There was the problem. The team’s expectations were getting in the way of reality. Taking a deep breath, she leaned toward Evan, doing her best to be sincere. “Look, I explained to Donovan that my father seemed to be living in the past. He couldn’t seem to grasp that things had changed. I’m sorry, I know he was your friend, but I suspect he had some form of dementia.”
She wouldn’t have been surprised if he was offended. Even angry. What she didn’t expect was the thoughtful look that settled over him. “Son of a bitch. This one’s going to be hard. That man was always more clever than me when it came to codes and symbols.”
She’d be better off beating her head against the wall.
“Let’s get through this at least once,” Donovan said. Jess sighed heavily, feeling any chance of sleep slip farther away. “Wally talked about taking you on a picnic. What did he say after that?”
She hesitated, remembering all too well what her father had brought up next, but reluctant to tell them. She was tempted to skip over it entirely, but thoughts of the two hostages forced her to be honest. She’d simply leave out the details. “He mentioned the day my mother and I moved out.” Seeing Donovan’s eyebrow rise, she forestalled his question. “It wasn’t anything important, just that he was sorry it happened. It’s not important.”
“Let us decide that.”
She narrowed her eyes. “It’s personal. Trust me, there was no hidden message, no sneezes or dropped napkins, just an apology for the way things worked out.”
From the corner of her eye, she noted a flicker of interest from Avery. Now for sure she couldn’t talk about it.
Donovan’s gaze was intent enough to make her insides squirm, and it had nothing to do with his menacing appearance. In fact, the feeling was opposite enough to be worthy of a sneeze. Great—she had a sexual response to a man who intimidated her. She tried to forget about all the sessions she was going to need with Dr. Epstein and concentrate on what Donovan was saying.
“Jess, your mother left because Wally had started the Omega Group. If he talked about that, it pertains directly to us. It might even be the information we’re looking for.”
She set her jaw stubbornly. “It wasn’t about you; it was about me.”
She could tell he struggled to hold back his exasperation. “He apologized to you for starting the Omega Group?”
“No.”
“For what, then?”
“None of your business.”
“Jess—”
“You don’t need to know. He shouldn’t have known. It’s confidential, and he shouldn’t have been able to access the files. It thought there were laws about that.”
“Confidential files?” He jumped on it. “What files? Do you have a juvenile record or something?”
“No.”
“Because I don’t give a shit about some prank you pulled in high school, or if you had your license suspended.”
“I didn’t. For your information, I have never been in trouble with the law. Some of us have no trouble obeying laws and following rules.” It sounded so snooty she had to remind herself that following the rules was a good thing.
“Then what’s the big deal? What else is confidential?”
Thankfully he thought like someone in law enforcement—if someone had something to hide, it had to be illegal. Unfortunately, Avery’s thinking was less linear. She stopped swinging her leg as the answer occurred to her. “Medical records.”
“You have a medical problem?” He still didn’t get it. “I promise it won’t leave this room, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Jess glared and said nothing. A knowing smile snaked across Avery’s mouth as she elaborated for him. “Psychiatric records.”
Shit.
Avery finally seemed to be enjoying the conversation. “Your little friend has issues, Tyler. Something she doesn’t want to share with the group.”
Jess felt a flush spread up her neck to her cheeks. She ground her teeth, refusing to acknowledge what Avery had guessed, even though one look at her face must have revealed the truth.
Donovan studied her. She tried not to flinch, certain she felt his mind probing for facts inside her own. Learning the embarrassing truth. Holding it up for everyone to see and laugh at.
Without looking directly at them, she knew Mitch and Kyle sat up straighter, suddenly interested in the drama.
Avery obliged them by continuing her guessing game. “Wally’s daughter must have been in therapy.”
It was nothing to be ashamed of, Jess lectured herself. But damn it, it was supposed to be private. How had her father known?