Stone - 25 - Collateral Damage

on the TV, at New York 1, the local news service. The volume was turned down, and she turned it up.
    “. . . woman is being sought all over the city by the police and the FBI. The FBI has announced a reward of five million dollars for information leading to her capture.”
    Jasmine turned off the set. She had been expecting this, but not such a high number. Now she could only leave the house for missions—no strolling around the city, even with blond hair.

Holly got out of the SUV in front of James Rutledge’s building, rang the bell, and was buzzed up.
    Kelli Keane answered the door. “Hi, Holly, come on in,” she said.
    Holly surrendered her coat but kept her briefcase. “What a beautiful place,” she said as they walked through the kitchen to the living room.
    “It’s what Jim does,” Kelli said. “He uses the apartment as a showcase for prospective clients. They’re always impressed. I was surprised to get your call.”
    “Isn’t Jim here?”
    “Any minute,” Kelli replied. “He’s on the way home from a job.”
    “May I see the bedroom?”
    “Of course. Right this way.”
    Holly walked into the big room and checked the corners for her cameras; no sign of them. She smiled inside. “Beautiful.”
    “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—”
    Kelli held up a hand.