The political umbrella has already been collapsed." The feral spark in Briggs's eyes died, replaced by a hollow, bottomless void. His chest heaved as panic truly set in. "How?" Briggs whispered, his voice raspy and broken.
"How did you get all this? You can't build a RICO case, get a senator, get my bank records, and get my captain all from a 6-month wire on a rookie deputy. It's impossible." Director Fletcher leaned back in his chair, tenting his fingers. "You are correct, Thomas.
Agent Reed's undercover placement was merely the final nail in the coffin. The operation didn't begin 6 months ago. It began 3 years ago. But how? Briggs demanded, his voice cracking.
The arrogance replaced by the agonizing need to understand how he had been outplayed. I kept everything tight. Nobody in my circle talked. Dempsey was loyal. Holloway was loyal.
Who gave you the opening? Fletcher didn't smile. But a glint of profound satisfaction crossed his eyes. You built your entire world on the concept of loyalty, Thomas. But loyalty bought with fear and dirty money is a fragile thing.
When the pressure is applied, it shatters. Croft reached into the binder and pulled out a digital audio player. She pressed a button. A voice crackled through the small speaker. He brings the cash in on Thursday nights.
Usually 40, sometimes 50,000. I run it through the dealership service department logs. Make it look like cash repairs on fleet vehicles. Then I transfer it to the Cayman accounts on Monday mornings. He's crazy, man.
He's completely out of control. If he finds out I'm talking to you, he'll kill me. The voice belonged to Paul Stanton, the owner of Faulkner County's largest auto dealership, the man who had laundered Briggs's stolen money for a decade. He was also Briggs's brother-in-law. Briggs sat frozen, the color completely draining from his face, leaving him a ghastly, pale, white.
Paul, he breathed, shaking his head in denial. No. No. Paul is family. He wouldn't. Paul was caught by the IRS 3 and 1/2 years ago for underreporting his own income. Fletcher explained, his tone clinical and unyielding.