Backlash

hospital info. Lord, please let her be okay.
Layla awoke feeling like her head was being squeezed in a vise. Her mouth was so dry, and she had no idea where she was. She took a breath, but it hurt to breathe deeply.
“You’re awake,” a soft voice said.
Layla’s vision blurred but then came into focus. Izzy stood by her bedside. Where was she? She couldn’t put her thoughts together clearly.
“What happened?” she croaked.
Izzy took her hand. “There was an explosion at the restaurant. You were knocked unconscious.”
Layla gasped, sending shooting pain through her ribs as the memories roared back like a freight train. “Viv?”
“She’s okay. They’re treating her for shock, but she’ll be fine. Bailey is with her now.”
Layla closed her eyes for a moment but already had so many questions. “What are they saying was the source of the explosion?”
“They checked for a gas leak, but the bomb squad found an actual explosive device. What they’ll try to figure out next is motive. They’re running background checks on the owners and all employees.”
A much more sinister explanation came to Layla’s mind, but Izzy didn’t know she was CIA. And she couldn’t tell her. So she kept her mouth shut.
Bailey Ryan burst into the room. “You’re awake!”
Seeing one of her best friends was almost too much for Layla as the tears started to well up.
“I’m going to check on Viv and let the two of you talk.” Izzy excused herself, leaving Layla alone with Bailey.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Layla said.
“I feel the same way.”
“How is Viv?”
“Doing better. They’re going to do some tests just to make sure she doesn’t have any internal bleeding.”
Layla’s heart dropped. “Oh no.”
“It’s just precautionary. The doctor doesn’t think so. They already did X-rays on you while you were out. They think you suffered a concussion. No fractures, but bruised ribs.”
“It feels like it.” Layla paused. “Before Izzy gets back, I want to tell you something.”
“What is it?” Bailey glanced toward the door.
“I think I could’ve been the target.”
Bailey’s green eyes widened. “Work related?”
“Yeah. I’ve felt like someone has been watching me the past couple of weeks.”
Bailey pulled up a chair and sat down. “So you think you’re being tailed, and then this explosion. Sounds like bad news to me.”
Layla nodded, and pain shot down her spine. “I wanted you to know about my suspicions in case anything happens to me. You should also know that we didn’t sit in our normal seats today. Can you run down whether the people at our usual table are among the casualties?” She also needed to check on Cass and the other Honduras op team members to make sure nothing had happened to them.
Bailey squeezed her hand. “We’ll figure this out. You helped me when I needed you, and I’ll do the same for you. No questions asked. But right now, I’m going to insist that you get some rest. I’ll find out what I can on the bombing details.”
“We go there every week for lunch.”
“I know,” Bailey said softly. “It does make a convenient target.” She stood. “But there’s nothing you can do right now. Try to sleep a little, and we’ll figure it out. I promise.”
Layla closed her eyes but couldn’t shake the suspicion that someone wanted her dead.

CHAPTER
THREE
Private investigator Hunter McCoy met Detective Elijah Hall from Alexandria PD at Hunter’s office. They had been randomly paired together as freshman roommates at the University of Virginia and had been best friends ever since. They couldn’t have been more different. Hunter, a scrawny kid from rural Virginia who tended to get into trouble, and Elijah, a city kid from the Bronx who studied hard and didn’t have time for Hunter’s nonsense. Hunter had learned many life lessons from Elijah, including expanding his way of thinking about the world. Growing up in rural Virginia had given him a limited perspective on life and people. Being friends with Elijah had opened his eyes, and he was a much better man for it.
Hunter had gotten a call from Elijah that they needed to talk about the restaurant bombing.
“Does Alexandria PD want to hire me?” As a private investigator, Hunter had done freelance work for them in the past.
“No. It’s nothing like that.” Elijah’s dark brown eyes met his.
“What is it, man? It’s not like you to beat around the bush.”
Elijah took a breath. “I wanted to meet in person because there’s something you need to know.”
Hunter knew something was wrong but waited for Elijah to spit it out.
“One of the victims of the bombing today was Layla.”
Dots danced before Hunter’s eyes as a wave of nausea hit him. “Is she dead?”
Elijah placed a hand on his shoulder. “No, she made it, but she’s at Alexandria Hospital.”
“How badly is she hurt?”
“I’m not sure, but I thought you’d want to know.”
Still in shock, Hunter stared at him. “Do you have any leads?”
“Nothing yet. Bomb squad is doing their thing. FBI got called in, too, because of the possible terrorist threat. So far two fatalities and lots of injured.”
Hunter ran a hand through his hair.
Elijah moved a step closer to him. “Look. You need to go see her. I don’t know how serious it is. And it’s always been clear to me that you never stopped loving her.”
Wasn’t that the truth. “I’m probably the last person on this earth that she’d want to see.”
“That was a long time ago. A lot has happened since then. I think she’d welcome a visit from you, especially given the circumstances.”
“I’m not so sure about that, but you’re right, I have to go. Even if she kicks me out. I need to try.” Hunter didn’t know what he’d do without Elijah’s friendship. He was more like a brother than a friend.
“Don’t wait.” Elijah stood. “I’m headed back to work. Hit me up and let me know how it went.”
“Will do. And thanks again.”
“Always.”
Hunter watched Elijah leave and then tried to muster up the courage to drive to the hospital. Everything