Whistleblower (PALADIN Book 1)

A light tapping on my shoulder wakes me from my slumber. I wipe the bottom of my chin and try to hide the evidence. I must be exhausted if I’m drooling from a plane nap.

The agent next to me wears his FBI badge proudly around his neck, right on top of his neat tie. I secretly used to call him Agent Smith number three when I’d seen him at the compound, but his actual name is Harmon.

Agent Harmon loves Mexican food, has two handsome blond haired, blue-eyed little boys, and his wife makes the best cinnamon coffee cake on the planet. We had a little time to get to know each other over the past eight hours. From the moment Harmon picked me up in the middle of the night from Linc’s place, through the drive to the airport, and our nearly four-hour flight to California, he’s been my shadow.

These were Callen’s conditions. He’d help me get to Hanesville to talk to Porky, but with an agent escort. Callen assured me Agent Harmon is his best, most trusted, in-house resource. Outside of him, I’m to tell no one what I’m doing, where I’m going, or why. Callen arranged my visit to Hanesville and by now Porky should be expecting me.

Our hope was, by the time Linc realizes that I’m not actually out having a “girls’ day” with Cricket, I’ll be home safe and sound with some answers, all before his rage has time to boil over. By now, he must’ve found my note, so the clock is ticking. I’m sure he’s calling my phone in a panic, but Callen instructed me to keep it off. Linc’s outrage at the fact I slipped out will only be a distraction. We’ll deal with the fallout when I get back. Callen will probably face it the worst. My master plan is to strip down naked the minute I’m home to calm Linc’s fury.

“Ma’am, wheels down in less than thirty. How are you feeling?”

“Dear God, Harmon, for the last time, stop calling me ma’am.”

His thick blond eyebrows furrow. “I don’t think I can. Force of habit.”

I scoff dramatically. “Well, I’m feeling fine.”

“Do you want to go over your questions again?”

“I think I’m set,” I say assuredly. Once upon a time, Porky was a friend. I adored him actually. He was one of the deciding factors for me taking a full-time role with Empress. I was impressed and inspired by Pierre and his vision. Or the vision I thought he had anyway.

“Just make sure you—”

“Don’t say too much. I know. We want him to lead with the details.”

“Good,” Harmon says, nodding once. “I can still go in with you if that would make you more comfortable.”

“No.” I shake my head. “This is between me and him. He won’t talk if you’re with me.”

Actually, I’m not sure if he’ll even talk to me. I just need to look him in the eye, so he can see me and remember the person he’s terrorizing is an actual human being. I’ve done nothing wrong, and I’m tired of paying for mistakes I didn’t make. There’s still good in him, deep down. I know it.

No more guns, no more violence.

I’m solving this with a goddamn conversation.

“Just so you’re aware, he won’t be cuffed at a minimum-security facility, but you’ll have guards nearby if you need anything, and I’ll be waiting right outside the front doors. If at any point you feel uncomfortable—”

“I know. Thank you. I’m ready.”

I’ve been ready. It’s time to end this once and for all and put the past in the fucking past.

They patted me down at the front gates. My purse was searched and I had to sign in on a clipboard. Other than that, there is absolutely no indication that this is a correctional facility. I certainly didn’t think I’d find a cushioned, wicker patio set at a prison, but here we are, enjoying the light breeze on what can only be described as a terrace in the middle of a quaint garden.

I stare at Porky, who looks well-rested and far more fit. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen him in person, but I remember a slight beer belly that he would strategically hide underneath his dress shirts, one size too big. Either he’s been getting a lot of exercise, or his khaki prison uniform flatters his figure.

“You look well, Eden,” he says, a sheepish smile on his face as he glances at the guard who is pretending not to listen to our conversation.

“Do I?” I ask, my eyes narrowing. “Because I’ve been through hell. You, however, look like prison is treating you well.” If we can call this “prison.”

Folding his hands together, Porky ducks his head. He used to keep his blond locks a little long, just grazing the tops of his shoulder. His previous California look has been replaced with a neat, short do. “The strain here is more psychological than physical.” He gives me a small smile and I’m immediately furious at his casual attitude. I wanted him to look in my eyes and feel guilt, not…joy.

“I don’t have a lot of time,” I say matter-of-factly.

He nods in agreement. “I’m just happy you visited at all. I wish I could give you a hug, but physical contact is against the visitation rules.”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I hiss in a cruel tone I don’t even recognize. Porky’s eyes pop into wide circles as he assesses the outrage in my expression. “You tried to have me beaten and tortured, and you’re happy to see me? What kind of sick, twisted fucking mind games are you—”

“Eden. What?” Porky interrupts.

“You’re one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met. You can’t fool me by playing dumb. Just tell me what you want. I need this to stop. I’m done living in constant worry. I’m done looking over my shoulder. Right here, right now—tell me what the fuck you want, so I can explain how I don’t have it.”

He shakes his head at me, perplexed and startled. “Who tortured you? What don’t you have?”

“Here’s what I know.” Holding up my hand, I extend one finger. “After you tried to sue me for corporate espionage, I was harassed and threatened for an entire year. You filled the employees’ heads with all that awful bullshit about how I stole their futures. The very bullshit that started a witch hunt for me. I waited out the storm—scared shitless for a year—until I was driven away from the only place I’ve ever called home…but that still wasn’t enough for you.” I hold up another finger. “You had a note delivered in the most facetious way asking me to come here. I’m embarrassed to say it, but it spooked me. I didn’t like the fact that you were still pulling puppet strings from prison.” I hold up a third finger. “And when the note wasn’t enough to get my attention and pull me back into the fray, you hired someone to hold me a gunpoint, tie me up, and hit me—”

“Eden, I don’t—”

“No!” I shout. “Let me finish. What you did not account for is my ability to adapt. I made new friends even after Empress stole my whole fucking life. You got in bed with the most evil and depraved criminals to try and light our country on fire. You forced my hand. I got no joy from tearing apart the company I helped grow. You tricked me. I believed in you. I thought you wanted to help people and instead you were just teeing them up for the slaughter. Aren’t you the one who was preaching across all of Silicon Valley the dangerous influence of social media on world issues? Yet, you manipulated it and jumped right past bullying, straight into terrorism. How could I stand by, Porky? How could you turn out to be so evil? What the hell do you still want from me?”

He’s silent now, his eyes shifting back and forth like he’s thinking way too hard. The only sound between us is our loud breathing until Porky finally breaks the silence.

“The lawsuit was just to buy time,” he calmly explains. “You shouldn’t have lawyered up, Eden. It was never going to go through. It was a defensive move, so I could figure out how to build my case.”

“You didn’t deserve to have a case—”

He holds up his palm. “It’s my turn to speak.” Raising his brows, he continues, “I had nothing to do with the harassment after Empress went down in flames. That’s just people for you. They needed an easy target to blame because a lot of money was lost. I’m sorry you bore that burden. And yes, I did have Abby find a way to contact someone at your building who had access to your apartment to leave a subtle note.”

“You had your wife bribe the maintenance workers at my apartment?” I ask.

He cringes and nods. “Just to leave a message. Neither Abby nor I could call you directly. All of our phone conversations are tapped.”

“They tucked the note in my bed sheets,” I growl. “Do you know how menacing that is?”

Porky presses his fingers against his closed eyelids. “These aren’t rocket scientists, Eden. I’m sorry. They might’ve misunderstood what we meant by subtle.”

“That still doesn’t explain—”

“No.” Porky’s eyes begin to redden, then water. “I never hired anyone to hurt you. I never would. Never. I only wanted to talk to you to warn you. You never gave me a chance to explain my side. Although… I couldn’t have even if I wanted to. I’m not the villain you think I am. I’ve been um…” He trails off as he tries to choke back tears.

“You’ve been what?” I soften my voice to a whisper as I get closer to the answer I need most. “What Pierre?”

“Scared, too. Not just for me, for my family.” He looks over his shoulder again at the guard who is fidgeting like he needs to pee. “And for you. I dragged you into this.”

“Dragged me into what?” I plead.

The words are on the tip of his tongue but he’s holding back for some reason. I have to think on my feet.

“Excuse me, sir?” The guard paces toward me. “We’re almost done. If you need to relieve yourself, I’ll be ready to go in five. I don’t know my way back to the entrance, I’ll need an escort.”

The guard squints between me and Porky. “You’ll be okay for a moment?”

I smile warmly. “We’re amicable.”

“All right then, I’ll be right back. Just holler if you need anything.” He hustles off toward a small building about fifty yards in front of us. I watch him walk away in absolute shock and horror that it actually worked.

“So security around here…”

“Is a joke,” Porky finishes for me.

“Okay, you have five minutes of as much privacy as we’ll ever have. Warn me of what?”

Porky glances over his shoulder one more time before lowering his voice to the point I almost can’t hear him. “Right when I brought you on board to Empress, the government contacted me about collaborating. I wasn’t surprised they wanted Empress’s technology. It wouldn’t be the first time an authoritative agency was interested in illegal surveillance. When I initially refused, I was bribed, then blackmailed…then forced. They did the same to my partner. We both had secrets we wanted to stay buried and we were scared. Eventually we gave in. Everything would’ve stayed under the radar and they would’ve gotten their way, except they didn’t account for you, Eden.”

I push two fingers against my temple, trying to make sense of all the loose puzzle pieces. “That’s why you offered me a full-time role. I found that marketplace because you wanted me to.”

Porky nods. “It had to look like an accident, but I knew, Eden. I knew you’d do the right thing. You were stronger than I was.” Holding his head, he solemnly shakes it from side to side. “They threatened my wife…my daughter. I had to play the game their way.”

“Who, Porky? Who is they?” I see the guard in the distance heading back to us. “Quickly,” I urge. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that I already know who. The hairs rising on the back of my neck tells me I can answer this just the same as Porky.

“Who do you think? The very people you ran to.”

Shit. I feel nearly nauseas as the truth washes over me. I’m working for the people who are trying to hurt me. There’s a mole and I have no idea who it is. He could be waiting for me right outside of this compound, eager for me to spill every detail Porky just gave me. Or maybe he’s back at the compound, waiting for the report.

Is this why Callen didn’t want Linc to know where I was going? Is he using me too? But Empress is gone. What do they still want?

Porky rises, and I follow suit. “I’m sorry, Eden. I wish I would’ve never involved you in this. I wish I would’ve never invented Empress’s tech. We’d all be better off.”

His tears are pouring now, and I realize why he’s in shambles. Porky is serving time for a crime he was forced to commit. The very people who prosecuted him are the true guilty party. Leaning over the little table between us, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him into a tight hug.

“No contact!” the guard shouts from a few yards away.

“When this is all sorted, I’m going to come back to help you too,” I whisper in his ear before releasing him and holding my hands in the air. “Sorry!” I say back to the guard who has finally reached us. “I didn’t realize. My fault. It won’t happen again.”

“Are you finished here, ma’am?”

I nod enthusiastically. “Yes, sir.”

I rehearse my game plan as I follow the guard back to the main entrance. I only know one person I can trust, and I have to get back to Linc as quickly as possible. PALADIN is not afraid of the FBI. If there is anyone safe to share this secret with, it’s them. I won’t say much to Agent Harmon, I’ll simply tell him that Porky had no information and denied everything, unhelpfully. Callen will know I’m on the way back, there’s no stopping that, but I’ll secretly call Linc to come meet me at the airport as soon as my flight lands.

As promised, Harmon is waiting for me just outside of the entrance.

“How’d it go?” he asks, looking relieved to see me. But now, everything feels layered. His question sends an uncomfortable chill down my spine and I am very aware of how alone I am. I didn’t ask her to budge in, but my rational brain leaps to the forefront of my mind anyway.

Lie, Eden. Stay calm and act casual. You can’t afford to tip him off.

“He was unhelpful to say the least,” I say with a little shrug. “He denied everything.”

“Damn. That’s a shame,” Harmon says, striding right beside me. When I get a length ahead of him, he grabs my elbow pulling me back. “Whoops, this one, ma’am.”

He points to a black sedan with windows so darkly tinted that they blend with the trim color. I try to gulp down the lump in my throat.

“That’s not the car we came in.”

“I made a switch, just to be inconspicuous,” Harmon says. It’s a lazy lie, that makes no sense at all.

Run, Eden. Now you should run and scream.

But I’m frozen, curiosity gluing me in place as the side window rolls down and I see who’s driving the vehicle. It all hits me in an instant, like the storm clouds parting, making way for the truth to shine through.

“Hello, Dr. Abbott—or apologies, Eden.”

Trying to control my shaky breath, I return her greeting. “Good afternoon, Director Ravi.”

With that I pivot, fully intent on running back to the front doors of the correctional facility while screaming for the guards, but for the second time in a week now, I hear a pistol cock. Harmon presses the gun against my back.

“Don’t run,” he commands, grabbing my purse from my shoulders, relieving me of all my personal items. “Please just get in the car.”

“Come along, Eden,” Ravi says in a menacing, sing-song voice. “We need to talk.”

She rolls up her driver’s side window as Harmon escorts me into the back seat, gun still pressed against my back in broad daylight. There’s no one here to help me, what’s the point in screaming?

And this time I see it.

Mom, Dad, Mickey…Linc. I see them all flash before my eyes as the car door shuts and the vehicle peels away from the curb.