Page 49 of Blind Trust
Kekoa gave Nic a pointed look. “What they get right.”
Nic read the article titles listed on the cover. “Not sure I believe the NSA is concerned about Elvis’s twin being in the CIA or the possibility Nixon stole nuclear plans from China.”
“I mean, that last one might be concerning.” Lyla tipped her head, a tease in her eyes. “But then again, if Elvis’s twin is half as good as he was, the world’s been missing out on epic music.”
“Agreed.” Kekoa held up a fist, and Lyla bumped it with her own.
Nic looked at Jack, who shook his head at the pair. It was silly, but sometimes, like now, he felt a bit jealous of their easy friendship. It also reminded him of what could be lost if he pursued a relationship with Lyla. Would their friendship survive if their relationship didn’t?
“Anyway, in this article, Ammar El-Din claims he was moving money on behalf of the United States government.”
Nic leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “For who?”
Kekoa swiped at a curl. “No names. Just initials. J.M.M.”
“Jerome Michael Miller,” Lyla whispered. “He outed Jerry.”
“Or paid him back.”
Jack looked at Nic. “What do you mean?”
“Jerry was arrested three years ago and El-Din two years ago. We know not everyone connected to the Zane case was caught. What if Jerry gave up Ammar El-Din? Told someone about the counterfeiting operation to secure some kind of deal for a shortersentence?” He looked at Lyla. “Genevieve said he would do anything for his family, right?”
“Yeah. And Ammar had him killed for it.” Lyla chewed her thumbnail. “That fits with Genevieve and Terrel’s theory that Jerry may have been murdered.”
“It also means someone got to Jerry inside a federal prison.” Nic didn’t like the unsettling feeling in his gut. “If this was retribution, then it should’ve ended with Jerry. If we can’t figure out what’s on that flash drive, then we need to talk to the people who might know or want it.”
“Where’s Ammar El-Din, Kekoa?”
“Central Prison in Roumieh, Lebanon,” he answered Jack. “Still awaiting trial.”
Lyla’s eyes rounded. “For two years?”
“Speedy trials aren’t a global right, which may give Ammar motive to come after whatever he thinks is on that flash drive,” Jack said. “Maybe names or evidence that support his claim that the United States is involved in his counterfeiting operation, giving him leverage to get out of jail.”
“Or killed.” Nic roughed a hand over his chin. “We don’t know for sure that it was Ammar who got to Jerry, but whoever it was made it past barbed-wire fences, steel bars, and armed guards, at least figuratively, to get to him. Even if they paid someone to do it on the inside, that shows how far they’re willing to go.”
“I’m starting to worry that Genevieve might have gone into hiding. We should check on Jerry’s wife and family too.”
“I agree, Lyla.” Jack pulled out his cell phone. “I’m going to update Walsh.” He pointed to the list on the acrylic board. “I think we should run through these names. Cover all the bases.”
Jack walked off to call Walsh, and Kekoa returned to his office, leaving Nic with Lyla. She rubbed her temples.
“When was the last time you took pain medicine?”
She blinked up at him, and he noticed the smudge of mascara beneath her lower lashes. “I can’t remember.”
Nic offered her a gentle smile, controlling the urge to scoop her into his arms. “I’ll be right back.”
In the agency kitchen, he grabbed the bottle of pills and poured Lyla a glass of juice. He was about to take it back to her but paused.What am I doing?He pressed his hands on the counter and closed his eyes. The details of the case whirled in his head, but all he wanted to do was take Lyla back to her family. Keep her away from this investigation. He wondered what it would do to him if something else happened to her. It was a selfish attitude and one Lyla would not appreciate if she could read his thoughts.
“You okay?”
Nic opened his eyes to Jack putting on his coat. “I’m good. Something happen?”
“Walsh wants me to meet with someone at Secret Service to go over what we found on Ammar El-Din. Depending on how long that takes, I’ll probably just head home from there. It’s been a long day.” He eyed the Tylenol. “If you don’t find anything in the next two hours or so, I want you to call it. We can start fresh tomorrow.”
“Got it. Please thank Brynn again for driving Mr. Brandt home.” Nic felt terrible for abandoning his neighbor, but the veteran seemed to understand something was amiss. His easy agreement might have had something to do with Ms. Effie’s offer to send him home with plenty of BBQ leftovers.
