Page 15 of Storm and Tempest

Maizie didn’t answer right away. “His name is Sean Reed. He’s one of the victims that Kenna Banbury rescued from that silo. He’s twenty-one, and he was taken captive when he was fifteen. Experimented on.”

“And the code embedded in the page? Is this the back door into the whole network?” The agent stared her down. “Who did you sell access to the FBI system to?”

“When the victim has a face and a name, then they have a story. And when they have a story, you know it hasn’t ended yet. And if you have the power to help someone have a happy ending, then that’s the best kind of life to live. One where you can change someone’s future.” Maizie sat back in her chair. “That’s what Kenna Banbury taught me.”

Jax blinked at the sheen of moisture in his eyes. He set the headphones down and wandered to the door of the interview room. He didn’t bother knocking, but opened the door and strode in. “Maizie, who is Sean Reed?”

Maizie looked at him, her eyes wide.

“I want an answer, young lady. Have you been talking to boys online again?”

The agent glanced at him, but he didn’t take his attention from Maizie.

“It wasn’t about the case, or any sensitive FBI information,” Maizie said. “I promise.”

He was surprised she didn’t addDadto the end of that.

The agent said, “Uh, Boss?”

“We’ll talk about this at home. I’m very disappointed in you.” Jax turned to the agent. “This conversation is done. If you have more questions, those can be asked at a later time.”

“Ms. Morrow is free to go…for now, sir.” The agent frowned. “But I may have more questions for her, and her duties here will be limited until we can clear this up.”

Jax nodded. “Understood.”

Maizie had already stood.

He held out his hand as she approached him, and she took it. If she hadn’t, he’d have held it up as if leading her by the small ofher back—just without touching her. She squeezed the life out of his hand, and they stepped into the hall.

He kept his grip loose so she could let go as soon as she wanted to, which was at the elevator. “Okay?”

She glanced at him, her attention elsewhere. “Got it.” Then she focused on him. “We have lunch plans.”

“Ramon?”

“Bruce. Ramon said don’t bother calling him back, because of course you were definitely going to do that. He said he’ll tell you everything at lunch.”

The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped in.

Jax told her, “I need my backpack if we’re going out.”

She nodded. “There’s a lot to tell you.”

Yeah, he’d bet that was true. He wanted to ask her outright now, but someone could be listening even in the elevator.

Half an hour later, he parked not far from her in the restaurant parking lot and jogged to catch up. “Sean Reed?”

She ducked her head. “Can’t we talk about something else?”

“You’ve taken to driving. Some of those corners were a little fast, though.”

“You totally sound like a dad.”

He smiled and held the door for her. “At least you think that’s a good thing.”

She went right to the back corner of this Mexican joint that smelled amazing and looked a little rundown. He’d never even noticed this place, which could bode well for the food. Not that he was here to enjoy it.

When Kenna was home, they could come here.