Page 127 of Trial of Deceit

Toby shrugged.“A dead F.B.I.agent is one thing, but with the only known witness being a wife…”

Ashari’s brows crinkled as she listened to him.That wasn’t what she’d told him.She’d clearly stated that she’d been the one to kill Romar, bury him, then fight the urge to cry when Jediah dug up the rotting body.She’d vomited twice in the SUV when Jediah drove them to a mortuary, and had fussed over which urn would be the perfect forever-home for her brother.

A shiny white one, branded with the mortuary’s name on the bottom, was ideal.White was pure.Innocent.Just like the relationship she and her brother had before they knew what sibling rivalry or perverse feelings were.

Toby gave her a hard glare.It was one Ashari knew all too well: he was warning her to be quiet.Walls had ears, and they were always listening.

“We are fortunate that the mortuary keeps physical records of all its visitors and cremations.Worse case scenario, you would’ve been lucky that spousal immunity can be waived.Regardless, this is not enough to have Jediah arrested for all his crimes against the United States, but at least I’ll be able to sleep better at night knowing Romar’s killer will be brought to justice.Thatis all thanks to you,” Toby said.

Tears rushed to Ashari’s eyes.Her bottom lip trembled.

“However, if you’d never gotten too close, you really would’ve become my greatest protégée,” Toby added.

Sighing, Ashari blinked away the tears and focused on the table.Those words were like a knife in her heart.“What happens now?”she asked instead of voicing her dismay that he didn’t allow her to have this one win without tearing her down.

“It’s best if you choose a different career path.The F.B.I.isn’t ideal for you.”

Closing her eyes, she nodded.When it felt like she wouldn’t burst into a fit of tears, she opened her eyes to look at her father.He didn’t react as she gave him a tight-lipped smile, then stood.

Ashari exited the interrogation room.She kept her head high and her shoulders straight as she walked down the hallway.The door leading into the observation room opened.

Lyssa exited with a thick file in her hand.She wore a bright smile.“Here are the divorce papers!”

Ashari’s urge to roll her eyes was overpowered by a forced smile.“I must’ve forgotten to sign them when I was filling out the rest of the case’s paperwork.”

“I understand.You can fill them out when you come back to the office tomorrow.We can also review Isley’s case file together so we can ensure he kept up all ends of the deal,” Lyssa said and lowered her hand.

“Yeah,” Ashari said.“Tomorrow.”

Lyssa licked her dry lips, then whispered, “I’ll call you later?”

“Honestly, Lyssa… After all that’s happened since last night, I just wanna get some rest.”

Lyssa nodded.“I understand.I’ll see you later.”

Ashari forced another smile, then walked away.She ignored the whispers and stares of her colleagues as she entered the elevator, exited after arriving in the lobby, then continued toward the exit of the building.Now that the operation was over, the F.B.I.would finalize Jediah’s extradition, then return to America.

Now outside, Ashari inhaled a large breath of the misty morning air.It was nearing six a.m.If her body allowed it, she’d be getting a good rest later.

Ashari continued toward the escort Toby arranged for her.Along the walkway, people idled.Ashari turned her back to the car, observing the cluster of job seekers.Some sat on the benches with files resting on their laps.Others stood, impatiently tapping their feet while glancing at their wristwatches.

Ashari was unsure what the local law enforcement would do with this building.It’d been vacant for a long while before they gave it to the F.B.I.to perform its tasks.Maybe, it’d become a real call center.So many people wouldn’t be left feeling disappointed after they learned that their job applications were denied.

She should’ve been ecstatic that the case was finally closed, so why did she have the same harrowing feeling in her chest?

Forcing away the feeling, she spun around.She slammed into a man that was approaching the building, almost falling over.The man grabbed her arms, squeezing it tightly to hold her steady.He rushed out an apology before releasing her and moving toward the crowd, who were all on their feet and moving toward the building as the clock struck six.

Ashari entered the car, barely muttering a greeting to Sanjae as he drove off.He dropped her off at the house Toby stayed at during the operation.

After Ashari assured him she’d be okay, Sanjae left her by herself.Ashari went to the room she’d slept in only once — the first night she flew from America to get herself re-accustomed to a Jamaican lifestyle and better learn Jediah’s lifestyles for her case.Surprised to find it untouched, Ashari moved to the closet.She grabbed a bag, then began packing as much as she could into it.

Minutes later, the sound of the front door being opened startled her.

Ashari froze.

Her eyes darted side-to-side, desperate to find a weapon.

No one should be here.

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