Desperate Rendition - Chapter 17

Washington D.C.

Taylor’s back felt cramped, but he wasn’t going to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing him in distress. They were treating him like he was the criminal, instead of the man hiring hitmen to kill political opponents and kidnapping teenage girls. It had been a holding cell in Atlanta, a Bureau plain in shackles, and then, by his count, six hours in this interrogation room.

He got the transportation. They had appearances to maintain. It was being left to rot in an FBI interrogation room that had him annoyed. Yes, he left with Bonnie without saying anything, but he’d told Whitaker what was going on and they had Bonnie’s information now. They had the proof of what was happening, and they knew him. They knew he didn’t just go around killing people for no reason.

Thankfully, sitting and doing nothing for hours waiting to be told what to do was a skill he’d mastered in the military. So he sat, hour after hour, handcuffed hands in front of him, staring at the wall.

When the door finally opened, it was Director Solomon who came through, and not Whitaker, who he was hoping to see.

“About damn time,” Taylor said. “Where’s Whitaker?”

Solomon settled into the chair across from him and stared at him for a long moment before saying, “You know she can’t be here, Taylor.”

“Why not? Bonnie got to you, right? She told you about Ellsworth?”

“Yes. She’s already being debriefed and is in protective custody.”

“Then get me out of these cuffs,” Taylor said, holding up his shackled hands.

Solomon considered him for a moment and waved to the one-way mirror. A moment later an agent came in and unhooked his shackles, taking them out with him.

“And the names on the cell phone you got off Ellsworth?” Taylor asked, rubbing his wrists. “I saw several FBI extensions on there, and he was very clear that he had guys in his pocket. If they’re not found, I’m not sure how protective any custody you might have her in will be.”

“Bonnie told us about it and we have started an internal investigation, but we have the Marshals involved, just in case.”

“Good, I guess. But you have her which means you know I did what I had to do. The senator was dirty, Joe. He was coming for me, and he was coming for Bonnie. I did my job.”

“This wasn’t the way to do it, Taylor. There could have been other options.”

“Like what?” Taylor snapped. “This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with dirty people inside the chain of command. I know what problems that can cause.”

“You know me and you know Whitaker,” Solomon countered. “You could have come to us.”

“And you guys would have compartmentalized it? No. That wouldn’t be procedure. I do know you and I know Whitaker. You would have followed procedure, which is what guys like Ellsworth play off of.”

“That doesn’t mean…”

“What about Caldwell?” Taylor asked, interrupting him. He was tired of this. “I want to talk to the President.”

“She’s not going to meet with you. Not after you shot someone in her party. A key member of it. We’ve spoken with her. She agrees with our plan for you and says she’ll have to distance herself from this situation.”

“So what’s the plan then?”

“Your arrangement with the FBI is terminated. You’re going back to being a regular citizen. You will never again be allowed to work for the U.S. government in any capacity.”

“Now that isn’t procedure. You’re not going to find I was justified, but you’re also not going to charge me. You don’t ever hedge like that, Solomon.”

“This wasn’t all my plan. There are… factors that have to be considered. There will be a story released about the senator dying in a plane crash. You can never reveal what actually happened or tell anyone the truth. You’ll sign an agreement stating that if you ever disclose the real events, you’ll face life imprisonment.”

“So all the people working for the senator just go back to being invisible? People who sold themselves once will do it again.”

“No. We’ll find them and deal with them. This is a good deal, Taylor. You should take it.”

“What happens to Whitaker?”

“Nothing,” Solomon replied. “She wasn’t involved and she stuck to policy. She keeps her job. This doesn’t affect her position.”

Taylor considered it. He’d done good work with the FBI and he’d found the authority it came with helped him get things done. But he’d also never really planned on doing this kind of work. It had just happened.

“Taylor, you’ve never been happy here anyway. You got roped into it and let us keep convincing you to stay. Take the deal. You’ll be happier anyway.”

“Fine. Give me the papers.”

Solomon pulled some papers out of the bag he had with him and slid them over. Taylor didn’t bother reading them. He just signed and slid them back.

“Can I go?”

“Yes. Whitaker’s waiting outside to take you home.”

Taylor just grunted at the man and left the interrogation room. By outside, Solomon meant outside the interrogation room, which was more of an interview room, off a bullpen and not in some kind of lockup. Whitaker was standing next to some of the cubicles, and Kara was standing next to her.

Kara rushed forward, throwing her arms around him while Whitaker came up much more slowly. They must have been really worried. It was the only time Kara acted like this.

Taylor held her tightly and said, “Let’s go home.”