Page 30

C harmaine

Two hours.

Two hours of being grilled by two different individuals.

When one had left, another had entered asking the same damn questions.

Why were you in El Salvador?

Why were you kidnapped?

How did you know about the other hostages?

Why did Alfaro see you as a person of interest?

Did you learn anything that might prove helpful?

It was obvious they knew I’d been tipped about Alfaro, but they weren’t certain what I’d been told. I’d given them enough crumbs to keep them satisfied, but I doubted that would last.

I certainly knew what it felt like to be made out to be a criminal when I’d done nothing wrong. I was exhausted, the bottle of water provided almost empty and all I could think about was Maddox.

A part of me was surprised I hadn’t heard a huge outburst. I could just see him tossing bodies against the wall. When a slight smile crossed my face from thinking about Maddox’s hulk-like qualities, the attorney noticed. His disapproving expression almost made me laugh.

“So you weren’t contacted by anyone while you were in El Salvador, Ms. Douglas?” the attorney asked and I’d answered the question at least five times.

“Are you talking about the bad men who tossed a hood over my head, shackled my wrists and ankles, and tossed me into a vehicle before dumping me into a prison with several other women? Or are you talking about the big, strapping Navy SEAL who came to save me? Or maybe Alfaro himself?”

Mr. Smith certainly didn’t seem to appreciate what I’d just said.

Did I feel bad? Not in the least.

“I think you need to take this more seriously, Ms. Douglas.”

“Why? Do you consider me a criminal?”

“That remains to be seen.” He spit out the words and I could tell he instantly regretted them. At least I now knew what I was dealing with.

“Do I need to contact my own attorney, Mr. Smith?” I asked instead of playing his game.

“You’re certainly allowed to do so. If you feel that’s necessary. If you have something to hide.”

I’d finally had enough. I’d all but been accused of espionage. The attorney wasn’t very cautious about doing so either. He acted like I was an enemy.

Granted, I hadn’t mentioned a word about the jump drive or the fact I’d been approached by someone who’d sent me cryptic messages. However, given the attorney’s attitude, it would appear it was expected I’d turn over something inflammatory.

I was placing my full trust in Maddox that he wouldn’t divulge or hand over the drive. I might not know the man very well, but I had a feeling he wasn’t keen on being used under any circumstances.

A part of me wondered whether he felt as if I’d been using him.

That wasn’t the case, but it was possible I’d never get the opportunity to tell him that. He didn’t owe me anything any longer. He’d been paid to do a job and he’d done so, bringing me safely back to the United States.

He was free to go.

Even if he’d told me he’d wait.

Maybe I was a fool for caring about him at all, but I felt close to him. We’d been through a lot.

“Mr. Smith. If you’ve done your due diligence, you are well aware of the types of stories I produce and report on.

There are millions of children in the world who need our help.

Often, the only way they can feed those kids is through donations.

You know, the kindness of strangers. But they can’t do that unless someone gives an accurate depiction of their plight.

In addition, many children are being exploited, being sold off like cattle to the highest bidder.

That’s what I was reporting on. Speaking of which, I need to contact my editor.

He’ll be worried about me. I also need to contact my parents who made arrangements for my safe return. ”

“I assure you that both your editor and your parents are well aware of the circumstances of your extraction,” he countered with a smirk on his face. “Given what you stated, you just happened to be kidnapped in the middle of broad daylight by a notorious criminal. I find that… extremely bad luck.”

Oh, God. His arrogance was incredible. I sucked in my breath to keep from telling him off.

They hadn’t mentioned the women who’d been kidnapped before me, which meant they didn’t care about their welfare.

“That’s exactly what happened.” I moved closer to the man.

“Have you ever seen anyone killed, Mr. Smith?”

“Fortunately, I have not.” His face was smug and I’d love to wipe the expression off with my fist.

“Well, good for you. When a bullet hits a person in the head, especially from close range and depending on the caliber of the weapon and ammunition used, the force of the trajectory is such that blood and brain matter explodes from an exit wound. Sometimes, their bodies don’t immediately respond, their nerves still working, their blood cells full of adrenaline.

That’s when you see the loss of life in their eyes.

As it fades, you’re wondering if they’d been allowed to have any last thoughts, thoughts of loved ones or the lives they were losing the chance to experience. ”

I was pushing certain pressure points on purpose because the bastard had obviously never lived through anything horrible in his manufactured and meticulous life.

The smugness turned into a scowl as he glared at me, remaining silent.

“What I continued to hear was the whizzing sound of the bullets and the hard impact as my friends were shot dead in front of me. Shot because they believed in the same things I did. In humanity. Children who don’t have a voice of their own.

I don’t know what else I can add other than that I want the bodies of my friends brought back.

They deserve a decent funeral and burial.

Their families deserve that. Can you assure me that will happen? ”

“All I can tell you is that I’ll see what I can do.”

“Of course, that’s all you’d say. I don’t know what the purpose of this interrogation is. I was told I’d be debriefed, but it’s cut and dried. I was kidnapped and my friends were gunned down. We were just trying to do our jobs. Now, it’s time for me to go.”

“We’re not finished yet.”

“You heard the lady. She is leaving. With me.” The deep voice suddenly exploding into the room brought a smile to my face and a rush of heat directly into my core.

Maddox.

There was something about seeing a brawny hero filling the entire doorway that could make a girl swoon. His expression was hard, his eyes full of rage and if his posture was any indication, he would break the attorney’s neck if offered a challenge.

Mr. Smith lifted his head, obviously annoyed at the interruption. When he started to say something, another man suddenly appeared behind Maddox.

“Charmaine,” Maddox commanded, motioning for me.

I headed toward him, more shaken than I wanted to admit.

“Fine, Lieutenant Grant. She is free to go. For now. As a courtesy, we’ve taken the liberty of reserving a suite for you at the Marriott, Ms. Douglas.” Whoever he was, Maddox was not amused at the statement.

Maddox turned his attention toward me. There was nothing that needed to be said.

We were in this together.

Whatever this was.

“However, we aren’t finished with our questions.” Mr. Smith was the bearer of bad news. “There is much more to this than you’ve told me.”

I kept a smile on my face even while seeing his determined scowl. “Maybe so, but that has nothing to do with me. I’m a reporter. That’s it.”

Their attitudes weren’t a huge surprise.

“That remains to be seen,” Mr. Smith pushed.

“We’ll be eager and ready,” I told him and moved away from the table.

Maddox’s expression was cold as ice, every muscle tensed. He appeared much larger in his suit than before, a powerful man determined to get to the bottom of whatever the government was hiding.

His eyes said it all.

Trust no one.

“Both of you need to remember that Fernando Alfaro is a dangerous man and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. I would think you’d do anything in your powers to keep that from happening.”

Why did that feel like a direct threat?