“I know, but it feels like it is.”
He squeezed my shoulder just enough to offer support. “It isn’t. The events leading up to your parents, the Singers’, deaths started when you were a baby, possibly before. If anyone should feel guilty, it’s me.” Austin took a deep breath. “I brought this on you when I opened the cold case.”
“That doesn’t make it your fault. It’s not like you knew what would happen,” I said.
If he hadn’t opened the cold case, I wouldn’t know anything about my birth parents. I leaned towards him, drawn like a moth to a flame.
“Exactly. This isn’t your fault any more than it’s mine. Sometimes shit beyond our control happens.”
More and more, I thought the name Steel fit him, but today Austin felt more like a support beam than a robot.
The screen on the far wall lit up with a spreadsheet and photos of businesses.
“Nina, do any of these places seem familiar?”
I stared at every name, every image. Nothing. Once again I had to admit I was useless.
“I’m so sorry.”
While they brainstormed, I stared at the baggies on the table. One of them held a key to my past.And maybe my future.
If, and it was a mighty big if, we found what it opened, what would we find inside?
Money? More riddles? Jewels? Nothing?
Chapter 32
Austin
An alert from Meg popped up on the big screen.
2 men asking about guest.
They give me the creeps.
Jack was out of his chair before I finished reading the second line.
Nina flinched as her eyes shot up from the items on the table. “What’s going on?”
“We have company,” John said. “Jack and I will handle it; the rest of you stay here.”
“Looks like AJ and Matt already are.” I nodded at the screen, now showing the SSI reception area from four different camera angles.
AJ leaned casually on Meg’s desk, placing himself between the two unwanted visitors and Meg.
Matt was standing just off to the side, giving him a clean shot if he had to draw his gun.
Nina reached for my hand, and without thinking, I curled my fingers around hers.
Shit, she’s trembling.
I couldn’t imagine how overwhelming it must be to have your world,her innocence,shattered to pieces.
Squeezing her hand was the only comfort I could give her with G watching.
That and remind her to breathe. When I whispered the gentle command, she inhaled loudly before slowly turning to look at me.
“They’re here for me, aren’t they?” she asked.
