“H-how did you get in here?”
“Followed your gentleman caller,” the first one says, nodding toward the flowers. “Gave us the slip in the rain and thick woods.”
“You came into my house? You have no right.”
He shrugs. “Department of Homeland Security. Can take extra measures where needed.”
“But I’m no terrorist, and you have no right being here,” I counter, face burning, throat tightening.
“Neither did he.”
Anger rises. “He’s none of your business.”
Clooney chuckles, looking at his partner. “Told you she’d say that.”
I gaze from one to the other, stomach knotting. “I want your badge numbers and names?—”
“Plenty of time for that,” Agent Clooney says, lips forming a thin smile. “You’re coming with us.”
“Why?” I ask in breathy tones.
“Because you broke your word, Ms. Wakefield, and now you have to answer for it.”
I scowl, spitting out, “What are you talking about?”
“You promised you’d let us know if something peculiar happened.” He nods toward the bouquet. “That includes unexplained visitors.”
“Like you?” I ask, voice trembling.
Clooney laughs. “I assure you, the law is on our side in this matter.”
“We’ll see about that,” I hiss.
“Put your hands up and turn around,” Clooney orders, face hardening.
I can’t believe my ears. “You can’t be serious.”
“Deadly.” He waits, then repeats the command.
I’m frozen to the spot.
“Now, Ms. Wakefield. Or this could get real ugly, real quick.”
“Real ugly, real quick”comes after hours of questioning. Bright lights burn my vision. The room is stark and unfurnished except for one table and three chairs.
One wall is all mirrors, no doubt double, and Clooney and Murphy stay for hours with only minor breaks between questioning. It leads nowhere. But they persist.
“Where’s my lawyer?” I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve asked this.
Agent Murphy laughs, shaking his head. More than I expect from the quiet man.
Agent Clooney butts in, voice darker and meaner with each question. “Not how this works, Ms. Wakefield. We’re the ones with the questions.We’rethe ones doing the demanding.Notyou.”
“I don’t speak without legal counsel.”
Clooney whistles low, shaking his head. “Gonna be a long night.”
“That wedding party might be the last time people around here see you,” Murphy adds, his words spare and menacing.
