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“Davis is kind of clueless, but Shirley might know a thing or two. I’ve got everyone set up. Don’t want to do the deets over the phone, but I’ll email you.”
“Not too much, just in case. I think I’m being followed, but so far, I’m keeping a low profile.”
“Do your normal things. Sometimes they’ll get bored and call off a tail if they don’t find anything. You’re still using my scrambler with your burners?”
“Yes. Thanks for that.”
“Be careful. Email if you have anything new. If you need support, let me know. I can arrange that, Jordan.”
“I will. Have fun.”
“Stay safe.”
The truth was, they both needed to do that. He sat after the call and reviewed his notes. Then he called Davis, his boss.
“How are your folks?” he asked.
“My mom is very weak. Dad’s overwhelmed.”
“So are you able to help?”
“Just diffuse the tension a bit. I may need a few more days. Do you have anything coming up?”
“Not yet. I have a couple of things for you, though. Want to tell me why I got a hit on your UK passport in Naples?”
This worried him. If he got a flag, there would be a notation on his file, which he was trying to avoid. He quickly thought of a solution.
“I didn’t want to tell you, but I have a cousin who has gone a bit off the deep end. Running around Europe being a wild child. Oldest of one of my aunts,” he lied. “She’s gotten hooked up with some Italian guy they think is taking advantage. I had to slip across the pond to see if I could locate her and help get her back home. It won’t take more than a couple of days. I’ll reimburse State for my expenses.”
“Oh. Well, I have to file a note.”
“Yes, please do. I’ll pay the tab when I’m done.” He thought carefully before he told him the other white lie. “Um, I’m trying to nab this guy by posing as a wealthy businessman, so I had to charter a yacht.”
“What the Hell? You’re pulling my leg, right?”
“No, I wish I wasn’t. This is going to cost me six months of paychecks, because my aunt has no money.”
“Maybe your family can take up a collection. Maybe your parents could—”
“Look, I need to keep it on the down low. So the less paperwork the better. I promise I will wrap it up as soon as I can. She has a couple of friends she might want to bring back, which will be the only other major expense, but I’m trying to keep it as reasonable as I can.”
“With our budget, it will be buried in the paperwork here. A drop in the bucket. But it will be a problem for you if you don’treturn the assets, and I’d say no longer than thirty days, because then I have to file another report and—”
“Look, I get it. I just wanted you to know in case the charges get flagged. I’m glad you know now.”
“Yeah, well, I trust you. But don’t go do something stupid. Don’t fall in love and try to bring an unpassported Italian babe back here. We can’t do that anymore. You might be able to get her on a flight, but no can do on the State approval.”
“I got it. Yes, there are lots of pretty girls here, Davis. Lots,” he said, looking over at Moira, who had put on the robe, completely open down the front. He adjusted the towel around his waist.
“Okay, I got it. So it appears there’s going to be an inquiry, which is way too late for my taste, into that event over in Florence. You know, the one with Senator Goldberg? He’s come under some scrutiny, and I need a backup report. No chance you can do that over there, is there?”
This factoid bothered him greatly.
“No, sir. But I promise to jump right on it when I get back. Don’t give it to someone else.”
“Relieved to hear it. Okay, well, be safe, and I sure hope she’s okay.”
“Who, sir?”
