Chapter 17
Nina
Iglued a smile on my face as I took orders, poured coffee, and warmed pastries. I can’t believe that Ralph Smith guy worked with Austin. What was Mary’s nephew into that he hung around with shady guys like Smith and Jones?
Who knew how many times I’d wiped down the counter before John came out and asked me if I’d talk to Austin.
When I said I didn’t want to, John said, “Nina, I wouldn’t usually do this, but I think you should talk to him. He may have information about your birth parents.”
My eyes almost popped out of my head as my breath caught in my throat.
How? Austin? Why? How?
Forming a coherent thought was beyond my ability.
“It’ll only be Austin and I’ll stay with you if you’d like.”
I studied my black work shoes as I answered, “I, um, okay. You’ll stay?” I verified what he’d said.
“I promise. And if it’s too much, just say the word and I’ll stop it.”
I nodded.
“Come on.” He waved me out from behind the counter.
“Beth, Mary’ll be right out.”
“No worries.” The few customers we’d served had taken their drinks and snacks to go.
I hung my head and dragged my feet as John followed me. Outside the breakroom, John introduced me to Ryan Gibson.
I knew he was lying. Okay, so I didn’t know, but I suspected.
“Sorry for the mix up earlier,” he said. His large hand dwarfed mine as he shook it.
Mix up? He lied to my face.
“I’ll be right outside,” Jay said as he walked out of Mary’s office.
Seeing Austin’s friend next to Jay, it was obvious he was probably ex-military. He was built like Jay with way more muscles than the gangly Ralph.
“Miss Novak, please have a seat,” Austin said, devoid of emotion as he pointed at the chair across from him.
I can’t believe I ever thought he was a silver fox. Steel fit him way better.
I bet the charm from yesterday an act.
When I looked at John, he nodded.
Clutching my hands in my lap, I sat and waited.
“Miss Novak—”
“It’s Nina.” I hated how formal Miss Novak sounded.
“Nina, first let me apologize again for any undue stress we’ve caused you.”
I nodded my acceptance and forced a smile, since it didn’t seem like it really mattered.
“Thank you for agreeing to talk to me.”
“I didn’t think I had a choice,” I mumbled, staring at a spot on the table surface.
I instinctively moved back when Austin leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table.
“You have nothing to fear from me. I’m not here to hurt you, and you’re not in any trouble.”
I looked up into his steel-blue eyes and tried to gauge his honesty. Blank. His eyes were blank canvases. His face was an expressionless mask.
Steel suits him.
Austin nodded. “I know this is scary, but I’d like to ask you some questions.”
Scary wasn’t strong enough. I was terrified. But the sooner I answered his questions, the sooner he’d leave me alone. “Okay.”
“Do you remember anything at all about your parents?”
Why was he asking about my parents? And which ones? I had biological parents, a couple I referred to as my foster parents, and my adoptive parents.
I didn’t remember my biological parents; I didn’t even know their names. I’d asked Bobby and Jodie about them once, but they said there was no paperwork prior to my arrival at the adoption agency.
No one knows who they are.
I didn’t remember the people I’d lived with, the ones who died in a fire when I was three.
There were no pictures on social media, no records, no evidence I’d ever lived with them.
I only knew I had because my parents told me that I’d been found in a car in the driveway while firefighters fought the blaze.
Everyone assumed I’d lived with them, but no one knew how or why I ended up there.
At least that’s what the Novaks told me. After I turned twenty-one, I asked the adoption agency, but they either didn’t know or wouldn’t tell me.
“Why are you asking about them?” I asked, my voice shaking as my chin trembled.
I straightened my spine and swallowed my fear. Or at least I tried to. I doubted I was fooling either man sitting at the table.
“I work for an insurance investigation company, and we have a few questions about your birth parents.”
“I never met them. I don’t even know their names.” My voice cut out.
Austin pulled a bagged photo out of his leather messenger bag. “Have you ever seen these people?”
I took the photo, adjusting it so the light didn’t glare off the protective plastic.
I’d seen enough TV shows to recognize the bag.
Why is it in an evidence bag? I might have asked, but the image stole my ability to think.
A couple with a baby wrapped in a blanket. A blanket decorated with cherries and hearts.
My free hand lifted to my cherry earring.
My blanket.
There may have been thousands of these blankets sold, but only one had my name embroidered in the corner with a cherry topping the ‘i’ in my name.
My vision blurred as emotions welled up.
The frayed edges and faded coloring told me the photo was old.
The woman seemed familiar, but I’d never seen her before.
She has my eyes.
The emotions spilled over. I wiped away a tear.
He has my hair.
I reached up and tugged a dark curl.
The resemblance was uncanny. Could they be? Tears flowed like a lazy river down my cheeks.
“Are these my parents?”
“I believe so,” Austin answered.
“Where are they?” Why’d they leave me?
“We don’t know. Has anyone who looks like them ever contacted you?”
My eyes snapped to his. What kind of question was that? “No,” I said.
“Are you sure?”
“What?” Was I sure I’d never met my parents? I snapped, “Don’t you think I’d remember if I met my parents?”
John placed his hand over mine. “That’s enough, Austin.”
“Sorry,” he held his hands out in the surrender position, “I shouldn’t have asked that.”
Austin pulled another plastic covered photo from his pocket.
“What about this couple? Do you recognize them?”
The photo was less frayed and faded, but still old. An older couple stood smiling in front of a small yellow house.
“No.” I stared at the photo, willing it to give me a clue about my life. Why else would he be asking me about it?
“Do you remember the house?”
“The house? No. Who are they?”
“We’re not sure yet.” I didn’t fully believe him; after all, their picture was also in an evidence bag.
I wondered if they were my foster parents, but didn’t have the energy to focus on them. All that mattered was my parents.
I traced their outlines with my finger, memorizing everything about them.
My mom’s long, light hair and blue eyes. My dad’s curly dark hair and brown eyes.
They were about the same height and in great physical shape.
“Are my parents criminals?” It was the only thing that made sense; why else would an insurance investigator be asking about them?
“I don’t know,” Austin answered. “That’s one of the many mysteries I’m trying to solve.”
“You don’t know?”
If they were, I was glad the Novaks had adopted me. I couldn’t imagine what life would’ve been like growing up with criminals.
“I don’t believe your parents, Travis and Melissa Singer, were criminals. We’re still investigating their connection to this couple.” He pointed at the picture with the yellow house, but I didn’t care about that couple.
Travis and Melissa Singer.
My parents have names.
My last name is Singer.
No, it’s Novak. I may have been born a Singer, but the Novaks raised me, and I loved them.
My parents looked happy in the photo. They look like they love me.
Maybe they were victims, not criminals. Maybe that’s why they disappeared from my life without a trace. Maybe they didn’t want to leave me alone in the world.
“Why are you asking me all these questions?”
I had a thousand of my own racing around in my mind. How’d they find me? How’d they know I was the kid in the picture? Was I in trouble? Did my parents want to see me after all this time?
“I’m trying to connect the pieces, but I’m still missing too many.”
Austin stood. John did the same.
My ass stayed glued to my chair.
“Thank you for your time, Miss… Nina,” Austin corrected himself as he held out his hand.
“That’s it?” I wanted to know more.
Ignoring the manners my parents instilled in me, I didn’t say you’re welcome as I reluctantly handed back the only photo I’d ever seen of my biological parents.
“Is it okay if I call you if I have any more questions?”
“You can call me,” John answered.
I wasn’t a Sheppard, but damn it felt good knowing John was on my side.
“Copy that.” They shook hands.
“Nina, why don’t you stay here for a minute while I walk Austin and Gibson out.”
The door opened. The door closed.
“Okay,” I whispered to the empty room as ugly tears streamed down my face.