Janie blinked. “Who, me?”
“I was talking about him.” He pointed a thumb toward Emmett.
The man she loved sent the detective a deeply lined scowl. “The hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, please.” Boone sat up straight. “From what I’ve heard, you R.I.S.C. guys always bring trouble wherever you go.”
“This isn’t Echo Team’s fault.” Janie was quick to come to their defense. “I’m the one who went to them for help. I’m the one who?—”
She cut her own words shut.
It’s me. Devon was beaten and left to die in the street all because of me.
More tears welled in her eyes. “This is all my fault.”
“Don’t.” Emmett gave a vehement shake of his head. “Don’t do that to yourself. None of this is on you.”
“But it is.” Janie’s smile was shaky and without humor. “Devon . . .” She cleared her throat. “She’s like Blake. Super smart with technology and computers.She’s the friend who helped me find out more information on Amy.”
“I remember you telling me that not long ago.”
“So what are you saying?” Boone’s dark gaze bounced between hers and Emmett’s.
“The day I met Amy,” Janie began to explain, “I had Devon look into her. Just a basic background search. She does it for all of my sources.”
“You were vetting her,” Emmett assumed.
She nodded. “Other than being a part of the White House internship program, I didn’t even know what Amy was involved in. Just that she wanted to speak to a reporter about something that had her scared.”
“So you had your friend look into a woman who turned up dead days later, and now that same friend was attacked, here in the city? And you’re absolutely sure she never said anything about coming to see you?”
“I’m sure,” Janie whispered, before recalling something Devon had told her. “That’s it.” Her gaze found Emmett’s. “When Devon looked into Amy’s background, there was nothing showing she had a history with mental health issues. There were no red flags…nothing.” She shook her head. “Which is further proof that those files they released to the public are fake.”
“So you’re saying there’s a Secret Service agent working with Press Secretary Daley in some sort of conspiracy to murder a White House intern? And because you were looking into her disappearance, they started gunning for you, and by proxy, they beat up your friend?”
“I know it doesn’t make sense,” Janie admittedsoftly. “But I’m telling you, it’s all connected. We just have to figure out what Amy knew, and then?—”
“Youaren’t going to do anything.” Boone stood.
“What do you mean?” Janie also rose to her feet.
“I mean, you’re not a cop.” To Emmett, he added, “And neither are you, for that matter.”
Emmett shrugged. “Doesn’t mean we can’t continue our own investigation.”
“It does if it puts you in the middle of mine,” Boone hissed. Leaning closer, he lowered his voice to its previously hushed level. “Trust me, Shaw. The last thing your team needs is negative press coming straight from the White House.”
The man beside her straightened his spine with a scowl. “One woman is dead; another was beaten unconscious, and someone tried killing us both.” He motioned to Janie. “You really think I’m worried about theopticsright now?”
“All I’m saying is you need to be careful.”
“I’m always careful, Detective.”
Janie watched as the two shared a silent look that seemed to speak volumes.
“I’m sorry, Detective,” Janie offered quietly. “I know you want more answers. Trust me, we do, too. But right now, more than anything, I really just want to go see my friend. Please.”
Boone’s brown stare slid from Emmett’s to hers. “Come on. I’ll take you to her room.”
