Page 98 of Hell and High Water

It's not really a happy memory.

But it's a memory of my past, of my family. The family I never really got to have.

As I set the frame down, something clatters to the floor, rolling across to a stop right at Gavin’s feet. He bends down, scooping up the metallic item. His eyes narrow as he opens his hand.

“What is that?” Tell tries to catch a glimpse over Gavin’s shoulder.

“It’s…” He passes it to me, a strange look on his face.

“A ring?” The band is simple, plain. But it’s made of blood-reddish gold. It’s a color I’ve only seen once before. “My mother had a bracelet exactly like this.”

“I remember that. He gave it to her before we left for Kandahar.” He glances down at the photo of Cynthia and Damon, shaking his head. “They were happy, you know?”

“No. I don’t know.” I don’t feel bitter. Not really. But I hate who my mother became trying to provide for me.

I glanced at the picture again, frowning. Vaguely, I notice Tell and Evan slip into the back hallway, continuing their search.

“Were you ever married, Gavin?”

“Yeah, I was.” His demeanor is cold. Tight and tense.

“What happened to her?” I shouldn't test him like this. Not that I’m trying to catch him in a lie or anything.

“She died. At least I thought she did.”

I want to say it, to bring it up and air it. But I also want to give him the chance to work through it in his own time. So for the moment, I run my fingers down his arm, pulling him close and kissing him.

“I think you need to see this…” Tell interrupts us before I can say anything.

In the hallway, Evan and Tell stand outside the last door, staring into a dark room. I squeeze between them, letting my eyes adjust.

“The door was a real trick to unlock. Heavy-duty shit. Fortunately, lockpicking is kind of my thing.”

I almost feel the eye roll from Evan. “You’re not the only one who can pick locks, you know?”

Gavin joins us, pressing up against my back. “Yeah, I can pick one too.”

They all kind of look at each other, clearly proud of themselves.

“Cool, cool. So we all have big dicks, right?” I blurt out, feeling overlooked and irritated. The response is almost hurt, like I just rained on their party.

Sigh.

“You can all pick locks. It’s very impressive and I am proud of all of you. Now can we please see what’s in this locked room now, please?”

Tell snorts as he pushes the door open farther, revealing a stark, completely empty room.

“What the hell?” I murmur, flabbergasted at the lack of… anything.

Evan places one hand on my shoulder, shining his flashlight into the room. “Hang on. Let me check for traps…”

Easing into the space, he runs his hands along the walls.

“What’s the difference? There’s nothing here.” I almost growl, frustrated and disappointed. “Stupid fucking waste of time.”

I am about to storm out when I catch an odd shadow in Evan’s flashlight beam.

“What is that?” I ask, stepping into the room and tugging his arm back. We all squat down as one, eyeing the groove in the cement.

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