“Y-you’re not mad?” Courtney asked.
Tony shook his head. “I probably would have been, but not now. Not only am I not mad, I’m happy. I failed her then. I didn’t realize how awful this was… and this place is better than where she was. I’m so glad you helped her.”
Courtney inhaled, trying to stifle her cries. “I never wanted to lie to you…” she turned to Brent “…either one of you. But I couldn’t… I just couldn’t…” her voice trailed away as she lowered her face.
The temperature of the room rose exponentially; Brent and Tony had come so far. It truly felt as though the two of them were friends, connected as never before. Was it right to leave deception between friends? Or would the truth separate what had finally been solidified?
“I’m not going to lie to you, Tony,” Brent confessed. “I knew about that. I didn’t know the name she used or where the address was, but I knew and I supported Courtney… and Claire.
Tony leaned back.
While Brent reached for Courtney’s hand, he saw the question in his wife’s moist blue eyes. Inhaling, Brent continued, “You’ve come clean with us. I guess it’s time to come clean with you. Just promise me that you won’t be upset with Claire.”
Tony’s brows knit together. “What are you talking about? Why would I be upset with Claire that you wrote to her in prison?” It was as if they watched the light bulb illuminate. The spark of understanding ignited a flame behind his eyes and Tony’s voice brimmed with emotion. “It was you… Oh, my God. You’re the ones who freed her.” This time he was the one to look away.
“Tony?” Courtney implored. “It wasn’t against you. It was for her.”
At first Tony only shook his head; however, when he turned back, his eyes were red. “Thank you, for saving her. I understand. Two years ago, I might have been irate.” He scoffed. “I would have been—hell, I was, but things are different. What you did, the petition, the money… by freeing Claire, you gave me back my life.
“I’ve spoken to Roach, and I just don’t understand what’s happened to her. But if you can… if it is ever a possibility to save her again… I don’t care who you have to deceive… just please, for both of us, for Nichol… do it.”
Courtney wasn’t even trying to hide her tears. “I want to hug you so badly.”
Tony swallowed. “I wish you could.”
“Tony, she didn’t know—at first. Once she did, the only reason she kept it from you was for us.”
Tony reached out and covered Courtney’s hand with his own. His soft brown eyes were bordered in red. With his famous grin, he said, “We’re good. I’m not upset at all. I’m indebted to you.” He widened his grin. “About $100,000, I guess.”
Courtney shook her head. “No—”
“No you’re not,” Brent said. “And you’re not paying us back. You already have.”
Tony’s eyes widened, questioning.
“I’ve had a few raises over the last couple years. I figured I deserved them.”
Tony’s grin morphed into a full smile. “You do, my man, you do.”
Brent leaned forward and spoke quieter. “I may have some news you don’t yet know.”
“What?”
“Amber McCoy has been charged in connection with the death of Simon Johnson.”
The clouds over Tony’s dark eyes showed his processing. “I don’t understand. I thought the NTSB found no signs of tampering.”
Brent shrugged. “They haven’t released any more information, only that there was sufficient evidence to press charges.”
“What’s happening to SiJo?” Tony asked.
“I really don’t know.”
“Tell Tim to look into it immediately. As you know, this kind of shit makes it vulnerable.”
“What? Do you want to buy it? It could go under the Shedis-tics umbrella—”
“No,” Tony interrupted. “I want to help it. No matter how Amber and Harry lied to Claire, Claire cared about Simon and that company. Find out what they need.”
Courtney smiled.
“I’ll call Tim as soon as we leave,” Brent assured him.
My family is my strength and my weakness.
—Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Harry watched from behind the glass, unseen by his sister or the officer from the California Bureau of Investigation. It was the same division where Harry had gotten his start in law enforcement—the same bureau that fueled his desire for justice. It was the same bureau that was now questioning his very own sister in regard to the senseless death of Simon Johnson.
SAC Williams patted Harry on the back. “I’m sorry, son. I’m sorry it all came to this.”
Harry nodded. Words weren’t forming without emotion. He was a damn FBI agent; crying wasn’t part of the job.
“You did the right thing. I know it may not seem like it at this moment, but the truth, the law, is always right.”
Inhaling deeply, Harry managed to say, “You’re right. It sure doesn’t feel like it at this moment.”
“Have you talked to her?”
“No. I have about a thousand texts and voicemails from Liz. She’s out in the waiting room going crazy. She doesn’t know I’m here.” He turned his sad blue eyes to his supervisor. “SAC? I don’t know how to do this. Do I come clean and tell her that I’m the one who…” He couldn’t finish the sentence.