Page 16 of Storm Surge

Every time he saw her it was a jolt to his system. The resemblance to Lizzy was so uncanny. Will pulled open the DNA kit and removed the swab. “It’s very simple. I’ll rub this swab inside your mouth.When you do this, millions of cells that cover the surface of your mouth are collected. It then goes in the secured container, and that’s all there is to it.” A simple description for something that was anything but. At least not for him. Everything in his world depended on the outcome.

She smiled at his description. “Okay, detective, I’m ready when you are.”

“Actually, it’s just Will. I’m former military, but I don’t hold the title of detective.”

Jamie frowned at the information given as if she were trying to recall something.

“Why don’t you have a seat.” He indicated the chair near the window, and she sat.

His fingers shook as he opened the sealed swab. “Whenever you’re ready.” Their eyes met. His breath caught because it was like looking back in time. Five years. The handful of photos he had of her were like pieces of gold as far as Will was concerned. He carried them with him in his wallet.

Dreams about Lizzy had become part of his world. And not a week went by when something she did or said didn’t come to mind.

“Oh. Sorry.” She opened her mouth. He swallowed several times before he swabbed the inside of her cheek and placed the swab into a secured container.

“That’s it. I appreciate your cooperation.”

“Of course.” Jamie glanced at the landscape outside. “Do you feel like taking a walk?”

Her question threw him, but he was grateful because he wanted to show her those pictures of Lizzy. Hopefully, they might jog a memory.

Though there were things he should be doing. Getting the sample to his FBI personnel to ship to the D.C. lab. Searching the lodge for anything that might belong to Sofia so that they could tie the body in the woods to her because he had a feeling Sofia Collins never left this property. But for now, both those things would wait. He wanted to spend time with this woman who had haunted his thoughts ever since he’d met her.

“I’d like that.” Will moved to the door and held it open for her while being aware of Betty who had stepped from the kitchen and was watching them with a frown. She didn’t say a word to stop them. Almost as if she realized, the truth would come out one way or another. Will helped Jamie into her coat and followed her out into the snow-covered world.

They walked in silence for a while. Like her aunt, Jamie was drawn to the cliff above the ocean. The timeless motion of the waves were oddly comforting.

Once they reached the spot where he’d seen her father and grandfather fighting, she stopped and faced him. “Do you have a picture of Lizzy?”

The question surprised him. Almost as if she were reading his thoughts.

He cleared his throat. “I do.” Will pulled out the ones he’d had printed from his old phone because he was so afraid he’d lose them. “This was taken in Afghanistan. I told you we met there.” He looked her way. She took the photo from him and stared at the woman who looked so much like her. Though Jamie’s dark hair was longer, she still wore it in a similar style.

She sucked in a breath. “She looks so much like me. I wish—” Jamie didn’t finish. Her trembling hand covered her mouth.

“This one was taken on our wedding day.” The ceremony had been at city hall. Will had asked another couple to take their photo. He and Lizzy had gone to their favorite restaurant afterwards. It was the best day of his life.

“You both look so happy.” She handed the photos back to him without looking at the rest. Tears gathered in her eyes, and she visibly regrouped. “What’s going on in the woods?” The unexpected question threw him. Will was surprised that she knew about the activity in the woods, but he wouldn’t lie to her.

“We found a grave there. Someone was buried.”

“Is that why you needed the DNA sample? Do you think it’s my mother?” Those brown eyes locked on his face. She analyzed his every reaction. His Lizzy had that same look. She’d planned to join the FBI’s behavioral science division. Jamie was a computer programmer. Different professions, and yet. . .

“We aren’t sure who the person is yet.”

She didn’t believe him. “But you think it’s her.” She pressed him for answers. “You think my father lied about my mother leaving us?”

He did. She might respect her father, but Will was all too familiar with the monster who lived inside Martin Collins.

???

There was something about Will that put her at ease. She hadn’t felt this way since, well, since she couldn’t remember. “You can tell me,” she said when he hesitated. “I don’t remember my mother at all.” She stared at the ocean below. The constant motion of the waves rolling in and out again and again was another form of medicine for her wounded body. It reminded her that no matter what she was going through, God was there watching over her. Directing the tides. Her life. Its outcome.

“I believe it’s your mother,” he said, and she shifted toward him.

“Thank you.” The relief she experienced was unfounded. Somehow, she knew. When her aunt told her about her mother deserting them, she knew it wasn’t true.

“For what?”

---