“It’s Wednesday.”
“I said don’t tell that.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we learned that Lazar is willing to testify against Taggert and Cortez. We also learned that Lazar’s daughter Carolyn will need to be protected more sooner than later. The ADA, Pricilla Thomas, left the room to make some phone calls, and she is now heading back in. Let’s find out what she has been able to arrange to protect Carolyn.
“Okay, Lazar. I was able to set up a call between the FBI and Mi5, their British equivalent. It has been decided that Mi5 will go to Carolyn’s school and take her into protective custody. This will happen as soon as possible after you place the call to her. There are two agents heading to Oxfordshire from London now. It’s going to take them ninety minutes or so to get to her. Right now, it is past eight o’clock in the evening in the UK. Do you know where your daughter might be?”
“I know she studies a lot, so I would say she is in her dorm room.”
“We can get an exact location when you talk to her. We will have to send that location to our contacts in the FBI, who will then relay it to Mi5.”
“Shouldn’t we call her now?”
“Just one more thing. Once Mi5 has her, they will take her to a safe place to spend the night. We will have scrambled a private jet out of DC, and they will be landing at the Oxford airport at about 0700 hours local time.”
“Huh”
“Sorry. About 7:00 A.M.”
“Oh.”
“The agent aboard will take custody of Carolyn, and the plane will head back to the US. Any questions so far.”
“Yeah, when does she sleep?”
“Mi5 will have a place.”
“When will I see her?’
“We will get you both into a safe house just as soon as we can. You will have 24/7 security. We want both of you to be very safe. So, you ready to make the call?”
“I guess. I’ll need my phone. I have her number programmed in.”
“Yes, here it is.”
“Just a minute. It’s ringing. Come on, sweetheart. Pick up your phone. Damn, it’s going to voicemail.”
“Tell her to call you immediately. It’s urgent.”
“Hi, Carolyn honey. This is dad. I need to talk to you right away. It’s urgent. Please call. I love you.”
“Now send her a text. Tell her she needs to call.”
“I get that. I’m not an idiot. Just a second. I sent it.”
“I guess we wait.”
“While we are waiting, let me ask a question.”
“Sure, Lazar, go ahead.”
“How long do you think it will take to go to trial?”
“Eighteen months if we are lucky.”
“So, we will be in custody for eighteen months?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I’m not sure my daughter will go for that.”
“She’ll have to. You will need to explain the risk to her life.”
“Wait, here’s the phone. Hello, Carolyn, sweetie, how are you? No, no, no. I’m fine; it’s just that we have a situation. Don’t worry about being in the shower. I’m just glad to be able to talk to you.”
“Put her on speaker.”
“Carolyn honey, I’m going to put you on speaker. I know you hate that, but it’s necessary okay?”
“Okay, dad. What is going on.”
“Well, I’m here with some people from the government, and we need to be concerned with your safety.”
“Government? What kind of people from the government.”
“Hi, Carolyn. My name is Pricilla Thomas, and I’m with the Federal District Attorney’s office. We have some important things to cover with you.”
“District Attorney’s office? What kind of trouble are you in, dad.”
“Pretty big trouble, sweetheart.”
“Tell me.”
“Your dad has been doing business with some underworld characters and got caught. These nice people want me to turn states evidence in exchange for protection from these criminals.”
“Oh my gosh, Dad. States Evidence means to testify.”
“That’s right, honey.”
“Against who?”
“Cortez.”
“Oh, father. How did you get into this in the first place? I have read about him in my criminology course. He is not a nice person.”
“I know, honey. These folks are going to protect us, which brings me to the reason for my call.”
“I’m still curious about how you got involved.”
“Can we cover that later, darling? I need to give you some information.”
“You know you’ve been my rock, Dad. Since mom died, I’ve looked up to you, and you’ve never let me down. Tell me it’s going to be still true.”
“I’m not proud of myself, Honeybun.”
“Oh, daddy, I don’t want to believe that. Tell me everything.”
