Tension Read Online Free Page A

an ice cube from her drained glass and chewed on it, thinking about her precarious situation.

    Stan, her supervising attorney at the General Counsel’s office for the FBI, had walked into her room less than 48 hours after she woke up. He popped his chewing gum and hummed as he walked to the right side of the bed and pulled up a chair. “So, sleeping beauty wakes,” he quipped, grinning. He sat across the bed from George and looked directly at him. “Son, I need to speak to Stella alone.”
    George frowned. Stella’s parents were at the hotel, showering and taking a much needed break. He didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone. “Whatever you need to say to her you can say to me.”
    Stan laughed obnoxiously and shook his head. His white hair was disheveled from the flight and he wore jeans and a plaid button down, instead of his typical suit. “That’s not how it works, kid. Get out of here. I’m trying to get her ready for what’s coming.” He looked intently into Stella eyes. “Soon.”
    George turned to Stella, fuming. Stella nodded weakly, a pained expression on her face. She’d explain later. Now, she needed to know what was going on with the investigation. “Real piece of cake you sent me on...” she said as George slammed the door.
    “Look, Stella, I’m real sorry about how everything went down, but you need to prepare yourself for this investigation. You’re the only witness; they have no leads. The only evidence they found was on you. The entire case will be on you.” He looked at the door and then whispered, “The media is going crazy with all this ‘FBI Beauty’ shit. I’d be worried about my job if I were you. They’re digging into everything and splashing it all around.”
    Closing her eyes, she asked. “So you know?”
    He nodded. “Know what?”
    She looked at him, puzzled.
    “If you happened to have some relation to an undercover agent for some reason, I certainly don’t know that. I’m not the only one who doesn’t know. That knowledge is, like, top secret information, though, so I’m hoping it doesn’t come out.” He stared intently at his hands, which he’d propped on the side of the bed. “But, you know how we are, Stella. The FBI’s dick is bigger than the ATF’s and no one is agreeing to share any information. I seriously doubt they ever will.”
    What?! Stella’s brain wasn’t working as fast as usual to translate what was innuendo and what was truth. “What do I do?” she whispered. The realization that Stan was here to help her, even though he had no business in Montana, was making her panic. He was here to warn her, obviously. But why?
    “Keep your head down. Tell the truth about what you saw and no matter what, keep your mouth shut about unnecessary shit.” He glanced at the door again like he was expecting someone to burst through any minute. “You get me?”
    The answer went unspoken. She nodded at the same time a man and a woman entered the room without knocking.
    Stan stood up. “I’m so glad you’re feeling better, Stella. We’ll talk later, okay?”
    She nodded, her brain still processing what he’d told her.
    The two suits didn’t even blink at Stan as he left. “Ms. Murphy, I’m Monica Peterson, the Assistant Attorney General heading the investigation into the terrorist attack in Montana. This is Special Agent Jason Harris. He’s the agent in charge of the case.”
    Stella just stared at the middle-aged woman in her navy skirt suit and navy heels. Her tan hose were sorely outdated.
    Just then, George burst through the door. “You okay? I just saw…” He pulled up short as he saw the two suits at her bedside.
    “Yes, he was just leaving as Agent Harris and Assistant Attorney General Peterson came in,” she stared intently at the door hoping George would follow her lead.
    “Ms. Murphy, we need to discuss the investigation,” Ms. Peterson declared, looking pointedly at George.
    “Look, I want to get these guys as much as you, but