Silent Run - Barbara Freethy [91]
Catherine thought for a moment. “Andy loved to do animation, cartoons, comic-novel type stories on the computer. Maybe he got a job in one of those fields.”
“That’s an idea. I can try that angle. You said you were in LA when you were in foster care. So I assume you were all from that area. I’ve found a few Andy Harts, but none the right age or ethnicity in the Southern California area. And I can’t help wondering if Andy Hart, the master of fake IDs, doesn’t go under another name himself.”
Catherine started. “Oh, lord, I didn’t even think of that. Yes, you’re right. Of course he did. Put in Xander with an X. Xander . . . what was that last name he used? Xander Cross. That was the superhero he created in his comics.”
Dylan typed in the words and hit search. A moment later he had a half dozen hits, including one Xander Cross, owner of a video game/comics bookstore in San Francisco.
His heart stopped when he read the address. Xan-der’s business was very close to where Jake and Sarah had lived. He should have thought of that earlier. They’d always suspected Sarah had help leaving Jake, because she hadn’t taken a car. Maybe Xander Cross, her old friend from foster care, had done the job. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number listed. An answering machine picked up on the third ring. The store was closed and would reopen at ten o’clock the next morning.
“No one is there tonight, but I think we found him,” he said.
Catherine smiled, and it almost took his breath away. He didn’t know if he was more excited about finding Andy Hart, a.k.a. Xander Cross, or the fact that Catherine was looking at him like he was some kind of a god. In truth, she was the one who’d found Xander, not him.
“Maybe Andy knows where Jessica’s baby is,” Catherine said.
“I sure as hell hope so. I wish we could get in touch with him tonight, but I guess we’ll have to wait.”
“I’d like to talk to him again, see how he is,” Catherine said. “He always said he would run his own business. He wasn’t the type to work for anyone else. I guess he gave up his Andy Hart persona and became Xander Cross.”
“Well, if I had a choice between being a foster kid or a superhero, I’d probably choose the superhero.”
“I’m sure you would. So now what? Can you relax, take a breath?”
“Hardly. We still have to find Teresa and figure out who’s trying to kill Jessica.”
“Finish your tea first. I want to read your tea leaves.”
“I don’t think so. I don’t want to know the future,” he said.
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t have taken you for a man who liked to be surprised.”
“I don’t know about that. I like change. It beats the same old thing every day.”
“Maybe you’re just afraid.”
He knew she was manipulating him, but still he rose to the bait. He drank his tea down to the leaves and pushed the cup over to her. “Fine, tell me what you see. And I hope it’s a gorgeous blonde with hot legs and big breasts.” He laughed at her expression.
“Is that really all you look for in a woman?” she asked.
“What’s wrong with hot legs and big breasts?”
“Nothing, if you’re a shallow playboy who doesn’t want a serious relationship.”
He gave a little shrug. “What about you? What do you look for in a man?”
“Well, certainly more than a big penis,” she said frankly.
He laughed at her bluntness. Catherine Hilliard was an odd mix of bright-eyed innocence and cynical weariness. He couldn’t quite figure her out. “Like what?”
“Brains, personality, sense of humor, good heart,” she said.
“Kind to dogs, cats, and birds,” he finished.
“Absolutely.”
“So I guess Prince Charming hasn’t shown up yet, huh?”
A shadow crossed her face. “He came. He left,” she said softly. “Now, let’s take a look at your fortune.”
He was actually far more interested in her last statement than his own fortune, but Catherine was ignoring him now.
A few moments later she set the cup down and said, “Never mind.”
“Hey, hold on. You can’t just start something and not finish it.”
“You said you like surprises. I think you have a lot of fun in store for you.” She stood up. “I’ll make up the couch for you. It’s storming too