Learning the FBI's true reason for being there didn't make things any easier for the DEA. Sydney's superiors weren't willing to let the Miami PD and the FBI claim all the credit for taking down a major drug lord. This was a significant win, and they wanted their share. So, reluctantly, Sydney's boss headed to Miami PD to negotiate for a piece of the pie, knowing that returning empty-handed could spell trouble.
"Sidney, what are you doing here? I told you to wait at my place. And... what's that? A badge? Why do you have a DEA field badge? Didn't you say you worked as an office secretary for the government?" Marcus stared in shock as his sister, her badge and sidearm visible, walked confidently into the precinct.
Mike, who had his back to the door, turned around at his partner's outburst. His eyes widened as he recognized Sydney striding in, looking every bit the professional agent. One glance at her gear told Mike she wasn't in Miami for a family visit. She was clearly on assignment.
Quick-witted, Mike stayed silent, knowing Marcus would grill his sister for every bit of information he wanted to know. Sure enough, Marcus immediately erupted, "Sidney, I'm telling Mom... You lied to me about working an office job?"
The entire precinct's attention was drawn to the three of them. Even though Sidney's dark skin helped hide her blush, she could still feel the heat rising to her face. She couldn't believe her brother was threatening to tell their mother.
Mike, barely containing his laughter, knew that if he let it slip, Marcus would explode. Luckily, Captain Howard appeared just in time to defuse the situation. Experienced as he was, Howard quickly picked up on the connection between the DEA agent and his detectives, Marcus and Mike, and stepped in.
Right then, Sidney's superior, Agent Tom, introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Agent Tom with the DEA. I'm here to discuss a matter of importance with you."
Recognizing the serious nature of the visit, Howard shook Tom's hand and, glancing at Marcus and Mike, calmly said, "Let's talk in my office." He shot Marcus a stern look to keep quiet and led the way to his office.
Agent Tom followed Howard, keenly aware that they needed the cooperation of the Miami PD to avoid being left out entirely. Before heading into the office, he signaled Sidney to calm her agitated brother.
As soon as his boss left, Marcus immediately resumed his big-brother stance, glaring at Sidney. "You owe me an explanation, Sidney! Or I'm calling Mom!"
Mike couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter, along with several others who'd overheard Marcus's threat. Sidney buried her face in her hand, exasperated at her brother's protectiveness. She'd hoped to slip away quietly after her boss decided to join the investigation but had no choice but to follow his lead. Still, she knew she needed to appease her brother or risk him causing even more chaos.
Inside the office, Howard eyed the DEA badge-wearing Agent Tom, who wasted no time explaining his purpose.
"You mean to tell me," Howard began after hearing Tom's explanation, "that you planned to have the agent outside—who happens to be my officer's sister—pose as a money-laundering specialist to gather evidence against Johnny Tapia? And now you're here because my officers inadvertently revealed our intentions to her, forcing you to join us to avoid being left out?"
Though frustrated with his officers, Howard understood it wasn't entirely their fault. Marcus hadn't known his sister was a DEA agent, so it made sense that she'd overhear them.
The problem now was figuring out how to split the case with both the FBI and DEA involved.
Fortunately, Tom was direct about his request. He didn't want custody of Tapia himself. The DEA only wanted the chance to interrogate him after the arrest and to dismantle his drug-smuggling network. If they could also obtain a list of Tapia's distribution contacts in other states, that would be even better.
The FBI, meanwhile, needed Tapia for national security reasons, and the DEA understood that capturing terrorists held a higher priority. With this in mind, Tom tactfully avoided insisting on taking Tapia into DEA custody.
Howard, appreciating Tom's reasonable approach, gave his approval. Zidan and Maggie had no objections either, as Joe's orders were clear: bring Tapia back to New York and prioritize finding Amir Bakawi. Adding the DEA to the team even offered an advantage—their agents were exceptionally skilled.
DEA agents, accustomed to dealing with ruthless drug lords, were equipped and trained to a level unmatched by most police or federal officers. Many DEA agents were former military special forces or Marines with combat experience. Adding the DEA would certainly bolster the team's firepower.
With everyone in agreement, the three agencies finally sat down together to pool their intel on Johnny Tapia.
To Agent Tom's and the FBI agents' surprise, the Miami PD actually had the most extensive information on Tapia. Captain Howard knew, of course, that much of it came from the anonymous email he'd received. He kept this detail to himself, feeling quietly grateful to his mysterious informant.
Meanwhile, Cassel, the unseen "good Samaritan," was astounded at how the three parties had seamlessly come together to share the spoils. Had the DEA taken a softer stance? They were usually the most territorial about retaining control of their cases. What on earth was going on here?
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I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS (Chapter 79)
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
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