When we enter the room Vera is asleep in her chair, her head tipped to one side, her bangs falling over half of her face. My heart takes a hard knock at the memory of the last time I saw her sleep and how different things were between us then. Mr. Nash gently wakes her. When she first sees me there’s pure joy on her face for half a second before her memory wipes it away. What I wouldn’t give to get it back.
“I talked to my friend. He wants to meet with you. He spoke to his boss about your conditions. They want you to come down to their office. They’re promising federal protection if your story checks out. They can bring you through a side entrance and take you straight to the SAC’s office. My friend is on his way to pick you up right now. I want you to know that they’re taking you very seriously. My friend didn’t give me any details, but they’ve been aware of various sex-trafficking rings in and around the San Diego area, including the one you were drawn into. If it’s the same guy they’re looking at, you could be invaluable to their investigation.”
“Do I have to go alone?” Vera asks.
“Beau and I will follow behind you.” Mr. Nash looks at me for confirmation and I nod. “Technically, you’re going to be in federal custody. We won’t be able to go into the interrogation room with you. But we’ll be waiting just outside.”
“So basically once your friend comes and picks me up in his car they can do whatever they want to me. Charge me for stealing that car, prostitution, whatever they want, whatever I cop to during the interrogation. Yippee. I love being at the mercy of strange men. It always works out so well for me.”
Mr. Nash clears his throat. “I also called a friend of mine who’s an attorney to meet us at the federal building. She’ll be with you in that room. It’s the best I could do.”
Vera lets out a breath and sits back in her seat. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. They’re going to want the thumb drive and anything you can tell them about the organization and the murder of the councilman’s wife, including the crimes committed against you.”
“?‘The crimes committed against you.’ That’s the most polite way I’ve ever heard it put.”
“Cora and I have some things we’re putting together for you. The work Beau did was stellar. It builds an excellent picture that backs up everything you’ve said. The more of that we can gather, the better.” Mr. Nash rises and checks his watch. “He should be here in about twenty minutes.” He closes the door after him, leaving Vera and me alone.
“If you give me your motel room key I’ll pack up your stuff for you,” I offer.
She pulls the key card out of her bra and slides it across the table. That trick of hers catches me off guard every time. The only other time I’ve ever seen anyone use their clothing to store things was in prison.
“You should probably give me your guns and other weapons.”
She pulls pepper spray, brass knuckles, and a Taser from her bag and drops them on the table. She stands, propping a foot on a chair, and slides her skirt up. She unhooks her thigh holster and drops it on the table. Lifting her blouse, she removes the knives tucked in her waist. The blouse goes higher still, exposing the cups of her bra, so she can unclip the holster between her breasts. I try real hard not to stare and totally fail. Next comes the gun at the small of her back, then the switchblade from her panties. Last is the knife strapped to the inside of her thigh. I’m sweating by the time she finishes.
She stares longingly at her little pile of weaponry. Even naked, she always had a knife or gun within reach, strategically placed and easy for her to get to. It’s going to be hard for her to give up the ability to defend herself. Crossing her arms, she looks to me for direction.
“Are you hungry or thirsty?”
She sits down. “No.”
“Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No.”
Her walls are back up. I’m shut out. Just like when I first met her. She’s looking at me like I’m an annoyance, a mosquito she wants to flick off. And yet I see it. That spark, that tiny little flame for me she can’t turn off any more than I can turn off mine for her. I hold on to it. I have a feeling I’m going to need the hope it represents. And so will she.
Chapter 30
Vera
I’m taken to a room with a table and some chairs. It looks sort of like the conference room at the agency, except a lot nicer. The chairs are beefy leather and glide like the floor is buttered. The table is a thick, shiny slab of wood. There are a bunch of flags in the corners. The only ones I recognize are the California and American flags. There’s a TV hung up high in one corner and a whiteboard spans the width of one wall. The blinds-covered window looks out on a hall. The slats are open enough that I can see people walk past. Most of them don’t look in, but occasionally one or two will. I look for any familiar faces.