The Vanishing of Olivia Beck by Sara L Foust

Author:Sara L Foust [Foust, Sara L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781732904729
Publisher: Silver Lining Literary Services
Published: 2020-04-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

If Zach hadn’t been sitting already, he would have collapsed into the chair. As it was, he felt himself shrink a few inches, as if he was puddling into the fabric. “My what?”

“Open the envelope, Zach. Your father isn’t who you think he is.”

Before any of Milt’s words could fully register, Annalise rose from the chair and exited the office. A few minutes later she returned and handed him the envelope.

The sound of him ripping the paper echoed loudly in the silent room.

Son,

Zach huffed. Really? Son?

Annalise patted his arm.

Let me start with I’m sorry. I know, no matter when you read this, it won’t make it any better, but I did what I had to do to keep you and your mother safe. Believe it or not—

Not. Definitely not. Whatever was coming at the end of that sentence, Zach didn’t believe it.

The two of you are my world. Always will be. As much as it hurts to leave, it would hurt worse seeing you suffer because of me.

But that’s exactly what had happened. Suffering. For him and his mom, for more years than he cared to admit.

I am not who you think I am. My job is much too dangerous for me to continue being a presence in your life. I will be watching. Always. From a distance. I love you both.

Zach handed the letter to Annalise, who quickly read it and handed it back. He didn’t take it from her. He couldn’t move. No, this wasn’t what he expected at all. No, the words didn’t help dull any of the pain. In fact, the things he thought he’d dealt with years ago simply awakened and began to throb once more.

He looked to Milt, unsure what his expression was but knowing he must look like a lost puppy.

“Your father is CIA.”

“How do you know this?” Annalise voiced the question Zach couldn’t formulate.

“We were best friends.”

What? How? When? Had he said any of those words aloud?

“I—I don’t understand, Captain. I’ve known you for all this time, and you’ve been keeping two huge secrets from us.” Annalise’s voice shook as she spoke.

“I was sworn to secrecy.” Milt shrugged, unapologetically. “But I need both of you on board now.” He scratched a number onto a scrap of paper. “Call your father, Zach.”

“No.” Zach’s veins burned as he fled from the room. Call his father? Milt couldn’t be serious. There had to be hidden cameras somewhere. Or he was having a nightmare.

He stopped on the front walk and leaned onto the metal railing, begging it to lend him support and keep him upright.

Annalise’s pearberry shampoo gave her away before she touched him.

“I can’t just call my father. I haven’t seen or spoken to him in—”

“I know. I don’t understand what just happened either.” She looped her arm around his left elbow and leaned against his shoulder. “Joanie is alive. Senator Marcum’s case isn’t really closed. The Juarez Cartel has migrated to East Tennessee. I’m pretty sure this is a bad movie.”

Zach chuckled. “No joke.

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