Page 58 of An Eye For Illusion

I finally break eye contact, my gaze returning to the building’s entrance. Still no sign of Moore. I don’t normally tell people why I’ve always wanted to do this—what drove me to become a PI—but for some reason, I want to tell her.

“When I was a child, my father went on a business trip out of the country and never came home.”

I pause, my eyes darting over to hers quickly. Most of the time, people are surprised, then shocked, and finally, the pity sets in. I find surprise and then a deep sadness taking root in her eyes but no pity. For that, I’m thankful. I don’t think I could stand for her to look at me with pity.

“It’s okay. It was a long time ago. Because he was in another country, there was little the local police could do to help, and by the time we could get the FBI involved, it had been too long to come up with fresh leads. Eventually, my mother and paternal grandparents were able to raise enough money to hire their own private investigator to figure out what happened to him.”

“Did you ever find him?” she whispers, like she’s scared to hear the answer.

“Yes, but it wasn’t a happy ending.”

I don’t elaborate because there’s no need to. I may have been young when it happened, but it still cuts to this day. The pain and emptiness my mother felt only amplified the loss of my father. I wouldn’t wish that kind of loss on my worst enemy.

“Is the PI the one who found him?” she asks, sparing me from having to rehash the more gruesome details.

My father fought until his last breath. If it wasn’t for the PI, we wouldn’t have known Dad did everything in his power to survive, to try to come home to us.

“Yes, the PI gave us the answers we needed for closure. We wouldn’t have been able to lay Dad to rest. I’m eternally grateful to that man. Since then, all I ever wanted was to do that for other families, to give them the answers they seek.”

“Oh, Colin.”

“Don’t feel sorry for me. I may have gotten a shit deal where my father is concerned, but I won the lottery with my mom. I was loved and well cared for even though her world fell apart.”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t be pissed, sad, or a little fucked up because of it. I should know.” Her eyes finally leave me as they stare out at the street. Her shoulders stiffen like she’s trying to hold herself together.

I know her mother died when she was young, and her father struggled with that loss. I assume it’s why she struggles to tell her father she doesn’t want to marry Moore.

“You don’t think he would understand?” I want her to open up to me.

She shrugs. “Even if he did, it would still ruin our reputation within our circle and sever one of the few ties he’s managed to make since Mom died. He only has Elliott and me. I can’t stand to break his heart without a damn good reason.”

“You said something earlier about a deal. What deal?” If she’s talking, I sure as hell want to get answers to the questions I’ve been dying to ask.

As soon as I ask the question though, Jade’s whole demeanor changes. “It doesn’t matter. What I need from you doesn’t change.”

So much for getting those answers. I thought opening up to her might help her reciprocate, but I was wrong.

We’re right back to business.

Chapter 20

Jade

“So, did you find anything?” Bridge asks.

I put the phone on speaker as I lay it on the counter. I’m starving, and I think I still have some chicken piccata leftover from two nights ago.

I dig into the back of the fridge. I know it’s in here. Why the hell can’t I find it?

“He walked out with a man and with some papers in his hand. Colin took pictures and drove me back to my car. He said, and I quote, ‘Time to stop playing detective, Jade. I’ll handle it from here.’”

“So, you don’t know what happened? Or who the man is?”

“Nope.” I pop the p in frustration. I wanted to follow along with Colin, but when I protested, he pushed back.

“Do you want me to do my job or not? You can’t interfere with my investigation. If Elliott sees you or catches us, this is dead in the water.”

“He won’t catch me.”

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