“A sting? That’s a little dramatic. This is simply an intelligence-gathering operation, just like the old days.”

“Does it come from the top, Jim?”

“It’s my idea, so it comes from me. If you’re asking if it’s legit, the answer is yes. The brass are onboard because we’re stumped on this Garth Montgomery problem and it makes us look bad. House of Cards was a two-year operation that cost the taxpayers millions, and we somehow allowed the main target to slip through our fingers after we apprehended him. This is the end of the road for me, Walt. My entire career will be defined by what happens with Garth Montgomery. I’ll either be the comeback kid, or the loser.”

Oliver leaned closer to Walt. “Simply stated, I have to find this son of a bitch. In order to find him, we have to get creative. This is as creative as I get. So yes, everyone is onboard, but I pushed to get them there. I need your help, Walt. You’d be back on the payroll for as long as it takes.”

There was a long pause as Walt digested the offer. He’d been looking for something to pull him out of the downward spiral he was trapped in. He never imagined help would come from his former employer. And he had no idea it would involve a case from his distant past.

“What do you say, Walt? Retirement never suited you. We both know that.”

Walt looked back at Jim Oliver, paused briefly, and then nodded.

“Excellent.” Oliver held up his nearly empty glass of rum. “Now, I’ll need another one of these before I get into the details.”

Walt stared at his former boss for a long moment. Finally, he raised his hand and flagged down the pretty waitress with the sweet Jamaican accent. For the rest of the afternoon, and deep into the evening, he listened to Jim Oliver describe the operation that would pull him back to New York. He did his best to drown his doubt in rum.

PART II - Fate

PART II

Fate

CHAPTER 15 - Catskill Mountains, NY Friday, June 25, 2021

CHAPTER 15

Catskill Mountains, NY Friday, June 25, 2021