is still someone who I keep thinking about.
The person who gave me Liam's home address went by the name of Matt Lipinski. I found him in a fan forum dedicated to popular fantasy writers.
In one of the sub threads, the discussion focused on D. B. Carter. When I asked if anyone knew of his real identity, Matt wrote me back. However, when I tried to find out who Matt was, nothing came up.
Liam insisted that he has no idea who he is and I believe him, but that doesn't change the fact that the whole reason that we are together is because of Matt, and I wonder how it is that he knew where Liam lived when that information was practically top secret.
I’ve looked this up before, but I decide to be more methodical about it now. I do a quick Google search about how to find out someone's identity on a forum and unfortunately the results are not particularly helpful.
Most of the sites discuss exactly how difficult it is to find out who did the posting because they are probably using a fake name.
I don't know that much about computers so I decide to rely on something that is my strength instead. In other words, instead of trying to figure out how to do a background check on someone I don't really know exists, I instead post again to the forum and ask for help in reaching Matt.
A few minutes later, someone replies, but the messages aren’t particularly helpful.
I do a quick search on Facebook but find that there are actually over two-hundred hits to that name and I don't even know if it's real.
Eventually, I go back to that email from Corrin who attached the contact info for the private investigator.
I stare at his name: Harvey Durand.
His contact info comes with a website which is pretty basic and direct. There's some info about his experience, like he's an ex-police officer, along with a few references.
Of course, his experience is rather vague and doesn't list any actual clients with whom he has worked. This is not a surprise as not that many people would want to share with the whole world that they have used a private investigator in their personal or professional life.
Feeling stuck and at a loss as to what to do next, I get up to stretch my legs.
I pace around the living room and then walk all the way to the front door.
There's a large mirror hanging at the entrance and I look at my reflection, wondering if I should even bother with any of this.
I'm sure that Liam can give me enough information for a second article.
Interesting tidbits about his family, about where he came from, about…
Then something occurs to me.
He never actually told me anything personal about who he is and where he came from.
Is that right?
I search my mind for any details, but nothing comes. The only times we've ever talked about family members is when I complained to him about mine, but what about his?
What has he actually told me about his life?
I swallow hard, thinking about what this means. I thought that we were getting closer. I thought that being here actually meant something, but what if he doesn't actually want me to know anything?
No, no, no. Don't go there, I say to myself. You've only known him for a brief amount of time.
Clearly, he is someone who enjoys his privacy and despite that, he is giving you a chance.
You, a reporter, a journalist who showed him that you're not really the most trustworthy person in the world.
Something catches my eye. There's a console table against the wall behind me. His wallet lies between his keys and his sunglasses.
I glance at it and fight the temptation to open it.
What would I even find?
There's absolutely no reason to break his trust, for what exactly? What could I find in a wallet?
Then again, he doesn't have to know about this, right?
“You will,” I say to myself. “You’ll know the truth. You’ll know that you snooped and that you have no right to do that.”
These thoughts and about a thousand others swirl around my mind until I feel dizzy and sick to my stomach.
In the end, however, I take a deep breath and glance back to make sure that he’s still working on the porch.
When I see the back of his head, I grab and open the wallet.
It has a soft, full leather exterior and feels cool to the touch. It opens flatly