“I believe you,” Jonathon soothed, patting her hands.
“We were hoping to show you the photo he left, see if that helps,” Allina ventured carefully. “Are you happy to take a look at it?”
“Of course,” Naomi readily agreed.
“Are you sure?” Jonathon checked. He was protective of his almost sister-in-law.
“Don’t baby me,” Naomi snapped. “Of course I'm sure.”
“Okay, here you go.” Allina handed over the picture. “Kane has already checked it out so it’s fine for you to touch it.”
Sam stiffened instinctively as Naomi took hold of the photo. This was hard for her, it was written all over her face. Her tired face. She looked exhausted. Circles as dark as bruises marred the skin under her eyes, and every movement she made looked like it was an effort. She had slept well last night, he knew because he hadn’t slept a wink, checking on her frequently because he kept needing to reassure himself that she was alive.
Naomi stared at the photo so intently and for so long, that he was about to take a step toward her to attempt to snap her out of her trance when Jonathon grasped her chin, physically turning her face away from the picture. “Hey, you okay?” he asked gently. “We don’t have to do this now if you're not up to it.”
Rousing herself, she gave her head a small shake. “I'm okay. I want to do this now. Before anyone else gets hurt.”
Looking doubtful, Jonathon continued nonetheless, “Do you remember when this picture was taken.”
A shiver shook through her, and Sam again had to fight the urge to go to her. “I remember,” she whispered, her gaze returning to the photo.
When she didn’t say anything else, Sam prompted her, “It was right before we met.”
When she still didn’t do anything other than nod, Jonathon tried prompting her, “You were eight, right? Was it taken before or after the fire?”
She flinched at the word, and the tremor that shook her this time was about a hundred times bigger.
“Naomi,” Jonathon prodded, “before or after the fire?”
“Before.” Naomi’s voice was so faint it was barely audible.
“How long before?” Jonathon asked patiently, unfazed by having to drag answers out of Naomi.
“A couple of weeks. It was our yearly recital.”
Sam knew that Naomi had been a talented ballerina. She had been part of her studio’s competition team and had won several awards. He also knew that after the fire she had never danced again. She never talked about the fire.Never. They had known each other for twenty-two years and he had never once heard her say a word about it.
“Naomi, do you remember much about that time?” Allina leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “He chose that picture for a reason. Does anyone who was in your life back then stand out?”
“No.”
“I know it’s hard but try to think. Who took the picture?” Allina asked.
“Some guy, he always took the pictures at our recitals.”
With eyes lighting up, Jonathon asked, “Did he pay particular attention to you?”
“No.” Naomi was withdrawing, they weren’t going to get much more out of her right now.
“Was there anyone in your life before the fire that creeped you out?” Allina asked.
She thought for a moment and then shook her head.
“After the fire you and your family moved in with your stepfather’s parents, right?” Jonathon asked.
“Right.”
“Do you remember anyone who made you uncomfortable after you moved?” Jonathon asked.