Chapter 17

Washington D.C.

Taylor’s back felt cramped, but he wasn’t going to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing him in distress. They were treating him like he was the criminal, instead of the man hiring hitmen to kill political opponents and kidnapping teenage girls. He had been in a holding cell in Atlanta, a Bureau plane in shackles, and then, by his count, six hours in this interrogation room.

He got the transportation. They had appearances to maintain. It was being left to rot in an FBI interrogation room that had him annoyed. Yes, he left with Bonnie without saying anything, but he’d told Whitaker what was going on, and they had Bonnie’s information now. They had the proof of what was happening, and they knew him. They knew he didn’t just go around killing people for no reason.

Thankfully, sitting and doing nothing for hours waiting to be told what to do was a skill he’d mastered in the military. So he sat, hour after hour, handcuffed hands in front of him, staring at the wall.

When the door finally opened, it was Director Solomon who came through, and not Whitaker, who he was hoping to see.

“About damn time,” Taylor said. “Where’s Whitaker?”

Solomon settled into the chair across from him and stared at him for a long moment before saying, “You know she can’t be here, Taylor.”

“Why not? Bonnie got to you, right? She told you about Ellsworth?”

“Yes. She’s already being debriefed and is in protective custody.”

“Then get me out of these cuffs,” Taylor said, holding up his shackled hands.

Solomon considered him for a moment and waved at the one-way mirror. A moment later, an agent came in and unlocked his shackles, taking them out with him.

“And the names on the cell phone you got off Ellsworth?” Taylor asked, rubbing his wrists. “I saw several FBI extensions on there, and he was very clear that he had agents in his pocket. If they’re not found, I’m not sure how protective any custody you have her in will be.”

“Bonnie told us about it and we have started an internal investigation; we have the Marshals involved, just in case.”

“Good, I guess. But you have her, which means you know I did what I had to do. The senator was dirty, Joe. He was coming for me, and he was coming for Bonnie. I did my job.”

“This wasn’t the way to do it, Taylor. There could have been other options.”

“Like what?” Taylor snapped. “This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with dirty people inside the chain of command. I know what problems that can cause.”

“You know me and you know Whitaker,” Solomon countered. “You could have come to us.”

“And you guys would have compartmentalized it? No. That wouldn’t be procedure. I do know you and I know Whitaker. You would have followed procedure, which is what guys like Ellsworth play off of.”