Page 92 of SEAL's Promise

A ball of ice formed in Cal’s stomach. “She could be 18.”

“Maybe.” The medic didn’t sound convinced.

Cal turned to Rachelle. “Do you remember where you saw her?”

She shook her head. “Amy and I traveled to so many cities, they blurred together.”

“Think about the day you saw her in relation to the terrorist attack. What day did you see her?” Narrowing the time frame might spark her memory of the place where she’d seen the girl. Whether the girl was important or a convenient tool to frame Rachelle remained to be seen. Cal believed the girl was important.

Her eyes widened. “I saw her the afternoon before the attack.”

“Where?” he prompted.

“Antigua. Amy delivered two speeches the day of the attack, the first one at noon, the other at 6:00 that evening.”

“Excellent. Ignore the faces in the photo. Do you remember seeing a couple in an alley in that position?”

She bit her lower lip. “Something about them is familiar, but I’m not sure.”

“Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Good. Again. Relax and let your mind drift back to the day before the attack.” When the lines of her body softened, he murmured, “Tell me what you did from the time you arrived in Antigua.”

Rachelle frowned. “Why do you want to know all that?”

“I’m interested in your day.”

She looked skeptical, but recounted her movements with Amy, beginning with the check-in to the hotel. As she continued to describe her movements in the afternoon and into the early evening, Rachelle stopped in mid-sentence and tightened her grip on Cal’s hand. “I did see them.”

“Where and when?”

“A block from the hotel as we were going out for dinner.”

“Close your eyes again. Focus on the man in the alley. Picture his face. Can you see him?”

“Not well. I was on the other side of the street. Amy and I were walking with Tim and Eric to the restaurant.”

He frowned. “Why didn’t they drive you?”

“Amy wanted fresh air and the restaurant was two blocks from the hotel.”

“Do you recognize the man in the alley?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Did Amy see the couple?”

Rachelle opened her eyes, a smile curving her lips. “Are you kidding? She only had eyes for Eric. And before you ask, I don’t think Eric saw the couple either.”

“What about the woman? Can you see her face?”

She remained silent for a while, then sighed. “I’m sorry. I saw them for a second in passing. I remember thinking his behavior was inappropriate in public.”

“Did she behave the same way?”

She blinked. “No. That’s odd, isn’t it?”

“Not if she’s underage and under duress,” Rafe murmured.

“You’re amazing, Rachelle.” Cal raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. He glanced at Jon. “Go to the next picture.”