“Here’s what I do know. I’ve felt like someone has been watching me for the past couple of weeks. Today, the restaurant I frequent every single Saturday like clockwork was the site of an explosion. And then, on top of that, I’m told that I’m being investigated by the IG’s office. Does that seem right to any of you?”

Izzy bit the inside of her cheek as she tried to process this information. She didn’t want to say it, but she thought Layla was hiding something. As she looked at the other two women in the room, she had the same sinking feeling. Since she didn’t have the tight bonds built from years of trust like they did, she didn’t think it was her place to interrogate Layla. Especially not after the day they’d had. She’d let it go for now, but she was determined to figure out why she was being kept in the dark.

“There’s more,” Viv said. “Bailey found out that the tourists sitting at our normal table were among the casualties.”

Layla nodded. “That bomb was meant for me.”

Silence filled the room for a minute.

“But why would you have been targeted? You’re an analyst at State. Why try to take you out?” Izzy asked.

“I’m not sure,” Layla responded.

“I’ve got another question,” Bailey said. “How did you feel about seeing Hunter today?”

“What?” Viv asked loudly. “Hunter? When did you see him?”

Layla sighed. “He heard about me being hurt in the bombing and came to see me in the hospital.”

“Wow,” Viv muttered.

“Yeah, I ran into him on his way out,” Bailey said. “He looked like he was starstruck to me.”

“Who is Hunter?” Izzy was once again confused.

When Layla didn’t immediately answer, Bailey spoke. “Hunter was Layla’s boyfriend in law school. The relationship ended badly when Hunter cheated on her.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” Izzy still wasn’t convinced that many good men existed in the world. She’d borne her fair share of heartache in that department. She was still in counseling regarding the assault that happened to her at the hands of a police sergeant.

“Yeah, I don’t talk about it much, but Hunter really hurt me,” Layla said quietly. “We haven’t had much communication since we graduated from Georgetown.”

Izzy hoped she wasn’t overstepping, but she was concerned about her friend. “How was it today, then?”

There was so much sadness in Layla’s eyes. “At first I was shocked. I couldn’t really believe it was him. It was hard seeing him standing there. He said he had heard about the bombing and had to come see me.”

“Word travels fast,” Viv said.

“Especially if you’re a PI,” Bailey added.