Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris Page A

I’m not the only one. Unfortunately, you and I both know that this isn’t the only evidence we have against your brother.”
    Avery’s anger dug into her at the captain’s clipped words. She’d seen the “evidence” they’d used to identify the mole. Michael had been involved in several key operations that had allowed him access to sensitive information. After his death, the police had discovered this information on a laptop hidden in his apartment.
    â€œThe only evidence found against my brother was circumstantial and you know it. Planted, most likely, by Charlie Bains, who is now dead. That case is closed.”
    â€œWhat if it’s not?” Mason asked.
    â€œYou were his best friend,” Avery shot back. “You know as well as I do that Michael wasn’t capable of this. He loved his job. Loved his family. Loved his country, and he would never betray any of them. In fact, if you want my opinion, if that really is Michael, it looks like a robbery to me, and he just saved a woman.”
    â€œI agree that Michael wasn’t capable of doing anything criminal,” Mason said, “but I also know he was working undercover and none of us know at this point exactly what he was involved in.”
    â€œThere are those who are going to say that your brother killed a member of the cartel, then grabbed Valez’s daughter to use her as leverage,” the captain said.
    â€œAnd they’d be wrong,” Avery said.
    The captain cleared his throat. “Avery, I know your family is close, and I know that Michael always had a pristine record, but money can change people. The cartel’s gross profit easily exceeds DuPont and Coca-Cola. How hard would it have been for him to say yes to an offer that would bring in ten times what he made in a year?”
    She would never believe that. “Not Michael.”
    â€œListen,” the captain continued, “I wanted to come to you personally, before all this hits full force, because you’re going to be caught in the middle. You’re going to be asked if you’ve heard from your brother. If you’ve seen him. If he’s really dead.”
    â€œI’ve told you the truth this entire time.” Avery clenched her fists, ready to strike the next person who tried to convince her that her brother was guilty. “We buried my brother eight months ago. As far as I know, he’s dead.”
    â€œJust know that I’ll continue to back you up, but if I find out you’re lying—or protecting a fugitive—you’re going to have a hard time saving your career.”
    The captain’s comment stung, making her feel as if she were boxing in the dark, with no way to see who she was fighting against.
    Avery skirted around her desk and faced the captain. “You’re saying that Michael walked away from his home, his family, and his career all for a paycheck, but I don’t buy that. Michael loved what he did. He believed in what he did, and nothing you can tell me—no video or any piece of so-called evidence—can convince me otherwise. If this is true . . . there has to be a logical explanation to what he’s been doing these past eight months.”
    The captain took a step toward the door, then paused. “Here’s the bottom line. We’ve been looking for a way to bring down the cartel working in this area for a long time, and innocent or not, I believe your brother is the key. We need to bring him in,and I need you to help me, because while he wasn’t worth much to us dead, he’s worth everything to us if he’s alive. He could mean access into the cartel.”
    Avery started to speak, but the captain wasn’t finished.
    â€œWe also think Michael was shot, which means he’s going to need medical attention. And if I’m right, he might be contacting you soon. So while I’m putting you in charge of this investigation, it’s not