Page 23 of Last Chance

“Do you like the book?”

“It’s wonderful. I’ll have to buy a copy so I can finish the book.”

“Take it with you, with my compliments. I’ll get another copy for the jet.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Everybody brings their favorite books to share with the others. This will be the sixth copy I’ve bought. Several of my friends have gotten hooked on the series. If you like the series, there’s also an ongoing television series based on the books.”

“Sold.” She held the book close. “I can’t wait to see what happens next. Thank you, Sawyer.”

“Sure.” He stood and held out his hand. “Come on. I have a feeling you have at least one person waiting to see you.”

CHAPTER 7

JANIE STARED IN wonder at Fortress Security’s headquarters building. Concrete posts and barriers were everywhere. Over twenty lined up like immovable barriers guarding the building entrance. Key card access plus retinal scans and long strings of security codes. Brent Maddox and his employees didn’t mess around with security.

Good thing for her. She knew without a doubt that if anything happened while she was in this building, the surrounding people would take care of the problem before it ever became a genuine threat to her safety.

Sawyer drove his SUV into the underground garage and parked near an elevator. His teammates parked their vehicles close by.

One by one, Sawyer’s teammates exited their vehicles and headed for the elevator. He came around the front of his SUV and opened her door. “Ready?”

Janie hesitated. Why was she nervous? She had been friends with Brent for several years and was even better friends with his wife. Talking to Brent should be good.

She swallowed hard, admitting the truth to herself. It wouldn’t be good at all. She dreaded recounting her experiences in the hijackers’ compound. But she knew Brent. He would dig for every single detail, looking for any clue why the hijackers took her and the others, yet kept only her alive.

Janie built up her courage and straightened her spine. Dithering wouldn’t prevent the experience and might, in fact, cause Brent to dig harder to ferret out everything. Didn’t matter how horrific or embarrassing the memories, she had to give Sawyer and the others every scrap of information. Perhaps they could locate the hijackers and bring them to justice.

She placed her hand in Sawyer’s outstretched one. “Brent’s waiting?”

Sawyer squeezed her hand. “He is. If you need more time, I’ll take you to a conference room where you can take a minute for yourself.” His lips curved. “I doubt the boss will allow you more than a minute or two before he tracks you down to demand answers.”

She sighed. “That’s the thing, Sawyer. I don’t have any answers. I don’t know why the hijackers took fifteen people from the plane, transported us to that compound, and killed all the passengers except me.”

“We’ll investigate and learn the truth. In the meantime, try to relax and answer Brent’s questions with whatever comes out of your mouth first. Don’t censor your words. Your subconscious may have the answers, but your conscious mind is blocking information.”

“And if my first instinct is totally wrong?”

He shrugged his uninjured shoulder. “Won’t take us long to discover what’s false and what’s true.” Sawyer nudged her toward the elevator. “If you need a break during the questioning, let me know. I’ll make sure you get a breather.”

“I appreciate that.” Would it be too early to take that breather five minutes after the session started?

They arrived on the sixth floor, which housed Brent’s office suite, the comm center, a clinic, and several conference rooms. He guided her to Brent’s office, where his assistant walked them to the boss’s door.

Brent came around the desk, relief flooding his features as he hugged Janie. Those familiar arms and hard chest told Janie more than anything else that she was finally safe and close to home.

To her embarrassment, tears streamed down her cheeks. Brent held her for a while without saying a word, simply waiting. Finally, Janie stepped back and accepted the wad of tissues Sawyer handed her with a small smile of gratitude. “Sorry, Brent. I don’t know where that came from.”

“You’re safe now, Janie, thanks to Sawyer and his teammates.”

“I can’t thank you enough for sending them to save me. I don’t think I would have survived much longer.”

“You would have found a way. You’re made of steel. The Janie Moran I know doesn’t give up.”

“I’m glad you think so. I’m not convinced you’re correct.”

He waved toward the chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat. Sawyer, sit rep.”

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