I’m actually on the road round Falls Church and can be there in ten minutes.”
“No, I’m not living there anymore. I’m staying at a friend’s in Fairfax, the complex is called Sunnyside Apartments. Hers is number four-ten.”
“Okay, I’m punching the info in on my GPS and should be there in about the same time. Hold tight, okay? I’ll see you very soon.”
“Thank you, Andrew. I appreciate this.”
“No problem at all.”
I hang up then sit, impatiently waiting. Every minute seems like an hour. After about five minutes, there’s a knock at the door. I’m wondering how on earth he could have gotten here so fast as I look through the peep hole. It’s Michael. Oh shit! How am I going to explain to him why an FBI Agent is coming to the apartment?
I reluctantly open the door. “Michael, how are you? What are you doing round this neck of the woods?” I glide over, giving him some space to pass. I’m actually glad he is here as the panic reeling through my veins subsides a bit in his presence. But I’m still uneasy about the fact that Agent Marcos will be here any minute.
“I just wanted to come by and see how you were. I sent you a text with my lawyer’s details, and when you didn’t respond straight away, I got worried. Besides, I knew Jessie was going to be staying with Jerry, so I thought you may appreciate the company. I hope you don’t mind me springing this on you? You weren’t planning anything, were you?”
We both sit on the sofa as Michael anxiously awaits my answer. “No, not at all. I will be having a visitor here shortly, though.” I bite my lip, and Michael spots my unease.
“Oh, shit, is it Jake? I can leave if it’s going to cause you trouble.”
Laying my hand out, I shake my head. “No, no, nothing like that at all. Andrew Marcos is coming.”
He frowns in confusion, and my heart picks up once again. I don’t know how much more my heart can stand with all this frantic beating.
“He’s FBI, isn’t he? What is he coming here for? You’re not dating him, are you? I think he’s nearly twice your age … and not only that, I’m pretty certain he’s married.” His eyes widen when something else obviously kicks in. “Has that fucker Spector hurt you?”
Quickly jumping in to action, I lay my hands out, trying to calm him. “No, it’s nothing like that. I asked him to come because of something else.” I sigh heavily, defeated at the knowledge that he’s bound to find out sooner rather than later. I’m about to lay out all the information for him when there is another knock. “That must be him now.”
Michael stares at me, still confused. “All will be explained in a minute.” I rush to answer the door, finding Agent Marcos beaming at me from the other side.
“Ana, so nice to see you again. I wish it was under different circumstances.”
I wave for him to come through then shut the door. Michael rises from his seat as he spots Agent Marcos. They acknowledge each other and shake hands.
“I remember you from before … Michael, is it?”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m not sure what’s going on. I just walked in about five minutes ago.”
They both sit down, and I offer them a drink, busying myself in the kitchen to get Michael a beer and Andrew a coke. I pour myself another glass of wine then set all the drinks on the coffee table.
Agent Marcos, getting straight down to business, points to the card. “Is this it?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
He gets out his pen then uses it to slightly open the card. “May I?” he asks, hovering his pen underneath, his eyes snapping to Michael. He’s obviously wondering if it’s okay to do this in front of him.
I nod my head in encouragement, then he opens it farther, Michael lingering over to take a peek. Marcos studies it then takes in a deep breath.
Michael just frowns. “Who the hell is this asshole?”
Agent Marcos raises a quizzical eyebrow at me, obviously wondering just how comfortable I am with all this. Michael is a cop, he’s curious. They all are. But then I suppose anyone would be.
“It was sent to the police station by a guy called Alan Martin. He was the reason why my mum and I moved here all those years ago. He was an accountant from New Jersey, and he wanted my mum and I to