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Rafe had let him handle the interrogation, until deputies arrived to escort Dylan to the local jail just before midnight. Two agents accompanied them.
He needed to find Kara, but first, he had business to deal with. Weary, the lack of sleep getting to him, Jace headed to Rafe’s assigned office.
Three walls of glass formed the office. An American flag sat in the corner near a small conference table and two black sofas. The wall behind the credenza was dark paneling, with built-in shelves holding law journals and manuals. Neatly stacked file folders lay upon the credenza, along with stacks of paper.
The wood desk was equally functional, with a desk lamp, blotter, pencil box and laptop. The only concession to decor was a silk plant in the corner.
In a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up his forearms, and a blue silk tie loosely knotted, Rafe sat at the desk, working on his laptop. He glanced up as the door opened. Jace didn’t bother knocking. He was too angry.
“I knew this would happen. Kid’s lips are sealed. He won’t talk until his attorney is here. I told you to let Kara in the room. She could have reassured him.”
“Against protocol and you know it. Where’s Kara?” Rafe turned his attention back to his computer.
“She took an Uber to a hotel. A hotel of her choosing. Soon as I’m done here, I’m going to track her down. She’s pissed at me, Rafe, and I don’t blame her. I told her the prosecutor would cut Dylan a deal. And now I find out Dylan may be charged with a felony?”
“Never make promises like that.” Rafe shook his head. “We’re not the US attorney’s office. We only find and arrest the bad guys.”
He paced the floor, feeling as if they had missed out on something.
“Any more word on this big incident Marcus plans?”
“Nothing recent. It’s gone quiet.” His boss leaned back. “Your part here is finished, Jace. You’re off the case.”
He whirled and stared at Rafe, feeling betrayed. “Are you serious? You’re not letting me in on the takedown?”
“Afraid not.”
“Rafe, I’ve been trying to prove myself to you for more than five years. I worked my ass off on this case. I’m totally committed to this assignment and this job. You need me.”
“I need you on my team.” Rafe leaned forward, elbows on the desk blotter. “Yeah, I do. But you took risks, Jace. Risks that could have cost lives. You took Kara with you, an unarmed civilian.”
Exasperated, yet knowing Rafe was right, he jammed a hand into his hair. “I know. My bad.”
“Without Kara, we never would have found Dylan. He’s our star witness. With Dylan we can take down Lance and the others.”
Jace felt the rug yanked from beneath him. “What? Then why am I off the case?”
“Because you’re too close. Because your cover is blown and your life is at risk. You need to lie low for a while.”
Releasing a string of Spanish swear words, he paced the office. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”
“It’s to keep you safe, Jace. You did well, despite everything.” Rafe twirled a gold pen in his fingers. “Kara was right. Dylan never would have talked to you, or anyone else. He needed someone he could trust. Don’t worry about Kara and the prosecutor. She’ll get over it when the attorney her father hired arrives tomorrow. He’s good. Seen him in action before, and the US attorney’s office isn’t interested in hanging Dylan out to dry on this. They need him and I’m sure they’ll work out a good deal.”
“Then why...?”
“Because in this business you can’t make promises you aren’t sure you can keep.” Rafe stared at the wall, his jaw tight. “I promised my guys last year it would be a simple takedown. And now they’re dead.”
Jace blew out a breath. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“It was. But that’s another matter. For this, I did have a backup plan.”
He picked up his office phone. “Is she out there? Bring her in.”
Stunned, he watched the woman walk into Rafe’s office. Jace stared. “You?”
“Pleased to see you again, Special Agent Beckett.” Allison Lexington removed her motorcycle helmet. A waterfall of shoulder-length dark hair spilled out. Still attractive as ever.
“How the hell did you get here?” he demanded.
