“Not entirely sure yet,” I mumble, trying to feel it out. Christ, Sue’s pancakes smell good.
Cole sees me eyeing them and stacks two on a plate for me. “Eat. It will make you feel better.”
Once they hit my tongue, I can’t stop. I don’t even wait for the syrup. The fluffy white cake slides down my throat, hitting my stomach and landing with a hollow boom. Oh my god, I am so hungry! I don’t think, just chew. Cole wastes no time refilling my plate, chuckling. I nod a thanks and polish off two more before I feel satisfied.
“I’m going on a hunch, here, and I’d say your stomach is better?” Daniel teases, putting aside the sports section of the newspaper. I take a few sips of orange juice and feel my energy returning.
“I guess—” I stop when something catches my attention. Part of the entertainment section of the newspaper is flipped over, and one of my most favorite actors, Tim Roth, is up for a new role. Roth. Roth. There’s that nagging feeling again.
Cole places his hand on my thigh. “What?”
My head is turning, determined not to lose my trail. “Do you know anyone named Roth?”
He looks a little puzzled. “The only Roth I know is from training up at Camp Green Water.”
I move two steps ahead in my memory, on the right path. “Umm, did I meet him?”
Daniel leans toward us, a little interested in where I’m going with this. “Yes, at the campfire outside. He was one of the recruits I had my eye on, remember, number fifty-nine,” Cole says, glancing at his father.
The pieces of the puzzle are all starting to fall into place. “A recruit for the house, right? He would have come to the house and worked?”
“Yes,” both he and Daniel answer at the same time, seeing I’m on to something.
There it is. The light turns on in my brain. I’m on top of the fucking memory, and the puzzle is complete. “Holy shit!” Cole squeezes my thigh, coaxing me to go on. “You remember I told you I saw those pictures of you and that blonde woman?” He flinches, but I reach out and cup his cheek. “I’m not digging up this memory to be cruel.” I turn to Daniel. “When I was in The American’s house, he showed me some photos to prove Cole isn’t who I thought he was. He showed me pictures of him and an informant. My point in all this is that The American said he had one of Cole’s men take the picture…well, actually, a lot of them.” I feel Cole’s shoulder twitch.
“You think it was Roth?” Cole asks, bringing my attention back to him.
“Yes, I heard him say his name when I was semi-conscious. One less than sixty,” I mutter in disbelief. “The American tried to get me to guess who it was. He said one less than sixty. He also mentioned that he needed him to do well so he would be able to get the location of the house. “Cole’s eyes flick over to his father’s.
“I think we need to make some calls, son,” Daniel’s voice is calm but laced with anger.
“Savi,” Cole leans in closer, brushing my hair back off my shoulder, “are you feeling better?” I nod, knowing where he’s going with this. “Then I need to go. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay.” He leans in and kisses me, then he and Daniel disappear, leaving Sue and me and a stack of pancakes.
Chapter Six
Cole: You at work?
Savi: I am. It’s slow.
Cole: How are you feeling?
Savi: Tired.
There’s a long pause.
Savi: I’m fine. Did you deal with Roth?
Nothing.
Savi: Cole?
Cole: Will you go on a date with me?
Huh? Where the hell did that come from?
Savi: Sure?