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At least her stepmom would be happy.
Shaking that miserable thought from her mind, Saige quickly threw on a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt.
She’d make some coffee and hopefully get some time with Tamsyn before she left. Last night, when she got home, Saige hardly said two words to her friend. Her head had been full of what Alex had told her. He left her with more unanswered questions, especially about his brother and her relationship with him.
She noticed that while Alex had answered her questions about knowing him and his brother, he hadn’t expanded either.
What hadn’t he told her?
Her heart pounded when she thought about Alex and his brother. The feeling of familiarity that she knew him had been strong while she sat talking to him. She hadn’t felt threatened by him and just hoped he hadn’t given her a false sense of security.
Saige wanted her memory back and to help Quinten Peterson if he turned out to be innocent. Alex just wanted his brother free and she had a feeling that he’d do and say anything to make that happen.
“Saige,” Tamsyn whispered.
She’d been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she’d made her way to the kitchen without really thinking about it.
Saige smiled softly at Tamsyn, muttering a distracted greeting.
Tamsyn stepped toward her. “How are you holding up? Headache gone?”
“It’s not that bad.” Saige watched while Tamsyn grabbe
d two large mugs and poured them both a cup of fresh coffee.
Tamsyn knew the basics of Saige’s past for about a year now, but Saige had never sat her down and explained further. Her friend had stumbled upon Saige’s picture online, so all that she knew was what was available to the public.
Saige added, “I really don’t remember anything from before, Tamsyn. I think the other day at work I was more surprised at seeing the man on the television and not feeling anything like I thought I would. It’s frustrating not being able to remember anything.”
When she paused, Tamsyn offered her a small smile of encouragement to continue, which she did, “I’m going to find out what happened, which is why I’m not going back to the diner. I can’t work my shifts and spend my time trying to read everything that I find. This is something I have to do. I’ll probably have to head home for a short while as well.”
“Oh wow.” Tamsyn sat beside her. “But I understand what you’re saying. I’m not sure I’d want to remember what happened if it was me, but I can’t imagine not having my memories...and, are you sure you can put up with your stepmom if you have to go home?”
“She won’t say anything about the job.” Saige sighed as she stared into her coffee mug. “When she discovers what I’m doing, she’ll go nuts. My dad won’t be too impressed either, once he knows that I lied to him about leaving it in the past.”
Tamsyn raised a brow. “You talked to your dad about it the other night at dinner?”
“Yeah. I asked him about the trial and Quinten Peterson. He wasn’t happy that I wanted to drag it all out into the open again, and he asked me to leave it alone.” Sighing, she added firmly, “I can’t do that.”
Sipping her coffee, Saige wondered again about Quinten Peterson and his brother. She knew the work that Alex had told her they’d done because it was beautiful and had always been admired when guests came to the house for the first time. Their carved design didn’t only go up the banister; they’d created the same design into molds that went around the light in the foyer of her father’s home. Each time Saige walked down the stairs, her fingers would trace along the delicate work, and for years she hadn’t had one memory of the Peterson brothers.
“Whatever you do,” Tamsyn started, “just be careful.” Her friend wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I know I haven’t been around these past couple of days for you, but if you need me, you call, okay? Don’t do this alone.”
“I’m not alone,” Saige blurted out before she could stop herself. She winced as Tamsyn’s attention focused on her completely.
She’d planned on keeping Alex to herself for now because she knew others would warn her about helping him. After all, he was Quinten’s brother. They didn’t look like brothers though. He was broader in the shoulders than Quinten had looked on the TV, and Alex’s light hair was a stark contrast to Quinten’s deep red.
“I’m waiting for you to explain.” Tamsyn moved away and slipped her feet into her shoes. “I need to go so be quick. Who’s helping you?”
“Alex Peterson came looking for me.”
She frowned. “Should I know who that is?”
“He’s Quinten Peterson’s brother. We talked last night over coffee.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow...that’s, um, strange.” She picked up her purse and shoved the strap over her shoulder. “Why would he come looking for you?”
“He thinks I lied.” Saige turned to look out of the apartment window to the city below that gradually started to wake for the day. “Apparently,” she whispered, “I gave a statement, which implicated his brother.” Tamsyn moved to stand beside her, so Saige continued, “I also selected his brother from a lineup of photographs. I don’t remember any of that, Tamsyn.” She shut her eyes at the revelation. If she’d done that, what was the reason why? Was it that he was guilty or had she lied and forgotten?
