“Do you know of any other Saturday regulars?” Blakely asked.

“Not like us. Not every Saturday,” Layla responded.

“Is there anything you’re working on right now that you feel could put you in danger?” Jones asked.

That was exactly what Hunter wanted to know.

“Not that I can think of.”

“Exactly what do you do at State?” Blakely asked.

“I’m an analyst in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.”

Hunter moved closer to get a better look into the room.

Blakely jotted down some notes and then pulled a card out of his jacket. “If you think of anything else, please give me a call. We’ll be following up as the investigation unfolds.”

“Thank you.”

Hunter scurried down the hall to avoid the agents, but he couldn’t stop wondering what kind of trouble Layla was in.

CHAPTER
FOUR

That night, Izzy helped Layla into her condo. Bailey and Viv were there waiting.

“You didn’t need to go to all of this trouble,” Layla protested. “The doctor said I would be fine.”

Izzy knew Layla didn’t like all the fuss, but considering the circumstances, it was more than warranted. “We’re doing this because we want to.”

“Well, Viv needs some TLC too,” Layla said.

Viv patted Layla’s arm. “I didn’t get hit in the head like you did.”

It was nice how Izzy had become a part of the group. She was the youngest of them all, and she looked to each of the other women for advice and guidance. Now there was an opportunity for her to help in return, and she was going to do just that. “I’ll start making dinner soon. You two just relax. Let Bailey and me handle everything.”

Layla lifted her hand. “First, I need to talk to everyone. Please sit.”

Izzy took a seat in one of the chairs.

“I’ve been placed on administrative leave,” Layla said.

“Because of the bombing?” Izzy asked. “What about Viv? Have you too?”

Layla and Viv exchanged a glance, and something passed between them.

Izzy felt like the odd one out. “What am I missing?”

Layla shook her head. “It’s just me. This has nothing to do with Viv. There’s an internal investigation. I have no idea why I’m being investigated, and neither does my boss. But for now, I’m not going to be working until this is sorted out.”

Izzy looked at Bailey, who also remained silent. “So this investigation doesn’t have anything to do with the bombing?”

“They are acting like it’s a totally separate thing,” Layla said.

“And you’re not so sure,” Izzy guessed.