Page 60 of Duplicity

They were all looking at her. She turned in her chair and found Peter and Simon on the other side, standing several feet away. She locked eyes with Simon and asked, “What if I can identify him by the sound of his voice?”

Simon came over. “I can find you a few samples, and you can listen to them. See if you recognize one.”

“He only gave me warnings about the police leaving him alone. I tried to get him to give me something more, but it didn’t work.” This might, and then something good would come out of being taken. That it wasn’t just about terrifying her. Using her as a pawn.

“It’s worth a try.” He tugged a different chair up beside her, and she gave him enough room. He typed faster than she’d ever seen anyone type.

“Wow.”

The corner of his mouth curled up. She leaned back in his chair and watched his face while he worked. He’d sat pretty close and didn’t seem to be concerned about her being in his personal space. Maybe he also hadn’t minded the fact she’d ambush-kissed him earlier. It had been about the relief of seeing him, knowing she was safe and that the whole ordeal was finally over.

He’d accepted it. Maybe even enjoyed it.

He could’ve stepped away but didn’t.

Right now, her brain felt pretty…addled was the only word she could come up with. That was a good word. She’d read it in a book recently.

Someone shook her shoulder. “Wakey-wakey.” Romeo’s face swam into view.

“I’m awake.” She blinked. “Which means I need coffee.”

Simon chuckled. “Okay. I have examples of four male family members, each of whom might be the man who…” The humor dissipated from his face.

Again, this would be easier if they were alone. He’d encountered the same ruthless man. “Are you sure you want to figure out who he is?”

Simon stared at her. It was probably hard for him to talk about it, but he was beginning to open up. The way a lot of people did when they were in a place that was safe for them to share. If he thought there would be no judgment here with his friends, she could accept that.

He swallowed. “When I’d reached the point that I could try to find out, I wasn’t sure. Part of me didn’t want to. It’s harder to ignore what happened and pretend everything is fine when the specter has a face and a name. When he’s a real person and I didn’t stop him.”

“You were seventeen.”

He started to speak but didn’t find the words.

She reached out and took his hand, linking their fingers. “No one faults you for surviving.”

“I can fix it.”

They would talk more about how, find out if he had a plan, but first, they needed to listen to these recordings he had pulledup. If they knew who it was, they could focus on how to take him down and find the girls. Stop the party.

He shifted the chair back. “I need to make a call. Let me know if you figure out who it is.” He paused. “Actually, tell Peter.”

Before she could ask if he was okay or just avoiding what she was about to, he’d walked away toward Peter. His brother only looked at him. The four people over by the armchairs had gone back to the conference room. They were giving her space. The moment she pinpointed the man’s identity, they would be back here.

Romeo, Peter, and her father stood around her like sentries.

She looked at Peter. “I am okay right now. But I don’t think Simon is.”

His nose wrinkled. “He’s tired. That’s pretty normal.”

Had he only said that because her father and brother were here, listening? If it was just the two of them, would he have told her something different? Life between them seemed to be a balance of what they knew about each other and what they were willing to share with the world.

Her mind started to wander. Thinking about meeting Selena. About sitting in her chairs with Simon, talking and looking at the stars. About sleep. A lot of sleep. It was nearly three in the morning, and they hadn’t slept much the night before.

She clicked on the first video, then three seconds later, she shut it off. “Not him.” She dragged that window to the left side monitor so it was out of the way.

The man in the next frame seemed familiar. “Who is…”

Her dad said, “I voted for that guy.”

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