snail sandwich instead. Raymond watched as Brandon made some cryptic hand gestures over to Matt, but, because of the expression Brandon had on his face when Matt began talking, the gestures missed their mark.
“It doesn’t add up,” Matt began. Matt checked a database, once again, of all known federal counterfeit artists who had the skill needed to create such beautiful forged federal documents. “Every single one of them is either in jail or out of the country,” he reported to Dixon and Agent Smith.
“We must have stumbled onto someone new,” Dixon calmly explained.
“Agent Smith, you look familiar,” Brandon said, slightly rubbing his temples. “I’ve seen you around quite a bit, but I thought your name was Agent Reese.”
Raymond waved his hands to dismiss Brandon. “I’m confused for many people.”
“I’ve seen you a lot, Mr. Teal Eyes,” Brandon said, with emphasis on the code name. He looked over at Matt, who immediately had a new interest in who this Agent really was.
“Please continue telling the agent your findings, Brandon,” Dixon urged.
Brandon held up the evidence documentation reported by the evidence team for the backpack, memory card and security passes. Looking defiantly at Mr. Teal Eyes, he waved the documentation in the air like a prized flag. “You know what doesn’t add up?”
The only reaction in the room was Matt’s widened eyes. Raymond caught it, and knew that Matt’s memories were flooding back to him as well.
“It's odd that no file encryption was performed on the memory cards. They weren’t even password protected. For as brilliant as the forger was, you’d think he, or she, would have protected their work,” Brandon stated.
“You’re assuming the forger owned the bag and cards. Maybe he, or she, was only a courier. Couriers sometimes don’t know what they’re transporting and mistakes can happen,” Dixon said, trying to calm the two.
“Maybe. But files like these you would expect to be protected in some fashion.” Brandon eyed Mr. Teal Eyes as if he were the enemy.
“You know what else is odd?” Brandon said accusatively at Dixon. “You gave us the evidence to ship to the computer analysis team. We were wearing gloves, so of course we left no fingerprints on the bag nor the passes or memory cards.”
“And?” Dixon asked.
“Your hands weren’t gloved,” Brandon accused.
Dixon remained quiet and shot a concerned look over to Raymond.
Brandon held out the evidence report. “There were no fingerprints found on the bag. Not even your fingerprints came back.”
Matt stood up, and with a shaky voice said, “The report can’t be correct. Brandon and I both saw Dixon touch the leather strap.”
As Matt read the paperwork, Brandon continued. “It is weird. I’m sending in a request to view the evidence again, if that’s okay with you, Dixon. I’m betting the filament tape on the inner container has been broken, or replaced. It’s the only explanation as to why your fingerprints were wiped.”
“No one else had access to the evidence but the teams who were supposed to,” Raymond said. It was the truth, even if the two humans didn’t know the vampire team had permission to view it as well.
“Well, when we get our hands on the evidence we’ll see if there is a statement inside the packaging about anyone else who may have viewed the items,” Brandon sealed the box.
“I doubt there will be any statement, Brandon,” Matt said looking from Dixon to Raymond. He held up the evidence sheet. “I think this paperwork is forged as well.”
Raymond had heard enough, he looked deep into their eyes. “Men, give me your full attention, and I’ll explain this all to you.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Raymond decided an early lunch with Alex would be best for their next meeting. He suggested meeting at a restaurant. One benefit of an early lunch was to avoid the crowds and talk privately. Another benefit was to see her that much sooner. Thoughts of
“It doesn’t add up,” Matt began. Matt checked a database, once again, of all known federal counterfeit artists who had the skill needed to create such beautiful forged federal documents. “Every single one of them is either in jail or out of the country,” he reported to Dixon and Agent Smith.
“We must have stumbled onto someone new,” Dixon calmly explained.
“Agent Smith, you look familiar,” Brandon said, slightly rubbing his temples. “I’ve seen you around quite a bit, but I thought your name was Agent Reese.”
Raymond waved his hands to dismiss Brandon. “I’m confused for many people.”
“I’ve seen you a lot, Mr. Teal Eyes,” Brandon said, with emphasis on the code name. He looked over at Matt, who immediately had a new interest in who this Agent really was.
“Please continue telling the agent your findings, Brandon,” Dixon urged.
Brandon held up the evidence documentation reported by the evidence team for the backpack, memory card and security passes. Looking defiantly at Mr. Teal Eyes, he waved the documentation in the air like a prized flag. “You know what doesn’t add up?”
The only reaction in the room was Matt’s widened eyes. Raymond caught it, and knew that Matt’s memories were flooding back to him as well.
“It's odd that no file encryption was performed on the memory cards. They weren’t even password protected. For as brilliant as the forger was, you’d think he, or she, would have protected their work,” Brandon stated.
“You’re assuming the forger owned the bag and cards. Maybe he, or she, was only a courier. Couriers sometimes don’t know what they’re transporting and mistakes can happen,” Dixon said, trying to calm the two.
“Maybe. But files like these you would expect to be protected in some fashion.” Brandon eyed Mr. Teal Eyes as if he were the enemy.
“You know what else is odd?” Brandon said accusatively at Dixon. “You gave us the evidence to ship to the computer analysis team. We were wearing gloves, so of course we left no fingerprints on the bag nor the passes or memory cards.”
“And?” Dixon asked.
“Your hands weren’t gloved,” Brandon accused.
Dixon remained quiet and shot a concerned look over to Raymond.
Brandon held out the evidence report. “There were no fingerprints found on the bag. Not even your fingerprints came back.”
Matt stood up, and with a shaky voice said, “The report can’t be correct. Brandon and I both saw Dixon touch the leather strap.”
As Matt read the paperwork, Brandon continued. “It is weird. I’m sending in a request to view the evidence again, if that’s okay with you, Dixon. I’m betting the filament tape on the inner container has been broken, or replaced. It’s the only explanation as to why your fingerprints were wiped.”
“No one else had access to the evidence but the teams who were supposed to,” Raymond said. It was the truth, even if the two humans didn’t know the vampire team had permission to view it as well.
“Well, when we get our hands on the evidence we’ll see if there is a statement inside the packaging about anyone else who may have viewed the items,” Brandon sealed the box.
“I doubt there will be any statement, Brandon,” Matt said looking from Dixon to Raymond. He held up the evidence sheet. “I think this paperwork is forged as well.”
Raymond had heard enough, he looked deep into their eyes. “Men, give me your full attention, and I’ll explain this all to you.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Raymond decided an early lunch with Alex would be best for their next meeting. He suggested meeting at a restaurant. One benefit of an early lunch was to avoid the crowds and talk privately. Another benefit was to see her that much sooner. Thoughts of
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