At the Edge by Laura Griffin Page A

Locating her and rescuing her was his job, and he’d accomplished it successfully, end of story.
    But she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
    She’d definitely noticed his protectiveness at O’Malley’s. He hadn’t wanted anyone hitting on her, least of all his teammate.
    And yet he hadn’t invited her back to his place or suggested they go to hers, even though he’d seemed like he wanted to. In fact, for a minute, she’d thought they might not even make it off the beach. But then he’d totally backed off and shut her down.
    It was for the better. If she told herself that enough, maybe she’d believe it.
    She hadn’t come here for Ryan—at least not completely. She’d come here to unravel the truth about what happened up in that plane and to clear the name of an honorable man who had spent his last moments on earth trying to save the lives of his passengers.
    Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them back as she swung into the driveway of her hotel. Ahead of her was a minivan where a bedraggled mom was unloading a tote bag filled with beach towels and dolphin toys. Two little boys in Sea World caps piled out of the van, and their mother hustled them to the door as her husband lingered behind to unbuckle another car seat. He scooped a sleeping little girl onto his shoulder, and she slumped against him like a rag doll.
    Emma watched the family and felt a pang of loneliness so strong it took her breath away.
    â€œMiss? Will you be staying with us this evening?”
    She blinked up at the valet. “What? Oh, yes. I’m already registered.” She grabbed her purse and got out, but suddenly she had no desire whatsoever to spend another night holed up in her hotel room, flipping channels and waiting for e-mails that never came through.
    She walked across the cobblestone driveway and looked out onto a boulevard landscaped with palm trees and bougainvillea. She glanced up and down the block, and her gaze came to rest on a green neon sign: Thai Garden. She set out at a brisk pace, and with every step she grew hungrier. She hadn’t eaten all day, and Thai was her go-to comfort food. Her phone chimed from her purse, and she dug it out. The caller ID said US GOV .
    Emma’s pulse picked up as she answered.
    â€œThis is Special Agent Alexa Mays returning your call.”
    It wasn’t a question but a statement, and it was followed by a strategic silence.
    Emma smiled. She’d never met an FBI agent in a hurry to volunteer information. But she wasn’t intimidated. On the contrary, the fact that this woman had called her at all was a huge victory. It meant someone in the Los Angeles field office had instructed Mays to handle her.
    â€œI assume you got my message,” Emma said. “I’m in town only briefly, and I’d really appreciate the chance to talk to you concerning the Renee Conner investigation.”
    A faint sound, maybe a sigh. “I have ten thirty tomorrow open, but then I’ve got a hard stop at eleven,” the agent said.
    A ten-thirty meeting would mean getting up early to fight Monday-morning traffic up the coast, but Emma would take it. It would be her first face-to-face with an actual person on the multiagency task force investigating the plane crash.
    â€œPerfect,” Emma said. “Should I call when I arrive or—”
    â€œCheck in with security. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
    â€œGot it.”
    â€œAnd I don’t know if you’re familiar with our procedures, but no cell phones.”
    â€œI know.”
    Emma felt a surge of happiness as she clicked off. Most of her day had been a flop, but things were improving. Her spirits were buoyed as she neared the restaurant, and the aroma of coconut curry shrimp made her mouth water.
    A sharp squeal of brakes had her whirling around as a giant gray pickup truck zoomed down the street. It jumped the curb and roared straight toward her.
    She