Riley felt herself choke up as she began to speak the words
I, Riley Sweeney, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic
She had to blink back a tear as she continued.
This is real, she told herself. This is really happening.
She had no idea what awaited her from this moment on.
But she felt sure that her life would never be the same.
*After the ceremony, Hoke Gilmer took the students on a long tour of the J. Edgar Hoover Building. Riley grew more and more amazed at the size and complexity of the building, and at all the different activities that took place here. There were various exercise rooms, a basketball court, a medical clinic, a printing shop, many kinds of labs and computer rooms, a firing range, and even a morgue and a car repair shop.
It all boggled her mind.
When the tour was over, the group was taken to the cafeteria on the eighth floor. Riley felt exhausted as she put food on her traynot so much from the miles of walking shed done, but at everything shed seen and tried to absorb.
How much of this wonderful facility could she hope to experience in the ten weeks she was to spend here? She wanted to learn everything she could, as fast as she possibly could.
And she wanted to get started right this very minute.
As she carried her tray looking for a place to eat, she felt strangely out of place. The other interns already seemed to be forming friendships and sitting in groups, chattering away excitedly about the day they were having. She told herself she ought to sit down among some of her young colleagues, introduce herself and get to know a few of them.
But she knew it wasnt going to be easy.
Riley had always felt like something of an outsider, and making friends and fitting in had never come naturally for her.
And right now, she felt shyer than she could remember ever feeling.
And was it just her imagination, or were some of the interns glancing at her and whispering about her?
She had just decided to sit alone when she heard a voice next to her.
Youre Riley Sweeney, arent you?
She turned to see a young man who had caught her eye back in the auditorium and during the tour. She hadnt been able to help noticing that he was remarkably good-lookinga bit taller than she was, rugged and athletic, with short curly hair and a pleasant smile. His suit looked expensive.
Um, yes, Riley said, suddenly feeling even more shy than before. And you ?
John Welch. Im pleased to meet you. Id offer to shake hands, but
He nodded at the trays they were both carrying and laughed a little.
Would you care to sit with me? he asked.
Riley hoped she wasnt blushing.
Sure, she said.
They sat down across a table from each other and started eating.
Riley asked, How did you know my name?
John smiled impishly and said, Youre kidding right?
Riley was startled. She managed to stop herself from saying
No, Im not kidding.
John shrugged and said, Pretty much everybody here knows who you are. I guess you could say that your reputation precedes you.
Riley looked over at some of the other students. Sure enough, a few of them were still glancing at her and exchanging whispers.
Riley began to realize
They must know about what happened back at Lanton.
But how much did they know?
And was this a good thing or a bad thing?
She certainly hadnt counted on having a reputation among the interns. The idea made her feel extremely self-conscious.
Where are you from? she asked.
Right here in DC, John said. I graduated with a BA in criminology this spring.
What school? Riley asked.
John blushed a little.
UmGeorge Washington University, he said.
Riley felt her eyes widen at the mention of such an expensive college.
He must be rich, she thought.
She also sensed that he felt a little awkward about that.
Wow, a criminology degree, she said. Ive just got a psych degree. Youve really got a head start on me.
John laughed.
On you? I dont think so. I mean, youre probably the only intern in the program with actual field experience.
Riley felt truly taken aback now.
Field experience?
She hadnt thought of what had happened back at Lanton as field experience.
John continued, I mean, you actually helped track down and apprehend an actual serial killer. I cant imagine what that must have been like. I really envy you.
Riley frowned and fell silent. She didnt want to say so, but envy seemed like a terribly inappropriate emotion to feel about what shed been through.
What did John think had gone on during those terrible weeks in Lanton? Did he have any idea what it was like to find the bodies of two of her best friends, their throats brutally slashed?
Did he know how horrified and grief-stricken shed feltand also how guilty?
She was still haunted by the thought that her roommate, Trudy, would still be alive if Riley had just done a better job of watching out for her.
And did he have any idea how terrified shed been when shed fallen into the killers clutches herself?
Riley took a sip of her soft drink and poked at her food with her fork.
Then she said, It was well, it wasnt like you must think. Its just something that happened.
John looked at her with real concern now.
Im sorry, he said. I guess you dont want to talk about it.
Maybe some other time, Riley said.
An awkward silence fell. Not wanting to be rude, Riley started asking John questions about himself. He seemed reluctant to talk about his life and family, but Riley was able to draw him out a little.
Johns parents were both prominent lawyers who were heavily involved in DC politics. Riley was impressednot so much by Johns affluent background, but by how hed chosen a different path from anyone else in his family. Instead of pursuing a prestigious career in law and politics, John had dedicated himself to a humbler life of service in law enforcement.
A real idealist, Riley thought.
She found herself contrasting him to Ryan, who was trying to put his humble background behind him by becoming a successful lawyer.
Of course, she admired Ryans ambition. It was one of the things she loved about him. But she couldnt help also admiring John for the choices he was making.
As they continued talking, Riley sensed that John was putting on the charm for her.
Hes flirting with me, she realized.
She was a bit taken aback by that. Her left hand was in full view right there on the table, so surely he could see her new engagement ring.
Should she mention that she was engaged?
She felt as though that would be awkward somehowespecially if she was wrong.
Maybe hes not flirting with me at all.
Soon John started asking questions about Riley, carefully staying away from the topic of the murders at Lanton. As usual, Riley avoided certain issuesher troubled relationship with her father, her rebellious teenage years, and especially how shed watched her own mother get shot to death when she was a little girl.
Also, it occurred to Riley that, unlike Ryan or John, she really didnt have much to say about her hopes for the future.