Page 98 of Jep

“We don’t know that for sure.”

“I don’t think my sister will ever talk, and if there are bombs out there somewhere, who knows what’s coming? And there’s nothing we can do to stop it.”

“We both got a good look at what was in the apartment. I think we should go over it again.”

“But you said it’s all gone.”

“Yeah, but there could be other clues.” He tapped her head. “Up here. Something to tell us where to look next.”

“I can’t remember anything important.”

“You’ve also been stuck in a closet, frozen in fear. We need to clear our heads and take the time to think back to before we were interrupted in the apartment.”

“Interrupted? That’s a mild word for it.”

“There might be something we missed. Something we didn’t have the time to process.”

“It’s worth a shot.”

“Great,” he said. “Let’s get back to the office—actually, that might not be a good idea. I’m not ready to face Lawson yet, and he definitely won’t give us any time to think.”

“Good point. And the place will be crazy. Someplace quiet would be better. My head is spinning. I think I’m high off the fumes from that closet.”

“What about your place?”

“I have a better idea.” She checked her watch. “My aunt has a lovely little garden in her backyard. It’s one of my favorite places, and she won’t be home right now. It would be a really good spot to clear our heads.”

“Does she have coffee?”

“Yes.”

“Perfect. Let’s go.”

Chapter 22

“I moved in herewhen I was ten,” Em said as she unlocked the front door. She stepped across the threshold and inhaled the familiar scent of eucalyptus and raspberry.

“Were you and your aunt close before that?”

“No. We almost never saw her. I found out later that my mom tried to keep her away from us.”

“Why would she do that?”

“I think she was afraid we’d like Carla better.”

“And she lost you to your aunt in the end anyway.”

“She didn’t have to.” Em lead him past a cozy living room and into a small kitchen. “Carla tried to bring us back together. When she took us in, it was only meant to be temporary. Just to give my mom time to get her life sorted out.”

“She never did?”

“She fell deeper into depression, ended up addicted to painkillers. I visited her once when I was sixteen. She was living in a tiny studio apartment. I barely recognized her. After neither one of us said much over thirty minutes, I left knowing it was the last time I’d see her. She died a year later of a stroke. A small mercy, I think.”

“I’m sorry.”

“God knew what he was doing bringing me to Carla. She’s the reason I found my faith. She started bringing me to church, and I never looked back— I’m sorry, but have you seen yourself in the mirror?”

He raked his hand through his hair, yanking at the end to get his fingers through. “I’m avoiding it as long as I can.”

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