“Is there any law against us asking questions? People don’t have to answer.”
“Sometimes people make up their own laws. By the time it’s all figured out we’re eligible for Social Security.”
Michelle said, “It would help if we knew the names of some of Sam Wingo’s co-workers there.”
“Well, from what I could find out the actual office where Wingo worked isn’t that big. Maybe twenty people. I bet they all knew each other. At least somewhat.”
“Do we wait outside and see who looks promising when they leave work?”
“Maybe. But that will be after we meet with Kathy, if she has anything. Text her now.”
Michelle did.
Five minutes went by.
“Maybe she cut us off too,” said Michelle as she stared at her phone.
“Give it time.”
Another minute went by, and then a text popped up on Michelle’s phone.
“She talked to Tyler. She’ll meet us at the same café.”
“You should get a Panera card,” advised Sean.
Michelle frowned. “This thing is looking stranger by the minute. I don’t want to end up back in a CIA cell that no one knows about.”
Sean laced his fingers behind his head and leaned back in his chair. “Frankly, I’m more worried about Tyler and his stepmom than I am about us.”
Michelle shot him a glance. “Why?”
“Tyler got that email. Edgar hacked it and figured it out. Who’s to say a third party won’t do the same?”
“So they know the father communicated with the son?”
“After he supposedly died.”
“And Tyler knows that because he told me that. Do you think he might tell anyone else?”
“I sincerely doubt he’ll confide anything to his stepmom Jean.”
“Kathy said she’d talked to him. Maybe he told her.”
“I hope they talked without using their phones or computers.”
Michelle nodded in understanding. “The Pentagon would have all of that locked down. The thing is, kids these days don’t seem to actually talk to each other anymore. They just text each other.”
“Well, for their sakes I hope they broke that rule this time.”
“Sean, why would the Army say a soldier is dead if he really isn’t?”
“I guess I can think of a few reasons, but none that make any sense at all.”
“And Dad wanted his son’s forgiveness. For pretending to be dead? For putting him through all of that horror?”
“Maybe. And now Tyler believes that his father is alive,” Sean pointed out.
“Part of me hopes he is. Because if he isn’t and Tyler finds out the truth?”