“One more thing,” says Cole. “And this is the tricky part. I don’t want one word, one syllable, of this to get to the West Wing, especially to the president or Pearce. This is between you, me, Lambert, and the flight crew. My wife is tied up in meetings on the Hill all afternoon anyway. I should be back before she’s done.”

“Understood, sir,” says Rollins. “Destination?”

“Hanover, New Hampshire.”

CHAPTER
57

Outside Boston

The meeting with O’Halloran was a bust. The former detective had done an about-face. He’d previously been one of Garrett’s top sources, but now he seemed to be warning him off the investigation. “This case is bigger than you, Garrett. It’s bigger than both you and your partner. Watch out.”

Garrett’s on the road when a black Suburban roars past, then pulls in front of him. Garrett hits the brakes, then his horn. “Asshole!”

He signals to move into the left lane, but when he checks his side-view mirror, he sees another Suburban moving up next to him. He’s boxed in.

The Suburbans slow down gradually. They’re working as a unit, forcing Garrett to ease onto the shoulder and stop his car. Why the double-teaming? His heart is pounding. Is it Romero’s crew again? Maybe he decided the last message wasn’t strong enough. Maybe this time there won’t be a warning shot.

A rap comes at the window. A professionally dressed woman signals for Garrett to lower it. “Mr. Wilson, I’m Special Agent Leanne Keil, Secret Service.”

Secret Service? Garrett places both hands on the wheel. No sudden movements. “Why are you stopping me? What did I do?”

“Hold on. Don’t move. Somebody wants to talk to you.”

Keil pulls a cell phone in a heavy-duty case from her inside breast pocket. She taps a code, then puts the phone to her ear. “Yes, sir. We have him.” She hands the phone to Garrett. The screen is blank except for the time. “Hello, this is Garrett Wilson.”

“Hi, Garrett. This is Cole Wright.”

CHAPTER
58

Mr. Wright?” Garrett asks.

“I’ll get to the point, Garrett. You and Brea Cooke are writing a book about me. How would you like an in-person interview with your subject?”

“With you?”

“Yes, with me. It’ll be just the two of us. No handlers in attendance.” Wright sounds cordial, warm. Like a pal.

“Brea’s not here at the moment, sir. Can we wait until—”

“Sorry. It has to happen today. Come by yourself. You can fill her in later.”

This is the scoop of a lifetime! Garrett thinks. Everything they’ve been working for. More than they ever hoped for.

“This would be on the record?” Garrett asks. His head is spinning.

“Absolutely,” says Wright. “Put Agent Keil back on.”

Though Keil steps away from the rental car to take the call, Garrett can hear her say, “Yes, sir. Understood, sir.”