“You hit our radar with your lunch and when we started monitoring his calls. We were aware you were in regular contact with him over the phone for the last six months. And we were aware your name was on his accounts. However, we didn’t know what your involvement was in his operation. As the disintegration of your marriage and your divorce coincided relatively closely with his moves to elevate his position in the business, we thought you’d discovered what he was doing. But, considering your behavior at lunch, we couldn’t know why you and he resumed contact.”

“I don’t have any involvement in his operations.” I was still whispering.

He reached into his inside jacket pocket, pulled out a tri-folded piece of paper, and set it on the table. “Search warrant. We’re searching your house, car, business premises, and computers. We’ll also be taking a sample of your handwriting because someone signed your name to open those offshore accounts and they did this approximately six months ago.”

I kept staring at him and then I closed my eyes and turned away while shaking it.

Damian.

Evidence was suggesting that I would, indeed, never get rid of him.

“I don’t… I can’t…” I sucked in a deep breath, looked back at Agent Calhoun, and said, “I don’t believe this.”

“If what you say is true, our searches will bear this out. However, I will have to ask you to remain here until those are complete. This could take some time, Ms. O’Hara,” he stated while standing. “Can I get you some coffee while you wait?”

I had tipped my head back to look up at him, too shocked by what I’d learned to respond.

“Tess,” he prompted quietly. “Coffee?”

I kept staring at him then I shook my head sharply once and looked at the table, murmuring, “Yes, thank you.”

“Someone will be in shortly with your coffee,” he told the top of my head.

“Thanks,” I told the table.

I didn’t see him but I also didn’t feel his presence leave for several long moments. Then I heard his feet hitting the floor as he walked to the door. The door closed and I was alone in the room with nothing but the table, the chairs, the mirror, and whoever was behind it.

I didn’t move and continued to stare at the table.

And luckily, when the one tear I couldn’t control fell, it coursed down the cheek that was on the opposite side to the mirror.

CHAPTER TWO

Exit. Stairs.

I STARED AT the table for a long time and I kept staring at it after they brought my coffee and asked me to write my signature on a blank piece of paper. I did that, drank my coffee, and then kept staring long after I was alone again.