He turns the book to show me, and I see a youthful version of Kate in a one-piece bathing suit, smiling next to a much better-looking, younger version of Stephen. He actually looks like a normal high school guy, nowhere near as grimy as the pothead standing in front of us. They hardly look like the same person.
“You and Kate met in high school?”
He nods, wide eyes watering. “I’ve known her forever. We broke up for a while until her dad got sick and she needed more support. I really did care about her for some of the time...I just?—”
I flip the book closed, needing to get out of this apartment.
There’s a real possibility that Kate actually grew up with this guy. If that’s true, then Kate’s dad really is sick. I take the yearbook with me to have it verified by a documents expert.
“Let’s go.”
Jackson leans in to give one last threat to Stephen. “You never saw us here, got it? This never happened.”
Stephen nods, clearly relieved we’re finally leaving.
The door slams shut behind us, and I take in the first breath of clean air.
“I don’t get it.”
“I don’t think he’s our guy,” Jackson says.
“But he actually knows her—has known her foryears. That means she’s clean, right?”
He gets back into the driver’s seat of the SUV while I climb into the backseat.
Could Kate really be a civilian?My heart leaps at the possibility, but I don’t trust my emotions. I trust my training, and that says to keep searching for solid proof.
“Could be. Could be that he’s just a plant. Not the handler, but also not who he seems to be. If he is, he’s a damn good one. Whoever is after you knows you’re a SEAL, one of the best. They also know you’ve been under investigation, and they really want to know what the hell went down during Steelhart.”
I watch the passing cars on the street, racking my brain for an explanation to this mess. “So, you’re saying...”
“I’m saying, she could still be after you, but I don’t think Willie Nelson back there was the handler. There’s no way. He might be just some guy hired to pose as her ex-boyfriend.”
“So, what about the yearbook?”
“It’s either not him in it or it’s a fake. I’ll take it to have it verified, but it could take a few weeks.”
That means I won’t be able to find out for sure until after the wedding this weekend.
“All right, keep me posted.”
CHAPTER 16
KATE
I’ve resignedmyself to becoming a crazy turtle lady. I’ll need more than Speckles to keep me company, but once I get my own place, I’ll have enough room for as many green friends as I want. Turtles won’t mind if I wear red lingerie. They probably won’t even notice.
I’m making copies for Cheryl because I haven’t been given any tasks by Mr. Bradshaw in days. While I wait, I’m doodling Speckles along with his own little turtle family. They all have matching yellow spots and blue umbrellas because it makes me happy.
“Oh, Kate! I’m so glad you’re here.”
I turn to see Becky walking into the copy room with a stack of papers. She shuts the door behind her before hustling over, her bubblegum-pink dress making her look like a walking bottle of Pepto-Bismol.
She leans in close, her cheap, distinct perfume wafting into my nostrils.
“Any developments I should know about?” she whispers in my ear, smacking her gum.
“What do you mean?” I try to act nonchalant.
