“It’s highly likely the other memories will shake loose on their own now that you’ve started remembering.”
“You don’t know how much I’ve longed to remember more than the few bits and pieces I’ve already shared with the marshals.” She lay back against the pillows as a wave of tiredness crashed over her.
He patted her hand. “I understand. Just remember not to push things.”
“I won’t.” She stifled a yawn.
“We’ll try another session after lunch.” Dr. Devins stood. “You should rest now.” He turned out the lamp and left the room, closing the door with a soft click.
Priscilla tugged the top quilt over her body and snuggled down as her eyelids drooped shut. At least she’d remembered meeting Luc and their shared past on the mission trip as teenagers. Maybe later today she’d actually recall marrying him.
* * *
Luc sliced onions, then dumped them into the sizzling skillet along with the heated olive oil. Cooking relaxed him, and he needed something to do while Priscilla rested after her hypnosis session. Dr. Devins had come out forty minutes ago with news that the session had gone well, but he wouldn’t share any details.
“Smells good.” Aldrich sniffed appreciatively as he entered the kitchen. “What’s cooking?”
“Philly cheesesteaks.” Luc added red and green pepper slices to the onions, then stirred the veggies in the pan.
“Impressive.” Aldrich uncapped a water bottle. “I usually just grab a PB&J for lunch.”
Luc opened a package of sub rolls. “Why go with what’s easy when you can whip up something a little more filling and tasty?”
“Said like a man who takes food much more seriously than I do.”
Luc separated the tops from the bottoms of the sub rolls and lined them up on a cookie sheet.
Aldrich leaned against the counter. His poise appeared relaxed to any observer but Luc sensed a coiled readiness in the other man. The recent photo of Priscilla had put everyone on edge.
“How come you married Priscilla?”
To buy himself time while considering how to answer, Luc pushed the onions and peppers around in the pan, then lowered the heat. He slid the rolls into the wall oven.
Aldrich took another swig from his water bottle. “Avoiding the question?”
“Maybe.” Luc flipped the flank steak, which was browning nicely under the heat of the broiler.
“Hey, man, if you don’t want to tell me, that’s okay.” Aldrich watched him separate provolone cheese slices. “It’s too bad that she doesn’t remember you at all.”
“You’re telling me. She had a good session with Dr. Devins, but even though he didn’t tell me what she said, I’m hoping she’ll recall our meeting soon.”
A doorbell chime sounded and Aldrich pulled his phone out of his pocket. “A text I need to address. Call me when lunch is ready—and thanks. It will sure beat PB&J.”
“Will do.” Luc sliced the meat. Please, Lord, let Priscilla have recalled something helpful. And help the marshals catch whoever is trying to harm her.
Pulling the rolls from the oven, he assembled the sandwiches, then wrapped them in foil before returning them to the oven to warm and melt the cheese under a low temperature.
As he cleaned up the kitchen, his mind returned to washing dishes last night with Priscilla before he’d spoiled it with his idiotic comment about being married. At least things had calmed down since they’d arrived. Maybe they’d catch Culvert soon, and he and Priscilla could finally have a real conversation about what had happened between them in Vegas.
He rinsed the last pan and put it in the dish drainer. A movement outside the window over the kitchen sink caught his eye. Someone was out there, but then again, someone was supposed to be out there—a pair of marshals patrolling the perimeter.
There it was again, a flash of light like a reflection off a mirror. What if it wasn’t the marshals? What if it was—
The glass shattered and Luc dropped to the floor.
THIRTEEN
Someone shook Priscilla’s shoulder and she blinked, trying to banish the vestiges of sleep from her mind.
“We have to leave. Now!” The urgency in Laura’s voice penetrated the fog of sleep, jolting Priscilla fully awake.