Page 30 of Duplicity

Simon sighed. Of course, he would have to face God. His brother had his head on straight about the Lord these days. He would get married soon. They would talk about having kids.

All that fear welled up in him again.

“Selena is worried about you. She was texting me all night to come and find you.”

Better not to know how he had.

“Freya is worried. Even Clare called me about having a big meeting. Destiny told her that wasn’t a good idea, they should let you keep going to the trauma group.”

Simon said, “I don’t need an intervention.”

“When you do, you don’t get a choice in it.”

If anyone understood what he’d been through, it was Destiny. Given what had happened to her in Africa, she was probably the only one who did.

“I get why you don’t want things to be public. I kept plenty to myself for a long time. But if it was me, would you let it go, or would you do everything you could to help me?”

Simon glanced over. “I already did that, remember?”

When Peter had been on that cruise, and his and Selena’s lives had been in danger, Simon hadn’t slept for three days while trying to find their ship. Trying to figure out what on earth was happening and get them help.

Pete nodded. A second later, he said, “I want all of it. Everything you’ve got on this case.”

You’re not my boss.

The corner of his brother’s lips curled up, just a flash. “The disappearance of this girl is connected?”

Simon nodded. “No doubt.”

“Okay.” Peter sat forward on the chair, elbows on his knees.

“Hey, you’re up.” Cat’s feet shuffled on the floor. “Oh, hey. Geez, you guys are twins, aren’t you?” She leaned against the door, her soft expression just for him. “Coffee?”

He smiled. “Coffee would be great.”

“None for me, thanks.” Pete stood. “I should go. I just have a couple more questions.”

So this was an interrogation. He glanced over at Pete. “Really?”

“Why is this a threatnow? Suddenly, you drop off the grid and do this. Why the rush?”

Simon bristled. He’d already torn off that bandage for Cat, and his brother wanted him to recount the whole sordid thing all over again. Not just that, but how it had continued since. How it haunted him every minute of every day.

Peter asked, “He threatens you?”

Cat gasped. “He makes contact?”

Simon sat forward, scrubbed his hands down his face and then squeezed the back of his neck. He needed to?—

“You’re not running. Talk.”

He winced. “Every so often, I get a message. A text.”

“He is threatening you.” Peter didn’t ask it like a question, and he sounded like he wanted to find the man who had kidnapped Simon and kill him with his bare hands. Not something his brother should have on his conscience.

“I can handle it.”

“Sie.”

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