Page 52 of Fracture

“Are you just here to visit your cousin while you recover?”

Lorelei shook her head. “I’ve sort of moved here. I guess.”

Karli stepped in. “It’s a long story, but Lorelei and Adam came here for a case and stuck around. Adam got married a few weeks ago.”

“Oh, that’s so exciting! I’m so happy for him. And I feel safer knowing you are here and working to keep Niagara Falls safe. There’s been a lot going on lately that has had me wondering if we should find somewhere else to live, but Lexi loves it here and I can’t imagine not being close to her.”

“It’s a great place to live,” Karli said. “And the people working to keep us safe are all working hard.”

Lorelei recognized that as a diplomatic answer, one intended to stop the conversation. Was it because Karli was one of the victims? One of the people directly tied to the hell that was happening?

And why the fuck couldn’t Lorelei remember any of it? Ugh. It was so damn frustrating.

“Oh, yes. I have no doubt.” Bonnie smiled. “I should go. Let you get on with your day. Lorelei, it was so nice to see you. I really hope I run into you again. Hello to Adam for me. Nice to meet you, Karli.”

“You, too, Bonnie. Have a good day,” Karli said.

Bonnie waved and moved past them, continuing her walk down the sidewalk.

“Did you trust her?” Karli asked.

Lorelei glared at her cousin. “I don’t trust myself. How the hell do I know if she was telling the truth?”

“Let’s text Adam when we get inside. Make sure he knows her story.”

Lorelei nodded, following Karli to the restaurant door and watching Bonnie walk away.

A server led them to a table by the front windows, and Karli immediately pulled out her phone. She typed out a message, then set her phone on the table to wait for Adam’s reply.

The server came back with waters for both of them and asked if they were ready to order.

Lorelei shot Karli a panicked look, but Karli just smiled. “We need a minute, please.”

“Not a problem. Take your time.”

“Thank you,” Karli said, smiling at the server. “What is wrong with you?” she hissed at Lorelei.

“I have no idea what I like. None of this is familiar to me.”

“I will order. You don’t have to freak out. What have you been eating all week?”

“Whatever Vinnie puts in front of me,” Lorelei admitted. She hadn’t realized how much she was relying on Vinnie until that moment. “He hasn’t asked what I like, just cooked food and gave it to me. How does he know what I want to eat?”

“He probably watched what you were eating in the hospital. And he’s pretty healthy, so he’s making things that he likes and if you’re not complaining, he’s assuming you’re okay with it.”

Lorelei nodded. “You’re probably right.”

The server came back, and Karli ordered for both of them. Lorelei sipped her water and looked around. No recognition at all.

It was getting frustrating.

“I hate this,” Lorelei said when the server walked away.

“Hate what?”

“Not knowing anything about myself. That woman, Bonnie, she could have been dangerous. She could have been innocent. She could have been anyone. I had no idea who she was. I walk by the mirror sometimes and wonder who is right there before I realize it’s me. I am sick of not knowing what the hell is going on.”

“Is that why you opened the computer today?”