The plan wasn’t all that complicated, and yet it took some hours of discussion to wrap my mind around the logic Jensen claimed that made this perhaps the only way to bring Charley home in one piece.
Jan came to the conclusion that I’d participate even before I’d actually arrived at the decision, and Chloe was not on board at all until it became obvious that her only choices were under arrest in her home with Agent Street or in the federal facility in the bowels of this office building.
“I guess I have to vote for my own kitchen,” she said woodenly when the choice was “in or out.”
Jensen ordered in lunch. When the dishes had been taken away, but with the conference table still littered with empty coffee cups and wadded up napkins, he asked for my thoughts.
“Basically, you want me to backtrack to the Morris family and raise a ruckus over the two henchmen they sicced on me, even though you’re pretty sure they had nothing to do with it?”
“You are quick, Jim,” Ray said, rubbing his hands like a mad scientist. “We’ll keep our distance all the while you’re in Phoenix, and we’ll keep a loose contact with you after that, but we’re guessing the real point of departure will be between Phoenix and Vegas.”
“I’m not sure I follow that.”
“Well, we’re not sure exactly, but it stands to reason that the house Charley and Chloe robbed was in Vegas, the stolen goods went to Phoenix, but there’s no real connection there unless it’s tied to the son. We know his name is Aldo Frank; he is a self-employed programmer based in San Jose.
“We’ve had our financial analysts go over his tax returns for the past 15 years, and it seems he’s doing okay, but no great shakes. He keeps busy, turns a minimal profit, something on the order of six figures that he pays taxes on. Keeps a low profile, no family of his own, no girlfriends or boyfriends; he’s social, if you know what I mean, plays a little golf, shoots skeet at a club, fishes a bit.
“Really just a nerdy computer guy with some sense of social graces. Oh, and he’s really into his health – regular at his gym, runs, bikes, swims, handball, street hockey – you name it, if it makes you pant and sweat, he’s into it.”
“Not all that nerdy, maybe?”
“California nerdy is different than that East Coast variety made famous in the movies of the ’80s.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it, but what could Charley have taken from that house that would involve this guy?”
Ray nodded thoughtfully, “That, my friend is what I expect you to discover with your endless questions.”
Agent Street had joined Chloe and Jan for a ride to Charley’s house; Bullard and I were to follow when our meeting wound up.
“What about my personal protection?”
“What do you mean?” Ray perked up.
“I can’t take my Taurus Tack Driver on a plane to Phoenix, and I don’t plan on going into this without it.”
“I see what you mean. We’ll take care of that. When Roger drops you off tonight, turn the weapon over to him. When you land in Phoenix, you’ll check with the airline and they’ll have an envelope for you. Just follow the instructions on the envelope.”
“What if I have to fly again, say to Vegas?”
“Let Archie know, he’ll be briefed. Is there anything else?”
Bullard cleared his throat, and Jensen heard it, “What’s on your mind?”
“I believe you were going to go over the rules of engagement for Mr. Stanton while he’s involved with our project.”
“We’ve gone over this, Roger. Jim Stanton is a private citizen who has his own established rules of engagement. He will use reasonable force to protect himself and other innocents who might become at-risk while he’s investigating the disappearance of his friend, Charley Delp.
“The bureau is aware of Mr. Stanton’s decision to pursue a private investigation into this matter, and Mr. Stanton has agreed to keep the bureau informed of his progress, but he is not now, nor has he ever been an agent of this bureau; right, Jim?”
I rolled my eyes, looking for the microphone I knew had to be recording this little bit of ass-covering play-acting.
Jensen smiled a cat-full-of-canary kind of smile, “That’s what I thought; now, if there’s nothing more, I need to proceed with my job for tonight.”
“Come on, Mr. Stanton,” Agent Bullard said, “Let me drop you off.”