"It was real. Landon was a friend," Trent said.
"Would you be willing to talk to me? I might have information that could clear your name and get us closer to the truth, but I need you to look at it before I show it to anyone else."
"Tell me what it is now."
"It's something you need to see. I'm going to be at the Library Café at four thirty. I think you know it. It's right by Westbridge. It won't take long."
"Why should I trust you?" Trent asked. "Last time I saw you, you were with that FBI agent."
"All I want is justice for my brother, and I don't like the direction the FBI is going. I think they're listening to someone who might be trying to set you up." She paused. "It's up to you. If you don't want to come, we'll see what happens."
There was silence on the other end of the phone. Finally, Trent said, "I'll meet you there."
Haley let out a breath as she met his gaze. "We're on."
He wished he could feel as excited as she looked, but he was thinking like a man who cared for the woman in front of him instead of like an FBI agent, and Haley would never be truly safe and get the answers she deserved unless he started thinking with his head instead of his heart. It wasn't a problem he had ever had before, and he was a little stunned he'd let himself get so deeply involved with her, but it was too late to change that. He just had to make sure she stayed safe. That was all that mattered.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Haley arrived at the Library Café fifteen minutes early, picking up a coffee before choosing a table with a clear view of the front door. She'd been to the café twice with Landon, as it was one of his favorite places to eat and study off campus. It was cozy and comfortable, with mismatched furniture, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with books you could actually take with you if you wanted. The menu featured a full selection of coffees, teas, and spiced ciders with sandwiches, salads, soups, and a glass display case filled with delicious desserts. Students from nearby Westbridge occupied many of the tables, bent over laptops and textbooks, while there were also locals chatting over coffee.
Agent Andi Hart sat nearby, sipping coffee, a newspaper in front of her. Matt had told her that Agent Hart would be in the café. He didn't want her to be alone for even a second, but he didn't want to scare Trent off with his presence, so he wouldn't enter the café until Trent had already taken a seat. Jason was waiting with Matt and would have his eyes fixed on the entrance to the café to ensure there was no trouble.
She hoped it was overkill for this meeting, but she was grateful for the thorough preparation. They'd had too many close calls already.
She felt both nervous and excited about the upcoming meeting. This was what she did every day in her job. She got people to talk so she could get to the truth. She just hoped Trent would be cooperative. Despite what she'd told him about seeing real emotion in his eyes after Landon died, she wasn't at all sure that hadn't been an act.
She sat up straighter as Trent walked into the café, wearing a suit and tie. His brown hair was messy, not styled as it had been the last time she'd seen him, and his tie was loose around his neck, as if he'd been pulling at it all day. His gaze swept the room before landing on her. He gave a nod, then walked toward her, tight lines around his eyes, stress evident in his hard jaw. He pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.
"I've got five minutes," he said, his voice low but carrying an edge of panic barely held in check. "Whatever you want to show me, do it now."
"You're going to need more than five minutes for this, Trent. Because I'm not just trying to save you from being charged with Landon's murder, I'm trying to save your life. Whoever killed my brother is setting you up, and if that doesn't succeed, you're going to end up exactly like Landon."
Trent's face went pale. "That's ridiculous. Nobody wants to hurt me."
"I'm sure Brooke thought the same thing."
"That was a burglar. She came home at the wrong time," he said, clearly desperate to believe that.
"That wasn't what happened."
"Well, I don't know what happened to Brooke or your brother. I just know I haven't done anything wrong."
"Haven't you?" she challenged.
"No. And since you don't seem to believe that, what do you want from me?"
She looked up as Matt slid into the chair beside Trent, effectively blocking Trent's escape route.
Trent shot her a dark look. "This was a setup."
"Not exactly," she said. "We want to help you, Trent."
"I seriously doubt that, and I'm not talking to either of you."
"Sit down," Matt said as Trent started to rise, his firm voice giving Trent pause. "Haley is right. We're trying to help you stay alive."
After a moment, Trent took his seat. "What's going on?"
