by C. M. Sutter
“We really appreciate you coming all this way.” Mr. and Mrs. Weeks reached out and embraced me.
“Thank you. Here’s my card again. Jane, your nightmare is over, but don’t think you can’t call just to talk. That offer is open anytime, day or night.” I leaned over the bed and hugged her then kissed her cheek. “Take care of yourself.” I gave her a smile, said goodbye, and left the room.
Alone in the elevator, I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes. Now I really understood the importance of my job. It was moments like those with Jane that made it all worthwhile.
I found a hotel room off the interstate and pulled in. I was exhausted. After a light snack in the hotel lounge and a glass of wine, I took the elevator to my room, made the calls to everyone for the dinner party tomorrow night, and changed into my pajamas. I took a moment to reflect on the last five and a half months. It had been a long road with many tears, but killing Max was justified. The world would be a safer place without him. I killed him for myself in that moment, but mostly for my dad. I said a prayer for the safety of all my loved ones, reached for the table lamp, and turned the switch. With my head comfortably situated on the soft pillow, it took only a minute for me to drift off to sleep.
Chapter 55
“Where the hell is the table leaf?”
“What are you doing under the bed?”
I scooted out and flipped over then stared up at Amber as she hovered over me. “I’m looking for the leaf.”
“I already put it in the table an hour ago.”
“Oh.” I stood up and brushed the carpet fibers off my black pants.
“Nervous?”
“No. Just wondering how this is going to turn out.” I chuckled. “You have to admit, the FBI and sheriff’s department enjoying a dinner party together does sound weird.”
“It was your idea, Brainiac. Anyway, it’s going to be a blast, and thank you for not inviting Mom and Bruce.”
We both chuckled.
“So, what can I do to help?”
“Just relax. Go ahead and place the wineglasses on the table. Make sure there’s plenty of white chilling in the fridge.
“Okay, good idea.” I looked at the clock. “They’re going to start arriving any minute.”
Amber laughed. “Yeah, that’s the plan.”
“Right.”
The doorbell rang minutes later.
The dinner party was a huge success, and everyone loved Amber’s Chicken Cacciatore. Lieutenant Clark and SSA Spelling hit it off immediately, and their wives did too. Jack told a few corny jokes, J.T. told us about the hilarious antics of Ralph the bulldog, and after dinner, Kate—with a doozy of a black eye—read our palms.
“Anyone up for coffee?” I asked rhetorically as I started a twelve-cupper. They all said yes. Amber pulled dessert out of the refrigerator along with two bottles of white wine.
“If I could have your attention, please.”
We turned and faced Jack.
“Nearly six months ago, I gave up something very special to me. I believe I can speak for Lieutenant Clark too.”
I looked away and shook my head. I knew what he was doing. Tears immediately sprang up in my eyes.
He went on. “I gave up my partner for the better good, but I’ll never give up my best friend. Jade, you’re my confidante, my sister in good times and bad, and the bravest damn cop I’ll ever know. Plus, you’re a lot better looking than Horbeck.”
We burst out laughing.
Jack winked at me. “J.T., you have yourself a great partner, and SSA Spelling, you’ve got one hell of an agent on your team.”
J.T. raised his glass to all of us, gave me a smile, and said, “I’ll drink to that.”
THE END
Thank you for reading Justified, Book 2 in the new Agent Jade Monroe FBI Thriller Series. I hope you enjoyed it!
Follow the complete Jade Monroe saga starting with the Detective Jade Monroe Crime Thriller Series. The books are listed in order below:
Maniacal
Captive
Fallacy
Premonition
Exposed
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