Page 62 of Explode
Entering the reception area, Ash informed the receptionist we werehere to see Stephanie, and minutes later, she led us through hallways to an office where she knocked on a door and a stern ‘Come in’ sounded from inside.
“Professor Knight, you have some visitors,” the receptionist said,stepping to one side so Ash and I could enter the office.
The woman sitting behind her desk was clearly the girl in the picturewe’d been given. Aside from now being years older, she looked exactly the same as she had done seventeen years ago. Her auburn hair was pulled up into a tight bun, her thick-rimmed glasses rested on her nose, and her thin lips were pursed as if she’d tasted something bitter.
When she stood from behind her desk, her frame too was as it hadbeen seventeen years ago. Petite shoulders, slim waist, practically no boobs. She reminded me so much of Jane. Her mousy features were almost similar, but the main difference was that Stephanie had an air about her, one that said she wasn’t someone who would lie down and take any bullshit.
I instantly liked her.
“Yes, of course. Please come in,” she said, stepping from behind herdesk and pointing to two chairs. “You must be Claire Tucker?”
“Er, yeah,” I replied hesitantly. I didn’t like the idea of lying, even ifthere was a reason behind it. At Ash’s scowl, I cleared my throat and quickly accepted the lies I had to tell if we wanted information. “This is my fiancè, James. Thank you for seeing us on such short notice.”
“It’s my pleasure,” she said, closing the door and returning to her seatbehind her desk where she peered at us from over her glasses. “Your fiancè contacted me this morning and said you were due to leave Jacksonville this evening, so I’m pleased I had time in my diary to see you. I understand you want to know about Michael.”
I briefly wondered if we would be leaving tonight or if Ash had saidthat to get her to see us today. I refused to acknowledge the tiny part of me that was a little sad to think we’d be leaving. Returning back to Hollows Bay would mean returning to the war, and who knew who would live to survive.
Shaking the thought from my head, I met Stephanie’s dull blue eyes.“Yes, I only found out recently that I had a brother. It’s been difficult to get information about him, but Leonard Jenkins gave me your name.”
“Ah, Leonard,” Stephanie replied fondly. “He’s a good man, I haven’tseen him in a long time, how is he?”
“He’s well. He told me about the fire,” I replied, trying to make sure Ihad just the right emotion in my voice to make it seem I hadn’t taken the news well.
Stephanie’s face hardened, and I regretted mentioning the fire sosoon. The Browns were her family. “Sorry, I imagine it must be difficult for you to talk about.”
She took a breath. “It’s easier now. Carol and Anthony may not havebeen my real parents, but they took me in and gave me a home. They were good people.”
“I’m truly sorry for your loss,” I replied, earning a small smile from her.
“Thank you.”
“Do you mind if I ask how it happened?” Ash said, probably knowingI wouldn’t want to ask because I didn’t want to upset the poor woman.
“Arson. It happened several months after I moved to Europe tostudy,” she said, her face hardening once again. “Accelerant waspoured through the letterbox followed by a lit rag. The house went up in flames within minutes. Carol, Anthony, and Michael didn’t stand a chance,” she said, surprisingly cool given the nature of the conversation.
“But the police never found who was responsible?” Ash said.
Stephanie’s face twisted into a scowl. “No. They didn’t.”
“But you had your suspicions?” Ash prompted, hearing the samething I did in her voice.
She knew who was responsible.
“I have my suspicions. Not that it mattered, there was never anyproof.”
“Can I ask who you think is responsible?” Ash asked.
A heavy tension filled the air as she glared from Ash to me, her jawtwitching as she thought.
“You’re not really Michael’s sister, are you?” she said calmly, meetingmy eyes.
Shit.
“Erm, yes, I am,” I replied feebly.
Her lips pursed again. “Please don’t patronize me. I’m a professor inpsychology. I’ve spent many years studying and reading people, I know when I meet someone who isn’t being truthful. Now, if you want information from me, I suggest you tell me the truth. Who are you?”
Her tone was cool, and didn’t that make me feel like I’d just beenscolded by a teacher? Swallowing nervously, my eyes darted to Ash, hoping he’d give me a clue as to what I should do, but the fucker just stared back at me, an unreadable expression on his face.
