Page 93 of Matrix

I take the chair directly across from him while Angie sits in the one beside it. She crosses one leg over the other, then swings it back and forth. I reach for her hand and gently grasp it in mine, trying to reassure her that she’s safe.

“Before we get into any specifics surrounding your sister’s abduction, I need your badge and gun.”

I pull my weapon from its holster and set it on the desk.“My badge is at my apartment. I left it there when I moved into the clubhouse.”

“You can drop it off later.”

“Am I being fired?”

“You’re on leave, pending an investigation into your role in the Los Serpientes de Cristal massacre in New Orleans.”

I should be upset, but I’m not. If anything, I feel a sense of relief. After spending months being torn between two worlds, I’m finally free from my conflicting loyalties. I don’t have to be weighed down by guilt anymore. Also, he didn’t say a thing about that guy I killed. He’ll probably never find out about him. Apparently, escaping justice is easy when you’re careful enough.

Although the FBI hasn’t formally fired me, once they find out what happened in NOLA, it will end my career for sure. I’m done. I think I already knew that would be the case, but this solidifies my suspicions. Later, I’ll have time to worry about why I don’t care that my career is over. Right now, I have bigger issues to deal with.

“What do you know about the cartel in New Orleans?” he asks.

“They were holding Angie in a house called Lulu’s.”

“We’re aware of that place.”

“Then why aren’t you doing anything about it?” I demand.“Did you know my sister was being held captive there?”

“No. If we’d known, we would have found a way to get her out. We’ve been tracking them for years, but there isn’t enough evidence to bring them down yet. We’re trying to get agents to go undercover in their organization, but it’s nearly impossible to infiltrate that group. They only bring in people they’ve known for years.”

“My sister spent almost twelve months imprisoned there.”

“And for that, I’m sorry.” He gives her a sympathetic look.“But my hands are tied. The NOLA team is doing what they can.”

“Maybe you can’t help them in New Orleans, but you can do something about the trafficking going on right under our noses here in Montana.”

“That, I can do. So,” he says, turning to Angie,“Daisy tells me you have information about the man who kidnapped you.”

“He held her at his home in a dungeon in his basement,” I interject.

“Jesus.” His gaze flicks to Angie.“Who is he? Do you know his name?”

“Jonathan Blackstone. The governor of Montana.”

Agent Vale’s eyes go wide.“Say that again.”

“Blackstone kept me prisoner in a cold, disgusting dungeon under his ranch house.”

“Here? In Montana?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure it was his house?”

“Yes. He lived there with a bunch of guards. I overheard him talking to other people about moving us to Denver, then to New Orleans.”

“Us? There were others?”

“Yes. We rescued four girls plus Angie from Lulu’s,” I interrupt.

“Where are they at now? Why aren’t they here with you?” Vale asks.

“They’re refusing to talk about their ordeal.”