“They are. Ethel may just be checking on things for Finch’s wife. There’s been another development. Douglas Gray is also following them. I don’t believe he’s seen me. I guess he’s working for Director Bradshaw.”

There was a moment of silence. Lisa knew Hauser was weighing the implications of Gray’s presence.

“Maybe.” Skepticism laced the word. “Or maybe he’s working on his own. Remember, he was part of Norwood’s team.”

“Good point, sir. Should I stay clear of him?”

“Yes, but follow as best you can. Let things play out, unless, God forbid, there’s some unexpected escalation. Then get to me immediately. Till then, we need to keep this off the books, or Cory Bradshaw will go to the AG and accuse me of meddling in his case. But we’re taking a risk with this approach. I have an inside source who told me Bradshaw sent Ethel photos of the agents on Norwood’s team. If Ethel finds someone who can ID Douglas Gray as the man who broke into Finch’s house, then Gray might try to take that person out, even if it’s Finch’s wife or son.”

“Surely Gray knows they’re in protection.”

“But who better to get closer than another agent? Look, I’m leaving you solo on this, so stay in the shadows. You need to watch Gray as much as you do Ethel.”

“And the Parker money?” Lisa asked.

“Parker’s still our connection to Finch. We’ll let Bradshaw deal with the rats in his house. Your goal is to find twenty million dollars.”

“Understood, sir. I’ll be in touch.”

FBI Director Hauser disconnected. Lisa started her engine. She’d gotten what she’d wanted from her boss. She just wished she’d been able to record his comments about being off the books. Insurance, if things went sideways. Ethel’s possession of the photos of Norwood’s team told her that Ethel had something to offer Director Bradshaw, some compelling reason he would go outside his own investigation and share those photos. Something that could be a problem.

Chapter 30

A light rain began falling as a storm front moved into eastern Virginia. Jesse and Ethel crept along I-95 North with headlights and wipers engaged. As they neared the exit to Fredericksburg, Ethel’s cell phone vibrated.

“It’s my contact in the agency. He won’t want to go on speaker.” She accepted the call. “You’re earlier than you anticipated.”

Warren Hitchcock laughed. “That’s because I’m scared of you.”

“Anything to share?”

“I have a contact in HR who gave me some info without asking too many questions of her own. However, it’s going to cost you a bottle of Scotch.”

“For her or for you?”

“You raise a good question. Fortunately, that dilemma has an easy answer.”

“Okay. A bottle of Glenfiddich single malt for each of you.”