JACK TRIED SCOTTY AGAIN AND WAS RELIEVED WHEN HE answered.
“Was just gonna call you,” his brother-in-law said. “In every single one of those deaths, the victims had received the cold vaccine within a few days of losing their minds. We should have a warrant for Licentia today or tomorrow. I’m also doing some research on them myself to see what I can find out.”
“It’s got to be Crosse behind it,” Jack said. “Have you had a chance to look into Crosby Wheeler, to see if any of his funds have gone into Licentia or vice versa?”
“Not yet. We don’t have the authority to go digging around in Wheeler’s finances, not without probable cause. He’s a big gun with lots of money and lots of lawyers; we have to be careful. Before I set up this meeting to try to get Crosse, tell me more about what you’re doing to lure him out of hiding.”
“It has to do with these religious relics.”
“What?”
Jack gave him a shortened explanation of the thirty pieces of silver. “Between you and me, I have no idea if they are anything more than a piece of history, but apparently men have killed and been killed for them. We’re going to ask Crosse for five million dollars.”
Scotty whistled. “Seriously? For a bunch of coins?”
“Yep. Listen, you have to keep this part to yourself. I know it sounds nuts, but there are a lot of people looking for them who believe they have powers.”
“Okay,” Scotty said. “When do you expect to have the meeting?”
“The next day or two. Definitely before Sunday. We’re still looking for a meeting place.”
“Keep me posted. I’ll let you know when we get the green light for the lab.”
As they were hanging up, Taylor called to Jack from the other room.
He hurried to the living room. “Did he answer?”
“Yes! And he’s willing to pay the five million. He wants to meet tomorrow night. I’ve got to write back and tell him where,” Taylor said.
“I just spoke with Scotty. Let Crosse cool his heels. We’ll get back to him soon.”
“Father Basil just called me and gave me the address of a church in Astoria. He said he’s already cleared it with the priest,” Jeremy said.
“Okay, then.” Jack’s phone rang. “Logan.”
It was Scotty again. “Hey, okay, so I just got the word. Apparently Licentia’s cold vaccine is scheduled to be given to the president and his family on live television in three days. One of those PR things to get the public on board. It’s already been given to Congress, with no ill effects . . . at least not yet. Someone at the lab let us know the shipment’s already labeled to go to the White House doctor. We got a sneak and peek warrant and we’re going in covert tomorrow night to test the shipment. Quantico is sending chemists and an emergency response team.”
“What the hell? Can you imagine if it’s contaminated? The president and his whole family going nuts?” Jack said.
“No kidding. It could be a wild goose chase, in which case I’m going to have egg all over my face with my director. That’s why it’s going to be covert—and obviously, I shouldn’t be telling you any of this. If the vaccines are clean, then we’ll be out and no one will be any the wiser. We don’t need a public panic on our hands.”
“The meet with Crosse is tomorrow night. I’ll text you the location.”
“Damn. I have to be on scene tomorrow night. Can you postpone it a day?”
Jack thought a minute. “I don’t know about putting him off another day, and besides, if Crosse is behind this and he finds out the FBI has been to his lab, that may send him running again. I don’t trust anyone else. Is there any way you can get someone to stand in for you at Licentia?”
Scotty exhaled on the other end. “Let me figure something out. I’ll find a way to be there.”
“Thanks, brother.” Jack ended the call and turned to Taylor and Jeremy.
“So it looks like tomorrow night is a go.”