Page 97 of Miss Trust

“Or that.”

“Agents will be looking to interview anyone with an affiliation with the Scarlett Letter. Or with you. Including your family.”

Anger burned in my stomach, but I wouldn’t show it. “What do you want, Agent Smith?”

“Names.”

“You already have names. And if you didn’t, I’d question how good you are at your job.”

Now it was his turn to clench his jaw. Good. He’d made it personal by bringing my family into it. I could make things personal too.

“I need to understand how the operation works. I need someone to introduce me to people who may be involved.”

“As I said before, I have absolutely nothing to do with prostitution in this country or in Dubai. That’s a line I would never cross, especially if the prostitution includes even a hint of trafficking. Anyone involved who I may be associated with would know that fact, one hundred percent. If I were to suddenly have a change of heart and try to run in those circles, there would be red flags as to why.”

He sighed. “All I’m asking for is an introduction to the ground-floor people which could get me more introductions and a path toward the individuals involved. If you’re the kind of man I hope you are, who hates knowing this young woman is missing and her family is worried, then you’ll help me open a door which could lead to finding her. The sooner we can set this up, the sooner we can leave you and your family alone.”

I sat alone that night nursing a bourbon at my office desk. Agent Smith had used the word family which left a sour taste in my mouth. I wasn’t only thinking about the young woman’s family, but also mine. How long before the authorities discovered Teagan used to work at the Scarlett Letter? Before they realized she’d done so to provide money for her niece’s cancer treatment. Which meant they’d drag Tory into it too. Hell, they could already be aware of all of this and counting on the information as leverage to force me to do their bidding.

As if on cue, Tory’s number flashed up on my phone. “Hi,” I answered.

“Hi. Um, what are your plans the next few days. Are you traveling?”

“I hadn’t planned on it. Why?”

“Teagan and Reid come in tomorrow.”

In other words they were hoping I wouldn’t be around. The thought hurt, but I couldn’t say I didn’t deserve it. “I’ll stay at the condo here in LA, so they can stay at the house in Malibu.”

Her sigh was audible. “I’m sorry.”

She wasn’t exactly fighting for me to be able to share the house with her sister and Reid. So much for thinking she might be interested in a relationship. “No need for apologies. You didn’t cause the mess. Is that it?”

She hesitated, making me regret my hard tone. I was in a bad mood from Agent Smith’s visit and what it might mean to the people I loved. Knowing Reid preferred not to stay within the same walls as me hadn’t helped. On top of it all, the result was I wouldn’t be able to see Tory. But I definitely hadn’t meant to take it out on her. I tried to find the words to mitigate the damage, but she beat me to it.

“Yes. That’s all. Guess I’ll see you when I see you. Bye.”

The line went dead. She’d hung up on me, and I couldn’t blame her.