Page 27 of Mission: Possible

"Yes, the lack of any substance behind the things she told me. And then there was the argument."

"The argument?"

"I came home early one night and instead of coming through the front door like I normally did, I walked around the back. I wanted to see how the renovation looked from the yard but when I got to the patio area, I heard voices talking. The back door was open. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I did. I listened, so yeah, I guess I did mean to. It was Sophie and Zach."

"What were they talking about?"

"He said something like 'do you really think he'd love you if he knew who you actually were?' And Sophie replied, ‘I don't know and I don't want him to ever find out but I'm not going anywhere even if this started out wrong.’ It didn't make any sense."

"Did you overhear anything else?"

"Yes. Zach said 'he'll never believe you anyway. You're crazy and you always have been. You only survive because of everything I do for you and us.' Sophie said she was staying and he should leave and Zach said, 'Maybe I should tell him all about your past and we'll see what he does about it. I bet he'd pay to get rid of you. I'm owed that money and if you screw up again, I'll get it somehow.' Sophie said that 'things have changed' and then I heard a smash and Sophie yelped. I ran around the house and rushed through the doors. I thought he hurt her."

I pursed my lips, thinking. "Did he?"

"I don't know. One of the boxes of our stuff was on the floor and Sophie was crouched over it. She had tears in her eyes. When she saw me, she looked startled and afraid. Zach had his fists clenched until he saw me and quickly said what a klutz Sophie was. I gave her a hug and told her not to worry about the stuff because we needed to get ready to go out to dinner. There wasn't really one, but I wanted Zach to leave the house in the least threatening way possible. He left and we spent the evening relaxing but Sophie was really quiet."

"Did you ask her about what you heard?"

"Yes, and she brushed it off as a silly fight, saying that Zach said she was too low class for me, but it didn't seem right. I couldn't sleep that night. All I could think about was what Sophie's past contained that he thought I might pay them to leave? And why he thought she owed him money. She's not crazy. I know that. You don't spend that much time with someone without an inkling about their mental health. Sophie is smart, funny, and kind. Not crazy. I even wondered if maybe she were in witness protection."

I started to reply when my phone buzzed. I checked the screen. Solomon texted:Made a decision. I turned it facedown, ignoring it for now.

The door opened and we turned to watch a nurse walk in. She smiled at us both and reached for the chart. "If you want to take a break, you can step out," she told Austen. "I'll be here for a few minutes checking Mrs. Takahashi's vitals. Perhaps you'd like to get some coffee and a snack?"

"Thank you, yes," said Austen, rising. I followed his cue and we stepped outside into the busy corridor. An orderly passed us, pushing a trolley and whistling a tune. Two older women walked past, bouquets of flowers in their arms, and I could hear laughter somewhere. "I'm not sure what else I can tell you," he added.

"I think that's enough for now. When you can, please email me all of Sophie's personal information. Things like her birthdate, phone number, social security number, resume, and anything else about her you can think of."

"I can do that. What will you do next?" Austen inquired. "You are taking the case?"

"Yes, I am. I'll confirm that Sophie is whom she says she is, which shouldn't take too long, and then I want to take another trip to the house and speak to the construction crew and any other people she knew. Perhaps this was a terrible accident and someone who is scared of losing their job was involved. I don't think we should jump to any conclusions, not just yet. Give me a few days to look deeper into things and please call me if you need any help or want someone to sit with her while you go home to rest. I know this is a difficult time."

Austen thanked me and I left before Sophie's nurse reappeared. As I walked out of the hospital, I called Solomon. "I made a decision," I told him. "I'm going to take the Takahashi case."

"I meantImade a decision about the bank. We're taking that case. I'm going to need your help since you are the only person at the agency who witnessed the real-time events."

"Okay," I agreed. "I can do that but I'm not sure what else I can tell you."

"Perhaps something might spark a memory for you. You might not realize everything you do know yet," said Solomon.

"Apparently, we know nothing about the bank," I retorted. "If Charlie Sampson can be believed."

"All the more reason why I need you on the team. Can your case take a backseat for a few days?"

"Not really. The Takahashis really need my help."

"Austen Takahashi?"

"Yeah, that's him. Do you know him?"

"No, but I recognize his name. Built his firm from the ground up, made a lot of money, and knows plenty of powerful people. Does lots of philanthropy work alongside it all. He relocated to Montgomery and created countless jobs."

"You sound pretty impressed."

"I am. Tell me about it over lunch?"

"On my way."