Page 114 of Charmed Forces

Solomon checked his watch. “We need to get to our next appointment,” he said. “Ready to go?”

“Got another case?” asked Maddox.

“Wrapping up an old one,” I said.

“See you at Mom and Dad’s later?” asked Garrett as he maneuvered past us, trying to avoid bumping the chairs or us in the tight gap.

“Looking forward to it,” I said.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” said Solomon. Then someone called his name and he turned to speak to them.

“Mom said there will be cake in my honor,” said Daniel. “Makes it all worth it.”

“Is it the triple chocolate cake?” I asked, my eyes widening. Our mother only rolled that one out for really special occasions. “The one with the double chocolate frosting and the strawberry jelly surprise filling?”

Daniel grinned. “Yep. I want to get there before there’s none left. Alice and the kids got back in town yesterday so I’m going to collect them now and get to Mom and Dad’s first. See you later, buddy,” he said as he slapped Maddox’s arm.

“Your mom insisted,” explained Maddox to me. “And she asked me to bring extra rolls. Sadiq is going to show her how to make a couscous and pomegranate salad so we have to get there early too.”

“She didn’t ask me to bring anything,” I said, confused. “But of course, you’re coming.”

Maddox paused. “You don’t want me to?” he asked, a despondent note in his voice.

“No,” I said and he grinned. “I like having you around.”

“I know you do,” he said, winking before he walked away.

We made our goodbyes to the rest of the assembly, shaking hands, before an agent escorted us from the building. Detective Crump and Hertford were more polite than I’d ever known them to be but I figured they were still peeved at Captain Brandt. That they’d been suspicious of him was commendable but I wondered if they were a little sore to be left out of the overall investigation. I kinda was too. I wasn’t sure how I felt about being amongst the last to know that the Feds were involved and Maddox was pivotal behind the scenes. However, I appreciated the intention was always to protect Daniel first, and to give me deniability second.

Before we could head to my parents for a celebratory dinner, we had another appointment to make.

Markham Hardy met us at a bar downtown, a little too early for happy hour but I doubted we’d make him all that happy anyway.

“I was surprised to get your call,” he said after we refused his polite offer of drinks. He plucked his suit jacket buttons open with his thumb and gestured for us to join him at the table in the corner. “You said it was about the case?”

“It is,” I said. “I’m sorry to say this but I think I got it wrong.”

He fixed me with a curious look. “You only think?” he asked.

“Yes and no.”

“Consider me even more confused. You cleared Louise of any wrongdoing.”

“I believe that remains true,” I said. “However, during another recent investigation it came to light that Louise was acquainted with a man who stood to benefit from knowledge of your business dealings.”

Markham frowned. “So she did sell me out?”

“I took another look at her case and while I can’t discount that completely, I still haven’t foundanyevidence that suggests she took any kind of payment. Not in cash and not in kind. What I believe happened is someone took advantage of knowing where she worked and expressed an interest in her career and what she does on a day-to-day basis. She might have considered it courteous because the person had similar business interests, or simply thought it nice that someone noticed her. She’s a bright woman, working in a male-dominated field, and she has her own aspirations.”

“I imagine you know how that is,” said Markham, glancing at Solomon.

“I do,” I said.

“It’s part of what makes Lexi an asset to the agency,” said Solomon.

“So this person simply encouraged Louise in conversation?” asked Markham, “And she told him things she shouldn’t have?”

“I believe so. She did the wrong thing, but not from any malicious intent on her part. She simply spoke freely about her job and I suspect conversation was guided into duping her to reveal certain things that she shouldn’t have.”