Rugged Guard - Jason Collins Page 0,8

seems your father was…” Viv’s words trailed off before she spoke again. “Let’s just say, he may have been having an affair with a woman. Now, I can’t deduce if it was a one-time fling or something that lasted decades, but the photographic evidence I found suggests that it may have started at least thirty years ago.” Viv leaned toward Derek and me, her posture slightly shifting. “Would you like to see the photos? I… can’t guarantee that the woman pictured with your father isn’t a family friend or someone you know and love, so it’ll be you taking a risk.”

“I want to see the photos.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Viv argued. “I already told you, Mr. Williams. My job is to turn over every stone. Are you absolutely sure you want to know who’s in these photos with your father?”

“Yes. I’m sure.” I let out a shaky breath. “And even if it’s someone we know… that would be helpful, wouldn’t it? For the sake of confirmation.”

“For the sake of confirmation…” Viv nodded again. She handed the set of photos to me, her perfectly manicured nails remaining on them just a few seconds longer. “Here you go then.”

I slipped the photos out of Viv’s grip, my eyes soon going down toward the first photo.

Oh.

She was beautiful.

I didn’t recognize the woman in the photo at all, with her shoulder length black hair and bright brown eyes. She was wearing an orange-and-yellow striped crop top, with wide denim jeans and a playful look on her face. Beside her was my father, his arm wrapped around her hip as they stood in some crowded city park.

“Woodstock ’94,” Viv said, appearing to answer my question before I even had a chance to ask it. “Or at least, that’s what I’m guessing. It looks like New York, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah. It does,” I murmured as I looked through the other photos of the stranger and my father in different areas of that same park, both wearing huge smiles on their faces.

“Was your father a big music fan?” Viv asked. “Do you think that’s an event he would’ve gone to?”

“It seems like something he would’ve done,” I answered. “He always liked being where the action was.”

“And the woman… does she look familiar to you at all?”

“No,” I replied. “I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen her in my life.”

“Does the name Belinda mean anything to you?” Viv pressed. “Your father ever mention needing to go visit a friend by that name?”

“No,” I answered. “Is that the woman’s name? Belinda?”

“I think so.” Viv shrugged. “Of course, I can’t be sure. I’m just piecing together what I can from the photos. One of them seems to have been sent to your father by her. Her name’s scribbled on the back.”

“Wait. Do you think she was the one sending my dad the threatening letters—”

“Let’s not jump the gun so fast,” Viv interrupted. “I think it’d be more prudent to figure out how Belinda fit into your father’s life before we assume that she’s up to no good. For all we know, they could’ve just had one weekend together, and your father just liked to reminisce about the past.”

“Yeah. Maybe so.” I handed the photos back to Viv. “So, what now? You’re going to find her?”

“I’ve already been working on it,” Viv said. “And I think I have a few leads. On one of the photos, it’s still Belinda’s handwriting, but she doesn’t name herself. She mentions someone named Tina, though. I’ve been running some checks on how many Belindas and Tinas are in public databases together, whether as sisters or roommates or whatever. It might take me a few days to get the results.”

“Take all the time you need,” I replied. “I just want to get to the bottom of this.”

“Yeah. Me too,” Viv admitted, turning her attention toward Derek who was sitting by my side. “And how’s this one been working out for you, Mr. Williams? Has he driven you up the wall yet?”

“You must be getting me confused with someone else, Viv. I don’t drive clients up the wall.” Derek smirked. “And if I do, it’s just to keep them safe.”

“Right.” Viv cracked a smile. “Well, keep it up then.”

Huh.

I inwardly hummed as I took in their moment of interaction. I’d assumed that Viv and Derek knew each other in a professional light but seeing how comfortable they were with each other made something start to sink down into my stomach like a stone.

Are they together?

Was she the real