Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 703

Sydney couldn't place where else she had seen the car, but instinct told her the person Jeremiah had been hiding was a man.

Julian paused for a moment, then spoke into the phone, which was still connected. "Did you catch all of that?"

"Every word," Elliot replied, unhurried and methodical. "I'll pull the security footage from Jeremiah's building for that day and see if I can identify him."

"Good." Julian was about to hang up when his tone sharpened. "Also check whether Tristan ever entered or left that complex."

"On it."

The call ended.

Sydney felt her stomach drop. She kept her voice low. "You think Jeremiah might be connected to Flint?"

She couldn't think of another explanation.

Julian gave a small nod. "It's not impossible."

Sydney was about to press further when her phone rang. It was Marcus.

"Hey, Marc."

"Sydney." His voice was clear and easy. "I just asked my parents about what you wanted to know."

The timing couldn't have been better. She drew a quiet breath. "What did they say? Did they know anything?"

"They spoke with Jeremiah's wife a while back. Apparently, he went abroad because their daughter fell ill." Marcus' tone was gentle and matter-of-fact.

Something loosened in Sydney's chest. "Got it. Thank you, Marc. Sorry for putting you in the middle of this."

The volume on her phone was just enough for Julian to follow the conversation.

He frowned slightly. "Does the Shepard family know Jeremiah well?"

"Of course!" Sydney couldn't have explained why, even if she tried. Some people simply fit. It was a matter of energy, of temperament.

She liked Florence. She liked the Hutton siblings too, all of them except Raymond, who had spent so long avoiding her.

Julian watched as she pushed the car door open and nearly bounded out before he had fully parked. He followed quickly, calling after her, "Easy. The staff just watered the lawn. Watch your step."

"Yes, yes," she answered cheerfully, then moved across the wet patches with perfect precision without slowing down.

Julian followed behind her, caught between amusement and exasperation.

Inside, Diana had been sitting with Agatha when she heard movement at the entrance. She turned and smiled gently.

Sydney spotted her and finally slowed. A genuine smile spread across her face. "Diana, you really came!"

"I did." Diana's voice carried an unusual warmth, softer than her usual composed tone. She lifted the folder at her side. "I brought you something."