"But you did," I prompted.
Austen glanced at Sophie and reached for her hand, smiling. "Two days later. It was raining and I was leaving the office. We both raced for the same cab and when I realized who she was... The rest, as they say, is history."
"Sounds so romantic."
"So long as you don't think about me getting drenched with my hair plastered to my head." Austen laughed. "Instead of taking that cab, we decided to dry out at a nearby bar and that turned into dinner. Sophie gave me her umbrella that night and told me to find a unique way to return it."
"Did you?"
"I have tried several unique ways to return it but I still have it. She just gives it back and tells me to keep trying." He laughed again, the lines around his eyes crinkling and warming his face. "I'm thinking of having it turned into an art object and installing it in the house permanently."
"That sounds fun."
"Possibly. I think Sophie would like it too. She's a fun person. Anyway, we've been together ever since that night. It's funny really. I'm forty-seven. I got to the age where I thought, maybe there's no one out there for me. I've always worked hard, long hours, building my business, but my personal life? Sure, I've had plenty of partners and I even got engaged once but nothing seemed to fly until I met Sophie. Yes, she's younger than me, a lot younger, and it felt like a cliché at first, but it doesn't seem to matter. She gave me a new lease on life. With Sophie, I had, have, everything. A wife, a friend, a companion. We were even talking about starting a family. The idea of losing her is just unimaginable. I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't wake up. The only thing I can think of, aside from her wellbeing right now, is what the hell happened to her? If I can't protect her, what kind of husband am I?"
"I'll find out what happened," I told him. "Can you tell me more about being unsure of Sophie's identity?"
Austen's shoulders slumped as he leaned back in the chair. "It feels like such a stupid thing to say. I fear you think the sleep deprivation is playing with my brain. Maybe it is."
"I think you're a smart, successful man. You noticed the blood drops and I already confirmed some of the stairs were bleached. If you noticed something else, I'll take a look into that too."
"Thank you for not saying I'm an idiot."
"Tell me more about this theory. What else aroused your suspicions?"
"I don't know it was any one thing. I told you already how she avoids discussing her past, and the way Zach behaves. For a brother, it's kind of creepy."
"Some siblings are closer than others." I knew that from my own family circumstances. As the youngest of five siblings, I had distinctive relationships with each. I probably saw my brothers, Garrett and Jord, the most often. Garrett, being the oldest, was also significantly older than me and pretty much out of the house while I was just beginning to enjoy my toddler years. Given the age difference, we didn't experience any sibling rivalry. Since I became a private investigator, our cases intersected on more than a few occasions, and I thought we shared a healthy respect for each other.
Jord married my best friend, Lily, after years of denying their feelings for each other, so we socialized plenty. My other brother, Daniel, was the quietest of the siblings and we once bonded over our exes cheating on us with each other. We both happily moved on and Daniel married Alice. My only sister, Serena was an uptight overachiever and every time I thought she mellowed, she reverted back to her old self. However, she did appear to be a lot happier since her marriage to my colleague, Delgado. I awarded myself some kudos for sending him over to help her when she needed it. As it turned out, he never stopped helping her.
"Like I said, at best, they're so close, they’re verging on co-dependence. At worst, Zach is a controlling bully. I suspect Sophie feels responsible for him in a way since they are the only family members left; maybe that's why she lets him push her around. I don't mean physically because I've never asked that but I wonder if he could have abused her in the past."
"What made you think that?"
"I walked in on them arguing once and he grabbed her by the arm so hard that he left a bruise. I told him if he did that to Sophie again, he wouldn't be welcome in our house. I even threatened to call the cops."
"What did Zach do?"
"He was steaming mad but he let Sophie go. He got in my face about how their family business had nothing to do with me, and how I could never come between them. I thought he would punch me until Sophie begged him to calm down and he left. It was weird."
"Is Zach usually so aggressive?"
"He's just an ass, and maybe Sophie was getting tired of it too because she started making more excuses not to have him over. Like that bothered Zach. Instead of calling first and not being invited, he would just turn up at the house instead. I thought maybe he was just an annoying in-law with a poor knowledge of boundaries. Do you have any of those?"
"I have a brother-in-law who's very nice," I told him, thinking about Delgado. "I also have several sisters-in-law and one not-so-great brother-in-law." Solomon's parents were deceased and his brother was currently in witness protection. That was far too long a story to relate to a virtual stranger. Then I thought about the enormous family Solomon acquired by marrying me and a sigh rose inside my chest. "My family probably are the annoying in-laws," I admitted.
Austen smiled at hearing that. "I guess Zach is just clingy because he and Sophie were alone for so long that it's hard sharing his only family member with her new husband. It'll probably get easier when he meets someone he likes or develops a wider social circle," he said. "I think he might be jealous of me for taking Sophie away but I haven't done that really. I just love her."
"That's a good way of looking at things. I'd like to know more about Sophie. You've told me how you met but where does she work?"
"Prior to the accident, she wasn't working but I think I told you she was considering a course in interior design, maybe enrolling in some college classes. When we first met, she worked in a museum gift shop and did volunteer work in her spare time. She likes art and history but said she wasn't good enough to do anything professional with them. I liked her humility. I used to meet women at work who were always incredibly career-driven like me. I'm sure I was just a stair on the ladder to some of them, a way to get ahead in their vocations or increase their social standing. It was nice to meet someone who was such a free spirit and didn't care about any of that stuff. Sophie made me relax. She made me see there was more to life than closing the next business deal."
"What about Sophie's friends?"
"Sophie is pretty shy. She doesn't have a lot of friends. She introduced me to her colleagues at the museum but other than those people, she hung out with Zach or preferred to be by herself. She said she was content with that but looked sad to me sometimes. Like she was lonely without acknowledging that feeling."
"What about school friends?"
"She didn't grow up in Montgomery so she doesn't have any here."
"Where did she grow up? Is she in touch with any friends on social media?"
"She was raised in Milwaukee but she and Zach haven't been back there in a long time. She doesn't have any social media presence."
I frowned. "None?"
"None at all. She said she likes real life, not online life. I know it's unusual, perhaps, in this day and age, but I don't have any social media either. I'm really not interested in seeing photos of people's lunch or engaging in one-upmanship. I'd rather pick up a phone and connect that way."
While Austen was talking, I took notes, not that there was much information to record. No family except the brother. No career and currently, no job. No close friends but a few former colleagues. An interest in theater, interior design and art. For a woman in her thirties, there wasn't a lot to Sophie. That was curious in itself, although not outside the realm of normality. It would, however, make checking up on Sophie more difficult.
"Nothing stands out as too abnormal," I told him. "But all those things added up to make you susp
icious about her identity?"
"Yes, the lack of any substance behind the things she told me. And then there was the argument."
"The argument?"
"I came home early one night and instead of coming through the front door like I normally did, I walked around the back. I wanted to see how the renovation looked from the yard but when I got to the patio area, I heard voices talking. The back door was open. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I did. I listened, so yeah, I guess I did mean to. It was Sophie and Zach."
"What were they talking about?"
"He said something like 'do you really think he'd love you if he knew who you actually were?' And Sophie replied, ‘I don't know and I don't want him to ever find out but I'm not going anywhere even if this started out wrong.’ It didn't make any sense."
"Did you overhear anything else?"
"Yes. Zach said 'he'll never believe you anyway. You're crazy and you always have been. You only survive because of everything I do for you and us.' Sophie said she was staying and he should leave and Zach said, 'Maybe I should tell him all about your past and we'll see what he does about it. I bet he'd pay to get rid of you. I'm owed that money and if you screw up again, I'll get it somehow.' Sophie said that 'things have changed' and then I heard a smash and Sophie yelped. I ran around the house and rushed through the doors. I thought he hurt her."
I pursed my lips, thinking. "Did he?"
"I don't know. One of the boxes of our stuff was on the floor and Sophie was crouched over it. She had tears in her eyes. When she saw me, she looked startled and afraid. Zach had his fists clenched until he saw me and quickly said what a klutz Sophie was. I gave her a hug and told her not to worry about the stuff because we needed to get ready to go out to dinner. There wasn't really one, but I wanted Zach to leave the house in the least threatening way possible. He left and we spent the evening relaxing but Sophie was really quiet."
"Did you ask her about what you heard?"
"Yes, and she brushed it off as a silly fight, saying that Zach said she was too low class for me, but it didn't seem right. I couldn't sleep that night. All I could think about was what Sophie's past contained that he thought I might pay them to leave? And why he thought she owed him money. She's not crazy. I know that. You don't spend that much time with someone without an inkling about their mental health. Sophie is smart, funny, and kind. Not crazy. I even wondered if maybe she were in witness protection."
I started to reply when my phone buzzed. I checked the screen. Solomon texted: Made a decision. I turned it facedown, ignoring it for now.
The door opened and we turned to watch a nurse walk in. She smiled at us both and reached for the chart. "If you want to take a break, you can step out," she told Austen. "I'll be here for a few minutes checking Mrs. Takahashi's vitals. Perhaps you'd like to get some coffee and a snack?"
"Thank you, yes," said Austen, rising. I followed his cue and we stepped outside into the busy corridor. An orderly passed us, pushing a trolley and whistling a tune. Two older women walked past, bouquets of flowers in their arms, and I could hear laughter somewhere. "I'm not sure what else I can tell you," he added.
"I think that's enough for now. When you can, please email me all of Sophie's personal information. Things like her birthdate, phone number, social security number, resume, and anything else about her you can think of."
"I can do that. What will you do next?" Austen inquired. "You are taking the case?"
"Yes, I am. I'll confirm that Sophie is whom she says she is, which shouldn't take too long, and then I want to take another trip to the house and speak to the construction crew and any other people she knew. Perhaps this was a terrible accident and someone who is scared of losing their job was involved. I don't think we should jump to any conclusions, not just yet. Give me a few days to look deeper into things and please call me if you need any help or want someone to sit with her while you go home to rest. I know this is a difficult time."
Austen thanked me and I left before Sophie's nurse reappeared. As I walked out of the hospital, I called Solomon. "I made a decision," I told him. "I'm going to take the Takahashi case."
"I meant I made a decision about the bank. We're taking that case. I'm going to need your help since you are the only person at the agency who witnessed the real-time events."
"Okay," I agreed. "I can do that but I'm not sure what else I can tell you."
"Perhaps something might spark a memory for you. You might not realize everything you do know yet," said Solomon.
"Apparently, we know nothing about the bank," I retorted. "If Charlie Sampson can be believed."
"All the more reason why I need you on the team. Can your case take a backseat for a few days?"
"Not really. The Takahashis really need my help."
"Austen Takahashi?"
"Yeah, that's him. Do you know him?"
"No, but I recognize his name. Built his firm from the ground up, made a lot of money, and knows plenty of powerful people. Does lots of philanthropy work alongside it all. He relocated to Montgomery and created countless jobs."
"You sound pretty impressed."
"I am. Tell me about it over lunch?"
"On my way."
Chapter Seven
Solomon was already seated at a table next to the window when I arrived. He was sipping from a plain mug. I leaned in to kiss him and give him a quick hug before I took the seat opposite. "Did you order already?" I asked.
Solomon shook his head. "Just coffee. I thought I'd wait for you."
"You just want to know what I'm going to order."
"I might want to eat yours too. I'm hungry."
"Busy day?"
"A day without enough snacks."
"Rough." I nodded sympathetically as I picked up the menu, browsing it and mentally choosing seven plates. If I came back every day for a week, I could eat them all. If Solomon picked one, and I ate half of it and picked a different one, I could reduce the amount of visits to five. Not for the first time in my life, I realized math really was quite useful in the real world.
When the waitress arrived, Solomon ordered a burger and fries and I ordered the same plus a coffee, as I redid my mental math. I was pretty sure my initial equation was wrong, so what the hell? I just had to return more often.
"That's a look of pure concentration on your face. What are you thinking about?" asked Solomon.
"Food."
"You are such a Graves," he said.
"Speaking of family, we haven't discussed Mom and Dad's pasta party. What should we bring?"
"Pasta?"
I rolled my eyes. "That's a given. Do we make a special sauce? Or bring a side dish? I could make pasta from scratch?"
A smile played on Solomon's lips. "Can you do that?" he asked.
"No."
"Do you have time?"
"No."
"Then, how were you planning to make it?"
"There's a new Italian deli two blocks from the house that makes it. The owner's father is from Sicily and he only shouts in Italian but he understands some English. If I walk there, I’ll cover the effort part. Just don't tell anyone."
"I've got your back," said Solomon, smiling now. "I'll make that spicy sausage sauce you like."
I beamed at him. "We've nailed married life."
"Absolutely." We paused as our food was delivered and for a few minutes allowed the busy sounds of the late lunch crowd to wash over us. "Where are you with the bank case?" I asked.
"It completely perplexes me."
"Sounds about right."
"I can't imagine how Charlie Sampson expects us to solve it. I feel like he wants us to wear blindfolds and handcuffs before trying to make our way through a maze."
Until Solomon mentioned a maze, that sounded exciting. "So you're turning him down after all?" I wondered.
"I agreed to take it. It might be the most challenging thing we've done to date."
"Remember that time we took down a serial killer?" I reminded him.
/>
"Don't remind me."
"Or when we solved the murder of a pop princess?"
"I try to never think about that." Solomon took a bite of his burger before putting it down and wiping his mouth with the napkin. There was really no need. I would have happily licked his face. "It's almost impossible to solve and maybe that’s why the case creates so much intrigue. That, and the FBI’s appearance tell me it's something much bigger than Charlie is letting on. I have to admit, my curiosity is getting the better of me." His eyes narrowed.
"And?" I prompted, wondering what he wasn't admitting, although I could guess.
"And those thieves could have hurt you," he said, looking out the window but not before I saw the flash of pain on his face. "What if you were the one that got shot?"
"I didn't." When Solomon didn't reply, I reached for his hand, squeezing it. "Hey," I said softly. "I didn't get hurt. I'm fine and now I can provide more critical assistance as a primary witness."
"Which is why I assigned you to the case," said Solomon. "Also, stop stealing my fries with your other hand."
"When you find the perpetrators, what will you do?" I asked, withdrawing four fries and hastily eating them.
Solomon shrugged. "Hand them over."
"The fries? Too late."
"The thieves," he clarified.
"Straight away?"
Solomon returned his gaze to me. "Eventually," he said, his voice thick with anger.
"No vigilante justice," I said. "I wasn't hurt, remember? Whomever these guys are, they will not have just a book, but a whole library thrown at them for shooting a cop. They'll never see the light of day again from their prison cells."
"That worries me."
"Why? It's a good thing."
"No, not justice. The robbers will almost certainly go to any lengths now to keep from getting caught. We don't have long to find this crew. We're already a day behind so we can’t afford to lose anymore time. There will be long hours. We'll be starting early, and working late."
"What about my case?" I asked. Solomon frowned. "Austen Takahashi," I prompted. "I told you on the phone."
Mission Page 8
