Page 91 of Blood Money

The FBI and HSI agents exchanged looks and rolled their eyes.

“Moving on,” Gray said in a tone meant to broach no argument, although even Alex was intrigued by Dom’s sources and what his real background was. “Alex, did you see anything on the laptop you mentioned?”

“No.” She shook her head. “Fatima was typing on it, but I never saw what was on the screen.”

Gray turned to Alex. “In as much detail as possible, describe what Fatima and Abdullah looked like.”

Alex did and for the next two hours answered question after question about exactly what Fatima and Abdullah did and said. Some of the agents took notes, particularly FBI Agent Tanner. Only Gray’s reassuring presence kept her going. She covered her mouth with her hand, yawning.

“We’re almost done,” Gray said in a soothing voice, jotting something down on a pad. “Any other questions?”

“Yes.” Agent Tanner held up his pen. “One of the things that helps the FBI put together criminal profiles is what makes them tick. You mentioned earlier that Fatima seemed to resent working with Abdullah and didn’t respect him.” Alex nodded. “Can you explain what made you think that?”

“She called him an idiot, and their demeanor toward each other was always angry. Fatima was constantly yelling at Abdullah.”

“In English?” Tanner asked.

“Farsi, I assume.”

“And when Fatima spoke to you, it was in English?”

“Yes, her English was quite good.”

“When she spoke to Abdullah, was it always in Farsi?”

“Not always.”

“When she called Abdullah an idiot, was it in English or Farsi?” Agent Tanner asked.

Alex froze. Fatima had spat that word out in Farsi. How could she explain that she understood the word idiot in Farsi? Her mind raced for an answer that wouldn’t expose her past.

And her lies. Although she had a feeling Simonetti already knew.

“Alex?” Gray put down the pen he’d been holding.

“I—”

It was on the tip of her tongue to lie, to say that Fatima spoke that one word in English. But she couldn’t do it. She’d lied so much to Gray and the department, and she wouldn’t do it again.

“Perhaps I can shed some light on why Ms. Romano refuses to answer the question,” Detective Simonetti said.

Beneath the table, Alex clenched her hands in her lap.

Simonetti pulled out a manila folder from beneath his portfolio. “Gentlemen, these are Ms. Romano’s NYPD application forms, along with a more recent background check. A more extensive background check than the first one.”

Oh no. Alex pressed her lips together, preparing for the worst. Her world was about to come crashing down. She would lose Gray. If she really went to jail, she would lose Nicky.

And Nicky’s father could get custody.

Simonetti held up a multipage document that Alex recognized as her application form. “Do you remember filling out this application form when you applied for the position of administrative aide, Ms. Romano?” Without waiting for a response, he went on. “Of course you do. After all, you signed it. Right below the paragraph stating that everything contained in this application is true to the best of your knowledge, and that providing false information to the New York City Police Department to obtain employment is not only grounds for your application being rejected but could form the basis for criminal charges.”

“For Christ’s sake, Simonetti.” Gray threw down his pen. “We’ve already been through this.”

“Not all of it.” Simonetti flipped to another page in the report. “On page three of your application you were asked to indicate your marital status, and if married, to write down your husband’s name. You checked the box indicating you were single.”

Every muscle in Alex’s body went rigid.

Simonetti glanced up from the report to stare at Alex. There was nothing she could say or do to change what was about to happen. As Detective Simonetti continued, her mind numbed with horror.