Black Satin

Seven

Dinah paced the floor in her office. Rafi had chided her about trying to get to Russo with Rawlins' name, but she didn't care. It made her feel better. But she needed something more, something to really take him down.

Finally, she forced herself to stop wearing a hole in the carpet, and sat at her desk. Tediously, she began to dig into Billy's... Russo's life. And what she found made her blood run cold. A sick feeling began to settle into her stomach as the stark realization crept in.

She'd been sleeping with another woman's boyfriend and she hadn't even known. Dinah needed to talk to (Y/N) (L/N).

---

Interrogating Billy while knowing he killed Sam had been easier than this, but Dinah tried to project a calm front as the time ticked closer to the appointment. There were a lot of things running through her head, most of them worst-case scenarios.

Finally, right on the dot, there was a knock on the meeting room door.

"Come in," she called, hoping her voice didn't crack.

An agent opened the door.

"Miss (L/N) is here," he said.

Dinah nodded.

"Send her in."

The agent disappeared, and shortly after, a woman stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. The dress she wore was simple, yet professional, and definitely expensive... form fitting and flattering, she was the picture of sophistication.

"You must be Agent Madani..." she said with a smile that could melt even the hardest heart. "You wanted to meet with me?"

"That's right," Dinah said the pit in her stomach growing. "Please, have a seat."

(Y/N) sat, carefully draping her coat over the arm of the chair.

"I must admit," she said, "I'm a little confused as to why Homeland Security wants to talk to me..."

"I asked you here to talk about Billy Russo. He's your domestic partner, isn't he?"

Okay Dinah, you're doing good so far... points for professionalism...

They way (Y/N)'s face lit up when Dinah mentioned Billy only worsened that feeling of dread.

"Oh, Billy? Yes, we've been together for almost three years now..." She paused. "But... I don't understand, what does Homeland want with Billy? He isn't in any kind of trouble, is he?"

In the past, talking with witnesses and civilians had been easy for Dinah, but this...

This was personal.

Billy had made it personal.

Normally, the truth would be easy, a kinder option. It would hurt, but it was the best thing for the sake of whoever was being deceived.

But here... Dinah found she didn't want to burst that happy bubble this time. It was obvious that (Y/N) loved Billy. Adored him, even.

"Miss (L/N)..."

"Oh, please," (Y/N) said, "Call me (Y/N). 'Miss (L/N)' just sounds so impersonal."

That was the point.

"Very well... (Y/N)... You see, Billy is a person of interest in a case I'm currently working on. Now, I can't discuss the details, but--"

"Person of interest?" (Y/N) asked, sitting up a little straighter, frowning. "What... what do you mean by that? Is he some kind of suspect?"

Dinah sighed.

"As I said, I can't disclose th--"

"No, Agent Madani, I need to know. Is Billy under investigation for something?"

(Y/N)'s face was painted with worry. Dinah held her gaze until the silence became unbearable, and she made a snap decision.

"Yes."

(Y/N) let out a shaky breath, shaking her head. She seemed upset and bewildered all at once.

"No, no... this has to be some kind of mistake, Billy would never get involved with something illegal..."

Dinah pitied her. They were in the same boat there. Though she hated to do it, this next question had to be asked.

"Were you aware that Billy was having an affair?"

(Y/N) looked as though Dinah had slapped her.

"He... he what?"

Dinah folded her arms across herself, resting her elbows on the table.

"He pretended to be single in order to develop an intimate relationship with a Homeland agent for inside information."

(Y/N)'s shocked expression slowly melted away as she searched Dinah's face.

"Y... you? Not just a Homeland agent... it was you, wasn't it? The look on your face... He-- I'm going to be sick..."

Dinah didn't know what to say, other than, "I'm sorry."

(Y/N) laughed hollowly.

"You didn't know... it was his fault."

"If you don't mind... I'd like to ask--"

"No."

Dinah paused.

"I'm sorry?"

"Just because he's a cheater, that doesn't mean he's a criminal. You can't try to pin him for a crime just because you go your heart broken, Agent Madani..." She stood, beginning to put her coat on. "I think I should leave..."

Dinah stood, too.

"It's the truth, (Y/N). I wish it weren't, for your sake, but these are the facts. He all but admitted it to me himself."

(Y/N) finished the last button and made for the door. Just as she grabbed the handle, Dinah pressed her hand against the door, closing it once more.

"Just... one last thing. If Billy gives you any reason to be suspicious... Please tell me. I know it isn't what you want to hear... but just keep an eye out.

(Y/N) sighed.

"Fine. But I know I'm not going to find anything... Goodbye, Agent Madani. I'm sorry we were both deceived by him..."

And with that, Dinah was left alone in the meeting room. If she hadn't been so distracted by guilt and frustration, she might have noticed the small, smug smirk that (Y/N) wore as she got onto the elevator, or the way she pulled out her phone to dial an all-too-familiar number.

But she didn't notice a thing.