Take a Breath (Take #1) - Jaimie Roberts Page 0,66
not like we haven’t ever withheld information before. I will try my best to keep this a secret for you, but you have to understand that at some point, it may become necessary for them to know. Can you understand that?”
I nod, knowing full well that if Alan is behind this, then my past will soon be brought to the forefront.
As I let go of Marcos’s arm, I notice a presence in the room. I look towards the kitchen entrance and find Jake staring at us. He looks at me and then at Agent Marcos. He notices his hand on my shoulder, and I can swear I see his fists clench a little. My caveman has certainly not disappeared on me yet. Under his glare, Agent Marcos releases his hand and turns to face him.
“Is everything okay here?” Jake asks.
Marcos nods. “I think I have what I need. Thanks, Mr. Bennett. Is the forensic team on its way?”
Jake curtly nods back. “I just got off the phone with them about five minutes ago. They should be here any moment.” Michael and Tom follow Jake out of the kitchen and make themselves at home on the sofa. Tom leans forward, grabbing a couple of peanut M&M’s from the bowl on the coffee table before slouching back down and throwing them into his mouth. I watch them as they watch me take a seat. I’m becoming the focus of everyone’s attention, and I absolutely hate it.
“Okay. Well, I’m going to wait outside and get them up to speed when they arrive.” He walks out of the room, allowing Jake to come over and sit next to me. He places his arms around me. Both Michael and Tom notice, but they wisely keep their mouths tightly closed. I notice when Tom stops chewing for a moment, but he quickly regains his composure and is now back to eating the M&M’s.
“So what did that old ball grabber want?”
I look to Tom. “Ball grabber?” I ask.
Tom laughs. “He likes to grab balls. The guy’s a real asshole.”
I grin at him. “This has nothing to do with the fact that he’s an FBI agent, does it, Tom? I thought he was nice.” I feel Jake’s arms stiffen. Is he jealous?
Jake looks at me expectantly. “Can you tell me what he asked you?”
“He just wanted to know the same things you asked before he came. The questions were like whether or not I had any idea who it could be and if anyone had been acting suspiciously around me. I told him no, and then he just wanted to know what my involvement with this case is … if any.”
I hate the fact that I’m lying to them, but I don’t want to be pitied. It’s none of anyone’s business anyway. I don’t want Jake to feel any different towards me for it. He already thinks I’m a trouble magnet. He may think I’m more trouble than I’m worth if he finds out about my past.
The door swings open, ending our dreamlike states, and in walks forensics. They head straight into the kitchen for the note where they’re all discussing something.
After a while, Agent Marcos walks out. “We will need to take prints from all the doors for elimination purposes. We’ll also obviously need to take this note back to be examined.” Marcos looks directly at me. “We need to go into your room if that’s okay? We will need to take prints, since that was where you found the note. There is one more important thing I need to ask you. You found this note just before you called, right?” I nod. “Based on that, we have to assume that whoever left it must have come in while you were out with Mr. Bennett.”
I immediately stiffen in Jake’s arms, and he senses what I’m feeling. I haven’t been in my room properly since Friday afternoon. “This note could have been there any time since yesterday afternoon,” I finally admit. Agent Marcos looks at me expectantly, and I know I can’t keep it hidden. “I wasn’t in my bed last night.” My face immediately flushes red in embarrassment. Both Michael and Tom straighten their posture. They’re both edging towards the end of their seats, eager to hear the rest. Tom looks like he’ll burst if he doesn’t get the gossip soon.
“So were you staying at someone else’s house? A friend perhaps? We will need their name.”
I’m unsure of what to say, but then, thankfully, Jake beats me