Chapter 32
“I want the record to note that my client is here of her own accord because she wants to help out with something that has only recently come to her attention. She is offering only this information and will not be answering a bunch of questions or accepting an interrogation. If I don’t like how this goes or if your line of questioning gets off topic, then I’m ending this voluntary interview.
” Sinead’s voice was neutral enough, but there was an underlying edge to it.
“Everyone understand?” She looked between the two special agents.
Grace Lee and Sami Miln.
Clover didn’t smile even though it was her natural inclination to ease the situation.
She was too nervous to smile anyway. She hadn’t heard from Micah that they’d gotten the recordings, just to come inside here when it looked like the Morrows were getting antsy at her late arrival.
She’d been hiding out a couple blocks away with Sinead reporting to her via texts.
She really hoped this was the right decision—that this damn plan worked. And that Maeve found the freedom she deserved.
Her parents were waiting in one of the offices while she talked to the federal agents.
Grace Lee smiled at her. “Thank you for meeting with us today, Clover. May I call you Clover?”
“Sure. Can I call you Grace?”
The other woman nodded. “Of course. So why did you leave on Friday when we brought you in?”
She started to respond when Sinead cut her off.
“Nope. You have questions related to a kidnapping to ask her. Ask them. Because my client was under no obligation to answer any of your questions on Friday. Just as she isn’t now.
” Sinead’s platinum blonde hair was pulled back in a sleek chignon that looked as if she’d had her hair professionally done that morning. Maybe she had, for all Clover knew.
Meanwhile she was in jeans, a sweater covered in hearts and cartoon dogs. Whatever, it was her comfort sweater.
Grace cleared her throat, her smile a little tighter. “What’s your relationship with Ilena Grady?”
Clover waited for Sinead to interrupt but when she didn’t, she answered honestly. And succinctly, as Sinead had instructed. “We’re friends.”
“How did you guys meet?”
“Ah…yoga class. We hit it off, had a lot in common.”
“Have you seen her recently?”
“Yes. I was actually looking for her because I was worried about her. She just up and disappeared a few months ago.” She was glad she knew that the agents had gone to The Laughing Llama so she could be more forthright.
“But then I ran into her at a gas station.” She knew she shouldn’t offer this up so quickly but she didn’t want to have to lie if they asked when the last time she’d seen Ilena was.
Because that would be this morning.
“When?”
“Ah…last Monday, I think. She was really nervous and with this guy who used to abuse her. I was surprised she was with him. It didn’t look like she wanted to be with him though.”
Grace straightened slightly. “You think he was forcing her?”
“Yes, I do. She was way too nervous. I tried to talk to her but she blew me off. I told her that if she needed to get away from him, she could come with me right then and there. She didn’t, but…” She looked at Sinead, just like they’d talked about.
“Go ahead,” Sinead murmured.
“She reached out to me after that. Said she needed help.”
“Okay.” Grace was practically vibrating with energy and so was her partner.
“She said that her boyfriend…well, ex-boyfriend, was forcing her to help with kidnapping someone. A woman. But she helped the woman escape and they went on the run.” No need to mention Taryn unless specifically asked.
“She’s scared and wants to turn herself in but doesn’t know who to turn to.
She knew that my brother is engaged to a Knight and thought maybe Krystal could help since she’s almost family.
But I went to Sinead instead, especially since you guys brought me in last week.
I kinda figured it had something to do with all this…
” She let the last part hang in the air.
“She told you she wants to turn herself in? Is she with Maeve Morrow?”
“According to her, yes. She said that she and Maeve are both scared and didn’t even know about her ex’s arrest until the news came on.”
“Why didn’t Maeve contact her parents?” Grace frowned at her.
“I don’t know anything about that. Just that Ilena is scared and wants help ending all of this.”
“Then let’s call her, tell her to come in with Ms. Morrow.”
She looked at Sinead, who simply nodded.
“They’re already at the courthouse, waiting. They wanted to meet somewhere public and were too afraid to come here.” She shrugged as if she didn’t know anything more. “Ilena simply wanted me to pass the information on so that’s what I’m doing.”
Grace looked at her partner and they both stood. “Thank you for this information. Someone is going to take your statement while we go pick them up.” They moved fast then, Grace already on her phone as they both strode from the room.
“Want to head to the courthouse?” Sinead murmured, picking up her purse as she stood. “I’ll drive.”
Clover wanted to ask if she should stay to make a statement, but simply nodded. She was desperate to see what happened, to know for sure that her friends were going to be okay.
She could make a statement later.
And then maybe…she and Micah could figure things out.