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She wore a mid-grade black suit with a white shirt and black tie.
It didn’t surprise him to see her. After all, they worked closely together as agents of FEAR.
“Are you Carl Ramsey?” She took off her dark sunglasses and addressed him. Her narrow gaze was piercing.
Claude did his best to not fidget or show he was uncomfortable. If anyone could uncover who he really was, it would be this woman.
With a mind like a steel trap, her experience with the NYPD’s detective bureau never left her. Even when she switched jobs to work for the CIA.
Keeping his face relaxed, he turned to answer her. “Yes, I am.” He gestured to Amata. “And this is my wife, Aryana.”
The woman’s dark eyes briefly examined Amata before turning back to him. “I am Agent Smith with the FBI.” She whipped out a perfect copy of a FBI badge.
Well, weren’t they all just a bunch of liars? Her name wasn’t Smith, and she wasn’t with the FBI. She was Agent Raven from the CIA, aka Lenni Townsend from Brooklyn.
She put the badge into her jacket pocket and nodded to the tall Latino male next to her. “And this is Agent Jones.”
Claude’s eyebrows rose. Agent Jones was another one of his FEAR team members, Agent Coal. Whose real name was Mateo Gonzales.
“Agents.” He acknowledged them with a nod.
Amata squeezed his arm, which he patted in response. He must’ve tensed, so he forced himself to relax. “What can I do for you?”
“If I understand correctly, you’re the heir to Claude Reese’s estate?”
He gave her a tolerant smile. “That’s right. He was a distant cousin of mine.” Of course he was the heir. He made sure the paperwork was in order and backdated long before his supposed death. Like he’d let anyone else get his stuff.
Raven eyed him up and down. “I can see the family resemblance.” She leaned close. “Especially in the eyes. Do you know you have the same sliver of brown in your right eye that Claude did? How unusual.” She took a step back and crossed her arms.
“That so? I wouldn’t know. I never met the man.” His nonchalant answer made her eyes narrow. While his earthly possessions were moderate, the life insurance set him up nicely. Not that he had to worry about such things. They’d taken care of Amata’s estate the same way. Between the two of them, money would never be an issue again.
Raven glanced at Agent Coal and held out her hand.
He dropped a small silver oval device on her palm.
“As we were cleaning out his office, we came across this.” She held it up.
He resisted the urge to smile as she put something into his hand that he’d stolen while undercover at a small bank in Las Vegas. Damn, is that where he left it? In his office? Well, that was beyond stupid and careless of him.
The thing was a key to a Transkip mirror. Alien technology from the Akurns that allowed the bearer to travel vast distances with just a couple of steps. Even off planet.
Claude always compared the Transkip to the transporter in an old science-fiction series. Without the sound effects and sparkles.
Keeping in character, he allowed a bemused expression to crease his face as he turned it over to look at. “Oh? What is it?”
“We’re not sure. Our scientists haven’t been able to take it apart and examine it. The only thing we know is that it’s made of material not found on Earth. We’re hoping there’s something in Claude’s effects that might explain what it is.”
Claude straightened. “Not that I’m aware of.” He handed it back to her. First chance he got, he’d contact Queen Inanna and have one of her talented psychic family members come and get it. Not to mention wiping the memories of those who knew of it. The last thing humans needed was more alien technology to screw things up.
“We’re hoping you’d allow us to go through his personal effects to see if there’s a clue to what it is.” Agent Coal took up the narrative with an aggressive stance. “And if you don’t, we’ll just get a warrant.”
Claude barked with laughter. “Are you kidding? The damn thing looks like a tinker toy, not something some judge would sign a warrant for.” He waved his hand in dismissal.
Raven opened her mouth, but Claude put a hand up. “Despite your ridiculous threats, I don’t have a problem with you going through Claude’s stuff.” He gestured to the chaplain, rattling off the last rites at the casket with an American flag draped over it. “But if you don’t mind, I’d rather not do it today.”
“Of course not.” Raven pulled a business card out of her jacket pocket. “Call me anytime at this number and we’ll set something up.” She gave him a harsh squint. “Say, tomorrow?”
“That’s fine.” Claude tucked the card into his inner jacket pocket without looking at it. “You’ll be hearing from me, Agent Smith.” He gave the man next to her a condescending nod. “Agent Jones.”
