CHAPTER
THREE

Private investigator Hunter McCoy met Detective Elijah Hall from Alexandria PD at Hunter’s office. They had been randomly paired together as freshman roommates at the University of Virginia and had been best friends ever since. They couldn’t have been more different. Hunter, a scrawny kid from rural Virginia who tended to get into trouble, and Elijah, a city kid from the Bronx who studied hard and didn’t have time for Hunter’s nonsense. Hunter had learned many life lessons from Elijah, including expanding his way of thinking about the world. Growing up in rural Virginia had given him a limited perspective on life and people. Being friends with Elijah had opened his eyes, and he was a much better man for it.

Hunter had gotten a call from Elijah that they needed to talk about the restaurant bombing.

“Does Alexandria PD want to hire me?” As a private investigator, Hunter had done freelance work for them in the past.

“No. It’s nothing like that.” Elijah’s dark brown eyes met his.

“What is it, man? It’s not like you to beat around the bush.”

Elijah took a breath. “I wanted to meet in person because there’s something you need to know.”

Hunter knew something was wrong but waited for Elijah to spit it out.

“One of the victims of the bombing today was Layla.”

Dots danced before Hunter’s eyes as a wave of nausea hit him. “Is she dead?”

Elijah placed a hand on his shoulder. “No, she made it, but she’s at Alexandria Hospital.”

“How badly is she hurt?”

“I’m not sure, but I thought you’d want to know.”

Still in shock, Hunter stared at him. “Do you have any leads?”

“Nothing yet. Bomb squad is doing their thing. FBI got called in, too, because of the possible terrorist threat. So far two fatalities and lots of injured.”

Hunter ran a hand through his hair.

Elijah moved a step closer to him. “Look. You need to go see her. I don’t know how serious it is. And it’s always been clear to me that you never stopped loving her.”

Wasn’t that the truth. “I’m probably the last person on this earth that she’d want to see.”

“That was a long time ago. A lot has happened since then. I think she’d welcome a visit from you, especially given the circumstances.”

“I’m not so sure about that, but you’re right, I have to go. Even if she kicks me out. I need to try.” Hunter didn’t know what he’d do without Elijah’s friendship. He was more like a brother than a friend.

“Don’t wait.” Elijah stood. “I’m headed back to work. Hit me up and let me know how it went.”

“Will do. And thanks again.”

“Always.”

Hunter watched Elijah leave and then tried to muster up the courage to drive to the hospital. Everything with Layla had ended so badly. They’d only crossed paths a couple of times since law school graduation, and those instances had barely been a quick and awkward hello.

But now his main concern was making sure she was all right. Had terrorists targeted the Old Town restaurant? Or was this something else entirely?

He wasn’t law enforcement, but as someone who had a law degree and had been a PI for five years, working high-stakes cases, he couldn’t help but want to get answers. Especially considering that whoever was behind this atrocity had hurt Layla. His Layla, even though he had zero right to think of her like that. He’d given that up a long time ago.

He had to push aside his fear and the past and get down to the hospital. If something happened to her and he didn’t have the chance to try to make things right, he would never forgive himself.

A knock on the door of her hospital room awakened Layla from a light doze. Her boss, Brett King, stood in the hallway.

“Brett.” She shifted in the bed.

“I came to check on you as soon as I got word that you were on the list of victims.” He walked into the room and sat down beside her bed. “How’re you feeling?”

“Been better, but I’m alive. Not everyone at the restaurant was so fortunate.” She still couldn’t believe there had been a bombing. Her brain wasn’t processing everything quickly enough, but a nagging voice in her head told her something was really off. “Has there been any chatter about it?”

He moved closer to her and shook his head. “No. Given that one of our own was injured, though, we will monitor the investigation closely. Did the Feds come to talk to you yet?”

“No, but I’m sure they will.”

“I assume you’ll keep your cover intact?”

“Of course.” She couldn’t believe he would even ask that.

Brett’s shoulders slumped. “This is really bad timing, considering all you’ve gone through today, but there’s something else I have to talk to you about, and unfortunately it can’t wait.”

Her heartbeat thumped. She didn’t need more bad news. “What?”

Brett squinted his light blue eyes. “There’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll just come out and say it. Effective immediately, you’re put on administrative leave.”

“What?” she said loudly. “Why?” She never would have expected those words to come out of Brett’s mouth. “You can’t sideline me because of this. It wasn’t my fault.”

“The Inspector General’s office is conducting a confidential investigation. I’m not privy to the details of the investigation, but I was ordered to put you on leave.”

She felt like she’d just been pushed off a cliff. “I don’t understand.”

“I don’t either. All I can tell you is that it definitely didn’t come from me, but the direction was clear.”

“Wait a minute. You’re saying I’m the subject of an IG investigation?”

Brett shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes.”

“And it has nothing to do with the bombing.”

“That’s right.”

None of this made sense, but she was now certain of one thing: All of these events couldn’t be coincidences. But because of that, she couldn’t trust a word Brett was saying either. And she couldn’t talk to him about Cass yet. “I don’t know how to respond.”

“You don’t have to say anything. And like I said, I hate that it had to come about during this episode. But, Layla, my hands are tied.”

“The IG’s office gave you the order?”

“Yes. It didn’t come up through operational command.”

She had to put something out there for Brett to consider. “Don’t you find it a little odd, the timing of all this?”

“I was just given the order at the end of the day yesterday. I was going to wait until Monday morning when you came into the office, but then this happened, and it was better just to tell you. Your building access has been revoked pending the investigation, but you will continue to be paid. I guess that’s the only silver lining.” He paused. “Layla, if you’ve gotten into some type of trouble, it would be better to talk about it now.”

It stung that Brett was truly concerned she could have done something wrong. “There’s nothing to talk about, Brett. I’m clean.”

He gave her a slight smile. “Good. Then hopefully this can be sorted out quickly, and we can get you back to work. You should hear from someone in the IG’s office for an interview, but I’m not sure on timing. And the Agency requests that you don’t leave the greater DC area until this gets sorted out and that you surrender your passport.”

“What do they think, I’m some sort of flight risk?”

Brett lifted his hands. “I was told it was procedure.”

That sounded crazy to her.

He patted the edge of the bed. “I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’ll get out of here. Hope you start feeling better soon.”

“Thanks.” What else was she supposed to say? She watched him walk out of the room.

Someone had to be coming after her. She tried to rest as much as she could, but her brain was spinning.

When another knock came on her room door a couple of hours later, she hoped it would be a friendly face—and it was.

Scarlett Bell, her friend and mentor, walked into the room with a vase of bright pink tulips in hand. Scarlett knew her well. Layla loved everything pink.

Scarlett placed the vase on the table beside the bed. “Layla, what happened? Bailey called me and told me you were in the Old Town Grille when the bomb went off.”

“I was there with Viv.”

“Yes, Bailey mentioned that, but she said Viv was stable.”

Layla nodded. “Yeah. She’ll be fine. We were both very fortunate.”

Scarlett tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear. “I’ll stop by and see Viv on my way out.”

“Listen, Scarlett, I know you may think this is crazy, but I believe the bombing could be linked to the Honduras op.” Layla was free to confide in Scarlett since she had been read into this DEA operation after the fact. Scarlett worked at State in the INL Bureau—basically the international narcotics division. She had been assigned to Layla two years ago as her interagency mentor. Fifteen years Layla’s senior, Scarlett was a highly regarded government servant who had worked at DEA before State and had tons of field experience. The Agency had been urging Layla to get into the field more, and Scarlett was trying to guide her through that process.

“Why do you think that?”

“Cass’s house was ransacked last night, and she believes her attacker was linked to the cartel.”

Scarlett took her hand. “Layla, I know I’m the one who’s always pushing you to take risks and get out there, but this is a highly dangerous situation. I didn’t know what had happened to Cass, but after hearing that fact, I’m even more convinced that I have intel to explain why the cartel might be coming after the team.”

Layla’s pulse quickened. “What?”

“It was my understanding from the post-op briefing I got from DEA that the mission was a success, but there were some casualties on the cartel side.”

Layla nodded. “All from self-defense, though. Completely legitimate use of force by our team.” Even though she was just getting into fieldwork, she had been drilled hard on protocol and knew that they had dotted all their I’s and crossed all their T’s on the mission. She’d been impressed that no one in the DEA had wanted to cut any corners.

“I’m not questioning protocol.”

“Then, what is it?”

Scarlett looked away. “One of the men killed was Roberto Mejía.”

Layla’s heart sank. “I assume he’s related to Diego?”

“Roberto was Diego’s little brother.”

The full implication of Scarlett’s revelation was coming into focus. “You’re telling me that someone on our team killed the leader of the cartel’s little brother?”

“Yeah, so now you potentially have Diego seeking payback.”

“Have you told the others?”

“Not yet. Getting down here to see you was my top priority.”

Layla was so glad that Scarlett was there. She’d been a guiding force in Layla’s career. What started out as a professional mentoring relationship had become a valued friendship. “Brett just came to see me.”

Scarlett’s eyes lit up. “I’m glad he checked on you. Sometimes he’s a bit dense with these things.”

“He wasn’t just inquiring about my well-being.”

Scarlett raised an eyebrow. “What happened?”

“He told me that I’ve been put on administrative leave, pending an IG investigation.”

The shock on Scarlett’s face mirrored Layla’s own emotions.

“So you didn’t know anything about this?”

“Of course not. Why would you be investigated?”

That was the million-dollar question. “Brett claimed ignorance. Said it went up the chain and was out of his control, and that I’d be hearing from the IG’s office soon.”

Scarlett leaned closer to her. “Layla, this isn’t good. IG investigations can put a blot on your record forever.”

Layla sighed. “But what am I supposed to do about it?”

“Fight it. Hard.” Scarlett’s eyes sparked. “Do not roll over on this. Get legal counsel. Someone you trust and who has the requisite security clearances. I know you went to law school, but you shouldn’t defend yourself.”

Hearing how dire Scarlett made the situation sound only made Layla feel worse. “Okay.”

Scarlett squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry. You’ve been through a hugely traumatic event today, but I want to make sure that you’re covered so you can handle this investigation and get your record cleared. You are way too valuable to the Agency for them to mess around with something like this.”

“What are you saying?”

“They must think they have something on you. You’ll need to go back through your work and see if you cut any corners. Did anything that could cause red flags.”

Layla already knew the answer to that. She played by the rules. Always. It was one of her qualities that she thought would hamper her ability to be an operations officer. Integrity meant something to her. “I understand.”

“I’m sorry that I’ve made things worse for you, but I thought you needed to know about the cartel. You should watch your back. Rely on your training.”

Even though Layla had never intended to be more than an analyst, she’d gone through training at the Farm because the CIA insisted. Now maybe that training was going to be put to good use. “I’ll be on guard, believe me.”

“Good. Because your life may depend on it.”

Hunter arrived at the hospital and, after pushing through some red tape, found out where Layla was. When he got to her room, he heard a female voice talking in hushed tones. Taking a deep breath, he knocked before peeking his head inside.

Hunter didn’t recognize the tall, slender brunette with glasses by Layla’s side. But his eyes immediately went to Layla. Alive . . . she was alive. Yes, Elijah had told him that, but he had to confirm it with his own eyes.

Even though he could tell Layla was injured, she still looked gorgeous. Her long, wavy black hair flowed past her shoulders. When she made eye contact with him, neither of them said a word.

The woman walked over to him and stretched out her hand. “Scarlett Bell. You must be a friend of Layla’s.”

He took her hand. “Hunter McCoy.”

As he said his name, he saw a flash of recognition in Scarlett’s eyes. Unfortunately, she knew exactly who he was.

“I’ll be back later to check on you. I’m going to see Viv.” Scarlett leaned down and whispered something in Layla’s ear before making her way to the door.

Hunter turned his attention to Layla and walked over to her bedside. “I know I don’t have any right to be here, but when I heard you were injured in the attack, I had to come.”

She didn’t immediately respond, and an awkward silence filled the room. Would she tell him to hit the road? Or worse? He clenched his fists by his sides and hoped she would say something soon.

“How did you even know I was here?” she asked softly.

“Elijah works for Alexandria PD. He told me.” He knew Layla would remember Elijah, given how much time she’d spent around him back when they were together.

More silence. This had probably been a bad idea, but there was no going back now. He stood in front of her, looking right into her dark brown eyes, and he was finding it hard to steady his breathing. There was something about her that cut to his core. And his decisions had ripped apart everything they’d had together.

“I’ve had quite a day,” she whispered, almost like she was defeated. “But you really don’t need to be here, Hunter.”

He exhaled, not ready to give up. “What are the doctors saying?”

“I’ll be okay. Concussion and some bumps and bruises, but it could’ve been much worse.” Her voice started to shake.

It took every ounce of willpower in his body not to hold her and try to comfort her. Instead, he took a tentative step forward. “But you’re alive, and that’s what matters.”

“Have you heard anything about the investigation?” she asked.

“Minimal. FBI is working a terrorism angle, and Alexandria PD and FBI are on the scene.”

She bit her bottom lip.

He knew that was one of her tells. “Is there something you know?”

“No. I wish I did.”

He’d known Layla well enough to see she wasn’t telling him everything, but he wasn’t in any position to push her.

He heard motion behind him and turned. Two men stood in the doorway. The taller one spoke.

“Ms. Karam, I’m Agent Blakely, and this is Agent Jones from the FBI. Can we ask you some questions?”

“Sure,” Layla said.

That was Hunter’s cue to leave. “I’ll check on you later.”

“That’s not necessary,” she said.

But there was no way he was just going to slip away, never to be heard from again.

Hunter walked out of the room and stood outside of the agents’ line of sight, then pretended like he was looking at his phone while he listened to the conversation. He knew he shouldn’t, but he needed to know she was okay.

Agent Blakely cleared his throat. “Let’s start at the beginning. You were having lunch at the Old Town Grille?”

“Yes.”

“Who were you with?”

“My friend Vivian Steele. Izzy Cole was going to meet us, but she was running late.”

“Do you remember anything suspicious? Anything out of place?” Agent Jones asked.

“No. We were waiting for our food to arrive. Everything was very normal, like it usually is.”

Hunter’s gut was screaming that something was off. There was some reason that Layla was holding back, and he had no idea why.

Agent Jones cleared his throat. “And you work for the State Department?”

“Yes,” she said without hesitation.

Hunter was one of a handful of people who knew State was just a cover for Layla.

“And your friend works there too, right?” Jones asked.

“Yes. We both do.”

“Did you go to this restaurant often?”

“Every Saturday.”

Hunter realized the importance of that tidbit.

“Do you know of any other Saturday regulars?” Blakely asked.

“Not like us. Not every Saturday,” Layla responded.

“Is there anything you’re working on right now that you feel could put you in danger?” Jones asked.

That was exactly what Hunter wanted to know.

“Not that I can think of.”

“Exactly what do you do at State?” Blakely asked.

“I’m an analyst in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.”

Hunter moved closer to get a better look into the room.

Blakely jotted down some notes and then pulled a card out of his jacket. “If you think of anything else, please give me a call. We’ll be following up as the investigation unfolds.”

“Thank you.”

Hunter scurried down the hall to avoid the agents, but he couldn’t stop wondering what kind of trouble Layla was in.