Page 42 of Duplicity

“So, these may not even be abductions,” Cat said, a slight smile curling her lips. “Could be they ran away, maybe even in a pact, where they planned to meet up somewhere. Friends who stick together and they all want to start a new life somewhere else.”

Peter said, “Possible.”

Simon glanced at his twin. “But you think it’s unlikely?”

“Only because of the other thing we’re working on.” Peter glanced at Cat. “When I have something concrete on that, I will let you know.”

Based on her raised brows, she wasn’t convinced. Probably due to the police department friction with Vanguard, who certainly chose to follow their own procedures and rules. That was why people went to work for them rather than the police department. But there was a whole lot of respect on both sides. Just not favors or looking the other way.

Which was exactly how it should be.

“Thanks.” Cat took another bite of her dinner. Her attention snagged on something behind them, the way it had when Peter came in.

A woman with long dark hair, wearing wide-leg jeans and a cropped shirt so that they could all see she had a belly button ring, stopped beside their table. “Are you Cat?” She didn’t even look at Peter and Simon.

Cat wiped her mouth with her napkin. “What can I help you with?”

“Carlos told me to come talk to you.”

Cat glanced at Simon, then slid out of her seat. “Let’s find somewhere quiet.”

He was about to tell her not to leave the dining room of the restaurant where he’d be able to keep an eye on them when she waved the woman to a nearby table.

“What’s that about?”

Simon shrugged. “Carlos is the guy she talked to about the kid in jail.”

“Something else I need to be working on aside from these disappearances?”

“I don’t think she needs your help. And I would rather you focus on the girls that might be terrified right now.”

Peter leaned over and nudged his shoulder.

“It’s called empathy. It doesn’t need to be a big deal.”

Peter said, “I sent you a calendar invite to go get fitted for tuxes. Before you ask, you can wear canvas shoes as long as they are black. I’m pretty sure Selena is going to wear flip-flops under her dress.”

Simon took another bite so he could give himself a minute. Cat and the young woman were in intense conversation.

“Can’t avoid this. It’s happening.”

“I’m not avoiding anything.” He’d lived with the fear for far too long. He needed to figure out how to get rid of it. But was that even possible? “I’ll be there.”

How could he let go of the terror?

SEVENTEEN

“Carlos called me after you talked to him.” The woman across the table from her had introduced herself as Alayna, and at first, it had seemed she was older. But perhaps this woman was only a year or two younger than her. Putting her in her early twenties.

“What did he ask you to tell me?”

Alayna shifted her purse on her lap, then lifted a fork with one hand, turning it over so that it clinked on the tabletop.

Cat spotted some of the familiar signs of someone who had experienced trauma. There were plenty of things a person might be reluctant to speak about, but a painful experience had some typical tells. Many of the people at the group she went to had them. Probably, they noticed some in her as well.

“It’s a show of good faith. That his intel about the…person he mentioned? That it’s legit.”

Cat nodded.

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