Page 137 of Maddox

This had been nothing but an escape, my hero protecting me against the worst odds, but that’s all it could ever be.

Somehow, I knew I’d never find anyone who could fill his shoes.

Or invade my heart the way he’d done.

Another day had passed.

The television was on and had been for hours, reports coming in from every news source in the world. People were being arrested from several prominent Fortune 100 companies, politicians being questioned as to their involvement in what was being called the greatest corruption scheme to occur in decades.

It was the moment my name had been driven into the stratosphere. Suddenly alongside the breaking news bulletins were snippets of my past interviews and reports, including the in-depth piece I’d written on Fernando Alfaro. I’d always considered the limelight icing on the cake. Now it almost felt sleazy and I wasn’t certain why. My intention hadn’t been to destroy so many lives, only to bring a bad man to his knees.

So many women had been tortured, so many children exploited. Yet Alfaro and the men and woman who’d formed an alliance with him were attempting to control the world. It was mind boggling what they’d managed to accomplish and how many people they’d hurt along the way.

Maddox had been on the phone with Gray several times. There was blood in the water coming from every direction.

The FBI and CIA were scrambling, but they weren’t saying much. There was so much confusion, people asking questions while attorneys attempted to protect their clients.

With so many arrests made based on my article, my poor editor was being hounded, but he was weathering the storm like a pro, refusing to provide any details about my whereabouts.

Yet there were those demanding I come out of hiding.

While my accusations had been backed by details, there were still those who insisted I’d made everything up. They’d soon have all the evidence they needed in their hands. Did that provide me with any sense of protection? I honestly wasn’t certain, but I couldn’t think about that. I’d done the right thing.

Even if a ghost nagged at my mind.

I’d be forced to testify again, but this time I was prepared for the questions.

At least I hoped.

“You okay?” Maddox asked from behind me.

“I’m fine. Just hearing the reports is mind boggling.”

“Good news at least. Yuri Provincal was arrested an hour ago. There are plans in the works to capture Alfaro. It’s coming together.”

“But no sign of this Raptor.”

“Not yet.” He took a deep breath. “Why don’t you get some rest. It’s been a long day.”

The hours had flown by in a blur. It was already after dark. “Maybe I’ll lie down for an hour. Come get me if anything happens.”

“I will.” He rubbed my arm.

I headed to the stairs when I heard a sound. Was that my phone? I snagged it from my back pocket, realizing a message had been left hours before. Why hadn’t I noticed? When I pulled it up, my heart surged. Hurriedly, I hit play.

A strangled moan erupted from my throat, the words barely registering, my entire body shaking. “No. No!”

Maddox immediately tensed, taking long strides in my direction. “Whoa. I’ve got you. What the hell is wrong?”

“It’s… It’s Brian, my ex-husband. I knew something was off with him. I’d been right. Why hadn’t I figured it out earlier? He was the man who warned me I was in danger. He left me a message. I don’t understand. What is going on? Who did this? I just…”

“Slow down. You’re not making any sense. What are you talking about?”

I took a deep breath, going over what the mystery informant had told me at the coffee shop. And the fact he’d disguised his voice and had worn a hoodie.

“I told you that I met someone in a coffee shop. It was Brian. He knew I could get into El Salvador and could be trusted to bring the jump drive back with me.”

“Your ex-husband, the one who cheated on you.”

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