Rigged

2

2

Aubrey stared at the two FBI agents in surprise. Director Bradley? I thought Redmond Norris.. How do they know there is a new director? I didn’t even f*****g know there was an intervention team on Grenfill. And how were they able to arrange an appointment with him so quickly?

She heard her smartphone buzz. Unknown number, it said in the display. “Hello?” she said curious to know who was calling her.

“Oh. So you do answer your phone? Only not when I call you? “ a sore man’s voice said.

“Goddamn Harold. I’m working.”

“You’re always working … honey,” Aubrey’s ex-husband Harold Brunswick said jokingly. “Anyway, apparently I just have to borrow someone’s phone to call you anonymously …”

“Harold! Not now! I’m in the middle of a case …”

“You are always in the middle of a case Aubrey. But we really have to sit down and have a discussion, or the divorce will never come through. And believe me, that is more annoying for you than for me.’

Well, Aubrey thought. I doubt whether it could be any worse than it is now. “Don’t you read the papers, Harold?”

“Newspapers?” Harold laughed. “No wonder that you are running after the facts. If you still read the newspapers in these days…”

“Okay, okay, the social media then? It’s all over the news Harold. The hit on our station. So. Thank you for expressing your compassion. For asking me me how I’m doing. Can we get back to work now? I’ll call you as soon as this case is resolved.”

“So. And when is that? This century?”

“Maybe so,” Aubrey sighed. “Bye now Harold!”

She had just finished the call when the phone rang again. For a moment she doubted whether she should take it or not. Afraid that Harold would call her back right away to get even with her. But this was not an unknown number. “Keith?” she said, somewhat relieved that her colleague finally contacted her. “Where have you been?”

“I had to pick up something.”

“What?”

“Something for myself.”

“With whom?” Aubrey asked suspiciously.

“Leave that with me Aubrey,” Keith responded irritably. “How are thins going there? What did Norris and Thomas say?”

“You’re not on those pills again, are you Keith?” The following silence was a little too long for Aubrey’s liking. “Keith?” she repeated more forcefully. “Did you see that Angela again?”

“Will I see you in the hospital?” Keith said irritably.

“You know what I told you Keith. Either those pill have to go, or you will…”

“I’m not addicted Aubrey. And as for Angela; you don’t know her. So take a deep breath and tell me what you found out.’

“If you had been here, I wouldn’t have had to tell you everything.”

“I can already tell. You’ve had one of those joyful meetings again.”

Aubrey rubbed her forehead. She didn’t feel like arguing with Keith, not again. “Listen. Norris and Alex… Coach Thomas, have nothing to say here any more. Grenfill High has been taken over by an intervention team from Shinzo JCS. I was told to leave the schoolyard by one of the guards. And guess what? I just got here, sitting in my car, when that dwarf - Kramer - taps on my window.”

“Dustin? From the FBI?”

“That’s the one, yes. He’s getting more annoying by the minute. Says coolly that we have to be at the desk this afternoon.”

“We? You and me? That is not going to work. We have to be in the hospital in an hour.”

“And that is exactly what we are going to do. Kramer and Kramer just will have to wait. Although I would like to speak to them before meeting with Alex.”

“Um… What kind of an appointment, Aubrey? Work related, I hope?”

“Yes, Keith. Do not worry. This is all about work. Just like you and Angela…”

Keith decided to ignore her comment. “So, our plan can still succeed?”

“Our plan?”

“Well, you know …”

“Hmm. Yes, “said Aubrey. I sure do know, she thought. “Provided that Alex gets to hear anything. Because, to be honest, I’m afraid that Shinzo JCS is full in control. And it will do anything to stay in control.”

“All the more reason to visit these boys’ headquarters quickly.”

“What if you start with that Kelly first?”

“Yes, well, she’s from Shinzo Security. Not from JCS,” Keith protested.

“We’ll talk about Keith later. I’ll see you in fifteen minutes at the entrance of the hospital.”

“But, we don’t have to be there for an hour!”

“Fifteen minutes, Keith!”