“Go ahead,” I tell Oliver, preparing myself for the worst to come. I have thoughts about what Andre might have hidden over the years and from the way I remember him looking at me with a little adoration and a lot of side glances, I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re speaking monsters in the closet. Chills spread in me at the idea. Could he be hiding behind the valor of our military while being real scum? It wouldn’t be the first time it happened, but it doesn’t mean I want it to be someone in my entourage.
“So, Tessa not being mentioned anywhere in his life bothered me. Nothing she did since King’s death is more problematic than what other candidates could have hidden under the rug. In fact, with all my respect, using the narrative of King’s death should be an advantage for VanHorn.” I look around the table and see Mark nod, while Jackson says yes on the phone.
“So, I thought… why? Why the fuck wouldn’t you want to use a heroic death to your advantage? The only answer I found came back to Tessa. It has something to do with her. I don’t know why yet, but he doesn't want people to know she was engaged, he doesn’t want people to think she’s from his family, he doesn’t want them to know she exists.”
“But why?” Jackson’s voice interrupts.
“Tessa,” Mark turns toward me, “did your stepdad like King?”
“What are you thinking?” Oliver asks.
“Well it’s not the first time a mission has gone wrong for personal reasons around here…” Mark winces remembering all the shit they went through the past few years.
“True,” Jackson’s voice booms from nowhere, “but VanHorn wasn’t implicated with all that happened and I don’t think he has anything to do with King’s death.”
“I’m just saying… you never know,” Mark adds.
“My mother never approved of King. She wanted me to marry someone who could help Andre’s career or our status. But I don’t think Andre minded. They talked a lot about the time Andre served and how things had changed.” I say.
“If I could finish, I would tell you more…” Oliver smirks. It’s a contrast compared to Mark’s face which seems lost in the past.
“Go ahead, Le Pew.” Mark says.
Oliver smiles, “Tessa is the answer to everything. It all leads to her.” Pride shines on his face. “I don’t have all the answers yet, but I will. Something doesn’t add up in your adoption.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“I can’t find it.”
“But I bear his name,” I say. This was a big deal for my parents.
“You do, but there are no records from adoptions anywhere. I checked the whole country, then where you lived when you were abroad. Can’t find a trace of an adoption.”
“How do you know where I lived?” I ask him.
“Not that hard to find. It’s Belgium, not Russia.” He winks. While my heart skips a beat and my brain screams for him to fuck me, Mark laughs.
“You little hacker,” Mark says. “If there is something to find, Oliver will find it.”
“Which brings us to the other thing I found…” Oliver says with a dramatic pause. His eyes find mine and they are full of apologies and excitement. He told me he liked to solve puzzles and I can see it now. He found a corner piece and finished the frame.
“Yes?” I say to speed him up, my eyes not leaving his.
“Andre VanHorn, Emeline Richards and Garrett Fitzpatrick were childhood friends in North Carolina.” I hear Jackson asking confusedly why we should care about a late NASCAR racer knowing my parents. I feel Mark’s hand on my shoulder, but all I can see is Oliver. “I’m sorry” he mouths but I don’t really care. He should have told me first. He should have taken me aside and said something.
In what world do you hide this from your girlfriend?
Girlfriend.
I put the brake on my thoughts. I’m not his girlfriend and never will be. I’m just a girl he fucks to pass time while he’s in Virginia. A couple of dates and nights in the same bed together doesn’t grant me access to his heart or a Facebook relationship status.
“Tessa?” Oliver’s voice annoyingly appeases me. When I finally pull my eyes from his, I see Mark watching me with concern.
“You should tell them, Blue-hair.” I nod. Taking a big breath, I dive into the conversation I avoided all my life, the one I never ever told King, the one I was told I should never tell for my safety.
“Garrett Fitzpatrick is my biological father.” Mark whistles. Having forgotten Jackson was on the phone with us, I jump when I hear his voice.
“How the fuck don’t we know that, Mark?” Mark doesn’t have time to answer that, Oliver is answering for him.
“It’s a well-hidden secret. You don’t find any trace of it anywhere. In fact, if Tessa wouldn’t have clued me in when we spoke about the case the first time, I would have never known.” I nod once more, remembering the last time we were in this room and when I told him about taking Andre’s name and trying to find the right words. Mark presses my shoulder again, not urging me to answer the myriad of questions I’m sure he has. I try to swallow, but the pain in the back of my throat feels like thousands of needles. Nausea tickles my stomach and I stiffen under
