Long Road Home(65)

Jules shook, her strength waning. Her knees threatened to buckle as she watched them pull Manny to the ground. The agent standing next to her put an arm around her to steady her.

“Not going to cuff me?” she asked.

“Whatever you may think, Ms. Trehan, I don’t like this any more than Ramirez does. No, I’m not going to cuff you. You’re recovering from serious injuries. We’re going to be damn careful with you. Now let’s go before Ramirez kills one of my men.”

He put a firm arm around her and guided her toward the entrance.

“Jules!” Manny cried.

She turned to see one of the agents cuffing Manny in an effort to subdue him. He was wild beneath them, trying to reach her.

“I’ll come for you, Jules. I won’t let them get away with this. I swear it.”

“I love you,” she whispered, then allowed herself to be led away.

True to their word, the agents were very solicitous. She was escorted into a plush office and given a comfortable place to sit. She was asked if she was in pain or if she needed anything.

She needed Manny. The one thing they weren’t going to give her.

She sat in the chair, tense, agonizing over her fate. She was a terrorist. No way they were going to let her walk away.

Several minutes later, the agent who’d escorted her in entered the room with another man.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get around to introductions. I was a little concerned with what Ramirez might do,” the agent said. “My name is Agent Vasquez, special agent in charge of the ongoing investigation into the NFR and its connection to the CIA, and to Senator Denison.” He gestured toward the man standing next to him. “This is Senator Charles Whiting. He’s heading the Senate Investigation Committee.”

“Am I being arrested?” she asked again.

“No, Ms. Trehan, you are officially under protective custody,” Agent Vasquez replied. “That is until we determine your role in the NFR.”

“Why wasn’t Manny allowed to accompany me?”

“Because he’s a CIA agent, and the CIA is under heavy investigation at the moment. You won’t be allowed any contact with him until the hearings are over.”

“Hearings?”

Agent Vasquez turned to Senator Whiting, and the senator cleared his throat.

“The Senate is conducting a thorough investigation of its own, in addition to any ongoing FBI investigation. We’d appreciate your cooperation, of course.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Of course.”

The senator took the seat across from the couch she sat on. “I’ll level with you, Ms. Trehan. Other than the documents we’ve recovered, and the computer files, you’re our star witness. Your testimony is necessary if we want to successfully prosecute Senator Denison and the other twenty individuals involved in the NFR.”

She cocked her head to the side. “I don’t understand. Aren’t there others who could testify? What of the other assas—agents?”

“The fact is, your position in the NFR is quite unique, Ms. Trehan. Everyone else was there of their own accord. They signed on knowing full well the range and scope of the group. You were different. It is that unique perspective which we wish to gain. You could provide us very valuable information.”

“I see. And what can I expect in return?” She knew full well this was a bargaining session.

The senator’s face hardened. “If you cooperate, we’ll take into consideration the fact you were forcibly recruited and act accordingly. If you refuse, you’ll be charged with acts of terrorism and stand trial with the others.”

“I don’t see that I have any choice,” she said tightly.

The senator’s eyes glinted in satisfaction. “I knew we could count on you, Ms. Trehan. Agent Vasquez here will see to your needs until your testimony.”

“How long before I testify?”

“A few weeks at the most. You’ll speak before a closed panel. It’s vital that none of this is leaked to the press. Not until we have a firm idea of what we’re dealing with and have acted to ensure all members of the NFR are captured.”

She heard the warning in his voice and nodded.

“Very good, Ms. Trehan. I’ll see you at the hearings then.” He gave her a curt nod and turned and left the room.

She glanced up at Agent Vasquez. “What now?”

Regret glimmered in his eyes. “I’m to take you to an undisclosed location where you’ll remain under protective custody until your testimony.”

“What does that mean, exactly?”

He sat down on the couch beside her and rubbed his hands over his pants. “It means you’ll go underground. Completely. We’ll provide a doctor to examine you on a daily basis and provide all the medical attention you need. You won’t see or talk to anyone until you testify.”

Her mouth popped open in shock. “I won’t see Manny?”

Agent Vasquez shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

She looked down at her hands and tried valiantly to compose herself. Then she looked back up at the agent. “Can you at least tell him what’s happening?”

Vasquez sighed. “I’m not supposed to, but I’ll let him know something. I promise. He’s probably already torn down the damn FBI building demanding answers.”