Free The Bricklayer by Noah Boyd

million drive away.”
    “When you got the press holding you hostage twenty-four hours a day with the possibility of not stopping the next murder, it was a surprisingly easy call.”
    Vail became lost in thought. Kate waited a few seconds and then said, “I’m sure you’ve got a million questions.”
    “Nothing I need to waste everyone’s time with right now. You haven’t got the next demand letter yet, have you?”
    “Not yet,” Lasker said.
    “Chances are the price will be going up. Do you think the delivery will be as difficult?”
    “We hope not,” the director said. “But I wouldn’t bet on it.”
    Kaulcrick said, “We were hoping to identify them first.”
    “Any promising leads?”
    Neither Kate nor Kaulcrick answered. Finally Lasker said, “Not really.”
    “That’s too bad, but I guess it won’t affect me finding Bertok, which, by the way, is not going to be easy.”
    Everyone was silent for a few seconds before the director said, “Actually the two problems may overlap. All three victims, and the agent at the drop, were killed with the same gun, a Glock model 22. That’s the same model Bertok carried.”
    “There are thousands of those guns out there,” Vail said. “Why would you think he could be involved?”
    “Well, he was designated by name to make the drop, and whoever is doing this has a good knowledge of extortions, which Bertok worked. Plus he did disappear along with the money. I certainly hope he’s not involved, but to be perfectly honest, we don’t know.”
    “If it’s him, why this last murder?”
    Kaulcrick said, “In theory, he could be looking down the road for a defense. Why would he kill again if he already had the money? He’s in law enforcement. He’s used to seeing people getting caught when they thought they couldn’t be. It’s cheap insurance. Three murders or four, they can only give him the needle once.”
    “I guess it’s possible, although that would take someone who is extremely cold—but I suppose two million dollars can get you to a lot of warm places,” Vail said.
    Lasker said, “So, Steve, will you help us?”
    “If I agree, I have a couple of conditions.”
    “I’m certain we can work them out.” The director openeda drawer, took out a black case with a gold FBI shield pinned to the outside, and slid it across the desk.
    Vail opened the credentials and looked at his photo, which had been taken during new agents’ training. “It’s hard to believe I was ever that… on board .” He closed the case and put it in his jacket pocket.
    “Whether you find Bertok or not, I can make that permanent, with all the seniority, including the time you’ve been out of government service.”
    “I appreciate the offer, but it may be premature. I’m not here to find out if I can now be a good soldier. I know I can’t. What you want me to do is difficult, which means, because of the methods I may find necessary, it’s likely just a matter of time until you’ll regret bringing me into this.”
    “Right now that’s a chance I’m willing to take.”
    Vail smiled. “That’s exactly what my last ASAC said to me.”
    The director forced a short laugh. “Okay, but if you don’t want your job back, we’ll have to pay you something. How about a percentage of any money recovered, or a flat amount for finding Bertok?”
    “Which brings us back to the conditions. Two items. First, I’m sure at some point I’ll have to get assistance from FBI field offices. Unless SACs have changed, they’re not going to like taking orders from some imported street hump. So I’m going to need someone with enough capital letters in front of his—or her —name to make those guys nervous.”
    “Like Deputy Assistant Director Bannon?” Lasker said.
    Vail looked at her. “How about it, Kate, think you can make the right men tremble?”
    She felt herself starting to blush, but extinguished it with a sarcastic smirk. “Looks like I’m going to be the one taking orders