Whitfield gets on the phone and starts calling in the cavalry.
Organized Crime. Major Crimes. His superiors with the White Collar Division in Portland. One by one, the supervisory agents in charge are looped into what is likely one of the biggest investigations in decades—at least for the FBI’s Oregon office.
“Whatever happens next, we need to make sure Clara and Matty are out of range,” Jace tells me.
I give him a slight nod. “I know. I’m waiting for an update on that end.”
“We will have to do simultaneous raids,” Whitfield says once he gets off the phone. “Multiple Lockwood properties at once. My field director is putting together a joint task force as we speak and securing the warrants for each of Lockwood’s properties, both personal and business.” He pauses and gives Jace a card. “I need you to email all of this over to this address. It needs to be added to the motion in order for the judge to grant it.”
“I hope you’re going to the Ninth Circuit judge for this,” I say.
“Yes. Adam Napier. He has ten years on the bench, and he’s granted us plenty of warrants in the past when other judges wouldn’t,” Whitfield says. “We’ll have everything we need for this. We’ll be fully prepared.”
“Good. My father can’t see you coming.”
“It’s likely he already knows we’re looking into him; I told my agents to follow the local sheriff’s lead,” he replies.
Damon chuckles dryly. “He’s probably sending them off on some wild goose chase as far away from Lockwood as possible.”
“It’s a small team. They’ll circle back to me by tomorrow, and I will inform them about this new development,” Whitfield says and looks at me, slightly concerned. “Are you really okay with this, Mr. Lockwood? It’s your father, and just by this evidence alone, I reckon he’s looking at hard time. Possibly life without parole, if the kidnapping and murder charges go through.”
I take a deep breath, wondering if I can find the right words to convey how I truly feel about all of this.
“It’s weird, I’ll admit, Agent Whitfield. But it’s the right thing to do. My father has gotten away with one too many heinous deeds, and his most recent endeavor regarding my girlfriend and our son…well, that’s just goddamn unforgivable.”
“We’ll do everything in our power to get them both back safe and sound.”
Damon cuts in. “We absolutely will.”
“No. I can’t let you get involved,” Whitfield replies. “You’re too close to this. As much as I appreciate your support, our task force is more than capable of handling these raids.”
“You don’t understand,” I say. “We’re not asking. We’re telling you.”
Whitfield shakes his head. “Gentlemen, this is now a federal issue.”
“We’re not here to sit on the sidelines,” Jace adds once he’s done sending the evidence archive via email. “As soon as word gets out about the first raid, Bill Lockwood will close his ranks and look to minimize the damage. It will put Clara at risk. We can’t let that happen.”
“Besides, I know my father well. I can help you narrow down your search,” I chime in. Whitfield thinks about it for what feels like a long and unnerving moment, while I check my phone again.
“This is too personal for you,” the agent says. “I’m not comfortable with letting you get involved.”
“Well, I’m not comfortable with the fact that I’m having to put my father behind bars, but here we are,” I shoot back. “We’re doing this. All of us. Because I need to make sure that I get Clara and Matty back in one piece.”
Not to mention our unborn child.
Every hour that I’ve spent away from her has been like fucking torture. Not knowing where she is, then knowing and wishing it wasn’t true. Every hour that passes is sheer agony as I struggle to keep my temper from flaring and my head clear enough to analyze the situation as it continues to progress.
Damon gives me a slight nod. “We’re one step closer to getting them back, brother. One step closer.”
My phone pings.
Margot’s name pops up on the screen.
It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for, and it sends my heart racing as the aforementioned step shrinks even more. I can almost feel the conclusion tickling my fingertips. It’s just within my reach.
Salvation or despair.
29
