Chapter 6 - The Agent
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Hannah's contact was a man named Derek Cole.
FBI. White collar crimes. Twenty years on the job.
He met us at a safe house outside the city. A nondescript building. No signs. No windows.
"You're the sister?"
"Charlotte. This is Hannah."
"I know who she is. She's been trying to get me to investigate the Hartleys for years."
"And now you can."
I handed him the card. He plugged it into his laptop. Watched the video. Read the document.
When he was done, he sat back. Let out a long breath.
"Jesus."
"That's what I said."
"This is enough to bring them down. All of them. Richard. Eleanor. Everyone."
"Can you do it?"
"I can. But it's going to take time. The Hartleys have friends. Powerful friends. We need to move carefully."
"How long?"
"A week. Maybe two. We need to build a case. Get warrants. Coordinate with local law enforcement."
"A week? They'll find us before then."
"That's why you're going to stay here. Both of you. Until it's done."
"What about Lily? She needs to go to school. She needs—"
"She needs to stay alive. That's what she needs." He looked at me. "I know this is hard. But it's the only way. If the Hartleys find out you're talking to us, they'll disappear. You, your daughter, your sister. Everyone."
I looked at Hannah. She nodded.
"Okay."
"Good." Derek stood up. "I'll be in touch. Don't leave this building. Don't call anyone. Don't use your phones."
He left.
I sat there. In the silence. Thinking about Lily. About Michael. About everything.
It was going to be a long week.
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