Free Divine Intervention by Cheryl Kaye Tardif Page B

Agent McLellan."
    Jasi turned slowly to face him, her eyes narrowing.
    "How did you know I was assigned to this investigation?"
    Baker shrugged. "Your associates told me."
    Lowering his head, he whispered in her ear. "I'd be very happy to help you… investigate ."
    "I don't need help. Especially from you. Just keep away from the press, Premier Baker. And stay away from me―and my team."
    Jasi elbowed her way past a group of gawking spectators. Baker's laughter trailed behind her, a low threatening sound. She would need a hot shower after dealing with him.
    "Agent McLellan?"
    What now?
    The blond reporter stepped from the crowd, self-consciously smoothing her navy-colored suit with her hands.
    "Can I help you?" Jasi asked curtly, scouring the street for Ahmed and the taxi.
    "Probably not. But I can help you."
    The reporter smiled and held out a hand "Cameron Prescott, CTBC News ."
    Begrudgingly, Jasi shook it. "I'm familiar with you, Miss Prescott."
    "Please, call me Cameron."
    "How do you think you can help me?"
    Jasi examined Cameron Prescott for signs of deception.
    Although the woman had left both her microphone and camera operator behind, she might still be concealing a recording device. The last thing Jasi wanted to be responsible for was a press leak.
    "This is completely off record," Prescott assured her, opening her jacket to prove she wasn't recording their conversation.
    "I want an exclusive interview with you once the CFBI has reached its conclusion. In return, I'll let you in on a little secret and research anything you want."
    "Look, Miss―uh, Cameron. I know what it's like to be the new kid on the block but I can't possibly discuss this case with you."
    Cameron handed her a business card.
    On the back, the name and address of a coffee shop was scribbled in pen.
    "Meet me there at one," the reporter pleaded in a husky voice. "I've been assigned to the Premier during his campaign and I've got something on him that you're going to want."
    Then Cameron Prescott vanished into the back of the CTBC News van.
    As Jasi crossed the busy street, oblivious to the blaring horns and swerving vehicles, she wondered what the woman had on Baker. Whatever it was, Jasi thought, it had better be good.
    Approaching the bookstore, she swore.
    Ahmed, you bastard! Where the hell are you?
    There was no sign of the Speedy taxi. Or its beady-eyed driver. The parking lot was empty except for a Mitsubishi Zen, one of 2012's newest model sports cars.
    Jasi recognized the car.
    Allan Baker didn't travel cheaply.
    Locating Kel-Cabs on the data-com's city map, she discovered it was two blocks away. Oh well, walking was good exercise. And it would give her time to think.
    She glanced at her watch. The morning was half over and she still had two other taxi companies to investigate. After that, she would have to check in with Ben and Natassia.
    There was also Cameron Prescott's invitation to consider. And Jasi was very curious what the reporter had to say about Premier Allan Baker.
     
    Kel-Cabs was located in an old brick building that backed onto a busy parking lot. It even housed its own car wash facilities. Three freshly washed cabs were parked inside a bay, their drivers standing impatiently nearby while a cleaning crew scoured the tires.
    Situated on the ground floor, the main dispatch office was chaotic and noisy. A row of bored dispatchers wearing headsets was positioned along one wall. Each dispatcher had a computer terminal on his or her desk.
    Jasi could see route maps on some of the monitors―the odd Solitaire game on others.
    A cacophony of voices and bad frequencies delivered her a blinding headache. She massaged her forehead while notifying the secretary at the reception desk that she had an appointment to see the manager.
    The secretary ignored her, as if she hadn't heard a word Jasi had said. Instead, the young girl continued talking on a cell phone. The girl's neon orange nails tapped the wooden desk nervously, betraying her