“I’m sure it’ll come back to you at some point.”
“But then so will the bad stuff.”
“Possibly.”
She took a bite of toast and a sip of black coffee.“Maybe it would be better if I didn’t remember any of it.”
“Do you have any memory of what happened to you?”He asked the question as gently as possible, wishing he didn’t need to ask it at all.
“Even though I’m scared of the memories, I’ve been trying really hard to come up with anything I can, but there’s just nothing before the hospital.”
“You told me you’re a sales rep for a food company.”
Her brow furrowed.
She’s adorable,he thought,even when she’s confused and upset.The few times he’d seen her before she went missing, he’d thought she was charming, delightful and sexy, even if she was somewhat secretive about the details of her life.He’d sensed then she wasn’t telling him everything, but he hadn’t felt right about digging deeper.
“One of my colleagues was hoping she might talk to you about what you remember,” he said tentatively.
“I’ve already been over it with the police.I don’t remember much of anything.”
“Maybe if she brought Dr.Trulo, the psychiatrist, with her, it might help.”
“I’m willing to do whatever I can to assist in the investigation.I want to know what happened more than anyone.But I don’t want to disappoint you.”
Goddamn, but she got to him with the way she looked at him.He placed his hand on top of hers.“You couldn’t disappoint me.”
“Yes, I could.”
“Don’t worry about that.I think you’re amazing, and I have since the first time we met.”
“Tell me about that.”
“We were at a party in Georgetown at my friend Joe’s house.You knew his wife, Deb, from yoga.Joe and I play softball together.You said you’re a sales rep for a national food company that services grocery stores and restaurants.”
Archie’s phone rang with a call from Erica Lucas.He showed the caller ID to Harlowe and took the call on speaker.“Hey, Erica.You’ve got both of us.How’s it going?”
“I’m making some progress on Harlowe’s case.Her parents called the department, asking for a wellness check since she stopped returning their texts and calls a few days ago.They live outside of Pittsburgh, where Harlowe grew up.They said she’s on a six-month assignment to DC and has been living in an extended-stay hotel.They gave me the address near Columbia Road.The parents are flying in today.”
His heart sank at the thought of them swooping in and taking over caring for her.
“Archie?”
“I’m here.So she told me she came here for college and never left, but they said she’s on a six-month assignment here.That doesn’t add up.”
“We can ask them about that.”
“Can you give me the name of the place where she was staying?I’d like to get some of her things.”
“Let me do that.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, no problem.I’ll go over there today and explain the situation to the management.They may want to talk to her to confirm I have permission to enter her room.”
“I’m sure that’d be fine.”
While he talked to Erica, Harlowe ate her breakfast and drank her coffee but was clearly tuned in to the conversation.She nodded in approval about Erica going to her hotel room.
