Amy Weaver may not be a missing person any longer, but Janie’s life was still very much in danger. And until her attacker was found and the threats to her ceased to exist, Emmett wasn’t about to leave her side.
“This way.” His hand returned to her back as they made a left down the alley running along the rear of the massive building.
“What about cameras?” Janie began a visual search around them. “I didn’t even think about that until now, but what if someone sees us? Surely this place has twenty-four-hour security.”
“It does, which is why Dr. O’Neill said to meet her around back. As for the cameras, we’ve already got that covered.”
Janie was quiet before asking, “Blake?”
Her correct guess made Emmett grin. “I sent him atext as soon as we parked.” Emmett continued to scan the shadows around them. “I’ll send him another one as soon as we know for sure our friend is going to show, and he’ll take care of the rest.”
“There.” Janie pointed to a car parked near the loading garage door. “That car looks expensive, and she is the country’s leading forensics expert. It has to be hers, right?”
A low whistle blew from Emmett’s pursed lips when he caught sight of the luxury sedan. “Yeah, I’d say that’s a pretty safe bet.”
He studied the S-Class Mercedez Benz a bit closer as they grew nearer. Moonlight white paint. All-wheel drive. Panoramic sunroof and he bet if he looked under the hood, he’d see an engine most car lovers would drool over.
He slid a sideways glance her way. “That car right there will run you about two-hundred thirty grand.”
“Two-hundred and thirty thousand dollars?” Janie’s almond-shaped eyes grew wide and round at his revelation. “For acar?”
“You read up on O’Neill after she called to set up the meet. The woman makes a shit ton of money doing what she does.”
Emmett had done his own research on the world-renowned, independent forensics analyst. Dr. O’Neill’s consulting costs alone would require most people to take out a second mortgage.
“Boy, am I in the wrong business,” Janie muttered beneath her breath.
He chuckled. “You and me both, sweetheart.”
The term of endearment was a slip of the tongueand one hundred percent unintended. Janie’s blue eyes met his before skittering nervously away.
Way to send the woman mixed signals, asshole.
Emmett opened his mouth to apologize for the verbal blunder but was interrupted by a different woman’s voice and the sound of a car door being shut.
“You must be Emmett Shaw.” An attractive redhead smiled as she met them near the closed garage door. “I’m Scarlett.” She held out a hand and waited. “Talia’s told me a lot about you.”
“All good things, I hope.”
“Of course.” The two shared a friendly shake before the redhead turned Janie’s way. “And you’re Janie, right?”
“Janie Reynolds.” They greeted one another with a quick handshake. “It’s very nice to meet you, Dr. O’Neill.”
“It’s nice to meet you both, as well. And please, call me Scarlett.” Her red lips spread into a friendly grin. “Dr. O’Neill makes me sound like my father.” A quick roll of her eyes. “Come on. Let’s get you inside before someone sees.”
He and Janie waited a few feet back while Scarlett used her employee I.D. to activate the door.
“I like her already,” Janie whispered for his ears only.
Mechanical gears began to move, and the heavy door’s pulley system lifted the metal barrier up along its rails. A blast of cold air hit as the redhead led them into the covered space. As soon as the three of them were fully inside, Scarlett pushed a button and the door paused before lowering itself back down to the ground.
“I thought you were an independent consultant.”Janie walked between him and the friendly doc. “But that’s a District Office of the ME badge you just used.”
Scarlett’s heels clicked across the concrete floor. “I’m independent, yes, but I also work closely with Dr. Nguyen.” She referred to the Chief Medical Examiner for D.C. “Like I explained to Talia when she called, a case like this, even a presumed suicide, would be handed directly to him.”
“Because of Amy’s connection with the White House?” Janie asked next.
Talia’s friend nodded with a grin. “That’s exactly it. And like I told Emmett when I reached out to him earlier, records for ongoing cases with a direct line to the White House are almost always kept on paper in Dr. Nguyen’s office until they’ve officially been closed.”
