Page 45 of Duplicity

Peter said, “It’s mine. So no funky smells, thanks.”

He strode away, toward Simon’s motorcycle. The twins had switched vehicles this afternoon. Because of the bomb threat, orbecause her car had been out of commission? “I feel like I missed an entire thing.”

Simon put his hand on her back. “Come on, I’ll explain on the way.”

EIGHTEEN

Simon took a look at the conference room, fourth floor of the police department. He’d been here in this building exactly once, on the day he was walked in wearing handcuffs. Since then, he’d opted to steer clear of the place.

Cat stopped two paces in and turned back. “Come on, I always sit up front.”

He wasn’t an “up front” kind of guy.

She eyed him. “Or we can find somewhere in a corner where no one will notice you?”

“I’m not that bad.”

Peter nudged his shoulder. “Yes, you are. It was weird for me the first time, too.” His phone started to ring, so he tugged it out and stepped back into the hall. Probably Selena.

Simon’s safety net was frequently drawn aside by the relationship that had given Peter something he’d always wanted. Simon didn’t always get to lean on his brother and their connection. Often, he had to stand on his own, especially with his brother on more missions, or “operations,” these days.

Cat studied him. “You okay?”

He nodded. “Show me where we’re sitting.”

She stuck close by him in the ocean of cops in uniform, plenty more in business clothes, and the FBI contingent from downstairs. Pretty much everyone had a white paper cup of coffee. Light streamed in the window, the bright yellow beam radiating heat across the middle rows until someone adjusted the blinds.

When she had settled into a chair that was a good compromise between the front row and hiding in the corner, he turned to her. He should probably explain. “Peter got a girlfriend last summer.”

She glanced over at him.

“She’s great. I’m not saying she isn’t.” He winced. “Actually, she’s great forhim. I’m happy for him. He’s content in a way that he’s never felt before.”

“You can tell all that?”

“Sometimes, we get strong emotions that are each other’s, not ours. When I’m with him…I feel better. When he’s gone, I mostly focus on work, but occasionally, I get a rush of anxiety or fear, so I know something went down. But he texts me right after it’s done. If he didn’t, I’d call the Famous Ones, and they’d drag his butt out of wherever.”

“Who?”

He said, “They’re a Vanguard team. Retrieval, mostly. Getting people out of jams.”

“They sound like good people to know.”

He nodded, still thinking about the shared emotion part of being twins. Peter had never asked him about what happened when he was taken at seventeen. Who knew what had gone on at home during the days Simon was missing. Maybe something Peter didn’t want to talk about, making it an agreed upon silence.

“He’s getting married in a couple of months.”

She squeezed his knee. “Need a date?”

As soon as she said it, she sort of blanched. Because she hadn’t meant to say that aloud? He didn’t mind that she had made that suggestion. If he was going to go with anyone…

“Yes, I actually do need a date.” Simon forced himself not to hesitate. “Want to go with me?”

“I would.” She gave him a nervous smile. “I’m all about friends supporting friends.”

And here he’d been hopeful that she’d listened to two of his stories so far and hadn’t run as far as she could as fast as she could. She’d heard the tragic tale of his abduction and his epic disaster of a relationship—the one he’d kidded himself was actually something good that might last.

On the heels of that, Peter had met Selena.

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