Page 34 of Shrouded Past

“Couldn’t sleep?”

She shook her head. “No. You?”

“Too keyed up. Why don’t we get something to eat and then let’s just talk about the case?”

She smiled. “I’d like that.”

They’d left what groceries they’d bought at Liz’s house. Bryce hated that her home had become damaged because of what was happening. He’d get the window repaired as soon as this was over.

He opened the fridge and peered inside. “I see eggs. How do you feel about breakfast?” He looked over his shoulder at her and saw her frown.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had breakfast before. . . I guess this would be lunch?”

He chuckled. “What type of meals did Edmon make for you?” He took out eggs and bacon along with canned biscuits.

“Mostly simple things like sandwiches or soup. He made one that was so good. It was tart almost like a sauerkraut flavor. He topped it with a dollop of sour cream. The broth was thin, but the chunkiness of the ingredients made it delicious. He called it Shchi.”

Bryce stopped what he was doing. “Shchi. That’s an unusual name.” He brought out his phone and typed it in. “It’s a Russian soup.”

She stopped what she was doing and looked him in the eyes. “That would make sense. Edmon’s name sounds Russian. It would make sense he’d use recipes he was familiar with from his childhood.”

“True.” As he began frying bacon, Bryce couldn’t get the death of Edmon out of his head. He’d done his best to protect Piper. The only question was from whom?

???

“Where is she?”The words screamed at him through the phone. “What’s taking so long to get her here? The old man isn’t a problem any longer. Perhaps you are?”

The threat laced through the tone of the speaker sent chills down his spine.

“I’ll get her. I know where she’s staying. But she’s brought in others . . .” He’d been so close to snatching her at the house. If it hadn’t been for the cops showing up, this would all be over.

“You’d better. So far, you’ve been a major disappointment. You didn’t handle him, and you haven’t secured her. We need her. Get her here now. Or I’ll get someone else who will. There are many in the family who think you should be eliminated. Don’t let me regret not listening to them.”

The call ended. Truth sank in quickly. His time was running out. If he didn’t secure the girl soon, the family would send someone else to handle the job. He’d become one of the targets. He couldn’t let that happen. He’d struggled so hard to stay alive—to hide his addiction from others—he couldn’t let the world see him for who he was. Couldn’t die because he’d failed.

Anger boiled deep inside his gut. He hadn’t told his employer that he’d lost track of the woman after he’d fled for his life. They’d moved her someplace secure. He had to find her before time ran out on her—and on him.

???

“I’m hooked. Breakfast for lunch is my new favorite meal.”Piper set down her fork and reached for her coffee.

Bryce chuckled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Do you like to cook?”

The cup froze inches from her face, the question taking her by surprise. Did she even know how to cook? She’d scrambled the eggs, but that was a simple thing to do.

“I don’t know.” Just the faintest of memories niggled at the corners of her brain trying to break free. She closed her eyes wishing to hold onto it. Drag it from the dark recesses where it hid.

A woman’s smiling face. Her hair the same color as Piper’s. Smears of flour on her nose and cheeks. Her hands covered with it. She touched a floured finger to a child’s nose. Was that Piper as a child?

Somehow, she sensed it was.

“Piper?” Bryce’s voice reached through the memory, and her eyes snapped open.

“Sorry, I just had the slightest memory, or at least what I think is a memory, return.” She told him about it. “Only I was a child.”

“Do you remember anything about your surroundings?” The excitement in his tone told her this was big.

“A kitchen.” She closed her eyes once more and tried to bring back the memory. “We were in a kitchen that appeared to be completely white. The counters and the cabinets. Even the walls.”

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