Page 27 of A Soldier's Destiny
“Because it just seemed like kids pulling pranks.”
“I’m not buying it. The whole ‘you should have been the one to die’ instead? That doesn’t seem like teenagers. That sounds personal.”
“Maybe. I don’t like to think about it and just try to put it out of my head.”
“The other thing that bothers me is why now? Something had to trigger it. You were back in Willow Haven for almost a year before you opened the bakery, weren’t you? Then another six months until you opened?”
“Yes, that sounds right. It took a while to find the right location, buy the property and then get it renovated.”
“And nothing happened in the beginning?”
“No, nothing. It was pretty quiet until the reporter from one of the Orlando TV stations came out to interview me. Somehow they found out I’d survived the Paris terrorist attacks. They wanted to know everything about me, and they highlighted the bakery. It got really crazy for a while after that.”
“When was this?”
“The beginning of June, before the issues with the deliveries started.”
“Did the caller ever mention the TV interview?”
“No, not that I can remember.” He knew he was pushing her, but there was something more going on than just a bunch of teenagers acting up. It was definitely personal.
“Has anyone given you a hard time since you’ve been back? Or problems from when you lived here before you went to Paris?”
“No, everyone is sweet, and they have all been so supportive.”
“Okay.”
“After the interview, it was kind of crazy. The bakery’s Facebook page went viral. I had orders coming in from all over the country. I had to explain I wasn’t set up to handle that type of business. I’d have made a killing but there was no way I could have handled all of that.”
“I’d bet good money that whoever this is found out from the TV interview or Facebook. That had to be the trigger. Now we need to find out the who and the why. What bothers me is the reference about you dying. Are you sure they said instead?”
“Yeah, it’s what they said. It tore me up inside. My parents only flew to Paris to celebrate my graduation from theCordon Bleu. Jim proposed right before all hell broke loose. If it weren’t for me, they’d still be alive.” Tears filled her eyes and spilled over and ran down her cheeks. It was his undoing.
“No, Angel, you’re wrong. Shit just happens, this world is fucked up. So much hatred, too much hatred. I saw it every day for the last ten years. You did nothing wrong. I bet your parents couldn’t have been prouder of you. And Jim? He was there anyway, you said you met him in Paris, right? It was just chance. It’s always just chance when things happen. But there is no way you’re to blame. If anyone bears the blame it’s the terrorists. No one should have died or been injured.”
He hadn’t even realized he’d moved from the chair to the couch until he pulled her onto his lap and wrapped her in his arms. Whether she realized it or not, she’d given him a lot to go on. Tomorrow he’d call Chase and have him get Alex to comb through her social media. Alex was practically a genius when it came to computers and if he needed backup they had Rock. There were definite advantages to working for Eagle Security and Protection and being close to home base.
“I think it’s time to get you to bed. You’re exhausted.”
