Secrets beneath the Surface

's

e thing: finding out more about Jake. The unease from the night befor

for work. "You're up early," she said,

bbing a piece of toast from the kitchen counter.

an eyebrow. "To ta

"I want to learn more about him. Something about our conversation yesterda

ay, but be careful, Eve. If he's hiding some

I can't just ignore this.

tive smile. "Just keep your phone on

ng a little more at ease knowi

ed out. The walk to the community center felt longer than usua

etting up for the day, and the familiar sounds of chatter and laughter

upplies near the back of the room. She'd been at the center for years and kn

Turner," I greete

wrinkled face lighting up as she saw

" I said, picking up a stack of papers to orga

ways the helpful one. What

ep my tone light. "He's been really involved here, but I realize

rting. "Jake? He's been here about six months, I think. Came o

, trying to sound casual. "What

"I'm not sure, dear. He doesn't talk much about his

information. "Has he ever

on creeping into her voice. "But he's a private man. S

not wanting to raise any more

sn't a long time, but in a place like this, people usually got to know each other pretty

y, maybe I could find something in his work at the center. After Mrs. Turner went off to help

fts. Jake's name was there, along with his contact information. My ey

swers. Before I could talk myself out of it, I quickly jotted down the a

icipation. Jake lived in a part of town I wasn't familiar

t who he said he was? What if I was walking into something dangerous? But I

n my spine. The place was an old, rundown apartment complex, nothing like

ab driver said, pullin

d, paying him and ste

ncts were screaming at me to leave, but I couldn't. I had to see

int smell of mold. I checked the list of names by the mail

in check. What was I expecting to find? Jake's secret lif

hanging on, and the door itself looked like it had seen better days. I raised

or suddenly swung open. I jumpe

sheveled hair and a weary expression. She looked at me with

u?" she asked, h

caught off guard. "I was looki

as too cold "Jake? No, he

growing. "He's been volunteering at the comm

nd tired. "Jake used to live here, but he moved

he left?" I press

"Look, I don't know what you want with Jake, but if I were you, I'd stay awa

iver down my spine. "

giving her a headache. "Let's just say he's not who he preten

arts beating fast, "Disa

an said, backing away into her apartmen

he shut the door in my face, leaving

ten myself into? Jake wasn't just a volunteer at the community center-he was someth