Page 47 of Storm and Tempest
Amara said, “Dominatusknew that Elliot was going after those men to find out what happened to Kenna.”
She paused long enough he said, “We already know he was a scapegoat. No one at the FBI knows he’s gone. They all think he transferred, and the computer system is conveniently missing any record of him.”
“That was intentional.” Elliot stepped out of the room. “We decided to have evidence of me scrubbed from the system and planted the story that I transferred. That way no one would come looking and find me. Amara planned to get Sandra and bring her here so we can go into protective custody together.”
His sister side hugged him and stayed there, under his arm. Holding on to him. “I thought you were dead, but no one cared. They didn’t think they needed to look for you.”
“So it wasn’t whoever in the office is working forDominatuswho came up with the cover story?” Jax turned to Amara. “Did you use Maizie to plant the files in the FBI computer network?”
She shook her head. “Your girl is clean. Which means she’s likely a target like the rest of you.”
Jax didn’t like the sound of that, but it wasn’t a surprise since Maizie had been interviewed about that worm in the FBI system. Had that been Amara’s doing?
Jax sighed. “Now go back to the subject of Kenna.”
“I don’t know where she is, and I can’t even look for her, or they’ll kill her.”
“But you’ve discovered everything you possibly can from the photos and the accounts they were sent from?” Jax lifted his chin. “Send them to me.”
She tapped her phone, and his vibrated. She’d sent them to him over Bluetooth.
Maizie would see them automatically because everything from his personal phone connected to her system now. The way Kenna’s had always done and how every photo she took was immediately uploaded. He texted her to be careful looking into the source of the images in caseDominatuswas watching for her.
“I’ve tried my best to keep you guys from getting caught up in this mess.” Amara rubbed the spot between her eyes. “So you can keep the freedom you have to search for her while my hands are tied.”
Zeyla said, “Are you getting a migraine?”
Amara shot her a look. Was she really mad because her daughter had said that aloud?
It wouldn’t surprise him if she had more secrets she hadn’t shared with the rest of them. But they should know it was better to be vulnerable with each other. Opening up made them all stronger.
Amara glanced at Jax. “I’ve been tangled up withDominatusfor as long as I can remember. Once you’re in, there’s no getting out. That’s why they know I’m vulnerable. They didn’t take Kenna so they could manipulate me into working on their behalf, but it’s a nice perk for them. They know I’d never do anything that would lead them to harm her.”
“Demand proof of life,” Ramon said. “The next time they contact you, tell them you want to speak to her. We can have Maizie trace it.”
“What do you think those photos were?” Amara paused. “And even if I can get her on the phone, or a video call, you aren’t going to be able to trace it. These people have better tech than the people who are making the cutting-edge stuff.”
They also had a computer program that allowed one person to pretend to be someone else on a video call. Even if they talked to Kenna, Jax wasn’t sure he would trust it.
Elliot shook his head. “I’ve been hearing all about these people for weeks. And I still can’t believe what all they are capable of, and what they’re doing, is true. It’s unbelievable.”
“Why you?” Jax asked. “Special Agent Herron sent you after the transport. That’s as much as I know. But you were targeted. Put in the middle of this.”
Elliot’s expression darkened. “I was investigating them. I just didn’t know it.”
“Dominatus?”
Elliot nodded. His sister shifted and withdrew from him, and he said, “I’ll explain it all.” He looked at Jax. “I work mostly white-collar crimes. Financial, usually.”
Jax nodded. “That tracks with the meetings I remember you from. Sorry I didn’t?—”
“Don’t be,” Elliot said, cutting him off. “We’re past that at this point. Besides, there are more important things going on here than whether or not my manager’s boss noticed me in an ocean of agents.” After a second of pause, he said, “I was looking into a series of connected financial companies. We’d had reports that they might be involved in some form of insider trading, or possibly even money laundering, so I was running down all the subsidiaries and other connected firms.”
“You got too close, and when they needed you to disappear, they had Agent Herron send you after the transport. And Amara here”—Jax glanced at her—“was supposed to—what—kill you?”
“I’ve taken enough lives,” she replied. “So I had Hann, Anthony & Associates aid me in securing Mr. Adams in this safehouse. The goal was to set him up with a new life, but Elliot wasn’t about to go without his sister. He’s been helping us in the meantime with what he found in his investigation into those companies.”
“And?” Jax glanced at Elliot. “Is it enough for probable cause?”
