than you already had, and she figured that interviewing the wife would help advance the investigation.”
“When was that?”
“Dupree . . .”
“What time did she interview Nelson’s wife?”
“We don’t have that information,” Wilson lied.
Verdon tried to smooth things over. “You told us you were having comms problems because of the hurricane and the blackout.”
“I’m at the emergency ops center, with a generator and thirty operators taking phone calls. I find it hard to believe that she wasn’t able to get in contact.” His voice was bitter and sarcastic. “Interesting—now that you have something to tell me, you managed to establish communication.”
“Aloisius . . .” Verdon was trying his best to sound a conciliatory note.
“Aloisius,” Director Wilson went on, “here’s the deal. Nelson’s wife confirmed aspects of his behavior that caught our attention. He turned up at her house the day before yesterday. She said he was unusually calm, but acting mysterious and evasive. He’d completely changed his attitude from before. Here’s what he said, according to her, and I quote: ‘Everything that happened was my fault. I know I got everything wrong, but I’m going to find a solution. Right now I have to go, because I have something I can’t postpone, but when I get back, I’ll be ready to fix all the mistakes.’”
“Did he say ‘the mistakes’ or ‘my mistakes’?”
“The report says ‘the mistakes.’”
“That could be the promise of a man trying to fix things, but it could also mean he’s preparing for something big, something he’s been expecting,” Dupree mused. “‘The mistakes’ suggests he doesn’t see them as his fault, but he does feel the responsibility to correct them. Salazar thinks our man has been postponing the murder of his own family, waiting for the right moment. He’s watching for some kind of sign, and we’re trying to figure out what it is.” Dupree paused, and when he spoke again, the indignation had returned. “Do you two understand the importance of what you just told me? This information is crucial, and Agent Tucker deliberately held it back. She wasn’t thinking! She could have put the whole investigation in jeopardy. If Nelson does turn out to be our man and calls his wife, she could inadvertently tip him off.”
“That’s why we’re calling, Dupree,” Verdon explained. “I’ve authorized measures to protect the Nelson family, and I asked Tucker to head the Tampa team.”
Dupree remained stubbornly silent.
“Aloisius,” Wilson appealed to him. “Just understand and accept it.”
“Are you seriously telling me you’re so blind you don’t see what Tucker’s up to?”
Michael Verdon’s heavy sigh was clear across the line. “Aloisius, I appreciate you, I really do, but you can’t blame us for this one. After what happened in New Orleans the last time you were there, you know we’re going to have some misgivings . . . I’m not going to offend you by asking if this has anything to do with Samedi. I hope to God it doesn’t.”
“I’m not going to comment on that.” Dupree’s voice was unforgiving. “That was completely uncalled for.”
“A professional with your experience should have recognized there are factors in this investigation you should have reported up the chain of command.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“There’s at least one thing you forgot to mention, and it’s in the briefing Salazar sent to Tucker. Sarah Nelson’s maiden name was Rosenblatt. She’s the daughter of a US senator from Florida.”
“I can’t believe it!” Dupree’s tone made it clear he wasn’t kidding. “You’re seriously telling me this whole circus is because Nelson’s father-in-law is a senator?”
“For God’s sake, Dupree! Why are you surprised?” Wilson exclaimed. “You know damn well how that complicates things!”
Verdon intervened, calmly but just as firmly as before. “I don’t think you understand the seriousness of the situation, Aloisius. The naval air station has reported that our New Orleans headquarters has been completely destroyed. The National Guard is doing their best to get the agents and their families out. When the storm’s over and you go out on the streets, you’ll be all alone. If Operation Cage fails and this guy Nelson turns out to be the killer—and if the senator finds out that his daughter and grandchildren were in danger because we failed to protect them—then heads will roll. And I don’t need to tell you that ours will be the first.”
Verdon had more to add. “One thing more, Dupree. We know you feel we’re interfering, but I want to stress we have full confidence in you. I have information concerning Assistant Inspector Salazar,