Page 52 of Hunted in Hope Town

“You’re really the first person FBI-related that I’ve told. I’ve got some concerns about…leaks.”

Ellis waited through Boyd’s pause.

“Leaks,” Boyd echoed. “That’s a pretty serious accusation.” But he didn’t sound offended, or like he thought it was impossible. Maybe a little like he was concerned Ellis had lost it, but not defensive.

“Yeah, it is serious. But I have to be sure there wasn’t one before I reach out to anyone else we worked with. Someone knew enough to know how to threaten me, and they shouldn’t have.”

“I’m glad you reached out, man. I appreciate that you still trust me. So, what can I do to help?”

“I’ll admit, it wasn’t easy. Nothing about this is…particularly easy.”

“Yeah, I get it. Listen, I’m not in Chicago anymore. I’m in Nashville. So I can’t do any local poking, but I can ask around. Make up some connection to the Carusos so I need to look through old files. Not bring you up at all.”

“That might help if you can do it on the down-low. But I was also thinking… Did anyone leave around the same time as me? Someone who might have gotten out of FBI work shortly after everything went down because they didn’t want to be found out?”

“Not any agents,” Boys replied. “I was really the first one of our group to leave after you, and that was just the beginning of this year.”

“Right.” Ellis paused, deciding how hard to push. And the bottom line was…he had to push. This was his shot, and he really believed Boyd wasn’t involved. “What about someone in a different office who might have had access to information? Accountants? HR? Public affairs?” He was leading Boyd, but Boyd didn’t seem to pick up on it.

“I don’t know that I remember exactly. I’d have to think about it. Two years ago? You left. Big deal. The assignment gone wrong certainly rattled a lot of us. If I recall, there was even an investigation. How did the Carusos know… Well, how did they figure you out, right?”

“I…” He should have known there’d be an investigation, but he’d never really thought it through. He’d been so focused on Kirsten, on keeping her safe. “I was recovering then. I didn’t realize there was an investigation.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t involved. They considered me too close, so it was done by what they felt were unbiased sources. I bet if I look back through some of my old stuff, I could get you names of people involved in that. They didn’t find anything, so maybe that’s a lead.”

“Yeah, maybe.” But it wasn’t Colleen. Still, he hadn’t ever looked into that investigation about how his cover had been blown. He’d just assumed…he’d made a mistake and Kirsten had paid.

But what if it was bigger?

“Hey, wait. You know who did leave in that hubbub?” Boyd said. “Colleen Fredericks. That public affairs lady who was all up on you. Remember her?”

Ellis went very still, tried to keep his voice casual. “Yeah, I remember.”

“Not sure how someone in public relations could have the information or leak it, but she did leave right after you. I remember thinking it was weird. Worried she might…”

“Might what?”

“Well, it was just she was always so handsy with you. I thought maybe she figured with Kirsten…gone, she might have a chance with you.”

Ellis really couldn’t wrap his head around any of this potentially being about Colleen Fredericks wanting him, but she was definitely involved, so they had to follow the thread.

“It wasn’t a transfer, if I recall. I think she was going private,” Boyd said, and he did sound like he was thinking back, remembering. Not altogether sure. Not in on it. “But she didn’t go to Alaska, so I figured you were safe.”

“Where did she go?”

“I don’t really remember. I just knew it wasn’t in your direction. I can poke around though. See what I come up with. I’ll keep it quiet. You don’t have to worry about that.”

Ellis would worry, but Boyd was a good agent. He’d keep it quiet. And if he didn’t… Ellis glanced at Kirsten. She was watching him.

Ellis wouldn’t let anything happen to her. No matter what. Because he wasn’t leaving her side. No matter what.

“Hey, you know who Colleen was real chummy with there at the end?” Boyd said.

“Who?”

“That guy in support. What was his name? Short guy. Really liked a bow tie. West?”

Tom West.