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“Why would that matter if all the proof is there, plain as day?” I ask, not actually answering his question. My phone continues to buzz in my pocket.
“Unfortunately, even the most concrete evidence can be thrown out or suppressed if not obtained legally. I’ve seen full confessions of some of the most heinous crimes get thrown out because they were considered inadmissible. I’ve seen murderers walk free because of simple mistakes in the chain of custody for hard evidence. Not only would none of this stand up in court, but it could make it all null and inadmissible even if we found another way to back up the claims, simply because of how the information landed in our hands.”
Micah shakes his head in disbelief. “With all due respect, sir, that’s bullshit.”
“Well, Agent Tova—”
“Please, you can call me Derrick.”
“Okay, Derrick. Tell me what we can do. Because we cannot wait years while these crimes continue to be committed. The people that run this company are a direct threat to the safety of my family, not to mention countless others if they are allowed to continue to operate.” How Bennet stays so calm and collected, I will never understand. It’s a talent I definitely do not possess.
“The best we can hope for is to catch them in some sort of illegal activity that would give our team a legitimate reason to raid their place of business. Then we could seize their computers and gain access to the same information you have here, just legally. But, honestly, I’d been watching your father for years. I am a very thorough investigator, and I never knew about your father’s involvement in any sort of research facility. These people know how to cover their tracks.”
I’m distracted for a moment, reaching into my pocket to turn my phone off. Grasping at straws, I throw out anything I can think of.
“How could we get them to make a mistake, then? A trap of some sort? An undercover spy? What is it you people do to catch the bad guys?”
“There are sting operations, but they take time and paperwork. If we want to take them down and make sure they stay down, it’s going to take some patience.”
“Fuck that,” Luis exclaims.
If the agent takes any offense to that, he doesn’t show it. Instead, he actually shakes his head in agreement. “I agree that it’s…distressing. But if we don’t do this the right way, they could get away scot-free. Can you tell me anything about how they have threatened or endangered you specifically?”
“Not without putting us in more danger, no.”
“I can offer you protection…”
“The government is the biggest thing we need protection from,” Bennet interrupts indignantly. “There has to be another solution.”
“Do you think they’d do anything illegal to get this information back?” Lukas asks curiously.
“What do you mean?”
“What if, for instance, they were approached by someone who threatened to expose them? Would it be illegal for them to pay to cover up their crimes?”
“It’s possible something like that could work, but my guess is they’re probably smart enough to find a way around it. And, unfortunately, they have ties to some very important people that could help make evidence like this disappear.”
“What about kidnapping?”
Everyone’s gaze snaps to Six. “What?”
“If someone were being held there against their will? Would that be enough to raid the building?”
“Yes. But who would they—”
“Me.”
Agent Tova stares as the five of us erupt in a fury of outrage.
“What?!”
“That is not happening.”
“Absolutely not!”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“I forbid it.”
