Page 27 of Smoke Screen
Innocent?
The president remained seated, his posture straight, his features relaxed. All the cool confidence that helped him get elected.
“Maddy,” he said, “take a breath. The FBI has been studying this footage for days. When they came upon these images, they thought it best to ask you about them. That’s all.”
She shook her head so hard it should have whirled from her body like a top. “I don’t know these men. I swear to you. I don’t.”
How could they think, after how hard she’d worked, she’d be involved? That she’dstealfrom the Thompsons, from the Center?
No. She wouldn’t get ahead of herself. If the roles were reversed, she’d at least explore the possibility.She’dthink she was involved.
“I’m not naïve,” she told Walker. “I know what you’re thinking, but I did nothing wrong. That exhibit was my baby.” She pointed at the still black screen. “I don’t know those men and Ireallydon’t know why the one with the tattoo would come to my home, or even know where I live.”
Which, hello?Thatwas terrifying. Had they been following her? She’d have to pay more attention. See if she could find them and turn them in.
“Ms. Carmichael,” Special Agent Blackwell said, “we’d like to continue this conversation at our office. Would you be willing to do that?”
And there it was.
Maddy’s body collapsed back against the chair, all the oxygen leaving her. They wanted to drag her downtown. Such a cliché. If it wasn’t happening, she’d laugh.
She sat up again, pushing her shoulders back.I can do this.Shelooked Phin’s brother in the eye. “Not without a lawyer, I won’t.”
Phin sat in his office,fingers flying across his laptop’s keyboard. Research had never been his idea of fun, but if he could find jewelry heists similar to the Thompson Center’s, it might be a lead.
At this stage, all ideas were open to discussion.
His cell phone rattled against the desk, and he slid a glance at it. Ash.
He poked the speaker button. “What’s up?”
“Hey,” his brother said, the word coming quick. “I’m walking back to my desk. Zeke called me yesterday. I just tried him, but he’s not picking up. I’m in the middle of something. Is he by you?”
“Zeke!” Phin yelled, hoping his brother was still in earshot.
“What?” came an irritated yell back.
“Hang on.” Phin told Ash. “Sounds like he’s in his office.”
Grabbing the phone, he hustled to the other side of the Annex, stepped into Zeke’s office, where his brother was nose-in on his computer.
Phin held up his phone.
“It’s Ash. Returning your call.” Phin gave him some hard eye contact and set the phone on the desk. This was it. The call telling Ash they’d taken the Thompson case. “He doesn’t have a lot of time.”
Zeke nodded. “Ash, hey. Thanks for calling back. I put my phone on do-not-disturb. Mom’s killing me with spreadsheets.”
“No prob. What’s up?”
“I’ll make this quick. We took on a new case. Thought you should know.”
A long sigh came through the phone line. “Why do I think this’ll wreck my day?”
Oh, the drama. Phin rolled his eyes. “Relax. It’s not that bad. We’re keeping you in the loop.” Phin circled a hand. “You know, in the whole vein of open communication.”
“Yeah. Okay. What case is it?”
“The Thompson Center heist,” Zeke said. “The Thompsons have hired us.”
