“I don’t care what he wants. You’re my mate and I don’t want you near other humans. They could have come here to do you harm.”

“They are federal agents. I have no idea what they’d want to talk to me about but I’m sure they are fine, True. I mean, major background checks get done on them. It could be important. I should talk to them.”

He growled and lifted the phone back to his ear. “She wants to see them but I am going with her. I don’t trust them.” He listened and hung up. “Let’s go. An SUV has already been sent. You don’t leave my side, Jeanie. Do you understand?”

“Perfectly.”

“Justice and a few others will be present.” He glanced down at her. “You need shoes.”

She would have liked to change into something more professional looking but the T-shirts and stretch pants were about the nicest outfits she currently owned. Her belongings from her apartment were supposed to be forwarded by the task force team who’d gone to check out her story but they hadn’t arrived yet. She put on shoes and rushed into the bathroom to brush her teeth and tidy her hair. True waited for her at the front door.

“I don’t like this.”

“I don’t either but aren’t you curious? I am.”

“No. I want to keep you away from everyone.”

“This is happening here at Homeland, right? We’re not leaving to go meet them somewhere else?”

“It will be here. You aren’t leaving NSO territory.”

“Then it will be fine.”

The drive to the office building near the front gate seemed far too short to Jeanie. True kept her on his lap and she could see by the grim set of his jaw that he wasn’t happy. Justice and Fury met them outside when the driver parked in front of the side door.

“Don’t answer any of their questions without looking at me first,” Justice demanded. “I’m sorry to use you this way but they have refused to give us even a hint of their purpose. The questions they ask you should indicate why they are here.”

Fury nodded. “Tim is sitting in as well. He made some calls and none of his contacts were even aware we were going to be visited by agents. It’s very curious.”

“Speak slowly.” Justice waved them toward the building. “Remember to look at me before you answer. I placed a call to the president but he’s out of the country and unable to take calls.”

The President of the United States? She gaped at him, pretty sure that’s who he meant. It boggled her mind that he might have someone so important on his list of personal phone contacts. It slammed home, though, how serious the situation was.

A New Species opened the side door. “They are pacing in the conference room,” he muttered low. “They have refused offers of coffee or water.”

Justice paused, staring down at Jeanie. “I’m sorry to do this to you but it bothers us that they are being so secretive about why they wish to speak to you. We informed them of your mate status in case they are trying to pursue a human criminal case against you but they didn’t reverse their request.”

“A criminal case?” She grabbed hold of True’s hand.

“They deal with organized crime and some of the practices of Drackwood or Cornas Research could have captured their interest. Of course as a mate you are no longer subject to human laws and are protected under Species law. They can’t arrest you or take you from Homeland. They have no jurisdiction to do so.”

She regretted agreeing to meet with the FBI agents but it was too late to back out. “You’re sure about that?”

Fury chuckled. “Yes. We showed them a copy of your mate papers as proof in case they didn’t believe us. They are more than aware they are only here and able to speak to you because we allowed it out of politeness.”

She felt some of her fear easing. “Okay. I got it. Talk slow, see what they want, and look at you before I answer.” She stared up at Justice North. “I can do this.”

“I knew you could.”

She was glad he had faith in her because hers wavered a little as she entered a small conference room and spotted the three men dressed in suits. They were very neatly groomed, ranging from early thirties to late forties and all of them stared at her with serious looks.

“Ms. Shiver,” the eldest one spoke. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. I’m Special Agent Spears, this is Special Agent Parks, and Special Agent Green.” He pointed to the other two as he stated their names.

She took a seat before anyone else, her legs threatening to buckle. “I’m kind of surprised,” she admitted. “I’m clueless why I’m here.”

It was much worse than the time she’d been pulled over by a cop and given a speeding ticket when she’d been in her late teens. The three agents sat across from her, still looking stern. Her nerves made her regret eating as her belly seemed to do a flip. True sat next to her while Fury took a seat on the other side. Justice and Tim leaned against the wall behind the agents. One of the agents looked back, frowned, but said nothing as he faced her again.

“We’ve been running an investigation of criminal activity that may have helped fund Cornas Research. We’re hoping you can help us.” Special Agent Spears leaned in. “You were the accountant there and we’re hoping you can answer our questions.”

She remembered to glance at Justice. He frowned at her and nodded.

“I wasn’t an accountant. I suck at math, actually. I’m the last person who should be in charge of money. I can barely balance my checkbook.”

Special Agent Spears frowned. “Our information states that was your job title.”

“It wasn’t.”

“Jeanie was a medical technician,” True confirmed.

“The technical term is a phlebotomist,” Jeanie explained. “I took blood samples.”

“Our informant says otherwise.”

She glanced at Justice, seeing his frown. He didn’t nod or shake his head so she stared into the agent’s eyes. “I don’t know who told you that but it isn’t true. You can check my tax records. My occupation is listed and I never fudged on them. You can also look up the courses I took in college. It’s no secret. I have certifications that are up to date. You can check those too.”

“You’re saying our informant lied?” Special Agent Green frowned.

“Obviously, since no one in their right mind would let me near their money. Hell, look at my bank statements for the past few years. I get fined regularly for not paying attention to my bank balance.” She halted, blushed, and wished she hadn’t said that. “I don’t write bad checks on purpose. I pay for overdraft protection and it’s never more than like thirty bucks over. I always pay it back and pay the fees for the bank having to cover it when I go over. That’s why I have overdraft protection. I’m just going to shut up now before I put my foot deeper into my mouth.”

“I see.” Special Agent Spears frowned. “We’ll have to speak to our informant again on this matter. We need to know where to reach you.” He dug inside his jacket and withdrew an electronic device. “I need a number and an address where you can be reached.”

Justice pushed away from the wall. “You can contact her through Homeland.”

“I don’t think you understand the importance of our investigation. I need access to her.”

“I don’t think you understand that she’s New Species.”

“She looks human to me,” Special Agent Green muttered.

“She’s a mate and therefore she is Species. That means you need to go through proper channels to contact Species Jeanie.” Fury crossed his arms over his chest, looking intimidating as he glared at them. “That would be the main office at Homeland. You don’t need direct contact with her via phone or a physical address since she lives at Homeland.”

“What if she moves to Reservation? We’re aware that it’s impossible to keep track of your people between both locations. You don’t exactly keep DMV records or file flight plans or passenger lists with the FAA.” Agent Spears glanced at her, then Justice. “Can you at least keep her here so we can interview her again soon?”