Page 3 of Destined Chaos
“Please call me Libby,” I corrected with a smile. “This won’t take long.”
I popped my briefcase open and pulled out a file. “I believe you’re here for information on Jan Stein. Is that correct?”
“Oh, no. Jan? Really? She had so much potential.” Champ sighed when he finally realized what this was all about.
“I’m afraid we’ll never know now,” I said with a frown.
“Ms. Slaughter, how could you possibly know the reason we’re here?” Helms asked.
It was a smart question. Maybe this fed had two cups of coffee this morning. I held in my grin.
“It’s my job to know things and to advise my client.”
“Advise him on what exactly? You already said you aren’t his attorney,” Helms added.
“I offer help with decision-making, among other things.”
“Like helping women with new IDs?” Federal Agent Cross asked. His cartoon socks had originally made me think he was the more lighthearted one of the two, but I was starting to see that he was sharper than I’d given him credit for.
A smile split my lips. “Of course. Name changes are all very legal when done through the courts. We just provide proof of the need to keep anonymity and get the files sealed. You see, the Beaumont Foundation is the privatized version of witness relocation, except instead of witnesses, it’s more along the lines ofvictimrelocation. We help those that can’t help themselves.”
“Exactly,” Champ said as if cheering me on.
“Jan Stein was two months shy of having her divorce. She’s been in hiding for six months after numerous police reports and restraining orders didn’t stop her soon-to-be ex from beating her close to death. Her husband is currently locked up in the county jail, doing time for domestic abuse.” I handed over two files, one for each fed. “I can assure you we want to help in your investigation, and you’ll get nothing but full cooperation from the Foundation.”
“Really?” Helms asked. “That will be a first.”
I closed the briefcase and patted Champ on the back. “I’m advising my client to give you complete access.”
“Complete?” Champ asked, sounding surprised.
“And you just think he’s going to do it because you said so?” Helms asked.
“Christmas is coming early, gentlemen. He’s going to grant you full access and without the need for a warrant,” I said, drumming my fingers against the briefcase.
It wasn’t often things went this smoothly.
“I am,” Champ interjected. “If Libby says I should, that’s what I’ll do. Her words are gospel around here.”
He clicked a few buttons beneath his desk, and the wall across the room slid open, revealing a glass partition that looked down on the communication floor below. Workers were busy behind their computers. The large screens hanging on the walls showed video surveillance of different people.
“Welcome to the hive, gentlemen,” Champ said with pride.
“We would appreciate it if you don’t screw too much with the operation. We’d have to keep relocating perfectly safe people, but everything you could ever need or want on Jan Stein is accessible in that room. Including the training we’ve provided, the accounts that were set up, and a list of all of her abusive husband’s friends, should you need to question them.”
“Libby,” Cross said. “Do you know exactly what happened to Jan?”
“She’s dead. Two slugs to the chest, I believe.”
“And how exactly would you know that?” Helms asked.
“First, I saw it in a dream, and then her ghost visited me.”
Helms’ salt-and-pepper brows dipped. “You’re one of the weirdos, aren’t you? A psychic or something?”
Cross remained quiet and watchful. He seemed to be almost waiting to see if I’d offer anything more.
“Yes, well, I’m not here to prove myself, and I have an alibi. I’m here suggesting to my client to give you everything you need to catch Jan’s killer.”
