If looks could kill, she’d have dropped dead where she stood. But the Secret Service agent ignored her and turned his attention to the man inside the car.
“Personally I don’t think it was an affair.” Janie pressed on. “I think she knows something that has put her life in danger. Maybe she saw something she shouldn’t have, or perhaps, she uncovered damaging information while working on a story. Of course, we’ll probably never really know. Not unless she’s found.That’s why I’m here, you know? To find out the truth about what happened to Amy Weaver.”
The agent’s spine grew stiff, and he turned away from the vehicle. His hand went to the cuffs dangling from their clasp on his belt.
“I’m not going to ask you again.”
Janie smiled back because legally, the guy didn’t have a leg to stand on. She was on public property and had done nothing wrong. It wasn’t her fault the big, bad man felt threatened by a woman.
“The dramatics are completely unnecessary,” she assured him. “But if you hate people so much, I suggest you look for an alternate career. Or, I don’t know . . . maybe try smiling once in a while.” She grinned. “It’s surprisingly therapeutic.”
As she turned her back and walked away, Janie couldn’t help but to let her own smile grow. And though she couldn’t see him from this angle, she could’ve sworn the man’s infuriating gaze was singeing her back.
Whatever.
It would take more than a few muscles and a nasty disposition to deter her from uncovering the truth. Her skin was far thicker than that.
Janie continued walking, her mind wandering as she took in the urban view. She was a block from where she’d left her replacement rental when the phone still clutched in her hand began to ring. She smiled the instant she saw the caller’s name.
“I was wondering if I’d hear back from you today.”
Her best friend’s voice sounded from the phone’s small speaker, the only greeting Janie received was astraight-to-the-point, “Any luck finding your missing girl?”
“Not yet.” Janie drew in a deep breath. “But I’m not giving up.”
Her friend’s laugh was even more therapeutic than a friendly smile. “Of course, you aren’t. You’re like a dog with a freaking bone when you’ve found a story you think has potential.”
“I don’t think it. Iknowthere’s a story here.”And it’s a doozy.“I mean, come on. The woman worked at the White House, and no one will eventalkabout her, let alone admit she’s missing.”
“I get that. And I’m just playing devil’s advocate, here, but isn’t it possible this girl’s job has nothing to do with her disappearance, and that it’s merely a coincidence?
“I don’t believe in those, and neither do you.”
“I’m just saying, maybe don’t go borrowing trouble where it may not even exist.”
“Someone knows something, Dev.” Janie refused to give in. “And people don’t just disappear.”
A loud, unladylike snort struck her ear.
“Please. Over a thousand people are reported missing in this country every single day.”
A thousand? Really?
Janie frowned. “You know what I mean.”
“I do, but I also want you to be careful.” A soft exhale sounded before Devon attempted to be the voice of reason. “Remember what happened the last time you went after the rich and powerful. And that was small potatoes compared to this.” The other woman released a humorless laugh. “We’re talking about the UnitedStates Government, for crying out loud. Those guys play for keeps.”
“I’m well aware.”
“Then you can understand my concern here, right?”
A hefty dose of silence fell between them.
“Look, I get it, okay?” Janie tried to appease her friend while concealing the fact she’d recently been followed. “But you weren’t here, Dev. You didn’t see the look in that girl’s eyes. She was scared. Like genuinely scared. It’s why I went to her place to begin with.”
“What do you mean?”
“Amy didn’t feel comfortable leaving her own apartment to meet me in public. That’s why I went to her apartment instead. I think…” She gave her lips a quick swipe with the tip of her tongue. “I think she felt as though she was being watched. I think someone was after her, and I think Amy knew it. That’s why she went to the Washington Post
