If I Should Die_ A Novel of Suspense - Allison Brennan [92]
“But,” Lucy said, “there’s no other way she could have found out about Spruce Lake except through Jon Callahan.”
“We don’t know that,” Martinelli said.
Lucy did. Nothing else made sense. The theory she and Sean developed—most of it separately, she realized—worked.
Hart spoke up. “I’m inclined to agree with Lucy and Mr. Rogan.” All eyes turned to the boss. “What I’m about to tell you is classified, but in light of this situation, you need to know. Roberta Swain Molina was in protective custody in Florida six years ago after her husband was murdered and she was left for dead by a rival drug cartel. She provided our office with key information and physical evidence that led to the takedown of her brother’s drug business in Spruce Lake. Paul Swain had been one of the largest methamphetamine manufacturers distributing into Canada.”
Sean said, “There’s an alternate theory that Bobbie Swain orchestrated the hit on her husband.”
“She nearly died that night,” Hart said. “I know her background. Her mother died when she was a baby. She’d been grossly abused as a child, and finally escaped one violent family for another, marrying into the Molina cartel.”
“I take it,” Sean said, “you haven’t been keeping tabs on her over the last few years?”
“There was no reason to. She just wanted to have a normal life.”
“You might need to go back and fact-check,” Sean said.
“Excuse me,” Hart said, “I know more about this case than you do. You believe a convicted felon over an abused woman? Do you know what he did to her?”
Sean said, “After she got her brother Paul out of the picture, she walked in and took over.”
“That’s a serious accusation.”
“I don’t make it lightly.”
Noah spoke up. “The situation is certainly volatile right now, and I think we should assess the intelligence we have and run Bobbie Swain through our contacts at DEA. We all know that they don’t volunteer information, but if we have a name, we can get answers.”
“Brian,” Hart ordered, “take care of it.”
Lucy noticed that the SAC had lost some of her polish. Was it because Sean challenged her, or because she was having second thoughts about her assessment of Bobbie Swain?
Lucy asked, “Do you have her interview on tape? A file with her transcript?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I’d like to read the file on Bobbie Swain, as well as the sting six years ago. It might help us figure out additional connections.”
Hart told Martinelli to pull the files, and said, “Whether Bobbie Swain had ulterior motives in turning in her brother—over and above her tragic upbringing—is irrelevant since everything she told us we were able to prove.”
Noah said, “And what better way to get revenge and advance her own agenda. Right now, you have a dead federal agent who may have knowingly or unknowingly stumbled into a major drug operation. Paul Swain, believe him or not, has power outside the prison. He knows his sister turned him in. If she’s innocent, she’s in danger. If she’s guilty, she’s in danger. But more important, something big is going down in Spruce Lake, and a whole lot of innocent people are in danger.”
Lucy’s phone vibrated, and while Noah and Hart discussed facts and conjecture, she read the message from Sean.
It scared her. Not because Sean put her in an impossible situation of keeping information from the FBI, but because of the very real threat to his life.
Do not tell the Feds Bobbie Swain is in Spruce Lake. If they come in with their suits and attitude and cut her even an inch of slack, it will be a bloodbath. I don’t trust Paul Swain, but I have other evidence to back up what he said. I fully believe that Jon Callahan has a dangerous plan of revenge, and it has to do with whatever is going down tomorrow. Paul is counting on it—he’s using Callahan. I’m on my way to find him, because I think he’s the only one who knows where Ricky might be. I promised Swain I would protect his son.
If anything happens, know that I love you.
Martinelli came in. “We have a problem.”
A chill ran through her body. Lucy joined everyone in looking at the agent.