"On your guard," Regal hissed as he entered the interrogation room where Roman had been patiently waiting.

"Sorry for the delay, Mr. Reigns. I'm DOJ Investigator Steve Austin." Austin spoke as he closed the door behind him. "And yes, Mr. Regal, this interview is being recorded; and I'll have a copy provided to you."

"So kind of you," Regal evenly replied.

"Now, Mr. Reigns, this shouldn't take long," Austin began. "Two undercover FBI agents spent some time here in Davenport on assignment. While here, they claim they were assaulted by a Joe Seanoa and a Jon Moxley. I believe you know these two men."

Roman nodded. "And they were interviewed by local detectives about this alleged assault."

Austin nodded, fingers tapping the file in front of him. "So they were. They both alibied each other and claimed they were nowhere near Rollins Bookstore and were not involved in any alleged assault. From my questioning of Mr. Moxley, he was living at your house at that time. Correct?"

"How is that relevant?" Regal asked.

"Just trying to fill in the blanks," Austin replied. "Mr. Reigns doesn't have to answer."

Regal looked at Roman and barely nodded.

"He did and still is," Roman answered.

"Did either Mr. Seanoa or Mr. Moxley discuss those interviews with you?"

"They did," Roman nodded.

"Why?"

"Mr. Seanoa was in my employ at the time. Mr. Moxley is a good friend," Roman calmly answered. "In Mr. Seanoa's case, I was interested because he was in my employ. As for Mr. Moxley, as I said, he's a good friend."

Austin nodded. "I understand Mr. Seanoa is no longer in your employ. When did he leave?"

Roman thought for a moment. "Probably close to a month after he was questioned by the local authorities."

"Did he leave or did you terminate his employment?" Austin asked.

"Again, relevance," Regal interrupted.

"I'm getting to that Mr. Regal," Austin assured him. "I apologize if this seems a roundabout way of doing it, but I'm just a country boy from Texas. We sorta have our own way of doing things."

Regal managed to keep from rolling his eyes.

"Mr. Seanoa came to me and said he'd received an offer of employment," Roman explained. "He indicated it would provide him with better opportunities for advancement than were currently available with me. But he would have to leave almost immediately if he accepted the offer. I saw no reason to stand in his way, so we parted company on good terms."

"Did you think this offer had anything to do with this alleged assault?"

"I had no reason to believe it did and still don't," Roman answered. "I had no reason to believe either he or Mr. Moxley lied to me about it."

"Both agents were working undercover as employees of a Michael Mizanin, co-owner of M&M Realty," Austin continued. "Did you know him?"

"We were in high school together. Had more than a couple of classes together," Roman recalled. "He and I came into contact as adults at various civic and social events. Nothing much more than that. We didn't have any working relationship as I'm very satisfied with the real estate firm that I use."

"So, for the record, neither Mr. Seanoa nor Mr. Moxley told you anything about this alleged assault other than what they told the local authorities?"

Roman half-smiled. "I don't know what they told the authorities. I wasn't present during that questioning. What they told me is that they went out to get something to eat, played some games at a local sports center, and drove around so Mr. Moxley could see how Davenport had changed. And I have no reason to believe they lied."

Austin nodded and stood. "Thank you for your time and cooperation, Mr. Reigns. I'll have your statement transcribed and Mr. Regal notified when you need to come in and sign it." As Regal and Roman stood, he added, "Mr. Regal, I have a clerk outside to take possession of this recording for transcription." He smiled. "We can go talk with Mr. Rollins now, and Mr. Reigns can go about his business."

Neither Roman nor Regal liked the smile on Austin's face.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As soon as Roman got into the waiting SUV, he ordered, "Dawson Customizing, please. And, Mr. McIntyre, make sure no one is following."

McIntyre solemnly nodded and activated the SUV's phone to alert their backup team.

Roman leaned back in his seat and pondered about Regal's whispered comment as they left the interrogation room.

'Rollins is his target. Get somewhere where there are witnesses. All four of us need to talk.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Except when he was writing, Seth was rarely able to sit still. Even when reading, he was moving some part of his body. Nikki had laughed and told him that the only way she could deal with his restless sleeping habits was to wrap him in her arms. Which, she assured him, was no inconvenience at all.

Sitting in the interrogation room by himself, he took out his phone and began playing a game in order to keep his normal restlessness at bay. He knew he was being either watched or recorded and didn't want to appear nervous. He did look around occasionally, almost amused at how similar the room was to the interrogation rooms he'd written about in some of his books.

But he still jerked when the door to the room was suddenly opened.

"Sorry if I startled you, Mr. Rollins. I'm DOJ Investigator Steve Austin."

Seth exited the game and replaced his phone in his jacket pocket. "Just really involved in the game. Trying to get to the next level."

"Candy Crush?" Austin grinned as he sat down.

"Fringo." Seth felt William's hand on his shoulder as he sat down next to Seth.

Austin looked confused. "Never heard of it. Some sort of Bingo game?"

"A variation," Seth nodded.

"Huh. Guess it's true you learn something new every day," Austin grunted. "Let's get to it and get you out of here. I understand you're a busy man." He tapped the folder in front of him. "I believe you own three businesses and are very involved in a new charity or something."

"That's correct."

"Which is why my client's time is not unlimited," Regal warned.

"Understood," Austin nodded. "Mr. Rollins, you were questioned by local detectives regarding an alleged altercation at your bookstore between you and the late Michael Mizanin. Your statement then was that no such altercation occurred. The detectives were working on a tip through the CrimeStoppers Hotline. However, two individuals who had accompanied Mr. Mizanin were undercover FBI agents. They claim they were assaulted by two men, Joe Seanoa and Jon Moxley, outside your bookstore while Mr. Mizanin was inside. Is your story still that these events never happened?"

"There was no altercation in the bookstore," Seth firmly answered.

"And outside the bookstore?"

Seth shrugged. "I was in my late uncle's office going over the construction logs for a meeting with the contractors in a few days. There were no disturbances that I heard."

"But there could have been? And you just didn't hear them?"

"A UFO could've landed outside," Seth replied. "If I didn't hear it, I couldn't say it happened."

"Mr. Mizanin was murdered very shortly after this alleged incident. Did you know him?"

Seth smiled. "We were in high school together. I think we had a couple of classes together. But Miz was a popular guy in high school. I doubt there was anyone who didn't know of him."

"Miz?"

"His nickname in high school," Seth explained. "Everybody called him that."

Austin leaned back in his chair. "You were also in high school with Mr. Moxley, correct? And Mr. Roman Reigns?"

Seth nodded. "And they were at the bookstore at times. In the back area my uncle set aside to allow kids to study."

"Didn't keep in touch with them after high school?"

"I didn't run into them until I'd returned for my uncle's funeral," Seth answered.

"When did you run into Mr. Mizanin?"

"At the cemetery immediately after the service for my uncle," Seth recalled. "I was standing by the coffin, and he approached me. He said he and my uncle had a verbal agreement to sell him the bookstore. I told him I couldn't discuss that until after the estate was probated. He gave me his card and asked that I contact him after probate so we could finalize the deal."

"Mr. Mizanin was lying," Regal interjected. "In fact, he had badgered the late John Rollins about selling the property so much that Mr. Rollins had banned Mr. Mizanin from the property. And threatened to call the police if he came back."

"Your uncle also owned the properties on either side of the bookstore." Austin leaned forward. "I believe a body was found in the basement of the deli. Correct?"

"Identified as Mr. Dustin Rhodes who disappeared a few years ago," Regal answered. "The police determined he was murdered at that time and his body concealed in that basement. At the time, the property was unoccupied and for sale. My client was cleared of any involvement."

"Of course," Austin casually nodded. "Mr. Rollins, when did you run into Mr. Reigns and Mr. Moxley?"

"Roman stopped by the bookstore a few days after the funeral to offer his condolences," Seth explained. "He also apologized for missing the funeral, but he'd been out of town. After high school, Moxley had worked at a business that made hand-crafted furniture. My uncle had some of that furniture in the back of the bookstore where he allowed kids to study. However, in the intervening years, the owner had died. Roman said Moxley was thinking of reopening the business. When he did, we met to discuss what I wanted for the Study Hall."

"Mr. Rollins, if this alleged incident never happened, why do your properties have bullet-proof windows and an upgraded alarm system?"

"Seriously, Mr. Austin?" Regal snarked.

"My uncle installed the windows some years ago," Seth quietly answered. "As for the upgraded alarm, I'm living in an apartment above my businesses. Why shouldn't I improve the security system?"

Austin barely shrugged. "I understand Mr. Moxley testified at a trial in Des Moines. Why would a busy man like yourself drive over there to attend the trial?"

"I suggest you read the transcript of that trial," Regal coolly spoke. "While it makes for interesting reading from a dispassionate point of view, it was incredibly difficult for Mr. Moxley to relive those years."

"It's called supporting a friend," Seth coldly added.

Austin silently nodded. "Mr. Regal, please correct me if I'm wrong about anything I'm about to say." He fixed his cold blue eyes on Seth. "Mr. Rollins, my investigation into this matter doesn't stop here. And, if I find there has been any collusion between you, Mr. Moxley, and Mr. Reigns…or in any combination of the three of you…well, you'll be charged as such. And, under the RICO Act, you could stand to not only do jail time but also lose your businesses…and possibly that foundation as well. Now, is there anything you'd like to add or correct about your statements?"

"Your definition of the RICO Act is somewhat biased," Regal warned. "And I would advise you to stop threatening my client."

"We'll let a Federal judge about RICO." Austin tilted his head forward towards Seth. "And I wasn't threatening your client. I was advising him."

Seth's mind raced. It wasn't just him that could lose. The bookstore…a family inheritance and legacy…his employees…Nikki…the foundation…and for what and who?

Austin saw something flicker in Seth's dark eyes.

Finally, Seth slowly stood. As Regal also stood, Seth stared back into Austin's eyes. "No changes. And, unless, you have something more than the words of two undercover agents who, quite possibly, broke laws while undercover, you have no proof this alleged altercation even happened."

"My client has no criminal record and is a successful and upstanding member of this city," Regal added. "It would be his word again the word of two undercover agents who, as Mr. Rollins has said, possibly or even probably committed crimes of their own."

"That your final word?" Austin quietly asked. "Remember that Mr. Regal here may have a conflict of interest in this matter…or two or three."

"Yes," Seth firmly answered.

"So be it."

"I'll expect notification of when Mr. Rollins can sign his statement," Regal said as he shepherded Seth towards the door. "And I'll expect to pick up copies of the questionings of all three of my clients at the same time. All future contacts with my clients will go through me." He didn't wait for Austin's reply as he and Seth left the room, and Regal firmly closed the door behind him.

"Did you drive here?" Regal quietly asked as they walked towards the elevator. When Seth nodded, he added, "Meet me at my office. Now. I'll text Mr. Reigns and Mr. Moxley to meet us there as well."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As Seth was being questioned by Austin, Roman and Mox sat in Mox's office discussing the morning's events.

"I guess it all comes down to two things," Roman finally decided. "Can Seth hold out under Austin's questions and investigation? If Regal's right, he's targeting Seth because he thinks Seth is the weakest. His record is clean. He's got a lot to lose. Second, can we trust Seth going forward?"

Mox grunted and actually banged his head on the desk. "Seth's not the only one with something to lose," he pointed out.

Roman calmly nodded. "Austin may be content to play a long game. I don't think his purpose is to arrest someone for an assault on a dead man."

Mox sat up and grunted, "He wants to take you down. Flip Seth to get to me. Flip me to get to you."

"You make it sound so easy," Roman teased.

Mox leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. "If Seth flips and Austin comes after me, I'll confess that Joe and I beat up on those two agents. And then I went after Miz. He can't question Joe so that should cut off any road to you."

"And why would you and Joe have done that?" Roman casually asked.

"We saw Miz and those two agents breaking into the bookstore," Mox calmly answered. "Joe had some sort of beef with them, and I went along with it."

"Not sure that story will hold up in court," Roman pointed out.

"Who's going to contradict it?" Mox shrugged. Letters written to Roman, Alexa, Seth and the Little Princess. Deathbed confession letter left to the police. A visit to Union Park where there would be plenty of witnesses. One bullet to the head. Problem solved.

"Do you think Seth will flip?"

Brought back from his thoughts, Mox looked at Roman. "No. I can't say why I think that. But I don't."

Roman slowly nodded. "He really doesn't know anything that could hurt us," he admitted.

Both their cell phones chimed with a message. Roman pulled out his phone from his jacket pocket while Mox shoved folders around on his desk to find his phone.

'Done with Austin. Mr Rollins stood his ground. Leaving the Precinct. Come to my office immediately. We all need to talk.'

"Guess that answers the question of Seth flipping," Mox murmured as he stood.

'For now.' Roman didn't think Austin was done with Seth or them. "Meet you there."

Once inside the SUV, Roman settled back in his seat. "Regal Law Firm, Mr. McIntyre. Keep an eye out for any observers, please."

The car had barely pulled into traffic when Roman's phone chimed with another test. This one encrypted. Seconds later, Roman read the message.

'Switchblade will be with Storm tonight.'