The Controller

by Matt Brolly

  Rose searched deep into the files uncovering those responsible for Balfour’s transfer. She jotted down the names; SAC Kendall and ASAC Stevenson from the Dallas branch and, closer to home, the names of Miller and Roberts.

  She thought back to the grilling she’d taken from the last two names twenty-four hours ago, now concerned that the two senior officers were trying to cover their tracks. Miller had appointed Balfour and, in effect, had sacked Lynch.

  None of it made sense. Lynch had received little or no support for his research into the Railroad so why bring in such a big hitter to head up the defunct investigation? Were Miller and Roberts somehow involved?

  It would be a difficult angle to investigate and an almost impossible one to prove. She had to start at a lower level to find out who was in contact with Balfour and where the connections with the Railroad began.

  She started reading his files from the time he’d taken over from Lynch. Balfour’s investigation into the Railroad was half-hearted at best. He’d been assigned to numerous other cases during the last six years and most of his focus had been away from the Railroad as if he was just playing lip service to the investigation. She was about to put the file down when she spotted a name she recognized. Special Agent Romano Collins. The man had been assigned to Balfour’s team three years ago and she recognized his name only because it was on her to-do list.

  She uploaded the case notes on her laptop and saw his name; number five on the list. She clicked through to his file and read back her own notes. Romano Collins had been assigned to the FBI compound where Razinski was taken. Only he’d been off work on the day of the attack, his position taken by Agent Maurice Sanchez who’d been fatally shot during the raid. Collins was still off sick. She called McBride and told him her findings.

  McBride sounded groggy at the other end of the line. ‘Can’t this wait till morning?’ he said.

  ‘It is morning,’ said Rose. ‘How soon can you get to my hotel?’

  McBride groaned and Rose suppressed a laugh.

  ‘Could you give me at least an hour?’ he said. ‘It would be nice to see a hint of daylight before I have to start working.’

  ‘Forty-five minutes,’ said Rose, hanging up.

  She ordered breakfast and a large pot of coffee from room-service before showering and changing; she read through her notes again as she ate, rushing at her food and slurping her coffee as if the offerings would be taken away from her at any second. She could feel the oncoming indigestion sitting low in her chest.

  She met McBride in the car park. He looked worse than he’d sounded on the phone, nursing a coffee and wearing dark sunglasses despite the grey of the morning sky.

  ‘You better have one for me,’ said Rose, as McBride lowered his window.

  ‘Here you go, Boss.’ McBride’s voice was gruff, close to inaudible.

  Rose drank the coffee and tried not to think about how much caffeine she’d consumed in the past twenty-four hours.

  ‘We’re going to pay Collins a visit.’

  ‘Have you tried calling him?’

  ‘It’s a surprise visit, between you and me,’ she said.

  McBride nodded.

  ‘I’m not too late on that?’ she asked.

  ‘Believe it or not I’ve had more important things to do in the last forty-five minutes then call headquarters,’ said McBride. ‘As far as I’m concerned I’m working for you so I’ll follow your orders. Even if that does mean waking up at five am.’

  ‘Quit moaning, McBride. You’ve got the coordinates?’

  ‘Yep.’

  ‘Okay, I’m taking my car. Follow me.’

  Despite his protestations, Rose was far from convinced about McBride’s loyalty. Miller and Roberts had appointed him and chances were high that he was reporting back to them.

  The city streets were relatively empty at that time of day and they made quick progress to Collins’ apartment block on the eastern outskirts of San Antonio.

  Rose parked on a side street and waited outside for McBride to find a spot. ‘Take off those stupid things,’ she said, pointing to his shades.

  ‘It’s a fashion statement,’ said McBride.

  ‘Yes, a bad one. Now take them off.’

  McBride sighed and did as instructed.

  Romano Collins lived on the fifth floor of a beaten down apartment building. The doors to the front of the building were secure so they couldn’t access the entrance until an elderly couple dressed in identical tracksuits left five minutes later.

  They took the elevator to the fifth floor, McBride unable to stand still in the moving room. ‘You’re not claustrophobic are you, McBride?’

  McBride frowned and looked away.

  Rose held her tongue and allowed the other agent to leave the elevator first.

  Collins’ apartment was two doors down from the elevator. Music blared from the interior despite the early hour. McBride stood to the side as Rose knocked on the door.

  The music stopped but the door didn’t open. ‘Who is it?’ came the voice from within.

  ‘Agent Collins, this is Agent Sandra Rose and my colleague Agent McBride,’ said Rose, holding her badge up to the peephole. She kept her hand steady whilst Collins remained silent. ‘Can we come in?’

  Rose counted in her head as she waited for Collins to respond. She’d reached seven when the locks turned.

  Collins was in his robe. Rose immediately began looking for threats. She couldn’t tell if the agent was armed. She shifted her gaze behind the man but the door was only half open so her vision was impaired.

  ‘Apologies for the get up. I’ve been signed off sick for a few weeks now,’ said Collins, clutching his robe. Collins did look ill. His eyes were bloodshot and drawn, his face grey and peppered with spikes of stubble. Rose inched closer and smelt alcohol. He’d either started drinking very early or carried the smell from the previous night.

  ‘Can we come in?’ asked Rose.

  ‘What’s this about?’

  ‘The compound,’ said Rose, studying Collins’ face for a reaction and noticing a widening of the eyes, and a slight flare of the nostrils.

  ‘Look, the place is a mess. Could you give me ten? I’ll get changed and we can go for a coffee.’

  ‘This won’t take long, Agent Collins,’ said Rose, standing firm.

  ‘Fuck,’ said Collins, turning and heading back into his apartment.

  Rose kept close as Collins led them through a short corridor into a living area where he slumped down on a leather armchair. He hadn’t been lying about the mess. Every inch of space was covered with fast food containers and empty bottles of alcohol. Rose made an initial estimate of forty bottles of lager and six bottles of whisky.

  ‘When was the party?’ said McBride, opening a window in the kitchenette area.

  ‘I don’t have to defend myself to you.’

  ‘You think this is going to help?’ said McBride, holding up an empty whisky bottle.

  ‘What’s it got to with you, pal?’

  McBride shook his head and placed the bottle back down. ‘Bit convenient, eh?’

  ‘What’s that?’ said Collins.

  ‘You being off sick when the attack happened.’

  ‘Come on, man. Why do you think I’m drinking? I should have been there.’

  ‘You feel bad to be alive?’ said Rose.

  ‘Christ, are you going to sit down. No, I don’t feel bad to be alive. I feel bad for all the people who died there.’

  Rose moved a mound of clothes off the armchair opposite Collins.

  ‘Something like that makes you think, and not in a good way,’ said Collins

  ‘What was the issue?’ said McBride, pacing the room and lifting various bottles as if he could find some answers from the hollow receptacles.

  ‘Heart palpitations. I’m sure you’ve already checked that out.’

  ‘How long?’

  ‘I’m due for a check up next week.’

  ‘You mention your excessive drinking
to the doc?’ asked Rose.

  ‘This is not a normal thing,’ said Collins, sounding indignant.

  ‘You didn’t get through all this last night though it would certainly explain the palpitations,’ said Rose. ‘I haven’t got access to your medical records but I trust this is something you will share at your next appointment.’

  ‘What the hell is this?’ said Collins, getting to his feet.

  ‘Sit down, Agent Collins, don’t get yourself over-excited, we’re just tying up loose ends.’

  Collins glared over at McBride who’d stopped pacing. ‘Fine,’ he said, holding his hands up and falling back onto the seat. ‘What do you want to know?’

  Rose had studied the apartment when Collins had been distracted. She was trying to ascertain if the agent had a firearm nearby. It was possible he had one on his person beneath his robe and she didn’t want to risk anything yet. It could be down to the alcohol but Collins’ behavior was off. He was being defensive and she didn’t buy his story.

  ‘I have to ask you this, Agent Collins,’ she began, waiting a beat before continuing. ‘Did anyone ask you to take time off work sick?’

  Collins didn’t hesitate in his response. ‘What the hell are you suggesting?’

  ‘I’m not suggesting anything. Put yourself in my position, Agent Collins. I’m sure you’d be asking the same question. We’re trying to find the people responsible for multiple murders of federal employees. This is not something that’s going to disappear easily. I need to ask these questions. I need to find these answers.’

  ‘Look, I was signed off a week before. Everything is above board. Just check with medical.’

  Rose nodded at the repetition of Collins’ argument. ‘Have you heard of the Railroad?’ said Rose, changing tact in an attempt to disorientate Collins.

  Collins answered quickly. ‘I’d heard of their possible existence. Found it a bit hard to believe if I’m being honest.’

  ‘Found?’ said McBride.

  ‘Found, find. I never understood how a criminal organization could go undetected for so long to the point that we weren’t even know if they even existed. That suggested to me they didn’t exist.’

  ‘But did they approach you?’ said Rose.

  ‘Oh come on,’ said Collins.

  ‘If we search this place, are we going to find anything?’ said McBride.

  Collins shifted on his seat. ‘Such as?’

  ‘Drugs, money?’ said Rose, noticing the perspiration on Collins’ forehead, the slight tremble in his hand.

  ‘Just alcohol,’ said Collins, rattled.

  Rose didn’t like grilling a colleague. She didn’t know Collins personally but he was one of them and it grated having to push him like this. Chances were he was suffering from the events at the compound. She’d seen survivor guilt enough times during her career. Colleagues turning to drink or drugs following a major incident they’d survived whilst others had perished. Yet, if she didn’t push Collins then she may never find those responsible.

  She took in a deep breath. ‘Will you take off your robe for me, Agent Collins?’

  Even the unreadable McBride was shocked by the request, his forehead furrowing at Rose’s request.

  Collins looked to McBride for support. ‘What the hell is this?’ he pleaded.

  ‘It’s a simple enough request. Show us you’re not one of them and we’ll leave you alone to indulge whatever this is.’

  ‘Fuck you. You think I’m one of them, those fucking monsters,’ said Collins, getting to his feet.

  Rose lowered her hand, ready to reach her for her firearm if necessary as Collins continued his rant. ‘Here,’ he said, undoing his robe and throwing it onto the armchair. ‘Satisfied,’ he continued, spinning on the spot, completely naked, his pale skin free from any marks save for the occasional mole and tuft of hair.

  ‘That’s enough,’ said McBride. ‘Put your clothes on, Agent Collins. Rose, a word.’

  Rose joined McBride in the kitchenette, McBride’s wide bulk taking up the majority of the space. ‘What the hell was that?’ he said.

  ‘Now we know. We don’t have time to mess about with delicacies.’

  ‘Shit,’ screamed McBride, reaching across her and shoving her down.

  As Rose fell to the ground, her initial thought was that McBride had turned on her. But as she landed, she made out the shape of Collins in the living area. The man was still naked and held an FBI issued Glock 22 in his right hand. It dangled by his waist, perversely close to his genitalia. McBride’s gun was pointed at the man.

  Rose wasted no time. ‘What the hell is going on, Collins?’ she said.

  ‘Drop the gun, man,’ said McBride.

  ‘I had no option,’ said Collins, swinging the gun in front of him, his limp penis swaying with the motion.

  ‘Whatever has happened we can sort this. I’m going to stand up now, Agent Collins,’ said Rose, getting to her feet. ‘Tell us what happened.’

  ‘You don’t understand.’

  ‘Try me,’ said Rose.

  Collins closed his eyes, a high-pitched sound escaping his lips. Rose tensed, waiting for Collins to turn his gun on them.

  Collins stopped wailing, his eyes darting open as if he’d been spooked by a sound. ‘They said they would take Becky and Lisa.’

  ‘That’s your wife and little girl?’

  ‘Ex-wife. They said they would take them. Do you know what that means? Because I do.’

  ‘I understand, Collins. You had to protect your family.’

  ‘No, no, no, no, no,’ said Collins, shaking his head with rapid force. ‘They showed me what “taking them,” meant. They wouldn’t kill them, this was something so much worse.’

  ‘I understand. No one is going to blame you. Just drop the gun and we can talk.’

  ‘I don’t care what the fucking Bureau think. Why would I care about that? What are they going to do, put me in jail and throw away the key? Send me to death row? Big fucking whoop. I couldn’t care less about that. My only concern is them.’

  ‘The Railroad?’ said Rose, trying her best to keep her tone calm.

  ‘As soon as you leave here they’ll take me. And they’ll take Becky and Lisa for the sake of it. There’s only one way I can stop this happening.’

  ‘No, Collins, we can help you,’ said Rose.

  ‘Put the gun down, Collins,’ said McBride.

  ‘Sorry. You’re going to have to put me down otherwise I will shoot you and I don’t want to have that on me as well.’

  Rose tried to change the momentum of the conversation. ‘Romano, what about Balfour and Lynch? How are they involved?’

  Collins spat on the ground. ‘How do you think I’m in this situation?’

  ‘Balfour? Lynch?

  ‘Yes, fucking Balfour.’

  ‘How long have you known?’ asked Rose.

  ‘What fucking difference does that make? He’s always been one of them. He’s an original. Higher rank than Razinski.’

  ‘An original?’

  ‘I don’t know. From birth or something. Razinski was recruited.’

  ‘And Lynch?’

  Collins smiled. ‘They’ve got some big plans for Mr Lynch. I’d try to get to him before it’s too late.’

  ‘Fuck,’ shouted McBride, as the naked figure of Collins lifted his gun and aimed it at them.

  He did it slow enough that they were under no immediate threat. Protocol suggested that they aim for the chest and Rose did so. She wouldn’t forgive herself if McBride died because she’d tried to keep Collins alive.

  Collins took four bullets - two from each of them - to the chest and was dead before he hit the ground.

  21

  ‘What a complete mess,’ said McBride. They were outside - McBride smoking, sunglasses on - waiting for the incident team to arrive.

  Rose agreed. She put herself in Collins’ position. Would she have done anything different if they’d threatened Abigail? Would she have helped the Railroad to protect her
sister? The injustice of it was too huge for her at that moment.

  ‘What do you think about this talk of originals? Some freaky shit right there,’ said McBride.

  Rose agreed. The further they looked into the Railroad organization the murkier the facts became. Collins suggested that Balfour was somehow born into the organization as if it were some kind of organized crime family, whereas Razinski had been recruited. It would explain the lengths to which they’d taken their revenge on Razinski’s family once he’d been captured. The set up made them sound all the more impenetrable.

  ‘And what he said about Lynch?’ continued McBride, when she didn’t answer.

  Rose had been thinking about little else. She needed to warn him. She would have to call him at some point soon whatever the risk. ‘We need to find him,’ she said, thinking about the tracking device she’d given him.

  ‘Listen, Rose, it’s none of my business but do you know where Lynch is?’

  Rose looked at McBride. It was the first time he’d broached the subject since they’d worked together. He sounded genuine but he was too close to Miller and Roberts to be trusted.

  ‘Come on, McBride. Do you think I would hold something like that back?’

  ‘In normal circumstances, no, but if you know where he is then now would be the time to bring him in. There are too many people involved. They won’t be able to get to him.’

  ‘You weren’t at the compound. I would tell you where he is if I knew. Now can we drop it?

  ‘Ok. So, who replaced Collins at the compound?’

  ‘Agent Maurice Sanchez. He was found dead at the scene.’

  ‘What do we think Collins gave them?’ McBride paced the street, taking an angry drag of his cigarette before throwing it down and grinding it with the heel of his shoe.

  ‘Collins was the head of security. He would know of any weaknesses at the compound. You couple that with Balfour then they were set.’

  ‘Christ, imagine it coming to that. What do you think he meant by “taking them”?’

  ‘I don’t want to think about it,’ said Rose, as sirens approached.