“He never played a down of pro football.”
“Why? If he was that good.”
“He got framed for murder and spent twenty years in prison. Over half of that time was on death row.”
Tyler gaped. “Holy shit!”
“His innocence was finally established and he was released. He got a big payment from the government for what they did to him, and he’s now married and living a wonderful life in California.”
“He deserved it.”
“He never got to realize his dream of going pro, of being maybe one of the best of all time. But my point is, Tyler, no matter how bad it ever gets, it can also get better.”
“I... I guess if things turned out okay for him, they could turn out okay for me.”
“And, remember, you have a lot of money coming your way,” pointed out White.
“I don’t care about that. I don’t even want it.”
White said, “But your mother wanted you to have it. And it won’t be coming for quite a few years, so make no decisions until then. You can start that business that Decker told me you talked about. Or you can give it away to worthy causes. The choice will be yours.”
Decker gave Tyler one of his cards. “And let me know where you land for college. I know more about football than most people. I’d be happy to help you any way I can. And not just with football, but anything, or you just want to shoot the shit. Call me, anytime, anywhere.”
“Really?”
“We husky football guys have to stick together.”
Tyler slipped the card into his pocket. “My dad told me what you did for him. How you managed things for... me. So nobody would... the police... would leave me alone.”
“You didn’t ask for any of this. And what you did, or didn’t do, under those circumstances? Well, I don’t know that I would’ve handled it any differently, particularly at your age. So what right do I have to judge you?”
“Thanks for that, Mr. Decker.”
“Call me Amos. All my friends do.”
This drew a surprised look from White.
Decker put out his hand, but Tyler bypassed that and hugged him. Decker could feel the young man squeezing him with all his strength, even as he trembled like a frightened child. Like Decker was the only thing keeping him tethered to reality.
Decker closed his eyes, and in his mind he was holding his daughter after a bout of night terrors. Holding her tight, saying soothing things into her ear. Making her feel safe. And Decker felt himself starting to tremble, and then his eyes filled with tears as he hugged the young, frightened teenager as tightly as he could.
After Tyler left, Decker just stood there, while White, her gaze averted, waited with him.
Finally, Decker picked up his bag and lumbered off to the security gate, wiping at his face.
White followed silently.
Chapter 97
They boarded the plane and flew back to DC. Right before they landed White got an email.
“Uh-oh.”
“What?”
“SAC Talbott wants to see us as soon as we get in.”
“Okay, this is not looking good.”
“But we solved the case, Decker. What can he do?”
“He can do anything he wants.”
They landed and took a cab to the WFO.
Talbott was waiting in his office. He rose with a smile on his face and his hand held out. “Just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done.”
He shook Decker’s hand but did not acknowledge White. She managed a smile while Decker just stood there like a stone wall. He said, “You might have missed my partner standing right there. But for her, I’m lying on a morgue slab in Florida.”
Talbott changed color and glanced at White. “Yes, thank you too, Agent, um, White.”
He turned back to Decker. “Our sister intelligence agencies are very pleased with us. They had their suspicions of Senator Tanner for a long time, but could never prove anything. You solved that problem for them.”
“Yes, we did,” said White, but Talbott kept his gaze on Decker.
“We were thinking that a promotion was in order for you, Decker. Since you’re not an actual special agent, our options are somewhat limited. But you are a valuable asset to the Bureau and we will find a spot for you. You have my word on that. It won’t be in the DC area, but I know that you’re from the Midwest, so maybe Kansas or Nebraska?”
“Agent White has young kids in school on the East Coast. She can’t make that transfer.”
Talbott glanced at White and then back at Decker. “I was just speaking of you.”
“But you just made us partners. You pulled her down from Baltimore.”
“We’re actually promoting Agent White as well, for the exemplary work she did.”
White looked surprised but pleased. “Promoting?”
“Absolutely, and it’s well deserved. You will be the head agent overseeing a dozen other FBI special agents. It’s quite a career move up for you.”
“My God, sir, thank you. And where is it?”
Talbott smiled. “In Boise, Idaho. I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”
“Idaho!” barked White, looking stunned.
“There is crime in Idaho,” said Talbott.
“My kids. I can’t—”
Talbott’s look turned stern. “Well... that’s your choice. But the Bureau is cutting back on field agents. Budget concerns and all. Everyone has to tighten their belts. So it’s either Idaho or...”
“She’s not going to Idaho,” said Decker.
“That really isn’t your concern,” said Talbott sharply.
“Well, considering that we’re partners, it’s very much my concern.”
“Decker,” interjected White. “It’s okay. I can work this—”
“No, it’s really not okay. So we’ll just stay here and remain partners and do our job.”
“That is not your call,” Talbott barked, the kid gloves now off. “You’ll do what you are ordered to do, or—”
“Or you’ll can my ass, which is what this whole bullshit thing is about. Fine. Do it. Like you said, I’m not a real agent or anything, which means I’m not bound by the same crap as real agents are.”
“What exactly do you mean by that?” exclaimed Talbott.
“What I mean by that is the media would love to hear our story.”
“What story?”
“Two heroic FBI agents who solved a major crime and a decades-old spy case get kicked to the curb because they won’t play the stupid reindeer games to suit the fucking stuffed shirts that run this place.”
White stepped back, closed her eyes, and said a silent prayer.
“What did you just say to me?” barked Talbott.
“Maybe your sister intelligence agencies, who are so grateful for what Agent White and I did, would like to take us on. I mean, don’t they love it when they can kick the Bureau in the nuts? And they have media people there who I’m sure could get the word out about what the FBI does to people who just do their job and keep the country safe. But maybe, since you’re just biding your time until you retire so you can go and sit on your ass somewhere, or play fucking golf, you don’t want to deal with all that shit, because it might end up getting your pension screwed. You know, budget cuts and all, so be prepared to tighten your belt if you go that route. But there’s a way for you to avoid all of that, and you know exactly what it is. Your call.”
The two men stared at each other for what seemed an eternity.
Finally, in a muted voice, his gaze averted, Talbott said, “You will carry on your normal duties until further notice.”
“Yes sir,” said White immediately. She pulled on Decker’s arm and forcibly dragged him out of the room.