“Tell us everything you can remember about that female FBI agent,” Jacob said. He, Evelyn, and Erik sat around the kitchen table with the laptop opened to the local FBI’s website. “I have to find out her last name and where she lives. After that, we need to know if there’s someone in her life that she cares deeply about. I want her to feel the same anguish as the families who played a part in destroying our lives. The people who own Silver Shores, the bartender who thinks his carnival tricks are entertaining, the attorney and assistant who covered up the mayor’s sins, and the mayor himself.” Jacob glanced at the wall clock. “Someone will die tonight, but it won’t be the mayor. He’s being saved for last—the grand finale—and maybe even with that FBI agent at his side. One thing I know for sure is, if she gets in the way of our plans, she won’t live to see another day.”
Erik described in detail what Jade looked like—shoulder-length black hair, jade-green eyes, tall and slender, and probably in her late thirties. Jacob scrolled through the FBI’s website, but none of the agents’ names, biographies, or photos were shown.
“Damn it. Guess using an abundance of caution is the FBI’s motto. There’s nothing about any agent at all.”
Jacob continued looking online for several hours, going through archived FBI takedowns and noting which agents were involved, their merit awards, promotions, and so on until he found it. An article from nearly four years prior showed a local news photograph from a graduation ceremony for newly minted FBI agents. Jade stood in the second row, and because of her height, she was easy to see. Jacob tapped her name on the computer screen and fist-pumped the air.
“I finally found her. The bitch’s name is Jade Monroe. Now I can do an online search to learn more about her and where she lives.”
Jacob’s mind flashed back to Erik’s carelessness. Because of that, the FBI knew his name, where he had lived, and with whom. They also were aware of his arrest record and the crimes he’d committed in the past that could link him to vigilante or extremist groups in the area.
He isn’t worth hanging on to, and as long as Cole and Lucas stay under the radar, they’ll live to see another day. It’s time to cut off our affiliation with Erik—literally.
Jacob rose from his chair and temporarily powered down the computer. He needed to have a private conversation with Evelyn about Erik’s fate and who would be enlisted to do the deed. It had to be someone whom Erik didn’t know, and it had to take place before dark. Jacob had heard on the scanner earlier that Erik, Cole, and Lucas had APBs out on them. Jacob had already told Erik he was going to be a decoy as a punishment, but Erik had no idea that the plan was about to change.
Jacob led Evelyn into their bedroom and closed the door at his back.
She took a seat on the blanket chest and faced her husband. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, but Erik needs to be eliminated. Brandon was a risk we couldn’t afford, and now Erik is too. We have to complete what we started. It’s God’s will.”
Evelyn nodded. “What do you suggest?”
“Erik knows he has to perform a duty for us as a way to repent of his careless behavior. I’m going to send him to the bus stop on Downer and Newport. He’ll sit in the shelter and wait for my call. I’ll tell him that call is his signal to run because the cops are on their way. Meanwhile, I’ll have someone he doesn’t know take a seat next to him as if he’s also waiting for the bus. What Erik doesn’t know is that person is going to knife him in the lungs, kill him, and go about his day. He won’t know that the police were never coming, but once I hear on the scanner that somebody actually found Erik dead in the bus shelter and the cops are en route, we’ll take our position to watch the drama unfold. They’ll know who Erik is within minutes, alert the FBI, and that’s when the fun will begin. We’ll follow Agent Monroe everywhere she goes until she calls it a night at her own home. We’ll find out even more about her after that. When I told Erik that somebody was going to die that night, he probably didn’t realize I meant it would be him.”
Evelyn nodded. “So who’s going to do the deed?”
“I’ll call James. He owes me a favor, and Erik doesn’t know him.”
“Good choice. He’ll get it done, and we’ll move forward with our plans. We’re getting close to the end, Jacob, and we’ll finally right the wrong that has been covered up for nearly five and a half months. The city is about to learn the truth, and we’ll have the satisfaction of exacting our revenge on all who were involved. The Bible says an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and no matter what, we’re not about to turn the other cheek.”
Jacob grasped the doorknob. “So we’re in agreement? I should call James?”
“Yes, do it now. The sooner we accomplish our mission the sooner we’ll have closure.”
They walked out of the bedroom and saw Erik sitting in the living room, staring at his phone. Jacob asked for his attention. “We’ve come up with a plan. I want you to go to the bus stop at Downer and Newport. You’ll sit there and do nothing until I call you. When I do, you’ll take off, get lost in the neighborhood, then return to the house. Meanwhile, we’ll be there watching once the cops arrive.”
“How will the cops know I’m there?”
“There’s an APB out for you, Cole, and Lucas, but you’re the main person they’re looking for because of Brandon.”
Erik stared at the floor and kept silent.
“I’ll call in the sighting, then I’ll be listening to the scanner. When the cops are within a block of you, I’ll call your phone. That’ll be your cue to get the hell out of there. Evelyn and I will already be somewhere nearby so we can watch the scene play out, and hopefully, Agent Monroe will show up. I’m assuming when they realize nobody fitting your description is there, they’ll leave, and maybe she’ll just head home. No matter what, we’ll follow her. We’re trying to draw her in and then take her out so she doesn’t interfere with our mission. We intend to complete the entire plan by Thursday night, and I don’t want any hiccups from the FBI. Do you understand your instructions?”
“Yes. Sit in the bus shelter until you call me and then run back to the house before the cops arrive.”
“Exactly, and speak to nobody.” Jacob checked the time. “Go ahead. We want it to still be light outside when they arrive in case the agent is with them. I want a positive ID of her, and then we’ll take it from there. The walk is only five blocks. Keep your head down until you get there, and then run like hell when I call you. The key to the back door is on top of the coach light.”
Erik stood and walked to the door. “I promise I won’t let you down.”
Jacob smiled. “Good, because I’m counting on you.”