Don't Say a Word - Barbara Freethy [15]
Julia thought about that for a moment. "Didn't you say there was a public reaction after the publication, that people were searching for that girl, but no one could find her?"
Alex nodded. "Yes. I have to admit I wasn't paying much attention at the time. My father died the day after that picture was published. That conversation we had about it was the last one we ever had, which is why it stuck in my mind."
"What?" Julia stared at him in shock. His voice was matter-of-fact, but his words were horrifying. "Your father died the day after the photo was published in the magazine? What happened to him?"
"Car accident," Alex said shortly, as if he couldn't bear to go into more detail. "My dad managed to travel all over the world without a Scratch, but he lost his life a few miles from here on the Pacific Coast Highway." He looked off into the darkness, his profile hard and unforgiving.
Julia wanted to ask more questions, but there was so much pain in his voice, she couldn't bring herself to break the silence.
Finally, Alex turned back to her. "At any rate," he said, "I want to take another look at the photo. I think there's a good possibility the negative might still be in my mother's possession. The magazine gave her all of my father's work after he died. In the meantime, you should try to find some concrete evidence of your life before the age of four, especially when you lived in Berkeley. Your mother must have had friends, neighbors, someone who would remember seeing you as a baby. If you find them, your questions will be answered."
"But yours won't be." She realized his interest had more to do with the promise he'd made to his father than with her. She had just been the catalyst. Her quest had suddenly become his quest. He was taking over, and she didn't like it. What if he found out something about the photo that reflected poorly on his father? Would he share it with her? What if she was that girl and his father had covered something up about her? "I want to look at the photo with you," she said. "Especially if you have the original negative."
"I’11 let you know what I find," he said as he stood up.
"That's not good enough. I told you I was in for the long haul. Commitment works both ways. Together means together, Alex."
"You don't sound like you trust me, Julia," he said with a little smile that made her trust him even less.
"I don't. I'm sorry if that hurts your feelings."
He laughed at that. "Don't worry about it. I don't have feelings to hurt. By the way, there's some guy staring out the window at us, and he looks pissed off. Do you know him?"
Julia turned her head to see Michael Standing by the cafe window. "Yes, I know him," she said with a sigh. "He's my fianc?."
"You're engaged?"
She nodded, wondering how she would explain Alex to Michael.
"He's going to be a problem, isn't he?" Alex asked.
"I think he might be."
"Why don't you just go out there?" Liz asked, wishing Julia would return to the cafe sooner rather than later. Michael had been staring out the window for a good five minutes, and while Liz would have liked to take a look herself, she'd managed to refrain. She thought if she sat at a nearby table, sipping her red wine and acting unconcerned, Michael would feel the same way, too. So far it wasn't working.
"Who is he?" Michael bit out. "I’ve never seen him before."
"I'm sure he's no one important."
"Then why is she talking to him out there?" Michael asked, turning to face her. "Why not invite him inside? Why all the secrecy?"
Liz shrugged. "It's quieter outside. Why don't you sit down and have a drink with me?"
"Julia has been acting funny all day-at the museum and here tonight. I don't know what's going on with her. I thought we were finally moving on. I thought I'd given her enough time. I know I can make her happy if she'll give me a chance. Don't you think so?"
"Of course, Michael."
He let out a heavy breath and turned back toward the window. Julia was acting oddly, Liz thought, booking a wedding date today, then telling Michael tonight that she wanted to postpone the ceremony.