Collateral Damage (Stone Barrington 25)

“Thank you. I helped with this room.”

They went back into the living room in time to greet Jim, who was tossing his coat onto a bar stool in the kitchen. He greeted Holly. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Nothing, thanks, I’m here on business.” She looked at Kelli and saw the change in her face.

“Business?” Jim asked. “Are you thinking of buying a place in New York, Holly?”

“I already have a place in New York,” Holly said. “No, this is CIA business. Sit down, please.”

Jim was looking at Kelli, worried now.

“Kelli, you will recall our previous conversation about events when you were in L.A.” It wasn’t a question.

Kelli nodded, but seemed unable to speak.

“Apparently, you did not keep your word to me—you were unable to contain yourself.”

“Now, wait a minute—” Jim said.

“Shut up and listen,” Holly said to both of them. She removed a file folder from her briefcase and extracted three official-looking documents from it, handing each of them a copy. “This is a federal court order,” Holly said. “Read it.”

Kelli didn’t even glance at it. “Just tell me what it says.”

“It says that the two of you are permanently enjoined from ever speaking to anyone, even each other, about the events in L.A. If you do so, you will be arrested and charged with criminal contempt of court, which will allow a judge to detain you in jail for as long as he deems necessary, and without a trial. Do you understand that?”

Both Jim and Kelli were staring at her, speechless.

“How did you know?” Jim asked. “Kelli, did you tell anyone but me about this?”

Kelli shook her head. “No, I didn’t, and I’d like to know how you knew about our conversation, Holly.”

“You aren’t entitled to know that,” Holly said. “Now I want you both to read the court order—all of it—right now.”

The two of them read through the two-page document.

“All right,” Jim said, “we’ve read it.”

“Good. Do you now understand your position with regard to this information and the court?”

“I suppose so,” Jim said.

Kelli nodded again. “Yes, I understand.”

“Good.” Holly opened the third document and placed it on the coffee table, along with her pen. “Now read this document, which says that you have read and understand the court order and that you will obey it. You also agree not to consult counsel either now or if you are arrested. Do you understand?”

They both nodded.

“Now, sign the document.”

Both did so.

Holly sat up, returned the documents to her briefcase, and snapped it shut. “It’s time you understood who and what you’re dealing with. It’s possible that information about the events in L.A. may soon be made public, but the injunction permanently enjoins you from discussing or writing about them, even if they are made public. That is your punishment, Kelli, for breaking your word. You have the most important news story since nine-eleven, and you cannot write it, ever.”

Holly got up, walked back to the front door, retrieved her coat, and left them standing in their living room, closing the door sharply behind her.

—

When they were alone, Jim wheeled on Kelli. “What the hell—”