Cast the Cards

“Guilt.”

“Oh brother, you still haven’t seen what was right in front of you. She loved you, Clark.”

“W-what? No… she couldn’t have.” His eyes were as round as bowling balls. .

“Yes, Savannah Marie West is so in love with you it’s disgusting.”

“Is?” Clark looked almost hopeful.

“There hasn’t been anyone else, Clark.”

“What!”

Now he’s getting it. “She’s been single this entire time as far as I can tell.”

“Bullshit.” Clark stepped away.

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

“Now is not the time!”

“Not the time for what?” Savannah asked.

They turned as one in that way they had mastered from the moment they came from the womb.

“To… get personal,” Carey covered.

“What’s going on here?” Savannah crossed her arms beneath her breasts and frowned.

“Just twin talk,” Clark said.

“Why do I feel like you’re lying?” The unimpressed expression on her face was all too familiar.

You wanted her to look at you, little brother. She’s definitely doing that now.

“I—we—things between us are just so unfinished.” Clark stumbled over his words like an adorable high-schooler talking to his first crush.

Savannah ducked her head. “Yeah, they are.”

“Later?” Clark whispered. The unspoken communication that passed between them humbled Carey. This is what true love looks like. Even after all this time they operated on the same wavelength. Her normally cold eyes were warm and her body language had changed entirely. All it took to make her remember the good times was Clark. Carey could just step out of the equation altogether. The thought smarted.

“Yes… its time.” Savannah looked up. All traces of vulnerability were smoothed back into the emotionless mask she wore. “But now we get the ball rolling. I have control over the operation at the moment. My people agree staying here is in the best interest of the case. Since I’m their point of contact, I have leave. It goes without saying. One whiff of emotional compromise, and I’ll be yanked off this thing faster than you can bat an eye.”

“Where do we start?” Carey asked.

“Show me to the lab. The proper paperwork is being typed up. They should be calling your Captain.”

“That’s my cue. I’ll be around.” Clark disappeared once more.

“I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to that.” Carey shook his head. Just when he adapted to Clark’s return, he pulled a stunt like that and he was straddling the line between freaked out and happy to have his brother back.

“Yeah, me either.” The visible pain was washed away when she blinked.

The three of them were the walking wounded. It was time they received closure in more ways than catching a killer.

***

Clark left them but the apprehension stayed. He’d petitioned for this, the right to come back and guide them now that the killers were back. Hanging on to your past was frowned upon. It kept you from fully assimilating and leaving behind earthly things.