by Robin Mahle
“What’s going on? Did something come up?” Nick appeared to notice her studying her phone.
She pulled her eyes from the screen. “I was just checking my messages. Nothing important.”
“Okay. Fisher texted me and said they were waiting for us in Baggage Claim. I know we’re all exhausted, but we still need to be briefed at the Embassy before heading on a flight bound for Rio.”
Kate fell back and let the others go ahead, though she maintained her pace. With the phone to her ear, she listened to the voicemails from Dwight. It was when she heard an unexpected name that she finally halted.
She immobilized abruptly, forcing other travelers to make evasive maneuvers in order to avoid a collision. “Oh my God. Georgia Myers. You told Quinn everything.”
It hadn’t been that Quinn was following Nick or her, but it had been his meeting with someone she would have least expected to betray them. Albeit, the woman in question had deceived Nick once before. The name Georgia Myers hadn’t been a part of Kate’s vocabulary for a few years now. Not since they both worked at the Washington Field Office. She had admired Georgia for her incredible talent as a profiler and she was Nick’s girlfriend at the time. He loved her and might have even married her. It wasn’t until Georgia betrayed Nick by sleeping with one of his former colleagues, and during an investigation, that everything fell apart. It destroyed him. It almost destroyed his career. Georgia asked to be transferred to another field office as a result. Georgia had direct knowledge of Nick’s battle with alcohol. And now it seemed she had divulged that information to Noah Quinn. How he figured out who she was or what her relationship with Nick had been was a mystery. However, Quinn was not novice and only needed to follow the trail.
Upon regaining her composure, she realized she was standing in the middle of a frenzied airport and noticed the team had already disappeared down the escalator. Kate jogged to catch up.
How could she face Quinn armed with this knowledge? They were in a foreign country whose laws were different from their own, assisting on an investigation that could force them into perilous circumstances. His sedition had already created a rift between them, and now she questioned her ability to have his back as she would the others.
“I see him. Up ahead.” Eva Duncan stepped off the escalator and waved her arm.
Standing beside Fisher was Agent Elijah Cain and right away, Kate noticed he was the pragmatic type. There would be no warming up to a guy like him. In time, maybe her perception of him would change, but Kate had figured out early on that first impressions were usually right. Just as it had been with Noah Quinn. The first time she met him, he struck her as arrogant. While almost two years had passed since that time, he was no less arrogant. Perhaps even more so now than at their first meeting when he tried to charm her.
“About time you guys showed up.” Fisher offered his hand to Scarborough. “How was your flight? Mine was shit, by the way. But hey, we’re only an hour’s time difference, right?”
“It was a long flight.” Scarborough eyed the other agent. “You must be Elijah Cain. Nick Scarborough. Good to meet you.”
“And you. I respect the hell out of the work you folks do over there at Quantico and I hate to get you involved in the shit show we got down here, but after seeing the crime scene photos, well, this is your bag. Not mine.” Cain started toward the doors. “I have a car waiting. We should get a move on.”
Levi Walsh held off until Kate approached. “Guess Cain doesn’t need to be introduced to the rest of us.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been quiet since we got off the plane.”
As much as Kate adored Levi, she couldn’t confide in him about this. It already threatened to tear apart a team that was held together by a fragile trust still in its infancy. “Nothing’s going on. I got behind on my calls and I was listening to voicemails. I lost track of you. That’s all it was.”
“Okay. You know you can come to me with anything, right?”
“I do know that.”
“Good.” He spotted Cain open a door to a full-size SUV. “Looks like our ride.”
The US Embassy appeared ahead. The white building with sharp lines was built in Brasilia when it was deemed the capital, removing that designation from Rio de Janeiro. The stunning gardens and tropical foliage offered an incredible backdrop to the building’s stark white exterior.
“Any of you folks ever been down this way?” Cain pulled into the parking lot at the rear of the building.
“Not me.” Scarborough peered back at the rest of the team. “Too bad this won’t be a vacation.” He eyed Kate briefly as they’d discussed taking a much needed vacation only recently.
“No, sir. This will not be a vacation. Unless you like wearing bullet-proof vests to the beach.” Cain smiled. “All kidding aside, this case is a puzzler. I got two officers with the civil police staking their lives on the notion this is the work of some American.” He stopped the SUV. “Let’s head on inside and I’ll give you the low down on the rest of this steaming pile of horseshit.”
Inside, the security was tighter than anything Kate had seen in federal buildings at home. An x-ray machine, like the ones at airports, a scanner for bags and several armed staff flanking either side of the entrance.
“Never mind the guards with the M4 Carbines strapped to their chests. They only use them on the bad guys.” Cain chuckled as he led them through to the section that housed the FBI’s international operations.
“Well, I gotta tell you one thing, folks, you came at a good time of year. Damn near perfect weather in May. And you won’t be sweating your nuts off in the humidity.” Cain turned back. “Pardon the expression, ladies.”
Kate and Eva traded glances while Eva’s eyes rolled.
“This is the place. Now there’s only about a dozen of us here right now. Other times there’ll be more. Sometimes less. All depends on the demands of the work. I’ve been here for going on five years now. Things seemed to turn around for the better up until the 2016 Olympics. After that, well, shit just went downhill and hasn’t reached bottom yet. Maybe with the new president they elected it’ll change. Time will tell.”
The attaché office itself was fairly small, unlike other field offices Kate had visited. The FBI’s International Operations division was here to build relationships with local law enforcement, trade information with regard to counterterrorism, assist any US citizens and essentially act as liaisons. While they worked criminal cases, mostly relating to terrorism and international organized crime, this was a rare, if not unheard of, investigation for this office.
“In here is our conference room,” Cain opened the door. “As you can see, I’ve prepared a dossier to brief you on the investigation as it now stands. So, if you’ll all take a seat, we can get started.”
The staff employed at the Rio de Janeiro coroner’s office never suffered from boredom. In fact, so many bodies arrived on a daily basis, it wasn’t unusual to see them stacked on top of one another in the hallways. With gang turf wars, military and civilian police violence and drug trafficking deaths, it was impossible to keep up with demand.
Nor was it uncommon for officers responsible for killing civilians, rightly or wrongly, to offer bribes to the doctors, who were otherwise not well-paid, to destroy evidence. And it wasn’t just the cops. If a member of a gang offered a bribe, it was in the best interest of the doctor to accept it.
So when four bodies, unearthed from a shallow grave, arrived at the coroner’s office, it was just like any other day. However, it was the arrival of an unexpected visitor that prompted the doctor currently examining one of the victims to take pause. “Posso te ajudar?” “May I help you?” He pulled away from the body with a defensive posture.
“I am here on behalf of a very wealthy and powerful individual,” Scott said. “What will it take to ensure no evidence suggesting a perpetrator appears on the victims who were brought in yesterday?”
The doctor laid down his scalpel.
“I see. Amigos dos Amigos?”
“No.”
“Polícia?”
“No.”
“Then what do I have to fear from you and your powerful boss?” The doctor replied.
Scott smiled and stepped closer before his face turned solemn. “I am here to offer you a handsome payment, however if you refuse, there will be consequences and not only to you.”
The doctor held his ground, but his eyes bared his fear. “I am a doctor in search of truth. This cannot be tolerated any longer.”
“This is the system in which we live, doctor. If you wish to change it, you should live elsewhere. This will be the only offer you will receive. Should I take it as a refusal?”
The doctor swallowed down his fear. “I will accept. You are American, aren’t you?” He eyed Scott with distain. “I wonder who it is you are protecting? A politician? A millionaire? He must be powerful, but I will say one more thing. Someone will be held accountable for these crimes. Someday, the truth will come out.”
“I will be long gone before that happens. And so will my wealthy friend.”
The brutality perceived in the images placed before Kate were nothing new to her. It seemed only a short time ago when viewing such things were revolting. Now, she had grown numb to them, just as they all had. It was a necessary mechanism to protect oneself in this line of work. Otherwise, it would drive anyone mad with grief.
Serial killers who elected decapitation as their preferred method of slaughter wasn’t as uncommon as one might think, rendering that marker somewhat unremarkable. Kate required another context for the killer’s motivations. “Four so far?” She leafed through the dossier.
“We suspect there could be more either in other grounds or maybe the same one. Getting heavy equipment through the confined streets and up the steep hillside has been a challenge, according to the civil police. But I would take that with a grain of salt. I need to put you all in touch with the officers who brought me this little gem, Inspector Varela and Investigator Sosa,” Cain replied.
“These guys, they can be trusted?” Fisher asked. “Rumors have floated that may not be the case.”
“They haven’t given me a reason not to take them at their word. However, I have conducted my due diligence. These men are not saints—far from it. But the risk they’re taking just by bringing this to us is extraordinary, so I have to believe they’re doing this for the right reasons.”
“What about phone records on this cell number they pinged?” Scarborough asked.
Cain nodded. “Yes, I’m working on getting those now, though it hasn’t been easy with the telecom company here. We shouldn’t bet the farm on receiving them anytime soon.”
“Where do we go from here?” Walsh added. “Are these cops expecting us to take the lead, or what’s the plan?”
“I’ll act as the liaison between you all and the Civil Police. I’ll assist with obtaining records and the like because I have the relationship with law enforcement. That said, as I mentioned before, this is going to be risky. Now, I’ve been assured by these men that the gang who controls the favela understands the investigation does not involve them. You would be well advised to keep it that way.”
“Those guys are off-limits? Is that what you’re saying? Regardless of where the evidence takes us.”
“If you value your life, SSA Fisher, that is what I’m saying—yes.”
Walsh searched for agreement in the faces of his cohorts. “When do we leave?”
“The sooner the better. We have a lot of ground to cover just to get you all up to speed and I’d like to get you to the crime scene before dark.”
“Doesn’t sound like a place we’d want to be after dark anyway,” Walsh replied. “Do we have lodging?”
“You’ll be staying in Gàvea. It’s an affluent suburb with plenty of nice hotels. There’ll be no need to worry about security there.”
Kate closed the file. “Is that near Rocinha? We should be near the scene to facilitate transportation.”
“Oh, believe me, Agent Reid, it’s about as close as you’ll want to venture. Rocinha is wedged between two of the wealthiest areas in all of Rio. Go figure.” Cain gathered his things. “I’ve chartered a flight. It’s too easy to get passenger manifests on commercial flights here and I won’t chance anyone knowing when you’re due to arrive. Once you’re there, they’ll figure it out in any case. But you’ll be prepared by then. “I know I’m making this sound alarming as hell and I make no bones about it, it is. But you all are trained agents. You’ll have the gear you need and the protection you need. Even the gangs in Rocinha aren’t dumb enough to take down a United States federal agent. Just get in and get out and find the asshole who killed those women. There’s no death penalty here, nor is there a life sentence. So, if this is one of ours, we might want to consider handling this ourselves, if you catch my drift.”
They boarded the private jet and were ready to take the flight bound for Rio. Kate sat in the window seat, second row in and stared at the runway. She was haunted by Cain’s final words on the matter, “consider handling this ourselves.” Had he seriously suggested they kill this person, whoever he was? Kate closed her eyes as the plane accelerated along the runway, raising with undulating wings that listed the small aircraft. Her pulse elevated as she inhaled deep breaths.
“You never were good at flying,” Nick said.
“I was okay on the flight here, but on this small plane. It’s like I can feel every little bump.”
He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “It’ll be okay. Trust me. We’ll be fine.”
She couldn’t guarantee that was a true statement. It was inevitable. The truth about Nick’s battle was bound to be exposed. Maybe it wouldn’t matter, but the risk was too great to take that chance.
“How are you feeling about all this? The case, I mean?” Nick added.
“Cain needs help, that alone is enough to warrant being here. As for the rest, I won’t lie, I have my concerns.”
“I think we all do. This is new to all of us and we’ll just have to do our best to look after one another.”
“We need to be a team, now more than ever,” Kate replied.
The captain’s voice sounded through the speaker. “We’ll be descending into Rio shortly. Please buckle your safety belts and flight attendants, prepare for landing.”
Kate watched the ground approach and was ready to get out of this pint-sized aircraft. Sure, it was nice inside, plush even, but not for her.
The wheels touched down and the charter jet rolled to a stop on a strip of concrete that lay between enormous hillsides and ocean shores. The afternoon sun was blinding in its brilliance and when Kate emerged, she shielded her eyes from the glare. It was the end of the second leg of this prolonged journey, but the beginning of another, more troubling expedition ahead.
Agent Cain’s nostrils flared as he inhaled, and a smile played on his lips. “Ah, I do love this city.” With hands pressed against his waist that revealed a protruding beer belly, he surveyed the grounds as a king might survey his lands. “There it is. Our car has arrived, ladies and gentlemen.” He turned back to the team. “I know you folks must be on your last legs, but it won’t be much longer now. We best get a move on.”
The white Ford Expedition pulled to a stop and the agents stepped inside, leaving no space inside the substantial SUV.
“You’re timing is impeccable, my friend,” Cain said to the driver. “To Rocinha we go.”
The driver nodded before making a u-turn to exit the airport and made his way toward the road to Rocinha.
Kate noticed the beaches in the distance. “It’s really beautiful here.”
“Yes ma’am, it is. There’s no point in denying it,” Cain said.
However, the beauty didn’t last long as the driver made a few more turns and suddenly, things didn’t look so beautiful anymore. They were on the outskirts of the favela and one need only gaze down the long streets to see the neglected housing structures, the gra
ffitied walls and more powerlines than should be allowed.
“This is it, ladies and gentlemen. This is Rocinha.” The driver pulled into the station parking lot.
Cain opened his door. “Thanks for the lift. It’s time to rock and roll.” He exited the car and made his way to the entrance waiting for the others to catch up. “Let me introduce you all to some of the locals. He opened the door and entered while the team followed behind. “Investigator Sosa. I have some people I’d like you to meet.”
Pedro Sosa stood and approached the agents. “Por favor, my English is just so-so. I am Pedro Sosa.” He offered his hand.
“Agent Nick Scarborough. Investigator Sosa, you’ll forgive me, but I don’t know any Portuguese.”
Sosa grinned and spotted Varela emerge before addressing him in Portuguese. “Ah, Inspector Varela. These are the people we have been waiting for.”
Varela approached with an outstretched hand. “We are glad you are here.” He shook Scarborough’s hand. “Agent Cain, thank you for all you have done. We have a lot to do today. I assume you have all been briefed?”
“They have,” Cain replied. “We’re ready to hit the ground running if you are.”
Varela peered at Cain with some confusion.
“I mean, they’re ready to go when you are.” Cain turned to Scarborough. “Our vernacular doesn’t translate well, but the Inspector here does have a pretty darn good grasp of the English language. Isn’t that right, Inspector?”
“Yes, that is correct, a pretty good grasp.”
“Duly noted.” Scarborough returned his attention to Varela and Sosa. “I’d like to introduce you to the rest of the team.” He made the introductions before turning over the show to Cain. “I assume you’ll be coming with us to the crime scene?”