Page 71 of Crazy in Love

“Gary Jeffreys,” one of the men said. “FBI. Hands where we can see ’em and stand up.”

“You lured me here.” Gary’s eyes narrowed at her. “Is this even true?” He held up the letter.

“I have no idea what’s going on,” she said defensively. “Yes. It’s true. Why would I make it up?”

Before he could answer, two of the agents grabbed his arm and forcibly removed him from the booth. Faith watched in horror as they spun him around and slapped cuffs on his wrists.

“You’re under arrest for extortion, money laundering, tax fraud, and accessory to murder. Anything you say can and will…” Faith tuned out as they read him his rights.

Did he say murder? What in the actual hell was going on? Did they think she was with him? An accomplice to his long list of crimes. Were they going to cuff her next?

As more agents filed in, a familiar face caught her attention. Nick limped in behind two agents wearing vests that clearly identified them as FBI. As two of the undercover officers walked her father out, Nick approached.

“You knew,” she said. It wasn’t a question because the look on his face said it all. He’d used her.

He nodded once. “I’m sorry, Faith. I used the system for personal business, which is totally against the rules. Against the law actually. He popped up on our most wanted list and pinged all kinds of warrants. Once the bureau found out I was looking for him, I had no choice but to go after him.”

“You couldn’t have warned me?”

“I wanted to. Really, I did. But I couldn’t risk you tipping our hand. Sometimes, when you know something—even if you don’t plan to say anything—your mannerisms and tone can give you away.”

“Is that why you wanted me to tell you when I set up the meeting? Why you insisted on coming with me? How did you even find out?”

“We’ve been monitoring his email. That’s how we found out. I haven’t been fully cleared to return to work yet, so I’m not hereon the job. I’m here because I wanted to make sure you didn’t get hurt.”

She looked him in the eyes. The sting of betrayal hit hard. “It’s too late for that,” she whispered before walking out.

No one stopped her as she beelined to her car. If they needed her, Nick knew how to find her. She barely made it out of the parking lot before the tears began to fall.

They weren’t about Gary Jeffreys, although finding out he was a murderer had been a real downer. They were about Nick. How he’d used her to get to her father, not trusted her with the truth, and that he’d put his job over their friendship.

How could she have been so stupid to think otherwise? Tess had warned her, and she should have listened. Work was his priority. Her feelings be damned.

On the drive back to Green Valley Falls, she called her psychic, looking for guidance.

“Amara,” Faith said. “I have so many issues today.” She gave a brief rundown on the diner scene. “My horoscope said someone would betray me soon. That turned out to be an understatement.”

It had been weeks since they’d spoken, and Faith was surprised at how empty Amara’s vague platitudes were. They did nothing to help her sort out her feelings, and she hung up feeling like she’d just wasted thirty dollars. Maybe Nick and Tess were right. She didn’t need a telephonic fortune-teller to tell her things she could figure out for herself.

At the rest area, she texted her girls to request an emergency dinner. Told them she had big news and it couldn’t wait. Withholding information from them weighed heavily on her, and it was time to come clean.

When she pulled into The Rusty Nail parking lot, her friends’ cars were all there. They’d snagged a table in the back and already had drinks. A glass of white wine sat at an empty spot.

“Chardonnay,” Alex said. “Sounded like you might need it.”

“You have no idea.” Faith downed a hefty gulp. “I’ve been keeping something from you guys. Not because I don’t trust you. I just wanted it to play out first. See where the chips fell before the whole town found out.”

“You’ve been dating my brother? Yeah, we know,” Tess said sarcastically.

“No,” Faith said. “I mean, yes, but it’s not about that. And don’t worry. That’s over anyway.” She waved away the topic.

“What? Why?” Juliet asked. “I bet longer. I mean, I thought for sure you’d go longer.”

“You bet on me?” All three shrugged. “Whatever. That’s not it.” Faith took another swig of wine and plowed on. “I found some letters in my mom’s desk drawer. Buried at the bottom. Kind of hidden.”

“Letters for who?” Alex asked.

“One for me. One for my dad, Eddie.” She paused for dramatic effect. “And one for my biological dad.”

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