The Athena File by Jennifer Haynie

Author:Jennifer Haynie [Haynie, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781943398041
Published: 2016-06-16T16:00:00+00:00

Burning Tree, Utah

An hour later, David brooded in cargo shorts and a ratty T-shirt on the couch with several items scattered before him on the coffee table of his bachelor apartment. He alternated between staring at the photographs and citation ribbons and the tattered scar on his right forearm.

Heels tapped on the steps leading to the deck.

“What did you say to her?” Kyra, clothed in a deep scarlet dress, stood in the doorway.

He glanced at her, then back at the last items remaining from his former life before he’d been cast onto the streets.

“Whatever you said, she came back into the house looking like she was about to cry. When I asked her what happened, she only stated she was going to take a nap.”

His head snapped up. “She’s staying with us? Can’t she stay at the hotel?”

“Not when it’s booked up for the night, and certainly not when she’s the sister of your best friend.”

“He’s not my—”

“Can it for a bit. Please.” She shook her head and came all the way inside. “She asked for your help, and you must have turned her down.”

“Why should I help her?” He picked up a photograph of Jonathan and him. He tried to remember where they’d raised frothy mugs of beer. It could have been anywhere. “She’s Army. CID nonetheless. She doesn’t need my help.”

“Then why would she essentially spend a day of travel coming all the way out here?”

“Well, if I was rude, I’m sorry. And regarding what she said, MYOB.”

Kyra turned away with her shoulders slumped and arms folded across her chest. She sighed. “This reminds me of when you first came off the streets and returned to Burning Tree. Of how you didn’t want to open up, didn’t want to trust. And that hurt.”

What could he say to say to that? With his index finger, he pushed around the citation ribbons he’d received over his Army career. For bravery, for valor. Once upon a time, he’d believed in all of those things. And what had happened? He picked up a picture of the Mighty Men. All dead save for him and Jonathan. And Nabeelah. No, Abigail lied.

Kyra smoothed her dress as she seated herself beside him. For a moment, she didn’t speak. Then she drew in a breath. “I still remember that last phone call I made to you in 2011. Foul didn’t begin to describe your mood.”

“It was the alcohol and painkillers talking.”

“I know. I let you be for a bit. And then when I called a month later, your phone had been disconnected. I figured you didn’t want to have anything to do with us.” She picked at some imaginary lint on the fabric of the dress. “But I was still concerned. I knew something wasn’t right. Mom, Dad, and I talked about it, and we decided to let you be in the hopes you’d make contact. You don’t know how hard it was.”

He gazed at his Purple Heart and Silver Star.

“Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer and in 2013, I started hunting for you.

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