Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 186

Timothy stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, his movements crisp and sharp.

"What did you just say?"

"My little sister has a pink birthmark on her chest. It's kind of private my family's never talked about it outside. But I want to use your data analysis to help find her, so I'm telling you now. It's heart-shaped."

Timothy's dark eyes grew even more inscrutable, shadows flickering in their depths.

He felt his heart pounding, more forcefully than usual.

His voice trembled ever so slightly. "Left side or right?"

"Upper left. My mother says it's about the size of a pinky finger. No idea if it'll grow

as she does. If your data turns up anyone with a heart-shaped pink birthmark in

that spot, pull their files for me. I'll send someone to check it out."

Timothy's long, elegant fingers curled into a fist.

A faint ringing sounded in his ears; he barely registered the rest of Vince's words.

Could it be Jessica?

Timothy's lips set in a tight, cold line.

He didn't speak for a long while.

"Timothy, are you listening?"

"I am."

softened. "About that community power project-look, it wasn't personal. You know how it is: if you'd taken the contract, it would've put a dent in the Zimmerman Group's renewable energy business. I had no choice. I'm sorry. My mom doesn't have much time

you. It's just business—a little

businesses and social ties tangled up in ways outsiders could never

stop everyone else from trying the same

Thanks. Just... keep an eye out for

"I will."

still recovering-don't stay up late. Get some

call ended, Timothy reached for the pack of

from his lips and nose,

he was just

the Zimmerman family's youngest hadn't disappeared, she'd be twenty-six this

Jessica was twenty-seven.

people with identical ones wasn't that

and Thurston both had the same faint blue circular birthmark on their

like that didn't happen in real

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

age-he clung

heaviness in his chest

opened his bedroom door and found Jessica leaning against the guest

"Something you need?"

rubbing her index and ring fingers together a silent demand for

So persistent.

really about to let her chase

gave her a look, then walked past, heading out