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Bethenny looked up at the sound of her name. “Yes, that’s me,” she said to the unfamiliar face.
“Hi, I’m Agent Jones, Emma Jones. I’ve been assigned to represent Lachlan Taylor,” she said, extending a hand.
“Hi,” Bethenny said, standing. She shook Emma’s hand. “I heard you’d been flown in. News travels fast around here,” she said, feeling like Emma was studying her.
“I’ll bet it does. Do you mind if we have a word somewhere private?” Emma asked, looking around the station.
Bethenny’s eyes dropped to the folder in her hand.Louise White.“Ah, sure. We’ll use one of the interview rooms,” she said, putting down the file and leading the way to the back of the station. She checked that the room was empty, then opened the door for Emma.
“What can I do for you?” Bethenny asked, closing the door behind them before taking a seat at the small steel table in the center of the room.
Emma sat, folding her hands on the table. “I need you to find the evidence to prove my client is innocent,” she said without a smile.
Bethenny raised an eyebrow. “I assure you I’m working on it.”
Emma tilted her head, and Bethenny again got the feeling she was being sized up, although she had no idea why.
“How much do you know about Lachlan Taylor?” Emma asked.
Bethenny’s eyebrows lifted higher still. “Very little. He’s spoken... briefly, about his wife’s death and his career before he came here. He’s said little else. Why?”
She gave a small smile. “Typical Lachlan. There’s a reason I was sent here today, and it’s not just because he’s ex-CIA and it would be a publicity nightmare for them. Lachlan Taylor made waves in the CIA. He was one of their best assets until he decided to retire and move here. I dare say that my boss is hoping this favor might convince him to return to us when this issue is sorted out.”
Bethenny nodded slowly, not sure what this had to do with her. “Okay,” she said.
“Do you believe he’s innocent?” Emma asked, her eyes focused on Bethenny.
“Yes,” Bethenny said without hesitation.
“Good, because he is. I can’t be his alibi, but I can tell you this: he was proficient and he was deadly. He didn’t make careless mistakes—not once. He would never leave a print on a murder weapon... it’s incomprehensible for someone at his level to make such a mistake. He didn’t get sloppy, he didn’t make a mistake. And I need you to prove that.”
Bethenny nodded. “Again, I’m working on it,” she said, not sure she liked the tone of Emma’s voice.
She wondered what the CIA would do if she couldn’t find the evidence she needed to prove his innocence. If he was as valuable an asset as Emma was saying, would they go as far as silencing her and “creating” the evidence they needed?
Bethenny sat straighter, pulling back her shoulders. She would not be intimidated by this woman.
Emma seemed to understand the gesture and nodded. “Good. We’re on the same page then.”
Bethenny wondered what page that was, then decided she didn’t want to know. She was going to do her job and do it well, regardless of the unsaid threats against her.
“If we’re done, I have a lot of work to do,” Bethenny said, standing.
Emma nodded, wearing a smile Bethenny didn’t trust. “Here’s my card,” she said, sliding it across the table. “I’m staying at the Rochester apartments. Please keep me informed of all new evidence and leads.”
“Of course. I’ll walk you out,” she said, before realizing Emma might not be done with Lachlan—but Emma followed her to the front of the station.
“Please call me first if any new leads come to light,” Emma said before she turned to leave.
“Mitch is in charge around here. He will be the first to be notified,” Bethenny said.
Emma smiled. “Yes, of course. Please notify me after Mitch,” she said with a casualness that made it seem like that was what she’d meant, but Bethenny didn’t believe that for a second. While she’d never dealt with the CIA, she’d dealt with the FBI and they came blazing in like they owned the show. However, this was her jurisdiction, and she was not taking orders from anyone but Mitch.
Bethenny watched Emma walk through the door and out to the street. A car was waiting for her, she climbed in, and it drove away.
Bethenny sighed, turning on her heel. She walked to the cells, noticing eyes following her.
“Back to work,” Mitch said from somewhere behind her, and a smile spread across her lips. She really did like the guy.
