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Noah looks to Chase to explain the rest.
“Pepper refuses to identify herself as their daughter.”
“What? Why?”
“I won’t get into it but—would you consider taking a trip this weekend and… pretend to be her?”
Noah stands. “I think this next lead is our best bet. He’s not another victim. He’s not an attorney. Didn't even work for the company. He’s just an average guy who may have information on how to contact Robert and Emma Woods.”
I frown at the vagueness. “How did you find him?”
“From a man in prison for the same thing Robert Woods was on trial for. We mentioned a car exploding and the guy got defensive, saying he doesn’t know anything about explosives and told us about this little shop not far from town.”
“I’ll do anything to help, but…what if I screw up?”
“Noah and I wouldn’t ask if we didn’t trust you could handle it.”
“Really?”
Noah steps around his desk. “I’ll lead the conversation. And we can prep you.”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to convince me. I’m in.”
“You're the best. One more thing. Can you not tell Pepper about it?” Chase asks.
I nod in agreement. “That much is understood.”
“Thanks. See you two at dinner this Sunday at Dad's?”
I frown. Dinner?
“We’ll be there,” Noah answers.
Chase gives me a friendly wink and walks out. He really is a different man since meeting Pepper. Almost like the goofy kid he’d been back in high school.
Noah is behind me as soon as the door closes. “This is a nice surprise.”
I'm about to turn into him, when my focus is caught by a familiar photo on the wall. No, three black and white photos across the side wall. The library cafe, where I'd stand behind him in line to order my afternoon Earl Grey. A photo of his old studio just off campus, where we'd hang out.
And the last…the staircase in Avery Hall.
I turn to him. "What are these?"
His voice is tender. His eyes are warm. "Isn't it obvious? All my favorite places."
He doesn't give me a chance to ask him what this means. He takes both my hands. “I’m glad you’re here. I need your help with something.”
"What is it?"
He grabs his keys and the iced mocha. “It’s this new thing I’m doing and I could really use your help.”
22
We’re in Noah’s car and driving to an unknown location out of town.
“How far are we going?”
“Just the next town over.”
