Watching You Watching Me

Let’s start at the beginning when we found ourselves waking up to living a real life nightmare.  While we know a lot more now than we did as we lived this situation, I am sharing this story through our experience and perspective in chronological order.

Travis and I, like so many others, had a very stressful 2021.  There were five serious family illnesses between his family and mine, my grandfather was placed in hospice care, his grandfather died unexpectedly after receiving the COVID vaccine, there was risk of losing our jobs due to vaccine mandates, risk of being furloughed, one of his closest friends committed suicide, I was moved to a new work assignment that left me not wanting to get out of bed in the morning, and I was attempting to traverse the training for this new assignment while utilizing FMLA leave to support my family through their medical treatments.  On top of all of this, I was growing my business which is no small feat in itself.  I was maxed out on stress and trial, but little did I know the stress and trial was only beginning.

On February 11, 2022, two Secret Service agents stopped by Travis’s old place of employment.  Travis had just completed his first week at a new job, a job he absolutely loved and found to be so gratifying.  The previous employer called Travis to let him know these agents had stopped by and left their number.  In complying fully, Travis called them immediately.  The conversation was brief, and they asked for his driver’s license which he provided ASAP. 

On Monday, February 14, I was sitting at my kitchen table when I saw a vehicle drive by fairly slowly.  My intuition kicked in and I just knew this vehicle was out of place.  Only a few seconds later, the vehicle came back from the opposite direction and slowed.  I immediately got up and went to the windows where I could see the vehicle stop and the driver begin to take pictures of what appeared to be my house.

I wasted no time in getting a coat, gloves, a hat, or even shoes.  I went straight outside where the driver’s response was clearly of surprise.  You could see them considering their options as they tried to decide frantically what to do:  should they put the car in drive and leave or roll the window down?  Anyone who belongs in your neighborhood does not have this response to someone approaching them.  What were they hiding?

I excused my unmatching attire and politely asked if they minded explaining what they were taking pictures of.  They said they were from out of town, and they and their significant other were wanting to buy a house.  My neighbor’s house was for sale at the time, and they wanted to be sure the pictures online of the neighborhood were accurate.  What they didn’t know was I had been watching them watch me, and I knew they had not taken a single picture in the direction of the house that was for sale.

I entertained the conversation a bit further encouraging them to look at new builds which didn’t have the same bidding wars as previously owned homes.  I mentioned there were new builds available in the next subdivision over, but I was unable to direct them there as the subdivision is a labyrinth.  I offered to jump in their vehicle and guide them over there.  (I have always utilized creating awkward moments as my superpower.  Getting people out of their comfort zone will show you who they truly are.)  They were surprised to hear these details about the market and frankly couldn’t even carry an informed conversation about the current housing trends.  It was apparent they were not there for the purposes they claimed. 

This was the lead FBI agent on Travis’s case, who was from the Denver office, and I had just blown their cover.

Travis received a call from them a few hours later saying they needed help on a case.  He was out of town for the week on a work assignment, but in cooperating fully he came back to Lincoln to meet with them the next morning so they would not be inconvenienced.

But what did they want?  What was this about?  What should he do?  What connection did he have that placed him on their radar?  A thousand questions poured through our minds that evening, and Travis had his first sleepless night.  The first of countless more to come for both of us. 

In looking back, one of the biggest mistakes made occurred on this day.  In believing he must be a witness and with Travis knowing he had not broken any laws, the thought of contacting an attorney never crossed our minds.  And another huge mistake was going to be made the next day.  We just didn’t know it yet…

Lessons learned:  The FBI has a license to lie.  Sadly, an agency with so much authority can’t be trusted.  

Get an attorney.  Even if you think you’re a witness.  Do not speak with law enforcement without an attorney present, unless you’re the one asking the questions.

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Follow my journey, hear more about this story, and consider all things seen and unseen on my internet radio show, ‘Eyes Wide Open’ airing every Wednesday evening at 6 pm EST/5 pm CST/3 pm PST beginning January 11th. 

Thank you for praying for us, supporting us, sharing our story:  givesendgo.com/travisford

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Peace & Love,

Janessa