“I don’t trust you because I don’t know you, Detective.”
“It’s okay. That’ll change.” He slapped a hand to Emmett’s shoulder with a grin. “In fact, I have a feeling you and I are going to be good friends. And hey, next time you talk to her, be sure to tell Talia I said hello.”
Boone didn’t say anything more before walking over to the table where Janie still sat. Emmett watched a beat longer and then went and joined his team. They were as shocked as he was to learn the detective in charge of the case was familiar with them and their work.
“This could be a good thing for us,” Draven was quick to point out. When they all looked at him like he’d grown two heads, he said, “What? Having a friendly face within the Capitol Police Department might actually help us down the road.”
“Ifhe can be trusted.” Gwen shrugged. “I’ll call Talia as soon as we’re away from prying eyes to get her take on Boone.”
“Good.” Emmett crossed his arms again while scanning the scene. “Once they’re gone, Blake can access the hotel’s cameras. With any luck, there will be something on there that can help ID the bastard who broke in here.”
“What about tonight?” Lucas looked to Emmett for an answer. “I’m assuming Janie’s not staying here.”
“I’ll get in touch with Ryker.” He referred to the team’s former—and temporarily current—Homeland Security Handler. The powerful man had safe housessecured all over the country. “When these guys leave, we’ll help her pack and get her tucked safely away for the night.”
Because someone out there wanted Janie dead, and he wasn’t’ about to let that happen.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The next morning . . .
Janie woke to the scent of freshly brewed coffee and…
Is that bacon?
Her lids remained shut, her body unmoving beneath the plush, warm covers as she fought her way out of a semi-conscious state. A single hair made its presence known in that very moment, tickling her forehead and cheek.
Without opening her eyes, Janie scrunched her nose, giving it a few, tiny wiggles in hopes of working the annoyance free. The small movement pulled at the muscles in her left cheek and eye, and then . . . she remembered.
All at once, several vivid, terrifying details from the previous night rushed to the forefront of her mind. The hotel. The masked man. Fighting with all she had, thinking she was going to die.
Her eyes flew open as she shot straight up in the bed. She scanned the room she was in. Only then did Janie regain full recollection of the rest.
I’m not at the hotel. I’m in a mansion somewhere in the woods.
Emmett had brought her here late last night, and she’d promptly crashed in one of the estate’s many bedrooms. She hadn’t cried. There’d been no screaming. In fact, Janie was fairly certain she hadn’t even dreamed.
The rustling of sheets filled the room when she brought her knees to her chest. With her arms wrapped around her covered legs, she let her head fall between her shoulders with a sigh.
She needed a minute. Just one minute before facing the day. She just needed to sit, breathe, and give herself a mental reset because there was so much work to be done.
Dwelling on what happened to her was a complete waste of time. It wouldn’t change the fact that she was attacked, which left only two other choices.
She could wallow in self-pity, letting those responsible get away with what they did. Or, Janie thought, she could do what she did best.
Putting her boots on the ground and using her pen as a sword as she faced her fears head-on in the name of justice.That’swhat Janie Reynolds did.
It was who she was at the center of her core. A champion for the truth who needed to get her ass out of this bed and start acting like the award-winning journalist she was.
Janie lifted her head, remembering Devon’s recent description of her grit and unyielding tenacity. Shewaslike a dog with a bone. The trail was slight, and Apparently there were hunters determined to put her down, but Janie was no longer scared.
Okay, so maybe a part of her was scared. But she was also extremely pissed. Anger, she could deal with. Anger was something she could use.
A loud, desperate growl interrupted her internal pep talk, reminding Janie she also needed food.
A feeling of renewed strength and determination had her tossing the covers to the side and climbing out of bed. Despite her hunger, there were a few other things she needed to tend to first.
Holy crap!
