“Or coming after Ewen again,” Ali said quietly.
The words hung in the air for a moment. Ewen felt Lamont tense beside him, their bond flooding with protective instincts.
“They won’t get to him,” Lamont said. “They’d have to get through me first.”
“I know you’re highly protective.” Ali’s tone was gentle. “But I also know how frustrating it must be, sitting and waiting while fact-checkers do their job.”
“I’ve been trying to coordinate with the FBI so that at least when the story does break, the authorities will already have an investigation in place. But they won’t even talk to us without seeing the documentation first.” Lamont looked really depressed, and Ewen squeezed his fingers under the table.
“You’re doing your best.”
“It doesn’t feel like it. If we submit the documents through official channels, it’ll alert the people we’re investigating. And I’m not willing to reveal Ewen’s information or sources to an agency that might possibly be compromised.”
Lord Hades set down his wine glass. “What you need is someone inside the FBI who you can trust. Someone who understands the paranormal elements of the situation.”
“Exactly. But I don’t have those connections. It’s not like the FBI advertises a paranormal division and it’s not like I can go to the shifter or paranormal council and ask them for a contact.” Frustration leaked through Lamont’s words. “Every person I’ve spoken to on the phone wants to go through proper channels. They won’t even meet with us, which defeats the entire purpose.”
“I might be able to help with that.” Lord Hades glanced at Ali, who nodded encouragingly. “Do you know the wolf shifter, Wesley?”
Lamont frowned. “The name sounds familiar, but I can’t place it.”
“He used to work for the FBI before he mated Cass, one of my demons. Wesley was one of their top investigators, specializingin cases with missing children and trafficking, I believe. I’d have to check to be sure.” Lord Hades leaned back in his chair.
“Wesley had already left the FBI before he met Cass. He was captured by the Dark Elves when all that business went down with the Cloverleah Pack – Wesley had been part of that pack until he was deceived. Cass was the demon who found him. Anyway, after Wesley and Cass started working for me and the Zeus network, helping paranormals in trouble, he did reconnect with a few of his FBI sources from back in the day. It’s proven really useful in other cases.”
Ewen sat forward. “Do these contacts know about the paranormal world?”
“Will a gargoyle special agent work for you?” Lord Hades smiled. “The person I’m thinking of heads up a task force that deals with corruption cases with paranormal elements, and while this case is mostly human on human, or more to the point, corporations putting money over people’s health and safety, the paranormal element here is you two. You’d be able to speak to him honestly and he’d filter what needed to be kept out of official documentation, especially relating to your rescue, Ewen.”
Relief surged through their bond from Lamont’s side. “If I could talk to someone who already understands what happened, who wouldn’t question the translocation or demand to know how I located the textile factory...”
“All that would be treated like any witness statement,” Lord Hades confirmed. “Wesley trusts him completely. And this particular gentleman has the authority to open an investigation without going through any possibly compromised channels.”
“But would he help?” Ewen had learned to be cautious about promises of assistance. “We’re talking about exposing a sitting assistant deputy director at the Department of Defense, acongressman, and a senator. That’s career-ending if it goes wrong.”
“Our helpful gargoyle has taken down bigger fish over his many centuries of existence.” Ali grinned. “Wesley tells the best stories about their more modern cases together. There was this one involving a vampire running a human trafficking ring out of a shipping company...”
“The point is,” Lord Hades interrupted gently, “Redford Stone has the experience, authority, and paranormal awareness to handle this properly. And it helps that he owes Cass a favor after Cass and Wes helped rescue his sister from a trafficking situation last year.”
Ewen looked at Lamont. The hope was right there in his dark eyes. “We’d be grateful for an introduction,” Ewen said firmly. “Every day we wait is another day those people keep profiting from soldiers’ deaths while putting more soldiers in danger.”
Lord Hades inclined his head. “I’ll have Wesley contact you tomorrow to set up a meeting. He’ll brief Redford first and give him the basic outline of the case, so you’re not starting from scratch.”
“Thank you, my Lord.” Lamont’s voice was rough with emotion.
“None of that formal address tonight.” Ali waved a hand dismissively. “We’re having dinner, not conducting court business. Besides, this is what pack does for each other. Now, tell me, are you ready for something sweet, because I know I am.”
The demon returned with dessert - some kind of chocolate cake that smelled like heaven. Ali immediately claimed the largest slice, earning an amused look from Lord Hades.
“So once the FBI investigation is underway and Der Spiegel publishes,” Ali said around his mouthful, “what are you two planning to do? More investigations? Take some time off?”
Ewen hadn’t thought that far ahead. The investigation had consumed his life for months, and then with the kidnapping, meeting Lamont, and everything that followed, the idea of having actual free time felt a bit weird.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I suppose I should figure out my employment situation. The New York Times scrubbed me from their records, so I’m technically unemployed.”
“Good riddance to them,” Ali declared. “Any outlet that caves to political pressure and abandons their reporter isn’t worth working for. You deserve better.”
“I’ve been thinking about going freelance,” Ewen said slowly, the idea forming as he spoke. “Like Lamont. I could work on investigative pieces in my own time then, rather than writing filler on slow news weeks.”