Janie wasn’t sure how long they sat like that, with him cradling her on his lap through her shower of tears. But through it all, he was there. From the beginning, he’d been by her side.
“I love you,” she whispered between hiccuping breaths.
Emmett guided her tender chin up and brought his lips to hers. “I love you, too.” He kissed her gently.
She laid her head on his chest, and with her bucket of tears fully dumped, Janie fell soundly asleep.
EPILOGUE
“It’s been nearly two weeks since Timothy Novak, the Vice President’s former Chief of Staff, was formally charged with murder, kidnapping, and treason. Several additional arrests were made in the days following, including multiple Secret Service agents, renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Turner, and former Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, Dr. Chau Nguyen. Sources close to the investigation are saying Novak’s lawyers are hoping to avoid the death penalty. Novak allegedly confessed to orchestrating the abduction and murder of White House intern Amy Weaver, when she reportedly overheard a conversation between Novak and the now deceased, former White House Press Secretary Howard Daley, while the two men discussed the sale of a top-secret file involving the names and locations of hundreds of CIA operatives currently working in the field.”
Janie tuned out the rest of whatever the newsanchor on Emmett’s TV had to say. She knew the rest of the story. She’dwrittenthe story. And as a result, David Ellis had given her an office with a view.
Luckily she didn’t officially start her job at the Washington Post for another couple of weeks. After what she’d experienced, Janie knew she needed the break.
It also afforded her the opportunity to spend more time with Devon. After being released by the doctors—and thanks to Janie’s and Emmett’s relentless and well-intended pressure—the other woman had agreed to an extended stay in D.C.
Emmett had also insisted that Echo Team cover Devon’s hotel tab during her stay. Janie suspected the generous offer had been as much for her benefit as her friend’s. Like Devon, she was still working through her own emotional recovery but knew the best thing for her was time.
The stitches in her arm were gone, however, the long scar there remained. Her doctor had assured Janie it would eventually fade.
Fade but never fully disappear.
Somehow Janie found an odd sort of comfort in that. While Blake had been trying his best to talk her into getting a tattoo in order to hide it, in the end, she’d decided against it.
It was true, the marking would be a constant reminder of the horror she’d endured. But it was also a symbol of her dogged pursuit in finding justice for Amy Weaver.
So Janie had chosen to move on. To accept it wasfinally over. Billy Crawford was still a ghost in the wind, but Emmett had assured her, the killer would eventually be caught.
Agent Ryker had offered the same assurance, having insider knowledge of the government’s investigation into the madman’s whereabouts. Like he said, Billy did what he did for money rather than a sense of revenge. And since Janie’s face was pretty much recognizable to every country around the globe now, the guy would be a fool to go after her again.
He was a sadistic killer. A man who got off on torture and screams. But Billy Crawford was far from being a fool.
So for now, Janie’s focus was on the future and not the past. A future she prayed would include the very sexy man who’d just walked into the room.
“I don’t know why you bother watching that crap.” He picked up the remote from his coffee table and turned the channel. “Especially when you can read the story right here, in black and white.” With a grin she wanted to kiss, he revealed a copy of the Washington Post he’d been hiding behind his back.
Janie laughed when he let the paper fall to its unfolded length.
“You boughtanotherone?” She glanced at the front-page copy showcasing her photo and the story she’d written that appeared above the fold. “You do realize you already framed a copy and hung it up in my office the day it came out. Right?”
“I know.” He shrugged, refolding the newspaper and laying it on the table next to the remote. Sitting on thecushion beside her, Emmett lifted an arm to invite her in.
Janie didn’t hesitate to slide over to cuddle herself up to his comforting warmth.
“You talk to Devon this morning?” His deep rumble vibrated from his body to hers.
“About an hour ago.” She nodded. “She and Blake were planning a coffee date at some gaming café across town.”
“A date, huh?”
Janie chuckled. “It’s not that kind of date.” At least, she didn’t think it was, anyway.
The pair’s burgeoning friendship made perfect sense, given their shared love for all things computers.
“If you say so.” Emmett flashed her a slightly arched brow.
“You really think there’s more there?”
