“Well, if the source is emailing you, that leaves a trail. And that trail starts with you and ends with the source.”
“But I’m sure my source is taking pains to cover that trail.”
“Doesn’t matter. Can’t take the chance. I would expect that once your usefulness is over he’ll come kill you, take your computer and your phone and your e-tablet and the server I see under your desk, and burn down your house and your bloody remains just to be extra sure.” He looked at Michelle. “What’s your take? You’d do that, right, if you were the source? No trace?”
She replied, “Absolutely. But I’d dismember him first, then burn him. Then use acid. Makes identifying the murder victim much harder.”
Carlton looked ready to throw up but said weakly, “You’re just trying to scare me.”
Sean slowly shook his head. “I don’t have to try. You should be scared. I am. And I was with the Secret Service. Not a lot can scare me, but this sure as hell does.”
Michelle said, “You need to think about this very seriously, George. Very seriously. All those connected to this are dropping like flies. We’ve almost been killed three times and we can take care of ourselves.” She looked at his small, chubby frame. “I don’t think you’re in the same situation.”
“But what can I do?” wailed Carlton.
Sean said, “Download your emails to a flash drive and give it to me right now. Then pack a bag and buy a plane ticket that will take you far, far away from here for about a month. Check the papers or, better yet, the blogs for what’s going on back here. If we’re all still alive at the end of thirty days, then come back. It should be safe.”
“You’re shitting me!”
Sean looked at Michelle and then back at Carlton.
“Or you can stay here and die,” she said to the blogger.
Carlton said nothing.
Finally, Sean rose. “Let’s go, Michelle. Waste of time here.”
Michelle stood. “Lead a horse to water. Sorry, George. Don’t know what to tell you. Pay up the life insurance. Notify next of kin of the cash coming their way. And make sure your homeowner’s insurance is paid up. For when they come and burn this place down with you in it.”
They started to leave.
“Where would I go?” yelled Carlton.
Sean turned back. “Where would you like to go?”
Carlton thought for a few moments. “Always wanted to see the Sydney Opera House.”
“Good choice,” said Sean.
“Great choice,” added Michelle.
“Flash drive?” said Sean, walking back over to the desk.
Carlton fumbled for one in his desk drawer and slipped it into the slot on his computer.
“Can you guys drive me to the airport? I can book a ticket online and it’ll take me no time to pack and snag my passport.”
“Why not?” said Sean.
“Are you armed?” asked Carlton.
Sean pointed to Michelle. “I have her, so the answer is yes, I’m armed.”
He watched as Carlton downloaded the emails onto the flash drive and then popped it out and handed it to Sean.
They drove Carlton to the airport and dropped him off there.
“Good luck,” said Sean.