A Masterpiece Unraveled (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 2)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  Keeping him close, Becca looked him straight in the eye. "You know how you're always admiring my determination to push through anything thrown at me?"

  He nodded slowly. "Yeah."

  "That should tell you something. I'm not a quitter. I don't give up easily. I'm not going to let life dictate what happens, I'm going to take my own route. I want you in my life, Hunter. Always. Those four years without you made me realize many things. One of them is that I know I can make my own way without you, but the thing is I don't want to. You're my other half. When you're hurt, I am too. When you laugh, it makes me feel good. I'll adapt. I'll learn and help. This isn't going to change how I feel about you." She kissed him, then took a step back. "You call me brave and strong all the time, but you don't realize how much I see of that in you as well. You made something of yourself almost right away, and it took me longer to find myself. You didn't hold back. I did. I sometimes still do."

  "Wise, beautiful words from an artist I love," Hunter said quietly.

  "I learned from you. When I needed it most, you had the most comforting and encouraging words to say. It's only fair I give a little back to you."

  On the way home, Hunter stayed quiet. Becca couldn't help herself. She kept peeking over at him. He sat in a fairly relaxed position, staring straight ahead. A few times he turned her way. But he would just smile halfheartedly and then turn away.

  The ringing of a phone cut through the silence. Becca jumped slightly and jerked the wheel right a little. She straightened out and Hunter answered his phone. Every time one of their phones rang lately, she always had a strong suspicion it wasn't good news. That feeling rose again, creeping around in her stomach.

  "We're actually heading home now. Want to meet us there?" Hunter sounded alarmed. "Okay. Thanks. See you soon."

  "What's up?" Becca tried to be casual, but her heart raced.

  "Jed has new information."

  Oh boy.

  "Maybe it's good news." Hunter tried to be reassuring. He let his phone fall on his lap.

  "Then why does he always want to meet up instead of telling us over the phone?" Didn't these PI's prefer to give bad news in person?

  "That's just the way he works. If he has news, he wants to talk face to face, good or bad."

  "Yeah, but..." He had a copy of her birth certificate. He could have found out anything! That 'anything' terrified her. As much as she wanted to know, part of her didn't want to know either. Her heart and mind were split right down the middle. Too late to back out now. They were going to get everything they could.

  Ten minutes after making it home, Jed arrived.

  Why did Becca have such a bad feeling about this? They were seated around the table, the very same table bad news had been discussed recently. She gripped the side of her chair and waited. She watched Jed's every move, looking for a clue or a sign as to what he might say. He gave away nothing until he actually spoke.

  "There's no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to throw it out there." Jed cleared his throat. "Becca, your birth certificate was falsified."

  Bile rose in her throat. Her stomach did a flip flop dance. Becca tried to breathe normally, but her chest tightened and burned. She choked back a cry. Oh no! No no no!

  "Bec?" Hunter's voice sounded far away again, like the night she'd had a panic attack. "Angel, stay with me. Listen to me. I'm right here." Hands were on her shoulders.

  The fuzziness faded. Even though beads of sweat formed on her forehead and slid down her face, Becca sprung back to reality. "What does this mean?" It could be plenty of things, right? Not necessarily anything bad. Oh, who was she kidding. It couldn't be good. Why did she try to give herself a false sense of hope?

  "It could mean a lot of things. This is where it's really going to get tricky. There's no way to do a DNA test since Anne and Rusty aren't alive. It could mean you're adopted, but I wouldn't even know where to start with that. When I looked into Anne's last pregnancy, she'd chosen home birth. That's what it said on your certificate. I checked with vital statistics in the state it said you were born in, but there's no record there of a Rebecca Lange, not with your age and birth date."

  "Oh, if only they all knew the real dirt about Rebecca Lange. She doesn't exist!" Sylvia's words echoed in her head.

  "How did she know?"

  "How did who know? What are you talking about?" Hunter's face came into clear view as he held her.

  "How did Sylvia know about me?" Becca knew she wasn't making sense, but she just couldn't get the words out. Shock took a hold of her, but she also had a deep surge of panic and outrage. Her whole life was a lie, and who knows if the truth would ever be found?

  "Look at me, angel. Focus." He was only inches from her now. "One thing at a time." He moved his hands to touch her face. Hunter was gentle and loving.

  I'm in love with the man whose parents had something to do with a secret about me.

  Hunter had said before that whatever happened between their families shouldn't affect the two of them. They'd been kids, caught in the crossfire of adult choices. She was heartsick over this. Every part of her body sagged with pain. Who was she? Did she have living parents always wondering where their infant was? Did they have a room of hers all clean and kept as if she'd one day return? Did she have siblings with a hole in their heart because a part of their family was missing? Or did someone make a choice for the better? Maybe a teen mother who wanted to give her baby a better life and went about it a different way? Maybe she'd been found somewhere and the Beckmans wanted to help a grieving family who'd just lost a child. Maybe-

  Too many scenarios clouded her already crowed mind. Stop overthinking! Just stop! She could try and calm the raging thoughts in her head, but it didn't quite work for her racing heart, the sick to her stomach feeling and the way she shivered.

  Becca blinked, trying to keep focus. Then she turned away from Hunter. "What next? What do I do?"

  "You could try to convince your grandparents for a DNA test. It is possible. It would at least tell us if you're biologically related to the Langes. I'll have to look around for missing infants around the area at the time. This is where it's getting harder to track."

  "If it was a home birth, someone would have had to notarize the birth certificate, right?" Hunter asked. "Maybe tracking that person down might help?"

  "Let me check again." Jed shuffled a few papers. "Joe Whitemore."

  A strangled sound came from Hunter's throat. "That name ... it sounds really familiar. But I can't place it." He repeated the name softly, as if chanting it would bring something back.

  "Hunter?" Becca studied his face. Did he know the person? And if that were the case, how much were Hunter's parents involved with the events surrounding her birth?

  *****

  Mom and Dad were talking in hushed voices to someone. They must have thought he was still asleep. Instead, Hunter crouched on the steps near the top, trying to hear what they said. Last night they left the game in a rush, something Hunter didn't understand because no one would fill him in. Just because he was only twelve didn't mean he should be kept out of the loop. Was something wrong with one of them? Was Mom sick? Dad?

  Only one way to find out. Eavesdrop.

  He'd probably get in big trouble if he was caught, but didn't he deserve to know what was going on too?

  "I don't want to have to drag you in the middle of this again Joe," Dad said.

  Joe was here?

  "I know. But we started this. It's only fair we help the Langes again. Who would have thought he would come back years later wanting to see her again? He's guilt stricken for sure, but I don't think this is safe. The best thing to do is make sure the little girl is protected. It's been so long, but you never know."

  "They're on vacation right now. Anne is upset, and Rusty's not sure what to do. Rusty's stepdaughter found them and must have overheard me talking to him about the situation. They've got the girls ... they have no idea what's going on, but they're scared. All they know is it was
an alarming factor when she told them she overheard the truth. I don't think it's everything, but if she knows enough to blow the whole thing out of the water, we can't take a chance. Rusty says she's hysterical, begging for him to let her go home with him again. She sounds highly unstable. We've got the boy and the stepdaughter now who could potentially mess everything up."

  What the hell were they talking about? Hunter tried to be as silent as possible. His leg itched and he moved to scratch it, cringing when the stairs creaked.

  "I suppose we could meet up with them and do that. I'm sure Savannah will want to see Anne. No, Hunter doesn't know a thing. I'd sure as hell love to leave it that way. He's just a kid. He doesn't need to know these things. I know what we did was wrong, but it was for good reasons. The girl is safe, or at least was. I hate to think we left something to discover, you know? Rusty swore he cut off all ties with his past after that."

  This didn't sound good. Not at all.

  Joe wasn't here. Hunter only heard his dad talk, so they must be on the phone. Damn. He could always go in the other room and pick up the phone...

  "I won't even ask details about what you'd do. I have enough memories in my head I'd love to forget, like the kid's face when he asked me to-"

  "Hunter? What are you doing out of bed?"

  Uh oh. Mom sounded pissed.

  "Hunter!"

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Hunter had another flashback. He'd gone still and he wouldn't focus. What went on in that mind of his when these things hit? Becca remembered the words from Dr. Ryan. Just help him come out of it.

  "Hunter, come back to the present." Becca stayed calm. He gripped the sides of the chair. His lips parted, but no words came out. "Hey. Come back to me, Hunter. Wherever you are, it's the past. I'm right here." She ran a hand through his hair, hoping he'd come out of this soon. That name set him off. It triggered something.

  When he snapped out of it, his eyes were wide. "I know that name. Joe Whitemore. A friend of my family."

  "Did you-?"

  "A flashback. Yeah. I don't know how real the flashback itself was, but I know that name." Hunter's voice cracked.

  Becca went to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water for him. As she did, Hunter explained to Jed about his flashbacks and how things were triggering memories. She handed him the water. After he took a few sips, he took a deep breath and started talking about the flashback.

  "Joe was like my honorary uncle. I don't remember how he met our family. Maybe a long time friend of Dad's. In my flashback, I was sitting on the stairs as my twelve year old self listening to a conversation. Dad said he didn't want to get Joe involved again. He kept talking about the Langes and how they needed to keep the little girl safe." His gaze landed on Becca. "I'm guessing that was you."

  "What else?" Jed prompted. If he thought Hunter's flashbacks were odd, he didn't say.

  "The Langes were on vacation. I don't know where. Apparently we were going to meet them. Dad didn't want me to know anything."

  "Then the crash happened and Joe never contacted you after that?" Jed asked.

  Hunter shook his head. "No. I forgot about him until you said his name. If he was involved with whatever this is, then that crash cleared his name of anything. Of course he wouldn't come find me."

  "You wouldn't happen to remember a vacation, Becca?" Jed focused on her.

  "I wish I could. I have very limited memories before the crash."

  "Oh! Bec, show him the letter." Hunter nudged her.

  The ... Oh! Why didn't she think of that? "Good idea!" She shot up from her chair to grab it. That reminded her, she still hadn't looked through the pictures. Her hands were shaky by the time she went back to the dining room and handed it to Jed.

  He looked it over, then flicked his gaze back to Becca. "I think you should contact her. It's an open invitation. Maybe she could shed some light. She obviously wants to reach out to you."

  "I know. I've been thinking about it. It doesn't seem like she knows her daughter is dead. I don't know if I can talk to her and be the one to tell her." And she wasn't ready, but now she just might have to do it. Carrie's, err, Sylvia's mother might have an insight to her- to Rusty that she didn't know about.

  Becca hated how difficult it was to call Rusty her father now. He was the only one she'd ever known.

  "I agree with Jed, angel." Hunter toyed with a lock of her hair. "If Sylvia knew something about you, then it's a lead to follow. Her mom might be able to give us something, even if it's small. I'll tell her about her daughter if it comes down to that so you don't have to. It might be all we have to go on right now."

  She pursed her lips. This affected Hunter too, as the few clues they had pointed to his parents' involvement. He had a right to know just as much as she did. Decision made, she nodded. "Okay. I'll do it."

  They made copies of a few things for Jed before he left, apologizing that he'd brought such bad news. Not that he had anything to apologize for. He'd done exactly what they wanted him to. Find the truth.

  The truth hurt.

  *****

  There were two things Hunter needed to do next. One was to hold Becca tight and do everything within his power to make her feel safe. That lost look in her eyes haunted him. He would rather them have met by a terrible fate like the crash than to have been unknowingly connected by family secrets. He wasn't about to trust that flashback because face it, the damn idea sounded crazy. But as he'd learned about triggers and things that set them off, he had to at least be a little in tune with what they were. Which led him to the second thing. He needed to look up Joe's name and see if there really was a connection with him and his family. Long shot, but he wouldn't know unless he tried.

  After walking Jed out, Hunter found Becca still sitting at the table, her phone and that letter in front of her. He must have startled her when he walked in because she jumped slightly before looking his way.

  "I want to call my grandparents so bad- but then I keep thinking no, they aren't my grandparents. They don't have to do or tell me anything, but I have a right to know and they kept things from me! I wonder if my aunt knew. It doesn't matter, because she's gone too! My mind won't stop filling with images of a family looking for their child! Who the hell am I?" The distraught, angry tone in her voice shattered Hunter to pieces. "Stolen. I could have been stolen. I just- I can't get that thought out of my head!"

  Without a word, he pulled her to her feet and held on tight. What could he say? He was sorry his family possibly had something to do with it? Maybe if his parents didn't get on that plane with the Langes they'd all be alive right now? None of that would work! It wasn't enough. They weren't answers, and that's what Becca needed most.

  Becca cried against him. Finally, she allowed herself to let out the frustration. He rested his hand on the back of her head, threading his fingers through her hair.

  Hunter thought back to his flashbacks. His father had always been insistent on keeping Becca safe. If these were actually memories, then it meant something, right? Or maybe it was because she'd been stolen that they had to keep her safe. No, that didn't make sense. Why was he so adamant about keeping her safe?

  I wish I understood why this is all in my head!

  "This is worse. Knowing something is off, but the possibility of never having an answer is terrible! If I'm adopted or stolen, how are we ever going to find out? We both have sketchy memories, all parties responsible are dead, and so much time has passed!" Becca raised her head, her cheeks red and stained with tears.

  Hunter brushed them away gently. "I'll look up Joe Whitemore. If he's still alive, I have no problem contacting him and getting information. In fact, I'll show up at his door unannounced so that he has no time to hide. I don't understand how a simple name can draw up so many memories, but it did. I just don't know what he was involved with. I don't trust my memories a hundred percent." He looked Becca in the eye. "As for who the hell you are, you're the best thing to ever happen to me and I'm going to find every answer y
ou're wanting, no matter how long it takes or how much I have to spend to get them. I'll even go badger your grandparents if I have to. You know how you said they took care of your old house and never really let you have anything from it? Maybe this is why. They seemed to have a guess something was off and they wanted to clear everything. I bet they know a hell of a lot more than they let on. I wish I could-" He curled a fist at his side, the anger bubbling. Damn them!

  "It didn't even cross my mind," Becca said quietly. "But if they were so afraid of being exposed before, why did they all of a sudden let it happen?"

  "Probably because they know I'll fight it every which way. It explains their dislike for me all these years. I thought it was just because they're cold people. They didn't want us to stay connected because our families have a history." He just didn't know what that history was yet. "Have you talked to your grandparents recently?"

  "They don't know I'm able to talk again, but I heard from them when the news hit about Sylvia's death. They wanted to know if I was going to stop searching now that she was gone. I replied and told them no, I'm still looking. I haven't heard a thing since. Rissi also told me no one's been around the apartment asking about me since I moved."

  Okay, that one alarmed him, especially since Becca swore she'd been followed a few weeks ago. He'd chalked that one up to maybe her grandparents had someone watching her, but the apartment lurking didn't add up. There were way too many unanswered questions and not enough answers.

  Heaving a sigh, Hunter hugged Becca again. "I think it's time to look up Joe. Have you thought about how you're going to contact Sylvia's mom?"

  "I think I'll start off with an email. She included it in her letter along with a mailing address, but I want instant." Tears were still in her eyes. "I'm so afraid," she whispered. "A crash is bad enough, and I always wondered about why, where, and how. I never expected such a connection."

  "I know. Why couldn't we have met under normal circumstances? We could have grown up together. Maybe I wouldn't be the mess I am today," he mused. What would it have been like to grow up normally with Becca? Hunter painted a picture of it in his mind, but no matter how much he liked the idea, it wasn't reality. They'd been young pawns in a bigger picture of things that just started to come to light. Innocent kids that were drawn into adult decisions that affected them twenty years later. Damn!