Witness Protection 2: The Return of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

by Holly Copella

  “How did that turn out?” Lee asked, feeling slightly insecure in her new prison home.

  “Pretty much how you’d think,” he replied casually and placed his hands in his pants pockets. “I married her.”

  Both looked at him with some surprise to the comment. He flashed a smile, allowing them to relax and laugh a little at their situation.

  “When do we get our cell phones back, Agent Falcone?” Tonya asked.

  “You don’t,” he replied. “We have an untraceable phone for your use at my discretion. If your boss is motivated enough to get to either of you, there’s a good chance he’ll find a way to wiretap those you might call. Although our phone can’t be traced, there are other ways of deciphering someone’s location. What you say can be used to locate you.” Holden inhaled deeply and looked around. “But, for now, you’re probably low risk. All we have is your testimony against your boss’s right hand man. Romano isn’t going to risk his entire operation and freedom over one of his generals.”

  “So you didn’t get anything off the security cameras back at the office?” Lee questioned.

  “It was just as you said. There weren’t any cameras for that private elevator or Romano’s corner of the parking garage,” he replied. “He can come and go as he pleases without anyone ever knowing.”

  “Then you also have no proof that Sal had anything to do with Wiley’s murder either,” Lee remarked firmly. “This could all be Jericho.”

  “To be honest, Jericho isn’t a mastermind by any means,” Holden bluntly informed her. “He’s a soldier. He does what he’s told.”

  “Told you so,” Tonya muttered to Lee.

  “That still doesn’t mean Sal is pulling his strings,” Lee informed her friend.

  “Since you didn’t actually witness Romano killing the accountant, it’s not as if we need to keep you in custody until the trial,” Holden announced. “We just need to keep you out of sight until we eliminate Romano’s reason for wanting you both dead.”

  “So, basically, if you find the missing fifty million dollars, Jericho no longer has a reason to want us dead,” Lee announced, uncertain if that made her feel any better.

  Tonya sharply raised her brow and chimed in with her own comments. “And for some strange reason, he thinks we have that information.”

  “Basically, yes,” he replied.

  “Then I suppose we should make the best of it,” Tonya announced with a reluctant sigh.

  “Yes, because no matter the outcome, we’re unemployed,” Lee informed her friend.

  “On that note, I’m going to bed,” Tonya remarked and headed for the stairs.

  Chapter Eight

  It was a little after seven o’clock in the morning. Lee lie on the bed in her official prison cell and stared at the bland, concrete walls. She wasn’t going to sleep, so remaining in bed seemed pointless. Of course, getting up seemed equally pointless. She didn’t want to be reminded that she was a prisoner for her own protection. She remained in bed another two hours, alternating between staring at the ceiling and staring at the walls. Around nine o’clock, she reluctantly got out of bed, dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, and left her room. She heard voices as she walked down the steps. Agent Falcone stood near the door with an attractive, dark haired woman in her mid-thirties. Both looked at her as she reached the bottom of the steps.

  “Miss Whitley, I was just on my way out,” Holden announced. “Your boss requested a meeting with me this morning in his penthouse.”

  “That’s a good sign, right?”

  “Well, it means he either wants to talk or put a bullet through my head,” Holden remarked.

  “What prompted the sudden meeting?” Lee asked, feeling oddly uneasy about the request.

  “He heard through his sources that Jericho broke into your apartment last night,” Holden announced, “and he wants to cooperate in any way he can.”

  “You’re wrong about him,” Lee announced and folded her arms across her chest. “Sal’s a nice guy, I’m telling you. You’ve got the wrong guy.”

  “I’ve heard plenty of young trusting women tell me the same thing,” he replied. “And those same conversations haunt me every time I’m forced to identify their bodies in the morgue.”

  Lee glanced at the woman standing alongside Holden. “Your husband is a ray of sunshine.”

  The women appeared surprised, glanced at Holden, and then burst out laughing. She looked back at Lee and could barely contain her grin.

  “He’s not my husband,” the woman announced maintaining her humor. “Personally, if I had to live with this one, one of us wouldn’t make it out alive.”

  “Thanks, Mac,” Holden muttered then focused his attention on Lee. “This is Macbeth from the U.S. Marshals’ office. She’s your babysitter for the next few hours. I’ll be back this afternoon. I’ll grab some Chinese take-out for lunch.”

  Lee managed a smile and nodded. Holden left the warehouse apartment. The door made a distinctive humming as it locked behind him, reminding Lee that the attractive studio apartment was little more than a comfortable prison. Mac turned to Lee and smiled almost sweetly.

  “I’m sure it seems like Agent Falcone and I don’t get along,” Mac announced reassuringly, “but believe me when I say, honestly, I can’t stand the prick.”

  “He seems to have a chip on his shoulder.”

  Mac grinned as she passed Lee. “I’d be a little more graphic in the placement of that chip.”

  Lee hesitated a moment then laughed softly and followed Mac across the studio apartment. Mac looked around and marveled at the massive area.

  “The feds certainly enjoy their toys,” she remarked while grinning. “Pity they don’t like to share them.” Mac spun to face Lee with a slightly devious look on her face. “I’ll bet this place comes equipped with panic rooms and one of those emergency escape hatches too.” She again looked around. “Put this place in a cave, and I’d be in my glory.” Mac eyed Lee. “I have a thing for superheroes. Do you like superheroes?”

  “I used to read comic books when I was a little girl,” Lee replied.

  “Well, I’m starving,” Mac announced. “Why don’t I make us some breakfast while you tell me about your favorite comic book heroes?”

  “You’re on,” Lee replied. “I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday.”

  “You’re in luck. I make a mean omelet.” Mac indicated the second floor. “Think bachelorette number two would like an omelet?”

  “Maybe for lunch,” Lee teased. “She’ll sleep all day if you let her.”

  Mac appeared surprised. “Even after all the two of you have been through?”

  “I know!” Lee shook her head. “I couldn’t even convince my eyes to stay closed for more than a minute.”

  Mac casually leaned on the island counter and smiled sweetly. “I was like that when I first started out in this game,” she announced. “You sort of get used to it. After a while, you can sleep through just about anything.”

  “You have an air of self-confidence about you unlike any woman I’ve ever met before,” Lee remarked. “I thought I was confident and together, but the last twenty-four hours shattered any feelings of control.” She shook her head and groaned softly. “You should see the size of this guy. He slung me around like a ragdoll. How do you fight someone like that and expect to survive?”

  Mac grinned slyly and replied, “I heard you did, so you tell me.”

  “Blind luck,” Lee remarked. “Literally. I nearly blinded him with a tube of lipstick.”

  Mac straightened while staring at Lee. She appeared pleased with the outcome. “Bravo. Just remember, it’s what you do next that defines success.”

  “I gave him a shot to the groin,” Lee replied timidly.

  “Ah, the great equalizer,” Mac announced cheerfully and appeared pleased. “They say size doesn’t matter, and it’s true. One good shot to the gonads and they all fall down.”

  A metallic sound echoed
throughout the apartment causing both to look at the ceiling.

  “What’s that?” Lee suddenly asked.

  Mac slowly shook her head and crossed the living room, attempting to locate the source of the traveling sound. Lee followed a few steps behind her.

  “Almost sounds like something rolling in the air ducts--” Mac began then suddenly gasped. She turned toward Lee with her mouth partially open. “In your room, now!”

  Lee bolted for the stairs. A canister fell from the vent and onto the floor, expelling thick smoke. Mac grabbed Lee’s arm and stopped her from running up the stairs.

  “Never mind,” she cried out. “The emergency exit!”

  There was a loud bang at the main door. The smoke began filling the room.

  “Go!” Mac yelled while removing her gun from a concealed shoulder holster.

  “Tonya,” Lee gasped then immediately choked on the smoke filling the room.

  “She’ll be safe! Go!”

  Lee ran for the panel, flipped it open, and pressed the red button. The door slid open, causing an alarm to wail loudly. The bedroom doors could be heard electronically sealing. Lee leaped into the passageway. She turned around just in time to see Mac hitting the button to close the door behind her. Lee coughed several times and looked at the dimly lit stairs before her. Whatever triggered the alarm had apparently triggered the emergency lights on the steps as well. She knew help would be arriving soon. Mac and Tonya would be fine, she was positive. She had to find her way outside and keep watch for the responding officers. She paused at the bottom of the stairs and placed her hand to the doorknob before her. She looked out the concealed peek hole.

  The area surrounding the warehouse was nearly empty, although she could barely hear the police sirens wailing in the near distance over the warehouse alarm. She saw a police cruiser enter through the warehouse gates. Lee opened the door to make her run for the officers. She stepped out of the one-way door and onto the warehouse grounds. The door shut loudly behind her, startling her. She spun around and saw Finn leaning against the door with a cheap grin on his moderately creepy face.

  “Hello, darling,” he announced in his best Southern drawl.

  Lee cried out and attempted to bolt. Finn pounced on her with cat-like reflexes, catching her around her shoulders from behind, and placing her in a big bear hug.

  “Where are you running off too so fast, missy?” he asked almost sweetly close to her ear. “I just want a moment of your time. No harm; no foul.”

  She was about to scream, even though it would never be heard over the wailing warehouse alarm. Finn swiftly spun her around and grabbed both her wrists with a vice-like grip. She fought against him as he pulled her toward the nearby black sedan. The back door opened from the inside, and he shoved her into the back of the car. Lee fell onto the seat and quickly straightened. Sal sat calmly on the backseat and stared at her. She attempted to flee the car, but the door wouldn’t open.

  “I’m sorry if Finn was a little rough with you,” Sal announced calmly. “I’ll speak to him about his manners.”

  Lee pressed her back against the door while staring at her boss. “What are you going to do with me?” she gasped.

  “Nothing,” he announced calmly. “I’d never hurt you, Lee, and I said I’d speak to Finn. No one here is going to hurt you, and that includes Finn.”

  Lee stared at him, but she was no longer convinced. She attempted to stop her body from trembling, but found it difficult. Although she had defended him to Agent Falcone, now, in his presence, she was a little less trusting.

  “Jericho--?”

  “I had nothing to do with Jericho’s actions, Lee,” he informed her in a calm tone, although she could hear the hidden anger behind the words. “He was acting on his own, I swear. I suspect he also killed Wiley, but the police seem to think he was acting on my orders.”

  “I don’t understand,” she gasped softly without taking her eyes off him. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because, Lee, I trust you,” Sal announced. “I have instincts about people. You’re a good person, and I know you’d never knowingly set me up.”

  “You think Jericho set you up?” she asked as her body relaxed slightly.

  “I don’t know if he’s smart enough to actually set me up himself,” Sal replied. “But he definitely screwed me over. I have a dead accountant and a large hole in my data. He took something from my accounts, but with the entire server down, I have no idea what or why.”

  “Wiley said the bank accounts were short fifty million dollars,” Lee announced then regretted giving him that information. Maybe she shouldn’t have told him.

  “Fifty million?” Sal cried out. He fell oddly silent as his mind reeled with the new information. “I have some clients who would be very unhappy if it turned out to be their money. With the system disabled, there’s no way to tell what accounts have been compromised.” He shook his head. “This is a very dark day for me and my company.” Sal glanced at Lee and tilted his head in question. “Was Wiley in on it with him? Did they have a falling out?”

  She slowly shook her head.

  “I don’t have any answers either,” Sal informed her, “but I do know the feds are attempting to set me up to take the fall.” He then stared at her. “Believe me, Lee; I had nothing to do with any of this.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” Lee again demanded.

  “You’re being held in protective custody,” he announced then raised his brows, “supposedly from me. We can both agree that I have the upper hand here. If it were my intention to kill you, I easily could. Don’t you agree?”

  Lee uncertainly nodded.

  Sal raised his hands with a look of innocence. “You’re still alive. That should prove I’m not a threat to your life.” His look softened. “I want you to trust me, Lee. Trust me as I trust you. I had nothing to do with Wiley’s death or Jericho attacking you last night. Do you believe me?”

  She stared at him a moment then nodded. “Yes,” she replied softly. “I tried to tell Agent Falcone, but he’s convinced you’re into organized crime.”

  “Agent Falcone,” he announced and smirked while casually nodding. “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him yet, and I’m afraid I’m going to be late for that meeting. He’s a smart guy--for a fed. I assure you, I won’t be able to change his opinion of me. I need you to convince him of my innocence. Will you defend me to him?”

  Lee drew in a deep breath and again nodded. “If they find Jericho,” she informed him, “they may be able to prove you weren’t involved.”

  “I’ll personally hand him Jericho when I find him,” Sal informed her. “Though I fear my circle of trustworthy people is shrinking dramatically.”

  “Are you going to let me go?” she asked timidly.

  “You were never mine to start with,” he replied in a gentle tone then revealed a tiny smile. “I’ll have Finn escort you back inside, if you’d like.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks,” she announced firmly. “I don’t like him.”

  Sal smiled and chuckled softly. He leaned closer to her while raising his brows in suggestion.

  “Neither do I,” he whispered then laughed.

  He reached past her, causing her to tense slightly, and tapped on the window. The door opened. Lee jumped away from the door and stared at Finn on the other side. He smiled deviously and extended his hand to her. Lee sneered at him and made a motion to get out of the car.

  “Lee,” Sal announced, catching her attention and forcing her to look back at him. His look was sincere. “I’d never hurt you, remember that. When this is all over, your job will be waiting for you. You have my word.”

  She stared at him with some surprise then smiled for the first time. “Thank you.”

  “Give my regards to Tonya,” Sal announced then gave her a general nod and a slight wave.

  Lee returned the nod and offered a tiny smile. She climbed out of the car and immediately locked eyes with Finn. His sleazy smirk
was enough to stand her neck hairs on end, but she didn’t allow him to see the fear she felt.

  Chapter Nine

  Agent Falcone hurried Lee and Tonya out of the warehouse, past several armed policemen, and into the awaiting black SUV. Mac climbed into the passenger seat only seconds before Holden hit the gas and sped away from the warehouse. An unmarked police car followed them. Lee leaned forward between the two in the front seat.

  “Is this really necessary, Agent Falcone?” Lee asked. “He could have killed me, but he didn’t. Can’t you admit that it’s possible Sal isn’t part of this plot?”

  “You’re right,” he announced gruffly. “He didn’t kill you. Let’s discuss what he did do. He found you at a highly classified safe house, penetrated the failsafe with a smoke bomb, and flushed you out onto the street where his thug tossed you into the backseat of his car.”

  Lee frowned.

  “All so the lovable teddy bear could profess his innocence, and ask you to go to bat for him,” Holden announced. His cruel smile mocked her as he shook his head. “Nah, no reason to worry about that. All innocent men risk being shot on sight to talk to their employees in protective custody.”

  Mac glanced back at Lee and offered a tiny, teasing smile. It was uncertain if Mac was on her side or not. Lee huffed and collapsed against the backseat.

  “The safe house has been compromised,” Holden announced firmly. “I don’t know how he did it, but he’s smarter and has a longer reach than I gave him credit.”

  “So where are you taking us?” Tonya asked.

  “That’s classified,” Holden snapped.

  “Even I’m not privy to that information,” Mac gently informed the women in the backseat.

  “All you need to know is I’m taking you someplace safe,” he informed them. “I assure you, it’s someplace no one will ever find you.”

  “You sound awfully confident, Agent Falcone,” Tonya remarked with some disbelief in her tone.

  “This guy flies so far beneath the radar, I don’t even know where to find him most of the time,” Holden remarked and seemed to grimace at the thought.