Page 16 of The Bratva's Innocent Pregnant Bride
My heart stopped trying to break through my rib cage, but only by a little bit. It was scary enough when I thought someone was trolling me, and someone knew I was looking into the disappearances. But it somehow being real was worse.
I felt bad, because I didn’t have any information, but I messaged this so-called FBI agent back again.Is it okay if I video call you? I’d like you to prove who you are.
The answer was instantaneous.Yes, I’m ready to take your call.
I rushed downstairs, jamming my feet into a pair of boots sitting beside the back door, and threw my coat over my shoulders. Once I was far enough from the house, I sat on a bench and took a deep breath. Hit the button to connect a video call.
Special Agent Pierce sat in a small, nondescript office with something that looked like a diploma or some kind of awardbehind him on the plain white wall. He wore a white shirt and a thin black tie, his hair was military short and the smile he gave me was stiff. He certainly looked like what I believed an FBI guy would look like. But he had the proof I requested and held up his photo ID from the agency.
“You can search for me in the public database as well,” he said, his smile relaxing. “It’s good to be skeptical.”
“I don’t think I can be of any real help to you,” I said. “I only just found out about Mel’s death from his sister.” I closed my mouth before I mentioned Jordan, but he beat me to the punch.
“Are you aware of another employee by the name of Jordan Alcase?”
I started to shake. It got worse when he named off two more people who were on the list, all but confirming they were also dead. Before I could answer, he asked me about my experience at Axon.
“What about it?” I asked, feigning ignorance. “I worked as a junior accountant. Not much to tell.”
“Were you ever given special tasks? Anything that might have raised a red flag, like hiding money, perhaps making large transfers from one account to another?”
“I was too low on the totem pole for anything like that,” I said. “I crunched numbers and filed reports.”
“Okay.” He looked down, tapped on a keyboard that was off screen. “Did you work with David Caraggio in any capacity?”
I jumped up and began pacing through the snow, the chill running through me having nothing to do with the cold winter night. How did he know about Mr. Caraggio already?
“He’s one of my floor supervisors.” I felt cold all over. “What about him?”
“He’s just been reported missing and has been added to my investigation,” Agent Pierce said, looking up to give me a grim stare. “Listen, Miss Moore, you need to tell me exactly where you are. I’d like to speak to you in person and—”
I whipped the phone away from my ear, whirling around at the sound of footsteps crunching through the new snow. If the special agent was about to tell me I was in danger I didn’t hear it, ready to throw hands to defend myself.
It was only Dan, a big grin on his face for making me jump out of my skin. I ended the call and stuffed my phone in my pocket, trying not to hyperventilate. I could not lose this job. I was safe here, and there was no way I was going back to LA until the FBI could assure me everyone involved with those deaths and disappearances was in custody. Maybe not even then.
Dan held up his hands. “Don’t tell me I’ve got you all upset again? I was just out for a stroll under those beautiful stars. Care to join me?”
“No,” I snapped.
“Well, I’ll just follow you back in again,” he said, his eyes roaming over me. “The view will be even better.”
“That’s bad even for you,” I said.
He grinned, not at all offended. “You kind of smiled.”
“I certainly didn’t.” What did I have to smile about?
“Is everything okay?” he asked, fooling me for a second that he might actually be concerned. “Or do I need to help you take your mind off something?”
It almost seemed like he was purposely trying to rile me up to take my mind off of the ultra disturbing phone call. Being mad at him was better than being scared out of my wits. He looked me up and down again with a shrug.
“I’m at your service,” he said.
“Are you trying to be nice? Is that what this is?”
“Is it working?” He took a step closer. I took a step back.
“Oh my God, you’re just trying to get me to fall back in bed with you,” I said.
