Page 23 of Storm Surge

“I agree. Unfortunately, Hassanzai has disappeared into thin air, too.”

Victor snagged a glimpse at him. “But I’m guessing there’s something else you want to speak to me about.” He hesitated. “Does this have something to do with Jamie Collins?”

Will inclined his head. “It does. She came to me earlier.” Will told him about what Jamie had said concerning Edward Buckley.

Victor blew out a whistle. “What she’s saying seems to fit with the MO of the Van Gogh Killer, and it matches what you believe happened to Lizzy.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s too much of a coincidence to dismiss.”

“It is. Jamie’s upset about the returned memories, but she doesn’t understand them. She believes there are more that she can’t remember.” He told Victor about the accident that her aunt and father claimed was responsible for the memory loss. “Jamie doesn’t believe they told her the truth. She wants to try hypnosis.” Will looked Victor in the eyes. “I’d like to be there when she goes under.” He had no idea what Victor would say. Would he tell Will he was too close to the case?

“You should definitely be there with her. She trusts you and she needs to know the truth once and for all. And so do you,” he added quietly.

Will felt a small sense of relief that Victor agreed with him. “I don’t know what to think anymore. She looks so much like Lizzy it’s scary. All this time I’ve believed my wife was dead and now there’s a possibility she isn’t? How do I deal with that?”

Victor squeezed Will’s shoulder. “If she proves to be Lizzy, you’ll work your way back to each other. Until then—” Victor stopped, but Will understood what wasn’t said.

He’d been doing his best not to get his hopes up. “I just can’t wrap my mind around it. Until I know for certain, I can’t go there again. It was too hard before.”

“I can’t even imagine.” The caring Will had come to expect from this man who was their leader shown on Victor’s face. “When will you set it up?”

Will glanced around at the activity taking place in the living room. “Soon. It’s best to get it over with for everyone.”

“I’ll be praying for her and for you. It sounds like it’s going to be an emotional experience. She’ll need you.”

Will couldn’t imagine the nightmare Jamie had been through. She had no idea who she was. She’d lived as a virtual prisoner in the cabin with her aunt. From what she’d told Will, her relationship with her father was that of two strangers. That was no way to live.

Dredging up those dreadful days following Lizzy’s disappearance left him feeling vulnerable. He needed a moment alone.

“You should get some rest. You’ve been going full speed since this thing started.” Victor hadn’t missed the turmoil Will felt inside.

“I will, and so should you. It was a long flight from D.C.”

Victor shook his head. “In time. Right now, I want to find Collins more than I need sleep. With those missing nuclear weapons out there somewhere, none of us are safe.”

Kinsley called Victor over to where the team members were talking.

“Excuse me,” Victor said and moved away.

Will took the time to slip out the front of the house. As he stared up at the clear skies above, the cold helped to clear up his tangled thoughts.

It was at times like this he felt God’s presence more than ever, and he craved that reassurance. Since seeing Jamie, he’d been struggling. Doubts plagued him. He’d finally gotten to a place of acceptance this past few years—coming to terms with the fact that Lizzy’s death wasn’t his fault. Now, this woman who was the mirror image of his wife had taken the carefully constructed wall around his heart and blew it to shreds. How did he deal with that?

“Lord, I need You. Help me be strong for Jamie no matter what the truth is. She needs someone to lean on who won’t lie to her. I want to be that person. Help us uncover the truth. For her sake. For mine. Amen.”

He lifted his head and glanced down at the cabin. A single light shone from inside. Someone was awake. He had no doubt it was Jamie. Like him, she wasn’t able to sleep. He prayed someday soon they’d both be able to find peace. No matter what that meant.

???

“I have news,” Mark said. He’d called this time. No text. He’d risked having his phone tracked to call. This was too important.

Jamie’s hand that held the phone grew damp. “You do?”

“Are you sure you’re ready to hear it?” He caught the hesitation in her tone.

Was she? “No. Yes. I have to. Yes, I have to know.”

“Okay,” he said gently. “Martin Collins was a CIA agent until about ten years ago when he and his entire team were supposedly killed.”

Nothing prepared her for this. “A CIA agent? He told me he worked for an international oil company.”

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