Wearing nothing but a lacy white thong and a matching bra, Janie took the time to hang up her clothes in the room’s spacious closet. She’d replaced the professional attire for the much more comfortable ensemble of black yoga pants, an oversized tee, and a pair of cozy socks.
Her phone pinged with an incoming message on her way to the room’s private balcony. Stepping outside, Janie sat down in one of two patio chairs and propped her socked feet onto the nearby railing.
Ankles crossed, she drew in a deep, soothing breath while taking in the stunning view of the Washington Monument from over the roofs of nearby buildings. After stealing a few selfish seconds of peace for herself, she glanced down at the phone in her hand.
The text was from a number she didn’t recognize, but Janie instantly knew it was a D.C. number. Tapping the screen, she opened the message and immediately dropped her feet back down to the balcony’s concrete floor.
Her spine stiffened and her veins filled with excitement when she read the words on her screen.
This is Amy. If the offer still stands, I’d really like tomeet.
Janie didn’t hesitate to respond . . .
Hi, Amy! Just tell me when and where.
Three dots appeared in a bubble as she waited for Amy to send her the details. It didn’t take long for the phone to ding again.
My apartment. One hour.
Immediately following that text was one containing an address. Janie assured the young intern she’d be there before doing a quick search for the quickest route.
She’d hoped Amy’s apartment would be within walking distance, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Going with door number two, she arranged for a ride through an app on her phone and went back inside to change.
Janie didn’t need to dress up simply to go talk to a possible source, but she also couldn’t bring herself to go to the meeting in yoga pants and a sloppy tee. Instead she went with a pair of jeans and a dark green, cable knit sweater, finishing off the look with a pair of brown, lace-up boots.
With time to spare, she went to the mustard-yellow couch located against the far wall of her room. She propped her feet up on the cushioned ottoman, crossing her ankles before grabbing the laptop she’d left on the coffee table hours before. A quick email later, and her request for more information on Amy Weaver had been submitted.
Less than five minutes passed before a response was in her inbox. The message was comprised of only two words.
On it.
When it came to digging up reliable information onsomeone, Devon Brighton was one of the smartest, most talented people Janie knew. The tiny blonde had also been Janie’s closest friend since the two were roommates their freshman year of college.
Another text came through several minutes later letting her know Amy’s cursory background confirmed the woman’s story. She did, in fact, hold an intern position within the White House press.
Thanks, Dev.
Janie sent the text before sliding her phone into her back pocket and grabbing her jacket and purse. She was downstairs and making her way through the hotel lobby when the car she’d ordered to take her to Amy pulled up to the curb out front.
Thanks to an influx of D.C. traffic, it took thirty-two minutes to make the thirteen-mile drive. Once there, Janie walked into the apartment building with her chin up, shoulders back, and confidence in her step.
It was a lesson she’d learned very early on. Go in like you own the place, and fewer questions would be asked.
So that’s exactly what she did.
Janie walked straight into the building, got into the elevator, and waited patiently as it took her up to Amy’s floor. When she stepped into the hallway, it didn’t take long for her to find apartment 6B.
She started to knock, but the moment her knuckles struck the door’s smooth wood, it swung open with hardly any force.
Okaaaay . . .
“Amy?” she called out from the hall. “It’s me. Janie Reynolds.”
Nothing but silence responded.
“Amy?” Janie hollered for the other woman again.
When there still was no answer, she pushed the door open a tad more. Just enough to step over the threshold so she could take a peek inside.
