Page 180 of Renegade
JL’s normally rosy complexion was sallow, she was busy nibbling on a fingernail. “Special Agent—I’m sorry, I forgot your name.”
Addison stood, extended her hand. “Anne English, Special Agent, FBI.”
“Caroline Austin,” she said, shaking it, before regarding JL. “What’s going on?”
“She just told me that Erik might be involved in some illegal activity,” JL said.
Caroline sat next to Addison. “What kind of activity?”
“The FBI thinks he’s a terrorist,” JL blurted. “He might be responsible for running over and killing over twenty people ina DC parade. He’s wanted for the bombing attacks at a British college and a Paris concert.”
“Ohgod,” Caroline said. “That’s terrible.”
“That explains why he ghosted, why I was never invited to his house, why he never liked having his picture taken,” JL said.
“You mentioned talking with Erik’s emergency contact,” Addison continued. “What’s his name?”
JL got busy on her computer. “Kyle Brandon. He said he was a friend of Erik’s and wanted me to know that Erik wasn’t coming back.”
“Were you surprised?” Addison asked.
“Of course, but hearing that he’s a suspected terrorist is freaking me out. Why did he want to work for me?”
“I can’t discuss an ongoing investigation,” Addison replied. “But I’m going to need access to your employee files.”
“Those are confidential,” JL said.
“I can get a warrant,” Addison pushed back, “but I’d have to seize your computers.”
“You can take copies of everything, but I can’t shut down during the investigation. I employ hundreds.” She gaped at Addison. “You don’t think there are other terrorists on my payroll, do you?”
The conversation continued while Caroline studied her friend. She appeared to be genuinely surprised over the news and willing to comply. By the end of the interview, tears welled in JL’s eyes.
“I was used. He took advantage of me. How do I vet my employees better?”
“Who runs the background checks?” Addison asked.
“I was, until Erik came on board. He told me I was the visionary and that he’d take over a lot of the onboarding tasks.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Can I get the contact info for Kyle Brandon?” Addison asked.
JL pulled up the information and forwarded it to her.
Addison wrapped up the meeting, said she’d be in touch, then showed herself out.
Now, alone with Jennifer Leigh, Caroline waited for her to speak first.
“I trusted him,” JL said.
“What can I do to help?” Caroline asked.
“Make this nightmare go away.”
“I wish I could.” Caroline pulled out JL’s three favorite dark chocolate bars from the grocery bag. “I stopped by to make sure you’re okay.”
“Of course, I’mnotokay,” JL snapped. “What kind of stupid are you, huh? I’m guessing thebigstupid! This isn’t high school or college when I’d get dumped. This is mylife, Caroline, my multi-million-dollar business. Do you even get that? Chocolate bars won’t make this better. But theywillmake me fat. Is that what you want? Me, fat? You’re not helping. I thinkyou’repart of the prob.”
Wow.
JL was a mess, but Caroline had to call it. This was the end of the road for her. Yes, her friend had just gotten gobsmacked with horrific news, but she wasn’t her punching bag.
Caroline collected the chocolate bars and stood. “Good luck, JL. You’re gonna need it.”
