Page 135 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Callie nodded and stood up. “All right.”

Ms. Battleman handed the camera to Max and walked over to Callie’s side. “Get a good one for me. I’m hanging this on the wall.”

Callie wrapped her arm around Ms. Battleman’s waist.

Max focused on them. “Smile.”

Callie did and was blinded by the flash.

“Let me get one more.” Max snapped again, glanced at the screen, and nodded. “Came out good.”

“Good.” Ms. Battleman took the camera back. “I need to remember to bring this along with me. I usually take too many pictures of the sunsets.”

“And why not?” Nate stood. “They’re beautiful.” He glanced at his watch. “We should get out of here so you can get on with your vacation.” He held out his hand to Max. “It was nice meeting you.”

“Yeah.” Max gave his hand a shake.

Nate held out his hand to Ms. Battleman next. “Thank you for welcoming us into your home—for answering our questions.”

“You’re welcome.” She shook Nate’s hand, then hugged Callie again. “Good luck in the future. I hope you find the answers you’re looking for.”

“Thank you.” Callie held on to the woman. “For finding me and helping me.”

“It’s always been one of my greatest pleasures.”

“And thank you for keeping this private,” Nate added. “Between us. Our goal is to find Callie’s biological mother, but we worry that she might not come forward if the media gets involved.”

Ms. Battleman laughed. “I think that’s the nicest way anyone’s ever told me to keep my mouth shut.” She patted Nate’s shoulder when he smiled. “I don’t want to deal with a circus either. That’s for sure.” She opened the door for them. “Enjoy your weekend in the city.”

“Have fun on your vacation.” Callie took Ms. Battleman’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you again.”

“You come back and see me. Anytime you want.”

Callie nodded, but she doubted she would as she gave Max another polite nod. “Bye.”

“Good luck,” he said.

“Thank you.” She walked outside, taking her seat in the truck, struggling with a myriad of emotions—mostly frustration—as she looked at Nate. “We didn’t learn anything new—or nothing that’s going to help.”

He shook his head. “No, we didn’t, but we got a good idea of what happened while you were at the diner. Those are questions we don’t have to ask anymore.”

She nodded, wanting that to be enough. “I thought seeing the diner or talking to Ms. Battleman might help me remember something, but it didn’t.”

He sighed. “We’re not done yet.”

She nodded again.

“I want to make one last stop.”

She buckled up. “Where?”

“The Hartford Police Department.” Nate turned over the engine. “They don’t know it yet, but I’m not leaving without a copy of your files.” He backed up and they started on their way.

~~~~

Nate headed back the way they’d come, passing the diner on the drive to the Hartford Police Department. Luckily, they weren’t too far away, because he had a feeling getting what he wanted was going to take a while. On his third day of playing phone tag with Detective Diego Sanchez, he’d realized Hartford PD had no interest in sharing files. It was unfortunate for Detective Sanchez that Nate didn’t give a damn. He had new evidence that could bring them closer to solving a twenty-two-year-old case. He and Sanchez were going to be working together for the foreseeable future, whether the detective liked it or not. “I should probably warn you that this could take a few minutes.”

Callie looked away from the window, giving him her attention. “You don’t sound too happy about it.”