I ran down the hallway toward the restrooms. Both were empty. Right across from them was a back door, leading out of the café. I ran outside, my gaze scanning the parking lot, but there was no sign of Rachel.

Kade and Jeremy joined me outside.

"She's gone," I said. "Dammit. I thought we were finally going to get some answers."

"Do you think someone grabbed her when she went to the restroom?" Kade asked.

I met his gaze, wishing that were true. "No. I think she left so she wouldn't have to tell me the truth. I should have kept a closer eye on her, but she seemed willing to meet with you both…" My voice faded away. "But she lied, and I shouldn't be surprised, because she and my mom have been lying their entire lives. Maybe nothing she told me was true."

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

"What did she tell you?" Kade asked.

"Let's go inside," I said. "I'll fill you in."

We moved back into the café, where the barista was calling out Rachel's name. I decided to get her coffee, since I could use a shot of caffeine. Along with the drink came an iced cinnamon roll. I took that to the table, too.

"Maybe something happened to her," Kade said. "She did order coffee and food."

"I think that was just part of her plan. She went along with me until it was easy for her to slip away." I sipped her coffee, which was delicious and probably exactly what I would have ordered. That was weird. I shrugged that thought out of my mind as I focused on the men at the table. "I ran into Rachel at the hospital. I knew instantly she was related to me. Our eyes are the same. She tried to run away from me. I chased her down the stairs and made her talk to me."

"What did you learn?" Kade asked.

"Not that much. She said she didn't want to tell the story twice so when she agreed to speak to Jeremy, she said she'd explain it all then."

"How did you get her to agree to talk to me?" Jeremy asked curiously.