Fuck… I was such a mess during the trial that I’m not sure I’ll remember all the details I gave. I know I was vague and did my best not to incriminate Lex, but if I contradict myself now, it won’t look good for me.
“I don’t mind.”
“Can you walk me through what happened? Whatever you can remember for now, we’ll go into details later.”
I take my time as I recount the events, being precise enough not to be asked for more details, but vague enough to protect myself and Lex. Once I’m done, she sits back and looks at me with a pointed stare.
“We know, thanks to Mr. Bianchi’s computer, that it was hacked not once but twice. You’ll understand that the timing has us wondering what happened there. We’ve looked into Miss Knox and her entourage. There isn’t really anyone who could do anything like that. No one but you, that is. But in your entourage, Miss Walker… you’re surrounded by people who’d be able to pull it off.”
I can feel a pulse in my throat, probably my heart beating so fast it has migrated there. “And?” I ask.
“And I’m wondering if you’ve shared Miss Knox’s misfortune with anyone other than Mr. Coleman. We haven’t looked into who that second hacker might be because it’s a small fish compared to Nammota, but I’m now thinking we should. There might be some answers there.”
Jesus… If she does this, the trail will lead her right to Oli. Fuck, we talked on Kelex’s messaging app on the Monday that followed. I thanked him in Kate’s name. Told him how grateful she was for it. We weren’t discreet about it because no one was ever supposed to look into the case as arduously as they have.
The small panic attack I’m prone to becomes hard to hide. I can’t believe Oli might end up wrapped in all this, after all.
Two quick knocks pull the agents’ attention to the door. The handle turns, and a man who looks important steps in.
“Powell, Lewis, a quick word,” he orders.
They’re swift to follow their superior’s command, and I sit there alone. With a brief glimpse, I confirm the camera is still rolling, so I force myself not to show any signs of my turmoil. I can barely hear them, blood drumming in my ears.
I can’t stay in denial anymore. At least an hour has gone by since I arrived, so the heist has gone through. What if the man came here because of it? What if I left a trail that led them right back to me?
What if I messed up? This interview would turn into an interrogation. The agents would lead me to a small gray room with a one-sided mirror and question me. I’ve been so focused on preparing the hit that I never planned for its aftermath. I’m not ready to face the consequences if I failed.
Stop panicking,I tell myself. It worked. Oli agreed it would. I take deep, soothing breaths. In through my nose, out through my mouth. I’ll be fine. And soon, Lex will get out.
Once I’m calm enough, I notice the voices aren’t in the hallway anymore. At some point, the agents and their superior must have left. What do I do now? I’m about to stand up when the door opens again.
It’s Agent Lewis, with a young, blonde agent.
“Andrea, thank you for coming,” she says, stepping into the room. “We’ll contact you again if we need to ask you more questions.”
“Are we done?” I innocently ask.
“Yes, something came up, and we have to look into it. We’re not keeping you any longer, but as I’ve said, we might contact you again in the future.” There’s something slightly frustrated in her tone, as if she’s letting me go against her better judgment. It’s as though she knows I’m supposed to be here, but she isn’t allowed to make me stay. Again, this woman must be fucking brilliant at her job. Or she would be, if they gave her free rein.
“Special Agent Davis will escort you back to the main hall,” she continues, motioning at her blonde colleague.
I nod, grab my bag, and stand. On my way out, I offer a small smile to Lewis. Then, Special Agent Davis takes me all the way to the hall I arrived in, and it takes everything I have not to check my phone. I don’t even do it once I’m back in my car. Instead, I drive back to my parents’ place, like I said I would. There, I’ll know.
If I succeeded and saved Lex, then every news channel will be talking about Nammota’s unexpected return. They’ll talk and speculate on a loop, questioning Lex’s detention, and demanding answers.
If I failed, though…
I’d rather not think about it.
Chapter 12
For the third time in not even ten seconds, I push the doorbell, urging whoever is coming to open the door to walk fucking faster. I’m about to push it a fourth time when the panel opens to reveal my annoyed mother.
“Andrea, what is wrong with you, ringing like a—”
I don’t have time to explain myself, so I slip past her and rush to the living room. MC is already there, watching some random telenovela. I grab the remote on the table and switch channels, looking for one that has news on.
“¡Ay, esta chamaca! ¿Quién te crees para cambiar mi novela?” MC scolds, sitting up in her armchair.
