A Haunted Heart by Kristi Pelton Page B

Without thinking, I covered my heart and pulled my shirt away from my chest trying to alleviate the painful pressure of heartbreak.
    I looked away from the window not wanting him to see the agonizing grimace on my face as the thoughts of us being together that night came slowly back. 
    “Dr. Brice.” An older, distinguished-looking gentleman came through the door and extended his hand. 
    I shook it.
    “I’m the assistant director, Jay Walker. Thank you for coming in.”
    “Is TJ dead?” I’d wanted to know that for the past twenty-four hours.
    He sat across from me. “No. He isn’t.”
    A slight gasp escaped my throat and irritatingly, tears spilled over.   He retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to me. 
    “Where is he?” I managed to ask.
    “Dr. Brice. This is an ongoing investigation and getting TJ was only the tip of the iceberg.”
    “Getting TJ? What do you mean?”
    After he shifted his posture and crossed his legs, he said, “I have a few questions first if you don’t mind.”
    “OK.” I nodded.
    “Your husband Michael was killed almost a year ago.”
    “My son was killed as well, Mr. Walker. It was 360 days ago.”
    He gave a simple head nod. “I’m sorry. You’re right. That was inconsiderate.”
    “How were they killed?”
    My tears instantly dried up and anger replaced all emotion.
    “You’re the Assistant Director of the FBI, you tell me.”
    He cocked his chin upward. “Touché, Dr. Brice. Well, I assure you it wasn’t a drug deal gone bad. And I assure you he wasn’t involved in something criminal as you have been made to believe.”
    I blew out the longest, deepest breath as for the first time I found relief in Michael’s death.  “Thank you, “ I whispered to myself and maybe God. I just wasn’t sure He and I were on speaking terms again.
    “We believe Michael had delivered some prescriptions a day or two before into a situation that he wasn’t to see…therefore making himself a witness.  TJ was involved in that…and we believe that he either killed your husband himself or he had someone do it.”
    I covered my ears as if that could prevent me from hearing the truth.
    “The entire thing was set up once they knew Michael was going to be dressed as a policeman for Halloween.  TJ set it up to make it look like he was shot on the roadside, and then he told you about the drugs. He covered himself fairly well.”
    “TJ,” I said softly, thinking about him coming into my home that night and telling me the news.  HOLDING ME! My stomach churned as I tried to catch my breath. I’d borrowed the damn uniform from TJ!
    “Your son, Jack, was collateral damage to TJ.”
    Fresh tears erupted knowing how senseless yet how premeditated it actually was.
    “What is it that Michael saw that was worth killing him over?” I asked sniffing.
    “Dr. Brice. What do you recall hearing once you got to the house and were put down into that hole underground?”
    “Nothing. Just footsteps. Why?”
    “Well. That is the part that is still under investigation. But TJ is involved in some other activity as well. There was a point in our investigation where we needed to make sure you weren’t involved. For certain reasons, we were also trying to protect you. We had reason to believe that TJ might try to take you.”
    I shook my head in confusion and the damn woozy feeling was there again.
    “Take me?”
    He rolled his lips under and maintained steady eye contact but didn’t answer.
    “Dr. Brice. I’d like to ask you about Agent Stroud.”
    Agent Stroud…   “Adam,” I corrected.
    He cocked an eyebrow at my correction.
    “Yes.” His tone was condescending. Immediately I took a disliking to Mr. Walker. “I am aware that you and Adam had formed a relationship. Was there at any time a period where he was inappropriate?”
    Slowly, I twisted my neck to stare at the mirrored window again wondering if it would cost him his job if I ran my mouth… 
    “No,” I