at my disposal.
I smiled at him. “Because, to people with money and power, I’m an easy target. I might have inherited a fortune but to them, I’m trash who doesn’t deserve it, and it shouldn’t be with me, but someone worthy like them. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon up my ass, so they think me stupid prey, and we know people with influence don’t follow the rules. That’s all this is. It’s the same story I’m sure you’ve seen lots.”
He slowly nodded, closing his notebook. “I’m glad I came and talked to you today. I was worried.”
I raised an eyebrow at that. “And now you’re not?”
He snorted as he stood, smirking at me. “Ms. Vale, you may be young, female, and from the wrong side of the tracks, but anyone who spends more than a few minutes with you and thinks you prey or an easy target is an idiot. I’ve been doing this job for over twenty years and I know a damn predator when I’m in the room with one. You’re one of the good guys, I can tell, but you are not a kitten. You’re a damn tiger.”
“And that’s why you’re the SAiC,” I praised, standing as well and heading for the door. “If you have any more questions for me, you have my attorney’s number now.”
“I think we got all we need.”
“Then have a lovely day, gentlemen.”
I shook each of their hands and that was the end of dealing with the FBI and this shit with McGrath.
Or at least for now. Who knew what a desperate man might try next?
20
With everything Marisol had uncovered, I didn’t think anything could shock me anymore, and I truly knew the depth of the council members corruption and evil. That was true, but she did find out pieces to one puzzle that were enough to make me risk a lot… Because Mel would have if I didn’t.
I simply thanked the gods I received the information, and not Mel. It came in a week and a half after the incident with the FBI and she was distracted with something else that night. I poured over what Marisol had uncovered, copied it to our backup servers, and took it off the main drive Mel was going to share with her cousins to go over. This wasn’t something she could handle at the moment.
I would, after I made a move before she could, because I couldn’t lose her.
I simply didn’t know what that move should be.
It took me several more days to come to my decision and get it set up. I brought Zack and Ray with me for backup, but they didn’t know what I was doing, simply that no one knew I was up to something.
Which they were not happy about.
“This is a bad move when too much is going on,” Zack complained as we came out of the portal.
“Noted,” I grumbled. “Again.” I nodded to the security and let them check my purse, even going so far as offering to have the private dinner on their turf, which shocked them.
“We need to pat you down, Ms. Vale,” the guy said.
“No,” Ray growled.
“Wand?” I tried, gesturing to the cocktail dress I was wearing. “You guys can smell a ton.”
“Female?” a woman’s voice offered.
“Yes,” I agreed before Ray could argue. I went over to her and moved my arms apart.
She made quick work of it and nodded to the guy in charge as others checked Ray and Zack. “Councilman Brooks did make the exception that you’re allowed to keep your charms and magic on you. That’s not normally allowed, so please understand you are being treated as a friend.”
“I know,” I forgave. “Everything is crazy right now, and I’m still too new to know what I could inadvertently be doing. It’s fine.”
“Glad you’re being so reasonable, as I’m going to ask why you’re bringing in USB drives,” the guy hedged, holding up the two from my purse.
“They’re gifts,” I told him. “I’m fine if you hold onto them for now, but you are not allowed to look at them before Councilman Brooks and I reach an understanding.”
“I’ll hand them directly to him in your presence,” he agreed before handing me my purse.
Fair enough.
I followed after the guy as he led the way to the house of the head of the wolf shifter council. I sent up another silent prayer that I was doing the right thing and this wouldn’t blow up in my face, given I really didn’t know this