Page 9 of Tracing Her Stolen Identity
“My point is,” he said, frustrated by her inability to hear what he was saying, “if the cops did come to your house, you were gone, which meant all they could do was keep trying until they found you at home or they changed it from a person of interest to suspect. Since it was only forty-eight hours ago, they may not have had a chance.”
“Let’s say that’s the case. Eventually, I have to go home. So the question is, how do I prove who I am and that I didn’t commit these crimes?”
Each word got louder until he grabbed her hands and squeezed. “Deep breath,” he said, and he sucked one in, waiting for her to follow. Once she did, he nodded and spoke. “Remember, Secure Watch will help you, so don’t let that fear paralyze you.” He dropped his head. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’d have made a joke about it any other day, but I’m not feeling it today.”
“Understandable. What I was trying to say before I put my size twelve in my pie hole was to stay focused on the facts. Focus on the things we know are true about the situation. Those facts are that you didn’t vandalize galleries, and you do exist. We also know someone out there has a vendetta against you for an unknown reason, but one that we’ll uncover with time and investigation.”
As though she deflated, her shoulders slumped forward and her head followed. “I know that, and you know that,but the galleries don’t know that, Land. I’ve spent the last decade trying to get a full gallery showing in a city like Duluth or Minneapolis. This will make it all for naught.”
“I don’t believe that, Sky. Your reputation precedes you, which means anyone with a modicum of common sense will know you aren’t physically capable of causing that damage to the galleries.”
“I could have hired someone,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“You could have, but let me ask you this. Did you have any beefs with the galleries that have been vandalized?” He grabbed a sheet of paper and read off the names.
“Absolutely not,” she said, shaking her head before he even finished reading them. “The Duluth one knows me well and would never believe I did it.”
“You’ve made my point then. All I’m asking is you have faith in me and Secure Watch. We’ll ensure your chances at a gallery show are still one hundred percent, okay?”
At her nod, Reece stood and walked to the computer console set up for precisely that purpose. All he had to do was keep his eye on the prize and off the woman he was supposed to be helping. Every minute that passed was another minute that Binate had control of her life, which meant Skylar had control of Reece’s. While he dialed Secure Watch, he prayed they had gotten to the bottom of it, but one glance at Skylar told him that prayer would go unanswered.
* * *
“REECE,” MINA SAIDwhen her face flashed on the screen. “Did you find everything you need?”
“We’re all good here,” Reece agreed. “We had somedinner and I checked the perimeter. How about the other cameras?”
“Everything is quiet, according to the control room.”
“Excellent, then official introductions are overdue. Mina Jacobs, this is Skylar Sullivan.”
“Nice to officially meet you,” Mina said as Skylar waved. “I’m glad we were able to help you out.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” Skylar said, nervously rubbing her hands on her thighs. “We’ve heard so much about you over the years. You’re like an FBI legend.”
Mina’s laughter filled the house, and Skylar noticed it lifted Reece’s lips for the first time all day. She was grateful to Mina for doing what she couldn’t do right now. “I don’t know about all that, but we’re here to help, right, Reece?”
Before Reece could answer, Skylar jumped in. “About that,” she said, lifting her chin. “I wasn’t thinking earlier when I called Reece. I was scared and didn’t know what to do, but I also didn’t think about the fact that you guys employ Reece or that I didn’t know how I was going to pa—”
“You’re not going to pay,” Mina said before she could finish.
“But, Mina, this house alone must need thousands to maintain every month. I can’t even imagine what it would cost for people like Reece to do what they do.”
Mina held up her hand to stop her. “The house is going to be there whether we use it or not, so it might as well be used, right?” She waited as though she expected an answer, so Skylar hesitantly nodded. “Then we use it. Make yourself comfortable and don’t worry about the expense. What it costs us will be nothing compared to what it could cost you. Am I clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Skylar agreed. There was no way she was crossing Mina Jacobs. Reece’s smirk told her he knew it.
“Now that we have that settled,” Reece said, still smirking, “do you have anything new? Skylar is worried about her parents.”
Mina pointed at the camera and grabbed something next to the computer. “I spoke with them a few minutes ago, and they’re awaiting your call. Once you speak to them, they will take a little vacation off the grid until this is squared away.”
“You think this person might go after my parents?”
“We have to assume they will,” she replied. “Whoever this is, they know you, which means they know the people close to you.”
“We’ll call them as soon as we hang up,” Reece said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “What did the guys find at the duplex?”
