Chapter 15

Washington D.C.

Taylor sat on the couch in the living room, watching as Whitaker gently rocked their six-month-old daughter, Grace, in her arms. The infant was fast asleep, pacifier bobbing rhythmically as she breathed.

Whitaker smiled down at the baby, brushing a finger over her soft cheek, “She’s so peaceful like this. Hard to believe that just an hour ago, she was screaming up a storm.”

“Tell me about it,” Taylor said wryly, leaning back against the cushions. “She’s got some lungs on her, that’s for sure.”

Before he could say anything else, Whitaker’s phone started ringing, buzzing loudly on the coffee table across from her. Taylor dove for it, answering before the sound of the phone could wake up the baby.

Seeing it was Joe Solomon, he turned the volume down and put it on speaker.

“Whitaker?” Solomon said when no one responded right away.

“I’m here, Joe,” Whitaker said. “Taylor’s with me.”

“I wanted to give you an update on the case. We’ve identified the DOD insider as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions and Sustainment, Frank Weston. It’s a big title, and he was a major player in all aspects of the DOD acquisition process, which gave him access to pretty much everything in our arsenal. The DOD has been conducting both a financial audit on him and a complete audit of that department, and we’re starting to see evidence that he’s been stealing and selling technology and weapons for years, including some classified stuff. Millions of dollars worth of materials walked out of the door because of him, and we don’t have any idea yet where most of it went.”

“There are going to be big repercussions from this,” Whitaker said.

“No kidding. The Under Secretary has already resigned and I’m hearing word that the Secretary himself might be handing in his resignation by the end of the week. This is going to be a huge shakeup.”

“Any leads on where else the pipeline extended?” Taylor asked. “Did they use the cartels as middlemen for everything, or were there others?”

“We don’t know yet, but it’s being looked into. With Weston caught and Matthews dead, the cartels’ operations on the border exposed, and their tunnel shut down, you two have just about closed your investigation out. Sullivan has sent a letter up the chain commending you for your good work, and we received thanks from the Mexican government for your assistance. Good work, both of you.”

“Thanks,” Whitaker said.

“Get some rest and spend time with Grace, because I’m sure we’re going to have more work for you both soon.”

“Will do, boss,” Whitaker said.

Taylor reached over and ended the call.

“Well, that’s that,” Whitaker said.

“I guess.”

“Don’t be like that. Can’t you just be happy we did our job? I mean, Matthews being an asshole isn’t a reflection on you.”

“I guess not, although the fact that he managed to get one over on me is.”

Grace stirred slightly, scrunching up her face. Whitaker gently shushed her, rocking slowly until she settled again.

“Is that what’s bothering you or is it her?”

“Who ... oh, Bonnie? No, it’s Matthews. I just thought ... you think you know some people. Why did you think it was Bonnie?”

“You were crazed about her, like a week ago, before we got this case. I thought maybe with this case all cleared up, you’d started thinking about her getting away again. You can go back to looking for her, if you want.”

Taylor reached over and took Grace from Whitaker, settling her in his arms.

“Maybe in a little bit,” he said.