Free Surrender by Angela Ford Page A

anything?” Brett smiled.
    “I have never dealt drugs. I tried to save my daughter.”
    Charles squirmed in his chair and tried to display confidence. The continuous bead of sweat that formed on his brow made it impossible.
    “Did I mention drugs? I don’t think so.”
    Brett scratched his head and looked at the file.
    There were a few moments of silence which made Charles uncomfortable. He figured this was Brett’s method to get a confession. Charles never enjoyed games.
    “What is it you want, Agent Donovan? I’m not into game-playing here.”
    Charles leaned forward and crossed his cuffed-hands on the table. Brett pointed to the cuffs.
    “To me, it doesn’t appear this conversation is in your favor, Charles.”
    Brett starred directly into his eyes. Charles took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair.
    “I need answers. If you are helpful, maybe there’s something we can do for you.”
    Brett appeared to make an offer which puzzled Charles. He figured the Agent wanted to take down Nick Mendez and an opportunity presented itself to weasel out of this mess.
    “What do you want from me? And what do I get out of it?” Charles’s interest grew.
    Brett stood up and walked to the door. He turned and calmly stood. His hand grazed across his unshaved chin.
    “Testify against Nick Mendez for the drug deals through John’s warehouse, the laundering of the drug money and of course, John’s murder and the attempted murder of Lauren. That’s your offer.”
    Brett opened the door, “I’ll give you some time to think it over.”
    “I may as well sign a death order.” Charles spoke up.
    Brett held the door open.
    “The FBI is willing to give you witness protection with house-arrest.”
    “Does my family come with me?” Charles asked.
    “I don’t believe your family would want to.”
    Brett closed the door and left Charles alone to contemplate the offer.
    Charles wondered how long they’d leave him alone this time.

    An hour later, Brett entered the room again where Charles sat and pondered his choices.
    “Well?” Brett remained standing.
    “I’ll sign whatever you want, but I would like to talk to my wife and daughter first.”
    He knew they’d never go into witness protection with him, but he wanted to apologize for the mess he put them in. For the first time in his life, he thought of his wife and daughter.
    “I’ll see if they’ll come. I can’t guarantee it.” Brett left the room again.

    Fifteen minutes later Brett returned. His solemn expression told Charles what he already knew. His family would not come. He didn’t blame them. He’d lost everything and was about to sign his death notice. Nick Mendez would have him killed before he could testify. The FBI could not protect him.
    “They won’t come?” Charles asked.
    Brett nodded and Charles lowered his head.
    Brett tossed a pad of paper and a pen on the table.
    “Write your statement in your own words. Once you’re done. We will video-tape your confession.” Brett left the room.
    Normally, Charles would have had a team of lawyers present. He refused his right to call his lawyer. Defeated and scared, he picked up the pen. The FBI agents who’d arrested Charles at his home entered shortly after he finished. One agent set up the video equipment while the other joined Charles at the table.
    “Is there anything you need before we begin?” The agent politely asked.
    Charles shook his head. He confessed to his business connection with Nick Mendez for several years, the hits put out by Mendez for his son-in-law and daughter and confirmed the transportation of drugs.
    “In the safe, you will find recorded conversation I had with Nick Mendez. The conversations are in regard to the transport of drugs through my son-in-law’s warehouse and also one that confirms he had John Reynolds killed. There is also a folder which contains photographs of Nick Mendez and John Reynolds at the warehouse with the drugs and also bank statements to trace the