He told himself to be quick. “Do you remember signing a document before they locked you in that asylum?”
“What kind of document?”
“An adoption agreement. Giving Daniel and Clarissa full custody of Giovanni. They brought a copy of it to McCall, or their lawyers did. You relinquished all parental rights.”
Her face drained to stark white. “What? I most certainly did not.”
“It’s a legal document.”
“How dare they?”
She started toward the door. Raphael grabbed her arm, and she swung around toward him.
“You can’t stop me, Raphael. I’m going there to demand my son back. They can’t get away with this.” Tears pooled in her eyes, but they were formed from fury, not despair. “I never would have done this, Raphael. You have to believe me.”
“I do, Giselle. Unfortunately, it’s a legally binding document until we can prove otherwise.”
“How can it be legal when I was drugged? Coerced?”
“Because it’s their word against yours.”
“But I’m his mother. If I say I didn’t knowingly sign such a thing, they have to believe me. They can’t…” She shook her head. “I’m so stupid, so very, very stupid. Of course no one is going to believe me. They’ve got dozens of witnesses who saw me appear at their party looking like a drugged-out wraith. No judge would believe me, would he?”
“I don’t know. As Gio’s father, I could try on my own. But if we fail, what then? We’ve got to play the game until we find their weakness. They have one…everyone does. We will find it.”
“How is that going to get Giovanni back to me…to us? Clarissa will not give him up without a fight.”
“Then that’s what we’ll give them. The fight of their lives. The Fletchers might be powerful, but they’ve never come up against Last Chance Rescue. They won’t win this time, Giselle. I promise.”
She released a shaky breath, stared into the distance for several seconds, and then settled. “Yes. All right, fine. I’ll do anything…anything it takes.”
“Then let’s keep going.”
Chapter Twenty-four
LCR Headquarters
Noah stood at the front of the conference room and faced his Elite team. He was using the biggest conference room they had, not for the number of people in attendance, but for the massive amount of paper loaded on the table. All of it pertaining to the Fletcher family.
His confrontational meeting with Daniel Fletcher had yielded results, though not the ones he wanted. He hadn’t expected the man to admit his collusion with Reddington. Nor had he thought he’d just give Giovanni back to his mother. That would’ve been too damn easy. The hand he had played, though, was both surprising and infuriating. They were going to have to go about this a different way.
His voice carrying the fury seething just beneath the surface, he said, “Every operative not assigned to an active case will be involved in this one. These people were responsible for taking my family. They tortured Giselle, held her against her will. Drugged her, had her incarcerated. They’re holding her son.”
“How can they—”
Noah held up his hand to stop Riley’s interruption. He understood her frustration—she’d lived with something similar herself.
“I gave Fletcher an ultimatum. Demanded he return the child. Instead of doing that, his attorneys arrived with a document stating that Giselle agreed to allow the Fletchers to legally adopt her son. She gave them full custody.”
Before anyone could argue against its legitimacy, he continued, “Even though we know it’s either a fake signature or Giselle was drugged when she signed it, if we go to court, we won’t win. I’ve had our attorneys review it, and they agree that though it’s not legally binding, Fletcher’s got too many damn people in his pocket. We get a wrong judge, we’ve got more problems.
“Proving any of this is impossible right now. Who these people are and how the hell they’ve been able to get away with what they’ve done all these years is something we’re going to find out. And when we do, we’re going to bury the son of a bitch.”
He met each person’s eyes as his gaze roamed the room. “I’ve always said never make it personal. To be able to focus and do the job, you have to keep a distance. That’s bullshit. I’m here to tell you, this is as personal as it gets. I can’t see it any other way.
“One way or the other, the Fletchers are going down.”
He shot a glance toward Angela, who had taken the lead role on research. “Angela’s going to take you through the basics.”
Angela stood and went to a whiteboard. Flipping it around, she revealed what she and Jake had spent most of the night working on. “Since we don’t know what kind of technology the Fletchers have access to, we’re going old-school on this op. So far, we’ve managed to dig out a ton of info, but I’ve got a feeling we’ve barely scratched the surface.
“The Fletcher family has been around for centuries. They didn’t come over on the Mayflower, but it’s close. The money they had when they came was earned in the shipping industry. Through the years, they’ve diversified into dozens of different kinds of businesses. They have an amazing knack for knowing what to invest in and when to buy, when to get out. They look like risk takers, and it’s paid off in a big way.
“Most everyone has heard of the wealthiest people in the country and in the world. There are magazines, newspapers, and websites devoted to revealing those kinds of things. The Fletchers appear on none of those lists, but it’s my estimation that they’re wealthier than any of those publicized billionaires.
“Their business interests still include the shipping company they’re originally known for, but it’s spread across a variety of corporations and companies, including tech, pharmaceutical, and oil. They also own a massive amount of real estate throughout the world. So far, everything looks completely legitimate.”
“How do they keep all this hidden?” Thorne asked.
“That’s what we’re still digging for. Right now, I’m following a thread. I think they’ve got multiple companies and entities under names other than Fletcher. These are likely shell companies, moving, selling, disintegrating, and then reappearing under something else. I’m hoping that’ll lead us somewhere.”
She shook her head. “Have to say, though, whoever is in charge of their investments portfolio is scary good.”
“How can they get away with that… taxwise, I mean?”
“One of the main things we’re exploring,” Noah answered.
“They’ve filed every year, and though their yearly income is more money than most people see in a lifetime, it all looks legit.”
“What about this Rawlings guy Giselle mentioned?” Sinclair asked. “We got anything on him yet?”
“Just basic background stuff so far. He’s been friends with Daniel since college. He doesn’t have the pedigree that Fletcher grew up with. Looks like he had to claw and scrape for everything he had, but when he met Daniel, things changed for him. They’ve been fast friends for years.”
“He might be our weak link,” Noah put in.
Angela grinned and then winked. “Gotcha. We’re on it.”
“Okay, I get where we’re going with this,” Riley said. “But why can’t we just go in and rescue the kid?”
“It may come to that, and we’ll do it if we have no other choice. Problem is, that means that Giselle and her son might never be safe. I’d like to see both of them living their lives free from fear.”
“Not to mention,” Eden added dryly, “that with the adoption papers, legit or otherwise, Fletcher could accuse LCR of kidnapping.”
“Yes. As bizarre as that seems, I could see him getting away with that. Daniel Fletcher won’t accept defeat. He’ll do whatever it takes to win. No matter how much time or money is involved.” His smile mean, Noah added, “What the bastard doesn’t know is LCR doesn’t accept defeat either.”
***
His operatives long gone, Noah continued
to study the intel. LCR analysts were working night and day and coming up with an astounding amount of data. Problem was, there was nothing here to hang his hat on. Nothing he could use to make the Fletchers the least bit uncomfortable.
The custody document Fletcher’s attorney had sent over had been scrutinized by the brightest legal minds in the country. Daniel Fletcher might have excellent lawyers, but so did LCR. Problem was, no one could find an iota of evidence that the document wasn’t real. Giselle, at some point in her time with the Fletchers, had given them sole custody of her son.
They could go to court and fight it, but Noah was coming to understand something about the Fletchers. Their influence reached further than anyone he’d ever seen. For every inch of progress, obstacles were being thrown in their way to prevent any kind of hearing. If it weren’t so damn infuriating, Noah would be impressed with their uncanny ability to manipulate the masses. He liked a challenge, but damn if he could see a light in the darkness.
“Can we talk?”
He looked up to see Olivia Gates standing at the doorway.
“Sure. Come on in.”
When she closed the door behind her, he knew this was going to be an off-the-record meeting.
She settled into a chair across from his desk, but looked out the window instead of at him. Her gray-blue eyes far off and unfocused, her shoulders slightly slumped, she definitely had something on her mind.
“Gates? Everything okay?”
“I’m just trying to decide if I should open a can of worms that I’d really rather stay closed.”
“All right.” Knowing when to push and when to wait was a lesson he’d learned the hard way. “Just let me know when and if you decide.”
She was silent for a moment more and then expelled a huge sigh. “You know it’d be a lot easier if you’d just insist on knowing why I’m here.”
“I’m not known for easy, but if you like, very well. What’s going on, Olivia? Why are you here?”
She gave a short, humorless chuckle. “Thanks.” Releasing another sigh, she stood and began to pace.
“Gates?”
“You know that I have some contacts…off the books.”
“Yes.” Like several of his most-skilled operatives, Olivia had come to LCR fully trained. He didn’t have to know everything about an operative’s past when he hired them. Their commitment to rescuing innocents was his number one concern. Having them able to kick ass on their first day of employment was an advantage he gladly accepted without too many questions. He had a code of ethics and morals he insisted his people follow, but what they had done in their past lives was on them. Everyone had their demons to conquer.
“My contacts…these people…they’re hard to describe. The man in charge of them, even harder. What they do…how they go about accomplishing their goals isn’t within the realm of what many people would find acceptable.
“Point is, they can find out things in a manner that ordinary people might consider invasive, illegal, and downright wrong.”
“Not unlike some of the things LCR has been accused of.”
“True. But you place limits on LCR. These people don’t ascribe to such limits.”
“Do these people or their organization have a name?”
“Unofficially, they call themselves OZ, or Option Zero. Officially, they don’t exist. On paper or anywhere else.”
“And you think they can help?”
“I know they can. Whether they will isn’t a sure thing, but I won’t know unless I ask.”
“Do it.”
She stopped pacing, took a shaky breath. “I’ll leave on the next flight out.”
“You can take the plane.”
“No. It’s best if I travel completely beneath the radar.”
“Are you putting yourself at risk by asking for their help?”
“No. None of them would physically hurt me.”
She walked out the door, and Noah knew she likely was facing a past she didn’t want to have to deal with, but for the sake of this mission, she would. Just one more reason he would make sure Daniel Fletcher paid.
“Everything okay? I just saw Olivia leaving, and she looked upset.”
Samara came toward him, his light in the darkness. Just the sight of her created a hopeful calmness inside him. Being without her had been like he’d lost a part of himself, the very best part of himself. He’d done his damnedest to give the appearance of control, but inside he’d been coming apart.
“Everything’s fine. She’s just going to see some old friends she’s not too excited to see.”
Even though it had only been a few days, Mara had recovered quickly. The dark bruise on her face was healing, but every time he saw it, fury zoomed through his bloodstream. Someone had touched her, hurt her. He wanted to rip the arms off every person involved in the abduction of his family, but most especially those of the man who had given her that bruise.
His kids, amazingly resilient considering, continued to suffer from nightmares, though with each day that passed, the bad dreams seemed less and less severe. Bringing their pets, Roscoe and Sassy, from his in-laws house had helped enormously with their anxiety. He smiled as he remembered the joyous reunion between the dogs and their best friends.
They would recover…they all would, and for this, he was exceedingly grateful his prayers were answered. But this wasn’t over by a long shot.
Having Mara and his children back with him gave him energy and stamina to do what needed to be done. Never again. His family was his everything. Nothing like that would ever happen again. He would make sure of that.
She sat on the arm of his chair, put her arm around his shoulders. “Anything yet?”
“No, but they’ve been at this too long for it to be simple. People with this kind of power and influence have layers of protection.”
She squeezed his shoulder, pressed a kiss to his cheek. “If anyone can find a hole in their network, it’s LCR.”
“You got that right.” Turning slightly, he pulled her down until she settled in his lap. Burying his face against her neck, he breathed in deeply. “They’ll pay for what they put you, Evie, and Micah through. I’ll make sure of it.”
“We’re fine. Evie only woke up once last night from a nightmare. Micah slept the night through. They’re tough like their father.”
“And their mother.”
She didn’t mention the number of times she woke up to check on them. Nor did she say anything about her own nightmares. But he’d been there, right beside her, holding her. He knew. She had suffered, she still suffered. Not only had she been worried about her children, she hadn’t known for sure if Noah was alive. She had been put through hell and might never feel safe again. Yeah, someone would pay.
“Have you talked any more with your mom and dad?”
“No. I’m giving them some space. They’ve gone through so much. I don’t want to push them.”
“You think you can convince them to go on their vacation?”
“I’m hoping this will all be over before they have to make that decision.”
“They don’t like not being able to see you every day, but we’ll see them as often as possible.”
“They know it’s only temporary. And they know this has to be done.”
“I just can’t take another chance. I grew too comfortable here.”
“We both did.”
His fingers caressed the tender curve of her jaw and then tilted her chin so he could see her as he quietly said, “I can quit. You know money’s not a problem. We don’t have to live like this.”
“Money isn’t the issue, and you know it, Noah. And yes, we do have to do this. I’d no sooner ask you to give up LCR than I would ask you to give up a limb. You need LCR and it needs you.”
“Others can do the job I do.”
“I would definitely argue that fact, but the point is, LCR is your heart and soul.”
“But you, Micah, and Evie are my life. I can do without LCR. I can’t do witho
ut you three.”
He considered keeping his family safe his primary responsibility, and no matter what anyone said, he’d failed. While he wanted his kids to be able to enjoy themselves and be free, he had to weigh that against the evil that would always threaten. They were taking new precautions, setting up additional safety features, creating new protocols to ensure something like this never happened again.
“We’ll do what we need to do to stay safe,” Samara said.
“Yes, we will. We’ll—” His cellphone chimed with a text, and his wife adjusted herself in his lap so he could check the message.
As he read the grim words, Noah felt no surprise. Obstacles were being removed. This particular event had been less of an obstacle and more like a loose end.
Having read the message, too, Samara said softly, “Fletcher’s tying up loose ends, isn’t he?”
“Yes. I wonder if Reddington had any idea what he unleashed when he agreed to their terms.”
“I’d say at some point he did.”
“Ah, well, I’ll give Raphael the news.”
With one last kiss on his cheek, Samara rose and headed toward the door. “I’ll leave you to do that. Give them both my love.”
“Giselle, too?”
“None of this is her fault.”
He already had formed that opinion, but he wanted Samara’s take. “What about the fact that she concealed her son from Raphael? If the Fletchers hadn’t turned out to be the amoral family they are, would he have ever known about Giovanni?”
“Yes. She would have found a way to tell him at some point. I have no doubt about that.”
As she closed the door, Noah looked out the window as he considered Mara’s words. She was a good judge of character. On this, he agreed with her, too. Problem was, Raphael didn’t believe that.
On occasion, Noah had manipulated events to encourage his operatives to see what was in front of them. This time, though, he had his doubts that things would work out.
Pushing aside that worry, Noah sent a text to Raphael. Breaking this kind of news, no matter the circumstances, was never pleasant. Perhaps it would put a slight crack in the iron veneer Raphael had wrapped himself in.
Running Strong Page 19
