Page 72 of Tinley's Daddy
“Now there’s no rush.” Agent Stanley’s voice softened. “We are still going at your pace. If you’re ready to talk, we are ready to listen, but no pressure, okay?”
He turned to Kyler. “I’ll let you know what we find out.” He stepped toward his car.
“No, wait.” I let go of Josh. “He’s been to Turkey seven times?”
“Yes. Flies in and stays at a hotel for a couple of days and then he’s kind of off the grid for two weeks and then back to the hotel for another night before flying home.” Agent Stanley nodded. “Same routine.”
“We were in a small house, in the countryside near Istanbul.” I touched my head. We drove to Turkey, and I saw the sign when we went through a small border station. My head kept knocking against the side of the van on the bumpy streets. “I want to talk to you about it. About all of it.”
“Tinley.” Agent Stanley smiled. “You are a brave young lady. The two of you get checked out by the paramedics and then you and I can go have a conversation.”
“I’m ready,” I said.
“Let’s let them take a look first, just to be sure.” Josh was at my side. “I can’t believe he put his hands on you.”
“He didn’t hurt me.” I touched my nose. “This was from when Rayna tackled me.”
We all turned to Rayna.
“I know. I know. It wasn’t very ninja-like, but it was effective.” Rayna giggled but stopped when she met Kyler’s death stare. “I think I need a paramedic.”
CHAPTER 22
JOSH
The paramedics gave Tinley and Rayna the all clear. They both would have bruises for a while. Tinley’s nose wasn’t broken, and she could breathe fine.
She kept peeking at me, but when she opened her mouth to speak, we would get interrupted. Finally alone, I walked her to the car and helped her inside. She looked so vulnerable and unsure of what she had exactly agreed to. I slid into the car next to her.
“We have to go back to the house.” She grabbed my hand. “I need my journal.”
“James, let’s swing by the house first.” I patted the driver on the shoulder. We rode the few blocks in silence. At home, she waited for me to round the car and open her door. Her big, bright eyes darted around.
“Are you okay?” I couldn’t think of anything else to ask. Clearly, she wasn’t okay. “That’s not the question I want to ask, but not sure of any other way to ask it.”
“I think I should go talk to Agent Stanley alone,” she blurted out.
My heart sank.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I helped her out of the car and walked her to the house. “You don’t have to do this all alone.”
“I know.” She stopped at the door. “I don’t think I can do this with you.” A tear fell down her face. We stood at the door. The silence was thankfully interrupted by Rayna and Kyler climbing out of another car.
“I thought you were going to the FBI,” Rayna asked. “Tinley, are you okay?”
Tinley nodded and stepped inside. She scooted off toward our room. Rayna followed her.
“What’s going on?” Kyler ushered me inside.
“Nothing.” I walked into the kitchen. “She needed to get her journal.”
“Okay, then why do you look like someone kicked you in the gut?” Kyler rested a hand on my shoulder.
“She doesn’t want me to come with her to the FBI.” I scratched at my chest, but my heart continued to beat uncontrollably. “I need a drink.”
“She can’t go down there by herself.” Kyler followed me into the den.
“I agree.”
