Page 14 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

“Outside Logan’s house, I knew the flowers by the door were Jasmine. How could I know that, but not who I am? How does that make any sense at all?”

“There’s no rhyme nor reason to this,” Summers answered calmly. “It affects everyone differently. You need to give yourself time to heal, to get over this trauma. As soon as I leave, I’ll inform our networks and NamUs that we have you.”

“What is that?”

“The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. It’s a database created by the National Institute of Justice that’s accessible by law enforcement and the public. It cross-checks outstanding missing persons reports. I’m sure as soon as your family realizes you are missing, they will let us know. You just try to relax and let the memories come back to you.”

“No one has reported me missing yet?” Jane asked, trying not to let the ramifications of that sink in.

“An adult needs to be missing for twenty-four hours before a report can be filed. The dress you were wearing — which is with forensics now — was a designer dress, so not cheap. Someone out there must know who you are, and I’m pretty confident that this time tomorrow, you will too. For now, you just have to rest.”

Jane sank back against the pillows, reassured by Summers’s conviction. Summers got up from the chair, snapping his notebook closed.

“That’s probably all I need from you today. I promised the doc I wouldn’t take much time.”

“You don’t need anything physical to ID me with? I probably have a birthmark somewhere,” Jane offered, twisting herself so she could examine her arms and legs.

Summers waved her back down. “I can get all that from the doctor. They would have looked for any identifying marks during your examination. They’re trained in cases like yours,” Summers replied.

Cases. She was a case now.

Jane tried not to shudder at the shiver his words had given.

“When you feel up to it, we’ll take your prints down at the station.”

Her face must have frozen as he smiled reassuringly.

“It’s just procedure. What usually comes up for most is a parking violation, but if it did, we’d at least know who you are.”

Taking out a card from his wallet, he left it on the side table. “If you remember anything, or even if you just want to talk, here’s my card. I’d rather you call me than sit here worrying.”

He flashed a sudden grin at her. “After all, that’s what I’m trained for.” Summers reached into his bag and retrieved an assortment of goods.

“And these are some things I picked up for you. We’ve got chocolate and fruit, some gossip mags that my wife reads in case you don’t like anything on the TV here, a toothbrush and toothpaste. I know it’s not much, but it should help to ease your stay,” he finished.

Feeling a wave of gratitude, Jane gave him a grateful look. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

Summers flashed her one last smile and exited the room.

Alone, the sudden silence was as heavy as a blanket.

Moving gingerly off the bed, Jane stepped into the bathroom that connected to her room. Overhead lights flickered on, set off by her movements, bathing her in a harsh light.

For the first time, Jane could see her reflection... but a stranger stared back at her.

She noticed the eyes first, so shockingly blue that they looked like contacts. Next to that, her blonde hair seemed pale and uninteresting.

Though her body was covered in injuries, none were too severe. Her face was mostly untouched, save for a cut on her right brow. It hadn’t required any stitches, and the young attendant who had been dealing with her wounds had thoughtlessly commented how lucky Jane was to have escaped from her ordeal to be rescued by a movie star!

As if that small fact could make up for losing one’s entire life.

She stared at herself, moving her eyes down her body, hoping that any of it would be familiar.

Despite the loose fit of the green hospital gown she wore, she could see she had the kind of curves that were considered enviable. Her bare feet with the chipped nail polish — cold now from standing on the hospital floor — were attached to long, toned legs. Her stomach was flat, her butt high and perfectly pert.

Jane knew this body hadn’t come by naturally. It had come through hard work in a gym and frequent dieting.

Running her hands over her body, she tried to feel something…

Anything.

But it was as unfamiliar as a stranger.

Tears sprang to her eyes as she wondered if she would be a stranger to herself for the rest of her life.

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