Page 68 of Witness Protection

“I don’t understand.”

“Your father kept it. I’m not sure why. I went back after the factory and cleaned out the safes. I thought you’d want to keep it.”

“The “E”?”

“Her name was Elena.”

Tears came out of nowhere. A name made the woman she’d never known feel real, not a fantasy. The brief times her father spoke of her were always angry and negative, but she refused to believe anything he said.

“I wish I could have known her. Everyone says I look like her.”

“Then she must have been beautiful.” Hawk kissed her temple. “And she would have been proud of the strong woman you’ve become.”

“Not even memories. I have nothing but a necklace.” She took a breath, steading herself. “Do you remember your mother?”

Then she recalled his nightmares earlier in the week. He’d mentioned his family, especially his mother.

“Blurry images, smells, tastes, and her singing to me.”

She smiled. “Sounds heavenly.”

They held each other, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Both broken.

Both survivors.

---