might need a little incentive to cooperate.”

I stiffened. “What do you mean, ‘incentive’?”

A sinister laughter from my father sent chills down my spine. “Well, here’s the thing. There is no evidence.”

“You son of a bitch. What do you mean, there’s no evidence?”

“I mean there’s no evidence. Edward’s body was disposed of in a way that it can never be retrieved, and the knife you used is sitting in the bottom of a lake right now. Everything else was burned or destroyed. There was no reason for me to keep it around. Although, if I’d known that you would end up betraying me, I would have made sure I had done everything possible to ruin your life.”

My head shook, unsure that I’d heard my father correctly. I stumbled and fell into the chair in disbelief. All this time, wasted. My father could have been punished long ago if only I’d known. I was so stupid. It didn’t matter then. If he didn’t have any information on me, then there was no reason for me to be here. A small smile escaped before I thought about it.

“I wouldn’t get too excited, Josephine. You forget about the incentive I have to ensure that this exchange still takes place.”

“You have nothing to keep me from turning everything I have over to the Feds, father.”

“I have your sister.”

My small smile widened until it turned to laughter. I laughed harder than I had in years. Laughed until I was almost in tears. I slowly pulled myself together and sat back in the chair, smugness radiating from me.

“I’m afraid that’s where you’re wrong, Charles.”

Now it was his turn to appear puzzled.

“Excuse me?”

His arrogance knew no bounds. “I said you were wrong. You don’t have my sister. If you even bothered to give a shit about Casey, you would have already realized that she’s gone.”

Without a word, he bolted from the room. I heard the pounding of his feet as he raced up the stairs and the desperate note in his voice as he called out for Casey. Elation like nothing I’d ever felt before seeped through every pore. Finally, it was over. I knew it would piss off the Feds that I hadn’t asked the questions they wanted, but it didn’t matter. They would have their evidence, and they could use it as leverage to get my dad to talk. To give up whatever secrets he had. I rose from the chair and walked out of his office. I’d just reached the living room and was steps away from freedom when a roar sounded behind me. I turned and there stood my father. My whole body froze when I saw the gun in his hand.

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