"Jesse, this is Jed, a ... friend of ours." Becca guessed Hunter wasn't going to tell him Jed's actual role. Smart move.
Becca watched Jed look Jesse over in his usual way. What did he think of him? What kind of vibes was he picking up?
Jed pulled something from his black bag. "I've got a kit to get the samples we need." He glanced between Becca and Jesse. "Who first?"
"I will." Becca volunteered, eager to get it over with. She lowered herself to sit in the chair and crossed her legs together. Nerves swarmed like bees in her belly.
Jed opened the kit and prepared. "I just need to get a quick swipe from your cheek on the inside. It won't hurt. Might be slightly uncomfortable, but it'll be over before you know it." He explained, edging closer. "Ready? Just open wide and I'll move fast."
"Okay." Becca said and opened her mouth. She closed her eyes, unsure of why. She didn't feel like looking at Hunter or Jesse at the moment. Before she knew it, Jed said he was done. Becca opened her eyes just as he put the samples in a tiny tube. Jed moved toward Jesse and repeated the process.
Hunter sat beside Becca, taking one of her hands in his. He squeezed, and she returned the gesture.
"All right. Done." Jed put everything away. "I'll have these sent out once we get the last sample. By next weekend, there should be results." He gestured at Hunter. "Can I talk to you for a few minutes?"
"Sure." Hunter stood, and the pair walked out of hearing range.
"Are you feeling a little better?" Jesse finally broke the silence. He'd been sitting in the chair across from her, but moved to sit beside her on the couch.
"Feeling better?" Becca wasn't sure what he meant.
"From the other night. The letter. You were so upset."
"I'm..." Becca thought about what to say. "Honestly, no. I'm not better. But I'll get there. "
"Can I ask you something? The guy who came after you in Maryland. Do you know who he was?"
Becca flicked her gaze to him. "No. We know now where the connection comes from, but I didn't at the time."
"I thought maybe somehow Dad found out about you, but I don't think there's a way. You were so young, and Mom and I kept you a secret after- what he did. He believed he ... I can't even say it!"
"He thought he got rid of me," Becca whispered, taking a guess. Which was why no one in the family would know of her, other than Jesse and their mother. "Did he not want another child?"
"I don't think it was that. He was a sick man, Becca. Very dangerous. It wasn't you specifically. I know this isn't easy to hear."
"Of course it isn't, but the truth is better than nothing at all." The truth hurt. It wore her down, but they were getting closer to the puzzle being complete. No matter what, that was the end result she'd been looking for. She'd just have to work out the way it made her feel. The man beside her could be her brother. The one who'd risked so much to protect her. Becca wanted family to be around for years, ever since losing Rusty, Anne, and Ellie. They weren't blood related, but they were her family. The scattered memories in her head and heart were all she had to hold on of them. They weren't taking her to replace a lost baby. They took her to keep her safe. It just happened to go down that way. She had so many things to resolve in her beat up heart.
Chapter Twenty-Two
A sense of déjà vu washed over Hunter the next morning as their flight took off for Maryland. He hated to be away from Becca. They both remembered the last time they said goodbye at an airport. But this time would be different, or so he hoped. He stole a glance at Jesse, who faced away from him, staring out the window. "Can I ask you a personal question?" Hunter asked.
Jesse faced him, eyes full of curiosity. "Sure."
"When were you diagnosed with PTSD?"
"I was eleven."
That young? Damn.
"So are you always having symptoms? It always affects you?"
"Not always. It's here and there. It hasn't been easy, because when I see my mom and how much she's declined because of her grief and depression, especially when she still thinks she's holding her daughter in her arms, it hits me. Or when Dad's ... thugs decide they're going to mess with me a little. It's like he always wants me to know he's still around watching."
"It really never does go away then," Hunter stated, wondering how he'd ever be able to resume flying.
"It's manageable. No, it may never go away, but you can still have a good life despite it." Jesse fiddled with his seatbelt, seeming uncomfortable.
"I'm hoping maybe it'll calm down once all this is over." Hunter leaned back in his seat. "It already has a little."
"Are you asking because you're thinking about Rhode Island?"
Hunter stared at Jesse, about to get all crazy wondering how he knew, but then it dawned on him. The man had been at meetings. He'd listened to everything Hunter said. A mix of anger and frustration ran through him. He still hated the way Jesse did things, but he'd been a good source of information and a good friend. Or something like friend.
"Yeah. I know Becca's worried. I didn't want to leave her, but I know why we're not taking her, either. Our last two trips looking for closure didn't turn out so well. Are you staying in Virginia permanently?"
Jesse blinked and cocked his head to the side, obviously taken aback. Hunter stifled a laugh. The guy wasn't used to his abrupt change of conversation yet. "I was thinking about it."
"So where are you staying then? Are you working?" Hunter was curious all of a sudden.
"I'm working. I searched for work before I headed out there the first time. When I first heard about the story of Becca and the plane, I came out a few times to see if I could find anything out. At the time, I think she still had her address listed in Vermont, so I didn't make any bold moves. I haven't been thinking clearly. All I knew was your name, and looking at the photo of Becca made me realize she'd been closer than I ever imagined."
"You didn't know the plane crashed twenty years ago?"
"I did know about it, which didn't help my guilt any. I thought it was because of me. I never even knew your name, but your last name popped up in a search, and it led me to you. I didn't know Becca was on the plane with you and your family."
"You randomly search my last name?" Hunter narrowed his eyes at him.
Jesse shrugged. "Yeah. I never thought it would turn up anything, but I always wondered. I never heard what happened to you. There were never any photos of you or Becca associated with the crash, so I didn't know."
"There's still a lot we don't know about the plane ride and what led us to it. Look, since you're most likely going to be around and in our lives, I should warn you. Someone is out to hurt us."
"This Sylvia/Carrie person, I'm guessing," Jesse said. "You keep mentioning it."
"Yeah. Well, we think it's her, anyway. At first, I thought she died, not making it out of that jump. Now she's the only one I can think of to be behind these messages."
"What does she want with Becca?"
Hunter sighed. "Not quite sure, other than she's a twisted woman with vengeance on her mind. Rusty Lange, Becca's ... father, was married previously to Sylvia's mother. She's the reason we were on the plane when it went down."
"Not me." Jesse's gaze turned intense.
"No, not you. Not fully. I don't know if we would have been on the flight if you were the only factor, but from what I'm told, Sylvia found Becca's family on vacation and overheard Rusty talking about her brother-"
Jesse paled. "So I had a part in it indirectly."
"I don't know, man!" Hunter raised his voice. Whoa. He needed to chill. "Until this past summer, Becca and I didn't even know there was more to the plane crash. We thought it was a random tragedy. The only question haunting our minds was why we were on the same plane. I have a question for you. Why did you only come across information on my name now? If you'd searched earlier, you might have come across my name associated with the Lange Center." Did it really matter?
"I did, and saw that, but never found photos of you or Becca.
It wasn't until I caught a glimpse of you two near where Becca landed your plane that I realized you were the one I'd been looking for. I'd left it alone for years, until Mom's condition worsened. I thought maybe, if I could start a search again for my sister, it would help."
"How bad off is she?" To think Becca could have her family in her life and then taken away hurt Hunter. She'd want this, but if Elizabeth Laughlin turned out to be her mother and she wasn't doing well, how would Becca handle more pain and loss?
"Mentally? Not well. Physically, she's better, other than the stroke. If I can reconnect my family just one time for Mom's sake, I will."
*****
Hunter didn't know what to expect when it came to where Elizabeth Laughlin lived. He kind of thought about a hospital at first, or maybe an old fixer upper house. But to his surprise, she lived in a regular house, but it was one of those that she shared with others who had similar issues- a group home. How much did the others living here know about Jesse and the situation since he arrived now with two people the woman didn't know? He followed whatever Jesse said to do.
"I'm going to bring her outside for a little while. I feel weird about this. I can't tell her why she needs to open her mouth to get a sample, and I hate lying. I know it's for her own good. You're a friend." He pointed at Hunter, then to Jed. "You're a doctor. It's going to be the best way. I'll be right back, okay?"
Jed nodded and kept his bag closed.
"Jesse," Hunter said quietly. The man turned around. "I'm sorry we're doing it this way. I wish there was a better alternative. Don't feel bad. If this gives everyone the closure they need..."
Haunted eyes stared back at him. "I know. She's all I've had for years, so this isn't easy." Then he turned around and went inside.
Hunter paced the yard, not paying attention to his surroundings. He wanted to be with Becca right now. When he'd called a little while ago, she and Shara were with Cherie, who'd been released from the hospital today. At least she had something to occupy her, but Hunter knew Becca would worry until she heard from him.
The door opened again. "Here Mom, come sit out on the porch for a while." Jesse led a frail, skinny woman out on the patio. Hunter sucked in a sharp breath as he caught a glimpse of her. The woman's ink black hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and there were streaks of silver running down from the roots. The photos he'd seen of Elizabeth were a very strong resemblance to Becca, but seeing her in person, Hunter had a strong suspicion this was Becca's mother. It was like looking in a mirror that aged a person. He could picture Elizabeth's face as Becca years and years down the line.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Jed asked from beside him.
"Yeah," Hunter managed, continuing to stare.
"Time to get official confirmation."
He stayed back, watching as Jed approached Jesse and the woman.
"I need to get back to Ariana!" she cried frantically.
"Mom," Jesse said softly, crouching down before her. "What did I tell you about Ariana already?"
"She's grown up. But that can't be! I never got to see her grow up."
Hell. Hunter's hand flew to cover his mouth, feeling sick over this. No wonder Jesse wanted it this way. Almost thirty years and to Elizabeth, time hadn't passed. Is that what depression, grief, and trauma did to a mind after a long time? The guilt? What would happen if they found out they were related and then brought Becca here?
"Mom, I need you to open your mouth for a minute, okay? The doctor needs to do a quick test." Jesse stumbled over his words, and he glanced back at Hunter with the guiltiest deer in the headlights look.
"I did this already!" she insisted.
"This is a different one, Mom. I promise, it'll be quick." He patted his mother's shoulder.
Jed managed to get a sample after a bit of prodding. He put the tube in his bag and nodded, taking a step back.
"Everett? Tell the kids to come see me. They can come home now. Even Ariana. It's safe now, right?"
Jesse aided his mom to her feet and gave her a hug. "It's safe, Mom. I'm trying to bring everyone home. Let's go back inside."
Hunter stood frozen, taking in the reality of the scene. Jesse was so calm and catering to his mom, no matter how much she seemed to flip flop through past and present.
Please let this be what everyone needs. Let the answers finally come out in the open.
*****
Becca and Shara sat around the dinner table with Cherie, Henry, and Stan that evening. Cherie moved around slowly, but Becca knew she was happy to be home ... well, happy to be out of the hospital. Being home and surrounded by reminders that her husband was never coming home took a toll. It seemed to hit Henry hard, too. He'd been sullen and quiet all day, but he aided his mother in whatever she needed.
"I'm going to hit the road in the morning," Stan said to Cherie. "But don't be a stranger. Call us any time."
"Thank you," Cherie said quietly. "Is there anything you want of Kyle's?"
Becca never heard the rest of the exchange between the two. Her phone rang and Hunter's number came up on the screen, so she excused herself and left the room, anxious to hear what he had to say. "Hi! How are things?"
"We're getting ready to fly home now. Jed got what we need, and Jesse spent a few hours with his mom. Bec, you look so much like her. I don't know if I should even be saying this because I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but it gave me chills."
A lump formed in her throat. "H-how long until we get results?" She leaned against the wall.
"Jed's going to send them to a lab once we get home. He put in a rush, so hopefully in just a few days. Whatever comes of it, I hope this helps her. She kept going from the past to present, and it tore me to shreds." Hunter paused. From the sound of his voice, today had been hard for him. "We're going to get on board now, but I needed to hear your voice. I'll be home soon. I love you, angel."
"I love you too." Becca held the phone against her chest when they hung up. She stared down at the floor, taking in Hunter's words. He seemed tormented by what he saw. They'd have answers soon, and she could take comfort in the fact.
"You all right?" Shara's voice from behind her made Becca jump, and she dropped her phone. Shara picked it up for her. "Was that Hunter? What happened?"
"They're on the way home. He sounds really upset."
"That means it's almost over, and he'll be back before you know it. The worst is over."
"Or is it? What if this is so close and it turns out I'm not related? Then we start all over again!" Becca shuddered. Ugh, she'd been telling both Hunter and Jesse not to play the what if game and she didn't even take her own advice.
Shara hugged her. "I wish I had an answer. Let's just hope for the best."
"I'm trying, but I can't take much more," Becca whispered, hugging her friend back.
Minutes later, Becca and Shara returned to the dining room and checked in with Cherie and Henry. Half an hour later, they were ready to leave. "If you need anything, just call," Becca said to Cherie. Henry hugged her. Poor kiddo had tears in his eyes. What a good step for them, though. Cherie was home and doing better, and they could begin to figure things out.
On the way home, Becca's phone dinged. "Want me to check it for you?" Shara asked her.
"Please. Maybe it's Hunter." Becca focused on the road. Her concentration already shot, she didn't need another distraction.
"Umm, what the hell?" Shara shrieked.
Dread crept up in Becca's gut. That didn't sound good at all. "What?"
"You're closing in on answers. I'm closing in on you." Shara read the text. "It's one of those creepy anonymous texts! Who the hell is this person? How do they seem to know all these things? The texts are vague, sure, but ... Hell! You haven't told the cops about these yet?"
"Will it do any good?" Becca spun the wheel to make a right on her street.
"Will it not do any good? Aren't they still looking for Sylvia? Or maybe it's connected to what happened in Maryland."
"If
we say anything, everyone's secrets are going to come out in the open." She pulled up in the drive, grateful to be home. That was only part of the problem. Becca worried about what the Langes would do, or Vince. If secrets were coming out in the open, then she knew there were desperate people prepared to keep them hidden.
"Maybe they need to. You can't protect everyone, Becca. Vince needs to pay for all the crap he's done, and Joe ... Well, maybe it's just time. You and Hunter come first to me."
"We've got Jed looking into it. I don't see what the cops will do any differently," Becca protested. "There's no threats. Just messages and things being found out."
"They'll step up their game to find Sylvia. She's been in hiding a long time. We once thought she was dead. Her ID was on that woman's body. I don't think that was accidental. I have a feeling this sick woman is playing her game and trying to rattle everyone. It's working, because I'm afraid for you all! If it's not Sylvia, then it's Jesse. I don't trust that guy yet, no matter that he may be your brother." Shara turned her gaze to her. "That one scares me most of all, because if he's lying, then he's got you right where he wants you."
"I-" Words caught in her throat. Becca didn't know how to respond.
"I've watched my best friend go through hell for years. All I want is for the two of you to finally be happy."
*****
Hours later, Shara went home and Becca waited up for Hunter's return. She worked on a painting until she heard voices and the front door opening. Did he bring Jesse back with him? Becca darted downstairs and sure enough, Hunter and Jesse stood in the living room, talking quietly. Both looked worn out.
"Hi." She held the banister and walked the rest of the way downstairs. Both men stopped talking and peered at her. Hunter wrapped her in a hug once she was close enough.
"I didn't know you'd still be up," he said softly.
"I couldn't sleep until I knew you were home safe. Plus I got another text today," she whispered, unsure how much of this Jesse knew. "You're closing in on answers. I'm closing in on you."
A Forever Masterpiece (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 3) Page 22