Most likely scenario is somewhere in between. She keeps digging, but without concrete evidence, without a clear trail, she can't connect the dots.
As long as we stay invisible as James and Roxy Brennan, we're safe.
But Roxy just sent her portfolio to a major gallery. She's about to step into the public eye, even if she is using a fake name and not planning on revealing herself in person. If Detective Chen is looking at art galleries, at photographers, at youngwomen with long black hair who create work for the dark web, then we’re officially fucked.
No. That's paranoia thinking. There's no reason for her to make that connection. The witness descriptions are from a long time ago. We're safe, we have to be.
The darkroom door opens and Roxy emerges, blinking in the normal light, her hands stained with chemicals and her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail.
"Hey," she says, smiling. "I didn't hear you come in. How was work?"
I look at her, this woman I would burn the world down for, this woman I'd kill for again without hesitation, but I know I have to tell her.
"We need to talk."
Her smile fades as she notices my expression, I can’t hide anything from her as she reads me too well.
"What happened?"
I turn the laptop toward her. "The Gary Hollis case. They have assigned a new detective as they have new leads."
She reads the article carefully. I watch her face but she remains unreadable. When she finishes, she closes the laptop and looks at me.
"Detective Lily Chen."
"Thats right, she specializes in these cases."
"DNA evidence and witness descriptions. What DNA? And how have they got new witnesses when it was so long ago?"
"The DNA is mine from the fight. I will be in the system now, but it's an unknown profile. As long as I never get arrested or never give a sample, it's just data."
"And the witnesses?"
"Vague information. Tall man, dark hair, tattoos. Young woman, long black hair, camper van. Nothing specific enough for a sketch."
"But specific enough to narrow a search."
"If someone's looking, yeah."
She nods slowly, absorbing what I’m telling her.
"What did happen with the camper van? Did your contact sell it?"
"Yeah they sold it for cash in Nevada which I collected when we bought the new car, so there won’t be a trail unless they link your name to the case."
"So our old names?"
"Dead. No activity since we became the Brennans."
"Okay, so we are safe. As long as you keep out of trouble, nothing should change."
"I really hope so."
"On another subject, I just sent my portfolio to Void Gallery. If they respond, if they want to show the work, there is a possibility of someone linking the locations. What do we do?"
I've been thinking about this, running all kinds of situations in my head since I saw the article. Every angle, every risk, every possible outcome.
"We could leave again, become another new couple," I say.
