Page 44 of Broken Crown

I look into the distance, toiling over all of this in my mind.

Jameson’s theory has some merit.

But how would he explain Callie’s brother seeing the same man?And Hayes?

I can’t bring that up with Esme, though.No one can know he’s alive.

“That still won’t make this guy suddenly appear on the security footage.”

“I know.But maybe if you ran this sketch through a facial recognition program—”

“I’m not a forensics guy, Esme.I don’t have access to that kind of stuff.”

“Doesn’t one of your old friends from special teams have a private security firm?”

“He does, but I haven’t spoken to him in a while.And when I do call, it’s with a favor that would require him to access government records outside the scope of his approved contracts?”I run a hand over my face.“I don’t—”

“Please, Creed.”She steps toward me, grabbing my hands in hers, eyes pleading with me.“I need to know who he is.Why he’s haunting my dreams.And now my reality.”

I pinch my lips together, not immediately responding.I want to shield her from whatever’s going on.Keep her as far away from all of this as possible.

But isn’t it too late for that?If her dreams are correct, this guy’s already tried to kill her twice.I need answers before he tries for a third time and actually succeeds.

On a long exhale, I return my gaze to her.“I’ll see what I can do.”

ChapterSixteen

Creed

I wipethe sweat from my brow, swallowing down a cough as dust kicks up in my face from yet another box stacked high in the garage that I haven’t looked at in years.Since I moved in with Rory, I’ve avoided going through these.Today, it’s a welcome distraction.Helps take my mind off this mysterious man with a scar.At this point, I could probably draw him from memory.

Unfortunately, Lucas, my friend from special teams, hasn’t gotten back to me with any potential matches.I almost didn’t reach out to him to begin with, not wanting to waste his time with something that might be nothing.

But when I paid Hayes Barlow a visit to show him the sketch, he confirmed it was an extremely close representation.After that, I had no choice but to ask Lucas for help, which he was happy to give me, despite the months that had passed since we’ve spoken.

I didn’t expect he’d have an answer right away.But as the days have stretched into weeks, I wonder if we’ll ever find a name to go with the face.

In the meantime, I’ve also started to look into Silas Archer, see if there’s anything in his background I find suspicious.As expected, that’s also proved to be a dead end.

Everything’sproved to be a dead end.

Which is why I came out to the garage.Thought by doing something completely unrelated, it would clear my mind.

Not to mention, this garage has needed a good cleaning for years.Since Rory already had a fully furnished house, I’d stored most of my things out here, thinking I’d need them once I moved out.

Little did I know it would be ten years before I’d finally do it.

Despite how overwhelming it all seems, going through these boxes has been therapeutic, like taking a trip down memory lane.I found some of my old military figurines from when I was a little boy.My graduation cap from secondary school.Even a framed photo of Anders, Esme, and me in the elephant boneyard, as we called the beach littered with driftwood near her family’s villa on the coast.If I’d uncovered this years ago, it probably would have made my heart ache.

Now, it makes me even more excited about my future with her, regardless of the obstacles we’ll need to overcome.

Dusting off another box, I set it on the workbench, the small space littered with bags of trash and donations.I lift the lid, expecting it to contain more mementos or paperwork I threw inside in the rush to pack up my old apartment.

Instead, it feels like all the air is sucked from my lungs when my eyes fall on my brother’s belongings.A coffee mug with the royal guard insignia on one side, Captain Lawson on the other.A bag of his favorite chocolates he always kept hidden in the drawer of his desk at work.And a framed photo of him and Rory, an ultrasound image stuck in the corner.I pick it up, recalling this being displayed prominently in his office.

I’d forgotten Archie had given me all of Adam’s things after he’d been promoted to Esme’s CPO and took over my brother’s old office.At the time, I was still numb.Still drowning in my grief.Still weighed down by the guilt of the way I’d treated Adam during our last conversation.

As much as seeing my brother’s old things makes my heart ache, I find comfort in them, too.Instead of returning it to the shelves so another ten years can pass before I look at it again, I sit on the stool and sift through it, smiling at the memories that spring to the surface.Like the photo of us after I finished basic training.His old pocket knife with his initials inscribed on the handle.Even a bottle of his favorite scotch.

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