I take a deep breath and explain how I overheard my brother and best friend talking and how they were why Logan and I dated all those years ago. “It had nothing to do with Brian.”
Logan puts an arm around my shoulder. “That’s true. Once my brother found out who I was dating, he told me I had to end it immediately.”
“What choice did I have?” Brian says defensively. “She was the daughter of a man I’d been pursuing for a couple of years. I couldn’t continue to work the case if my brother was dating her. And I’m sorry, Logan, I had no idea you’d never find love again. Hell, you were so young. I figured it was just a fling.”
He never found love again? He’s mentioned he hasn’t found anyone, but I didn’t know it was reallyno one. Although I never loved again, then, I swore off love. It hurt too damn bad when he left.
Brian slams his fist on the table, and I jump. “I gave McKenzie no reason ever to doubt me. His claim I could be a dirty agent is bullshit.”
“Who’s McKenzie?” I ask.
“My boss,” Brian says. “The CIA was involved to see if I was dirty? That was it?”
Harding stares at Brian and nods. “I said it would be hard to hear. But we determined your boss was wrong. And fortunately, today, we were in the right place at the right time.”
“Ruiz is going to keep coming after me,” Brian says. “It’s personal for him now.”
“I thought Harding said he was in custody,” I say.
Harding nods. “He is, but that won’t stop him from ordering his men to go after Agent Folger. Brian, you need to stay here until we figure out our next move.”
Brian laughs. “Next move? Unless that man is dead, I’ll always be looking over my shoulder. Not sure how I’m supposed to live with Sofia and raise our child. I can’t put them in danger of a stray bullet.”
Walker frowns but doesn’t say a word. It appears Harding is the one in charge here and that everyone in this room knows her.
Brian shifts in his seat and grunts in pain.
“We need to get you checked out by a doctor,” Harding says.
Brian nods. “First, tell me why you are telling me this? If McKenzie called you, I’m certain he told you to keep me in the dark.”
Harding leans back in her chair. “He did. But you can’t simply walk out of here and go back to your regular life. You will be dead by sundown.”
I glance at Logan. He’s staring at Harding and showing no emotion. Maybe what she said hasn’t sunk in. I squeeze his arm to let him know I’m there for him. He doesn’t react but continues to stare at Harding.
“What will it take to get my brother safe? Ruiz dead?”
Harding’s eyes dart to Walker. “Coff, we’re going to pretend you never said that. But to answer your question, even if Ruiz were to die, your brother would still be in danger. While Ruiz wants him dead for his poor judgment in getting involved with his daughter,” she says while arching a brow at Brian, “his second in command would be forced to step up and make an example of the dirty agent they believe got Ruiz taken down.”
Logan mumbles something under his breath, and Brian stares at the table, shaking his head.
“Can’t he transfer to another office?” I ask. “Maybe somewhere on the East Coast.”
Harding stands up. “No, I’m afraid that wouldn’t work. As long as he is going by Brian Folger, he can be found.”
“So, he changes his name,” I say. I don’t know why I keep talking since this is so out of my depth, but I swear I can feel the hurt and anger rolling off of Brian, and I want to help.
Harding steps up to me. “I’m afraid it isn’t that easy.” She turns to the rest of the room. “I need to speak to a colleague. I’ll be back.”
“Wait,” Walker says as he glances nervously at me. “There’s something more you need to know.”
Harding turns her attention to him. “What’s going on?”
He sighs. “When I was bringing her in,” he points at me, “I purposely brought her into the wrong room so she would see the man in there. I knew we needed another witness.”
When Walker carried me into the office building, whatever he’d given me was wearing off, but I didn’t let it show. He barged us through a door, and a man in a suit got up and yelled at him. Then he placed me in the office next door, where I could hear their entire conversation. What I heard concerned me, but I haven’t brought it up because we are dealing with a bigger issue here.
“Who was it?” Harding asks.
