“Come in.”
As Agent Baldwin entered, he said, “Thank you, sir, for taking the time to see me.”
Williams’ forehead stretched. “What is it, son? You sound different.”
“May I sit, sir?”
Williams stood and walked around his desk, motioned to one of the chairs, and seated himself in the one beside it. As Harry sat down, Williams said, “You’re being way too formal. I’d think you were a new recruit if I didn’t know better. What’s happening?”
“It’s about the Rawlings—”
Williams’ expression of concern morphed to agitation. “How many ways do I need to tell you that it’s over—”
“No, sir, I don’t think it is.”
“Agent—”
Harry interrupted again, “It isn’t about him, per se. SAC, do you remember when I was attacked? When they took Liz and threatened Jillian?”
Williams relaxed against the chair. “Yes. Did you remember something new?”
Harry shook his head. “What happened to my phone?”
“I believe it was recovered but it was unusable. The perpetrators destroyed it.”
“But you got all the pieces?”
“Yes, the lab was able to access all your data.”
“This is very important.” Harry moved to the edge of his chair. “Was the SD card found?”
“I don’t remember, but now that you ask, I remember your being concerned about that. There was a picture, right?”
“Right,” Harry agreed. “There was a picture that I took with the intention of showing it to Rawlings. I had a plan that obviously didn’t work, but in the picture I was holding Claire Nichol’s hand. SAC, did the bureau get that SD card? Does the FBI have that picture?”
Williams shook his head. “Not to my knowledge. After what happened before between you and Mrs. Rawlings, I’m sure that if it would have materialized, the deputy director would have brought it to my attention.”
Harry closed his eyes and fell back against the chair. With a shaky voice, he asked, “What do you believe happened to my SD card—based on what I’ve told you and what the FBI found?”
Williams shrugged. “I could say that the FBI missed it at the scene, but honestly, I doubt that. The area was swept clean more than once. You’re one of us. We take the attack on you, as well as the threat to your daughter and ex-wife, very seriously. More than likely, I’d assume that the perpetrators took it. Who knows, maybe it was to be used as blackmail, but if you haven’t heard anything yet…”
The rush of blood caused his ears to ring. Harry could no longer hear his supervisor. There was no other explanation. The words kept repeating: No one knows you like family—everyone has a past. It all pointed to one person: his sister. Could she have been the one to have him and Liz attacked? How else could she have gotten that picture? Who else would have known about Jillian?
Oh God! Harry’s chest hurt.
Why? Why would Amber have done that to him?
Harry finally stilled the voices long enough to speak above their din. “Sir, I have a theory, one that I’d like the bureau to disprove.”
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.
—Maya Angelou
John made his way toward the courthouse for the third day of Catherine London’s grand jury trial. The grand jury was still hearing testimony and debating the evidence. It wasn’t their job to determine guilt or innocence, only if there was enough evidence for Catherine to stand trial. Since all grand jury proceedings were done in private, this was the one phase that the Rawlings Industries’ legal team didn’t need to fight to keep away from the press. However, there were many other probable sources of bad exposure. To that end, the Rawlings’ legal team, with the help of their newest member, had been successful in limiting the release of information during the preliminary phase. That didn’t stop the crowds of people from lining the cold steps of the US District Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Many of the onlookers were hoping to get a glimpse of Anthony Rawlings. Though it was only speculation, if he were to be subpoenaed, the reporters didn’t want to miss his arrival.
Since the list of possible witnesses wasn’t public, John wasn’t sure if Anthony would be asked to testify or not. He did know that it was one thing to indirectly work for his brother-in-law, but John wasn’t sure he was ready to see him and look him in the eye. The decision to take the job at Rawlings Industries had not been made lightly. John and Emily spent many hours and days discussing the pros and the cons. Without a doubt, Tim timed the offer perfectly. First, there was Emily’s desire to stay close to Claire and the court’s decision that kept her in Iowa. Then there was the salary. Tim’s offer made Anthony’s proposal from four years ago look like minimum wage. And while those reasons were enticing, it was the possibility of helping Claire and Nichol, helping to secure their financial future and the future of Nichol’s legacy that truly sold John. Well, that and Tim.
Tim Bronson, the acting CEO of Rawlings Industries, was one of the most upfront and honest CEO’s that John had ever met. They’d met socially years ago, but time and responsibility had not only matured, but also added confidence and charisma to Tim’s demeanor. Despite all of the problems that Rawlings Industries was having with Anthony’s private life, Tim was steadfast and confident in the company and its future. Truly, John was impressed from the first lunch. Tim didn’t beat around the bush or try to avoid the giant elephant in the room. No, Tim laid it on the line.