Page 22 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
Alex’s reticent eyes gaze into mine for several awkward seconds before he nods.
“Did you have any luck with the Defense Department?” I question, prying him for any information that may contribute to my investigation of Isaac.
He groans in frustration before vigorously shaking his head. “I’m filing them under a dead end.”
My lips curve higher. This is the first time we’ve had a normal conversation in the past two months.
“I’m impressed with your dedication, Isabelle,” he commends me. “Keep this up, and you may get off coffee duty sometime within the next year.”
His boisterous chuckle echoes in the desolate space as he strides to his private office. I clutch my wireless mouse, trying my hardest to keep it planted on my desk and not pegged at the back of his arrogant head.
After squandering the last four hours at my desk, I’m no closer to finding out if Hugo is indeed his real name. Although Hugo was part of the American Hornets Squadron, there are no pictures of him in any of the squad photos, and no records of him exist in the Air Force database. The only information I’ve located on any Hugo in the county is a death certificate for a Hugo Marshall who died two years ago.
Frustrated with my lack of progress, I scan Hugo’s surveillance photo into the facial recognition database and expand my search to include every possible angle, including social media sites. If his face is on something, I’ll ultimately find it. Well, I will in a few hours as the expanded searches take hours to run through the FBI database.
When my stomach grumbles declaring its hunger, I decide to go and grab something to eat instead of glaring at my computer monitor, yearning for it to come up with some resourceful information.
“I’m going to grab a bite to eat,” I notify Alex.
His gaze doesn’t falter from the photos he’s scrutinizing, but he does nod his head, acknowledging he heard me.
“Did you want anything?”
When he grins a full-tooth smile and arches his manicured brow, I sigh and roll my eyes.
“I’ll bring you back a coffee,” I grumble before snatching my satchel out of my bottom desk drawer and rushing out of the building.
A giggle vibrates my lips when I spot a rumpled Harlow leaning against the counter at the bakery. Hearing my laughter, she shakes her head and groans. “This is all your fault,” she whispers like her voice is too piercing for her hungover head.
“Same time next week?”
Her bloodshot eyes dart up to mine. When she notices my smile, a cheeky grin sneaks onto her pale face.
“I guess that will depend on whether you’re going to ditch me again.”
“Sorry,” I apologize.
When I move to the bakery counter she’s leaning on, my stomach grumbles furiously. The smell of scrumptious fresh-baked goodies filters through my nose. Harlow’s eyes roam my face before her mouth breaks into her famous mischievous grin.
“That’s okay, I would’ve ditched you, too, if I were going home with who you left with.”
Oh shit. She saw me leaving with Isaac last night? Does that mean Brandon also saw me leaving with him?
“Please don’t tell me he was bad in bed,” she probes when she spots the forlorn expression on my face. “He can’t have devilishly handsome looks and an aura like his and not deliver the goods. It’s a disgrace to mankind.”
A grin stretches across my face. This is the reason I need a girlfriend who lives close by. I need someone to help me wade through the confusion muddling my head.
“I couldn’t tell you what his sexual prowess is like.”
“Huh,” huffs Harlow, appearing noticeably confused. “I saw the way he was looking at you, Izzy. He was more than ready to take you to his bed.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t sleep in his bed, I just didn’t sleep with him last night.”
She remains quiet as a mask of shock slips over her face. “Go and sit, I’ll make us a strong brew of coffee, then you can give me all the juicy details.”
Once she joins me at one of the tables in the half-empty bakery, I occupy the next twenty minutes of her time giving her a rundown of everything that happened with Isaac this morning. I also extend my story to include the first time we met.
By the time I’ve finished relaying every lucid detail, my confusion has intensified.
