this shit? He leaned back into his chair and stared at the ceiling. Where are you, Bonnie? Talk to me. Send me a message.
He heard a familiar voice answer, but it wasn’t Bonnie’s. It was the calm, reassuring voice of his father. No matter what’s going on around you, son, always fly the airplane. Cain had been only twelve years old when his father said it. This is the most important thing in flying and in life: Take the controls.
Cain straightened his legs to make it easier to retrieve his cell phone and money clip from his front pockets. He tossed all the contents on his desk. He saw the red-and-gold Old Ebbitt Grill matchbook staring at him. Cain was about to do what he never thought he would do. Even considering it ate at his core. There was nothing left; he was simply out of options. Bonnie, you know how much anger I have toward the Service now, for ruining my career and reputation. But for you I’ll make this call.
He picked up the landline, momentarily stared at the phone, and started dialing the number.
Chapter 61
“Hayes speaking,” the familiar voice answered. The line was remarkably clear for an international call.
“LeRoy the King Hayes,” Cain said slowly and methodically.
“I never thought I’d hear from you again, Cain,” LeRoy said. “I thought the swamps had swallowed you up, but I guess you called to get the scoop, huh?”
“Sure did,” Cain replied without having any idea what “scoop” LeRoy was talking about.
“Yep, it’s true,” the King offered.
“Okay,” Cain replied. “I confess. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Afraid not. Seriously. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“What rock have you been hiding under?” LeRoy asked.
“I’m in Japan. Been working here for a while now.”
“Oh, shit! I thought you were calling because of the news.”
Cain’s patience was wearing thin. “What news are you talking about? The only news I have is bad news.”
“Your old partner was fired.”
“Tomcat?”
“Well, it wasn’t Jill,” LeRoy replied.
“It was about time Jackson’s actions caught up to him.”
“That idiot got drunk at the Hinckley Hotel and put his hands on the wrong woman. She was the daughter of a congressman. The hotel provided the surveillance video. Needless to say, it was no secret that his services were no longer needed, and I perp walked him off the premises myself.”
Cain smiled, but for only a second. He didn’t have time to revel in that satisfying news.
LeRoy continued. “I imagine he’s fretting that the congressman will push for sexual-assault charges against him. If convicted, he’ll be a registered sex offender and never get a job again.”
The more Cain thought about it, the sadder he felt for Tom’s wife and daughters and about the embarrassment suffered by the family.
“I thought you’d love hearing that,” LeRoy said when Cain didn’t respond.
“Under different circumstances, probably. How’s Beth taking it?”
“She’s already filed for divorce and hired the most ruthless divorce attorney. They’ll go after Jackson’s retirement. She’ll probably be rich when all this is over.”
“She was never interested in the money,” Cain replied. “She just wanted a loving family. Jackson ruined his own life. But I’ve got more important fish to fry right now. I need your help, LeRoy. And you owe me one.”
“I owe you? How do you figure that? I gave you your options and you chose, not me. Now, I admit the Service served you a shit sandwich. Matter of fact, you got yours without the bread, but that ain’t my fault.”
“Dammit, LeRoy! You know I wouldn’t have called you unless I really needed your help.”
LeRoy seemed unsettled by the unusual urgency and desperation in Cain’s voice. “I will help you if I can. What do you need?”
“I need the Service files on a CEO named Koichi Sato and his company, and—”
“Say what?” LeRoy interrupted.
“And a yakuza member who goes by the moniker Hayabusa.”
“Who the hell do you think you are? Jason Bourne? There ain’t no way in hell I can give you that information! Jesus Christ, Cain! They would fire my ass just like they did that chickenshit Jackson.”
“They won’t fire you. They can’t fire you. You have a discrimination lawsuit against them. It would look like retaliation.”
“Boy, you better lay off the sake because you ain’t thinking clear. This kind of shit is exactly what they’re looking for. This could be the nail in my coffin they’ve been looking for. I’m sorry, Cain. I would help you if I could, but I’ve got way too much to