Ryker scooted to the edge of the chair and took the folder from his hands. He sat back, flipped it open, and began skimming through its contents while Emmett told him what O’Neill had shared about the lack signs on Amy’s body from a person’s typical flight or fight response.
“She can better explain it, but given all that’s happened since, I’d say the woman’s assessment is spot on.”
He then went back over the rest of what they knew.The attack in Janie’s hotel room. Specifics from the night of the safe house shooting. And the lack of evidence at every turn.
“Blake’s been working non-stop trying to ID the dead shooter, but the guy’s like a ghost. His prints aren’t in any system he’s been able to find.
“Whoever’s behind this is smart, and they’ve done this before.” Ryker gave a solemn nod of his head. “The attempted hits were professional. Question is who hired them, and why?”
Emmett couldn’t agree more. “And it all goes back to Amy Weaver.”
The room grew quiet before the team’s handler pushed himself back up to his feet. Rebuttoning his jacket, Ryker told him, “I’ll ask around. Discretely. See if I can shake anything loose.”
“We’ll keep digging on our end, as well.” Emmett rolled his chair back before standing and walking toward the other man.
The evidence they needed was out there somewhere, and he and his team wouldn’t stop until they found it.
“You know, Shaw, my offer of another safe house still stands.”
“I appreciate that, but for now, I prefer to keep my client on my home turf.”
“I get that.” Ryker nodded. “Did the same thing with my wife, Soph. Of course, that was before she became my wife.”
“Pretty sure I heard that story.” Emmett thought back to conversations past. “Something to do with anoverseas med group mission and a corrupt Syrian president . . .”
He couldn’t recall the details, but the gist had been pretty clear. A woman Ryker knew had been targeted. He’d made himself her personal protector, and in the process of catching a killer, the two had fallen in love.
Sounds familiar.
“Aside from putting Soph into federal custody, which she would have fought tooth and nail, my home was the safest place I knew.”
“Seemed to work out pretty well for the two of you.” Emmett grinned.
“That it did.” The man’s smile spread wide. “Of course, that was different. Sophie and I . . . well. It’s not as if you and Miss Reynolds are romantically involved.”
His stomach dropped, and his lungs ceased to pull in air.
Don’t react. Don’t react. Don’t?—
Emmett blinked. Just the once. But Apparently it was enough. Because the second he did, Ryker’s stoic face fell.
“Ah, hell.” The man looked away with a groan before bringing his knowing gaze back to Emmett’s. “You did it, didn’t you?”
Did it?
The unexpected question left him blinking with confusion. Had Special Agent in Charge Jason Ryker seriously just use the phrase “did it” to describe what happened between him and Janie last night?
“Did it’, sir?”
He couldn’t believe they were having this conversation.
“Don’t insult me by pretending to be stupid, Shaw. You know exactly what I mean.”
Emmett really hated to disappoint the high-ranking Homeland official, but unfortunately, acting stupid was the only plan he had.
“I really don’t,” he lied.
“No?” It was clear Ryker wasn’t buying his story. “So you’re going to stand there, look me in the eyes, and tell me youhaven’tfallen for your client?”
