Page 52 of Chasing the Past

Eli’s eyes widened. “Do you remember what he said?”

She rubbed her scar as if trying to pull the memory out before shaking her head. “I don’t but his voice is what I’m hung up on.”

“Hung up in what way?”

She turned her full attention to him. “Eli, the man there with me was an American.”

All the color seemed to drain from Eli’s body. The implication was clear. The man responsible for keeping her a prisoner was an American.

On a hunch, Eli brought up a press conference that featured Landon McDowell and had her listen to it. “Is this the man you heard?”

She listened intently for a while before shaking her head. “It’s not him. But it’s almost as if I know the person. His voice is familiar. I just can’t place how I know him.”

Eli clasped her hand. “I know this is all very confusing but actually this is good news, Asal. It means your memories are returning. It’s only a matter of time before you remember what happened to you fully.”

There was hope in her eyes. “But why now?”

Eli could only believe it was because the unknown threat that had been with her every day of her current life was gone. “It’s because you are free of Rafiq. Even though he didn’t threaten you, you were his prisoner. He kept you close because I believe you knew something that could help us bring him down. We just have to figure out what.”

“Before it’s too late,” she murmured and visibly shivered.

The words settled between them, and Eli tried not to compare what was happening now to what he went through with Sashi. He didn’t think he could lose Asal, too. He actually cared for her in a way he never believed possible again. Surely God wouldn’t be so cruel as to take away his second chance at happiness.

Chapter Twenty-Four

That voice. It was so familiar. Why couldn’t she remember who it belonged to?

“It will come to you,” Eli said softly, drawing her attention to him. “I promise it will.”

Asal so hoped he was right.

Gavin entered the room and they suddenly broke apart. If he noticed their reaction, he ignored it.

Eli rose. “Something wrong?”

Gavin rubbed his eyes. “I don’t know. I just heard from my missing teammate. He’s been trying to come here. He made it onto the island but has been fighting the weather to get to me. He said he has news he can’t speak of over the phone.” Gavin’s eyes locked with Eli’s. “The only reason he’d want to meet in person is if there’s someone on our team that’s possibly involved in what’s happening.”

Asal couldn’t believe it. Was the person her American captor?

“Where is he now?” Eli asked, his attention going to Asal.

“Close. He’ll be here in a few minutes. I’ll go watch for him.” Gavin left the room.

Asal told him her concerns.

“It’s possible. For now, we keep what you’ve remembered between us.”

She understood. Until they knew who was involved in what happened, everyone was a suspect.

“I see headlights.”

Asal and Eli went to the living room as a set of headlights flashed across the front of the house.

Gavin grabbed his coat and opened the door. He traversed the steps to the waiting car.

Eli moved to the open door. “I recognize him. We were in the same unit together. That’s Carter Palmer. He’s CIA. He’s a good man.” Eli appeared relieved.

Gavin spoke to Carter for a moment before he motioned toward the house. The two men hurried up the steps to the front door.

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