Enigma (FBI Thriller 21)

“New York SAC Milo Zachery sent down one of his crew yesterday to work a case with the Criminal Division—Special Agent Jack Cabot. I know him quite well. He’s an ex–army ranger with experience in special ops, an expert in survival and surveillance techniques in the wild. He’s perfect for tracking these guys, and I’ve already hijacked him. I was thinking about which of you to partner up with him. Cam, as I recall, you spent some of your formative years hiking around in national parks with your parents. And you hiked and camped throughout college. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, I did, but—you’re picking me, Dillon?” The agents around the conference table would have had to be deaf not to hear the excitement in her voice. She nearly bounced out of her chair.

“Yes, you. Come to my office and we’ll talk. The rest of you, carry on. Text me your ideas.”

4

Executive Assistant Director Jimmy Maitland, Savich’s boss, stuck his head in Savich’s office as Cam was on her way out the door. She gave him a blazing smile. Maitland could tell she was itching to get past him, so he only said, “Welcome aboard, Agent Wittier. Good luck.”

Maitland’s eyebrow went up as he watched her nearly run through the unit. “She’s a good addition, Savich. She looks so happy and excited; if I didn’t know better, I’d think you’d given her a paid vacation to Paris.”

Savich waved his boss to a chair. “Knowing Cam, she prefers this assignment to climbing the Eiffel Tower, as amazing as that sounds. I told you about the teenager who spotted Manta Ray. Cam will be partnering with Jack Cabot, flying with him to the Daniel Boone National Forest. They’ll go in after him and whoever’s with him.”

Maitland said, “Cabot’s a great choice, but that’s quite an assignment for a new agent in your unit. I suppose Agent Wittier’s already had her trial by fire, though, in the Starlet Slasher case in L.A.”

Savich nodded. “I think she has the skill set to handle it, after what she showed us in L.A.” He smiled. “She’ll realize soon enough she’s teamed up with Tarzan-with-brains, and I hope they’ll figure out how to use each other’s strengths, guard each other’s backs. Better than plunking her down at a desk here in the CAU, wondering how she fits in.”

“And knowing you, you wanted to see if you could get Jack to transfer from Milo Zachery’s kingdom in New York to the CAU, right?”

“Of course not, I don’t want Milo after my head. Well, okay, maybe. Milo does owe me one. It’s not a bad idea.”

“You think that teenager really saw Manta Ray? Saw him walking into that forest?”

“I’m sitting at about eighty percent on that, maybe higher because it would be a smart move to get Manta Ray tucked away from the manhunt going on outside. They could be planning to take their time in the forest until things cool off, even have prepositioned food and equipment waiting for them, and a planned meet at some designated pickup point later. It was really bad luck for Manta Ray and his men if they were spotted by a teenage hiker.” Savich grinned. “Now I’ve talked myself up to ninety percent.”

Maitland sat back in his chair, swung his leg. “My real reason for coming is to let you know Detective Aldo Mayer’s captain called me about the Kara Moody incident you were involved in yesterday. Ramirez said he had to promise Mayer he’d call me to calm him down. We agreed there would be no formal complaint from Metro about your, ah, interfering in a local police matter. It turned out well, after all.” Maitland shrugged. “If it had gone down differently I’d have to keep them from hanging you by your feet, but this way, no worries. Hard to bring charges against the guy who walked out of that house helping a pregnant lady in labor. That’s all over YouTube this morning, you know that? One of the neighbors posted the video before the media even arrived. Has Kara Moody had the baby yet?”

Savich grunted. “A baby boy, Alex, born late last night, healthy, six and a half pounds.”

Maitland gave him a big grin. “From what Captain Ramirez told me, your only problem is with Mayer. He’s not too happy with you, thinks you made him look like an idiot. Maybe it’s best to keep your distance from him for a while.”

“No problem, if I can keep Sherlock from taking him down in a dark alley, locking her knees around his neck, and reminding him of the importance of good manners. She isn’t happy with him right now.”

Maitland laughed. “What a visual. You’re going to see Moody and the baby?”

Savich nodded. “Yes, and Mayer’s got no say in that.”

“Do you know if Metro has identified the guy?”

“It’s Detective Mayer’s case, sir; it’s not my business.”

Maitland arched a brow, said nothing. He rose. “Whatever you say, Savich. Keep me in the loop, all right?”

“I have no plans to get involved.”

“Right.” Maitland gave him a salute and left his office, heading over to speak to Shirley.

Savich watched Maitland weave his way out of the unit, speaking to each agent, asking questions, nodding, and he wondered again, Why was that young man so desperate to take Kara Moody away from that house? Why did he call himself an enigma?

5

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE

CAMP SPRINGS, MARYLAND

MONDAY AFTERNOON

Special Agent Jack Cabot finished his preflight inspection by walking around the white FBI Skylane 182 with its distinctive blue stripe. He patted the fuselage, stood back a moment, and admired the shine. The Skylane was as clean as his dog, Cropper, after Jack washed him along with his SUV. He walked to the top of the airstairs and slid on his aviator sunglasses. It was a bright, hot afternoon, with only a slight breeze. The humidity was the killer. He wished he had a garden hose to spray himself down.