Free Traitor by Julia Sykes Page A

There’s no way he’s innocent.”
    “You can’t have it both ways, Dr. Ellers,” he said. “Either Sea n and Bradley have been intimidated into working for the Westies, or they are both just wary of him because he’s a higher-up.”
    I frowned at him, crossing my arms over my chest. “You’re wrong,” I said staunchly. “It’s not that black-and-white.”
    “Then gather more evidence to the contrary,” he told me. “That’s the only way forward here.”
    I scowled at him, and his expression softened. “I’m not trying to antagonize you. I’m just being realistic about what we need if you want to exonerate Sean. Do you understand that?”
    I held my glare for a moment, but I gave him a jerky nod. If the FBI needed more evidence, then I would get it for them.
    “One thing is becoming clear, though: Ronan Reynolds is a linchpin in the organization, as we had suspected. I know that Sean is trying to distance you from him, but any further information you can gather on him will be a great help. I know that your relationship with Bradley is… tense.”
    I snorted derisively, but he continued on over me. “But if you could spend any time around him at all, you might learn more. If he truly is a willing member of the Westies, then he might be keener to put you in the line of fire when it comes to Ronan than Sean is.” He fixed me with a hard look. “I know that what I am asking of you is dangerous, and I understand if you’re not comfortable with this. We can put that security detail on you if it will make you feel safer.”
    I took a shaky breath. Given Sean’s warnings about his father, I couldn’t deny that the idea of exposing myself to him scared me shitless. But if this was what it took to avenge my parents, to save Sean, then I would do it. “No,” I said after a moment. “A security detail could be detected, and then I would be a target. I don’t want to have to go into witness protection and abandon my life if they find out about me. Besides, if you do have to take action against someone if I am threatened, then my cover will be blown. Sean will protect me, and…” I hesitated. “And I do have a gun,” I said quietly.
    Clayton nodded at me approvingly. “I’m glad to hear that you are considering using it if you have to.”
    I swallowed hard, suppressing a shudder. Just the thought of it made me queasy.
    “Is there anything else you can tell me?” Agent Vaughn asked.
    I’m fucking Sean again. I lasted all of two days before succumbing to him.
    But I shook my head. That was none of the FBI’s business. I couldn’t bear the thought of them thinking that I was whoring myself out for information.
    It’s not like that, I assured myself. I care about Sean. Every word that I had said to him the night before was true. Well, except for the part where I told him he could trust me.
    Agent Vaughn stood and shut off the video camera. He shot me a wide smile. Clayton was back, and I was relieved to see him.
    “Sorry about giving you the third degree,” he apologized. “It’s my job.”
    I was slightly mollified that he acknowledged that he was a bit of a coldhearted bastard when he questioned me. “I understand,” I said.
    “Come on,” he urged me. He looked me up and down, but there was nothing sexual about it. “You look like you could use some food. Chinese again?”
    I returned his smile. “Sure. Thanks. I can give you some cash for it.” I was uncomfortable with the idea of him paying for me.
    He held up a hand. “Don’t worry about it. It’s on Uncle Sam. It’s the least he can do to repay you for your courage.”
    A few minutes later, I found myself in the privacy of his office. I braced myself for the discussion about my parents’ deaths, determined not to break down into a blubbering mess this time.
    “So,” Clayton began, “I wanted to give you the game-plan. I’ve managed to track down an inmate, a former member of the Latin Kings, who might talk to us. He was