Take a Breath(42)

“Ana, can you remember Alan’s full name?”

I nod. “It’s Alan Martin. He was born in Pennsylvania I believe and at the time he was thirty-four years old. We were living in New Jersey at the time.”

He is pencilling all this information when he smiles and tells me he has enough to go on. He gets up and with that, I quickly grab his arm.

He swings round to look at me and I have tears in my eyes. “Please don’t tell them what I told you. I have to work with them and I don’t think I can look them in the eye everyday if they knew. The last thing I want is their pity. Please.”

He stands staring for a brief moment, but then he softens his features.

“This is not something we would normally hide but it’s not like we haven’t withheld information before. I will try my best to keep this secret for you, Ana, but you have to understand that there may be a time when it becomes a necessity for them to know. Can you understand that?”

I nodded knowing full well that if Alan was doing all this, then my past will soon be brought to the forefront.

Just then I notice a presence in the room and there stands Jake. He looks at me, then at Agent Marcos. He notices his hand on my shoulder and I see his fists clenching. My caveman has not disappeared on me yet. Under his glare, Agent Marcos releases his hand and turns to face him.

“Is everything okay here?” Jake asks.

Marcos nods. “I think I got what I need, thanks, Mr Bennett. Are Forensics on their way?”

“I got off the phone with them around five minutes ago. They should be here any minute.”

Michael and Tom soon follow Jake out and they plant themselves on the sofa staring at me.

“Right, well I’m going to wait outside for them and get them up to speed when they arrive.”

He walks out of the room and Jake comes over and sits next to me. He puts his arms around me, which Michael and Tom notice, but they wisely keep their mouths tightly closed.

“So, what did old ball grabber want?”

I look to Tom smiling at me. “Ball grabber?” I ask.

Tom laughs. “He likes to grab balls. The guys an asshole.”

I grin at him. “This has nothing to do with the fact he’s an FBI Agent, has it, Tom? I thought he was nice.”

I feel Jake stiffen his arms. Is he jealous?

“Can you let me know what he asked?” Jake says.

“He just wanted to know the same things you asked before he came, if I could think of anyone it could be, if there has been anyone acting suspiciously around me, etcetera etcetera. I told him no, and he just wanted to know my involvement in the case, if any.”

I hated the fact I had lied to them, but I don’t want to be pitied and it’s none of anyone’s business. I don’t want Jake to feel any different towards me for it. He already thinks I’m a magnet for trouble. This will just send him over the edge and he may think I’m more trouble than I’m worth.

The door swings open ending our dreamlike states and in walks Forensics. They head straight for the note where they’re all discussing something in the kitchen. After a while, Agent Marcos comes out.

“We will need to take prints from all the doors and obviously take this note back to be examined. Ana, we will have to go into your room if that’s okay? We will need to take prints in there as he may have left more clues for us. One important thing I need to ask. You found this note just before you rang, yes?”

I nodded.

“So I’m assuming whoever did this must have gotten in while you had been out with Mr Bennett.”

I immediately stiffened in Jake’s arms and he sensed what I was feeling. I haven’t been in my room properly since Friday afternoon.

“I think this note could have been there anytime from yesterday afternoon,” I finally admit.

Agent Marcos looked at me expectantly. “I wasn’t in my bed last night,” I blasted out.

Both Michael and Tom straightened their posture suddenly—nearing the edge of their seats—eager to hear the rest. Tom looked like he was about to burst if he didn’t get the gossip soon.

“So were you staying round someone else’s house? A friend perhaps? We will need their name.”

I’m unsure of what to say but then Jake beats me to it.

“Jake Bennett, that’s whose bed she was in, okay?”

Marcos blushed and Michael and Tom nearly fall off the seat at Jake’s surprise statement. If we were worried about the gossip going round, our fears would certainly be realised now. Michael and Tom will be itching to go back later and tell everyone about what happened last night in the Bennett household. Wide grins spread across their faces.

“Are we okay, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee?” I said, with mock expression.