No Return

8

“Maybeit’s an old photo,” Dione said.

She, Danny, Tony, and Alison were standing with Wes at the back of the Escape. Anna was touching up Monroe’s makeup inside the college.

“I’m telling you, this isn’t the guy,” Wes said. “Can’t you tell?”

“You’re the only one who got close enough to see him,” Dione said. “But if you’re saying it’s not him, okay, I believe you. It’s not him. Maybe the paper just ran the wrong picture.”

Wes paused. That possibility hadn’t crossed his mind.

“Wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened,” Alison remarked.

Wes chewed at the inside of his lip. “Okay, you’re probably right. Just an error. Sorry. Guess this thing’s got me more worked up than I thought.”

“Of course it has, but you gotta give yourself a break. You did everything possible,” Dione told him. “In fact, you did more than most people would have.”

“I’d have never jumped up there,” Danny said.

“Yeah, you would have,” Wes told him.

“If it helps,” Alison said, “I woke up dreaming about it in the middle of the night. I think it’s pretty much affected all of us. Well, except for Monroe. Unless you count seeing it as a PR opportunity.”

They all shared a laugh. Even Wes.

He gave them a smile. “Sorry.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Dione told him. “Now come on. Let’s finish setting up. The next talent should be here any minute.”

As Wes headed back to the cameras, he tossed the paper in a garbage can.

Just a mistake. That has to be it.