He read—or what seemed to be reading—a copy ofScientific American.
Occasionally, he’d comment. Nothing in relation to what happened earlier, just random things like talking about the vegetable drink Millicent had given him and the lunch. He said he’d become a vegetarian because it was healthier for him. The meals Millicent prepared contained anti-cancer properties.
By the time it started to get dark outside, I’d had enough of the small talk and shit, and I hadn’t seen Luc all day.
Dad and I were like sitting ducks waiting for the real games to begin.
“I saw him with Mom,” I spoke, cutting through the thick silence that made the room heavy with tension.
Dad lowered the magazine and stared at me with wide eyes. “What did you say?”
“I saw him with Mom. I was maybe eight, I think, and they were here in the kitchen. I got back from ballet early. I rushed into the kitchen, and he was there holding her. I think he was about to kiss her when I barged in.”
Dad closed his eyes. The revelation highlighted that Mom’s affair had gone on for a lot longer than he’d thought. It must have stemmed over many years.
“I’m sorry, my girl. I’m sorry you had to see her like that, and I’m sorry I was no much better and my actions put everyone in danger.”
“Luc wants to take me away,” I spoke in a hushed voice, just above a whisper. Aware that someone could still be listening in.
“It’s a good idea.”
Of course, he would say that.
“I shouldn’t leave you. Again.”
“The focus is you. I thought you’d be safer here with people who could protect you, but I was wrong. I was so wrong. Tag was the most ruthless man I’d ever come across in my life. What I did to him probably made him insane. I’m still, however, trying to figure out how he put the pieces together. It’s still a mystery to me. No rat would have been able to tell him what happened because no one else knew what I’d done. To everyone, it looked like I was getting revenge on Eloise and trying to get Tag out of the feds’ reach. I played along well.” He ran his hand over the stubble on his chin and looked drained.
“Dad, you need to go rest. Go and lie down.”
“I’ve been lying down for days.”
“It’s where you should be. Come, let me help you upstairs.” I moved to him and took his arm.
He smiled and stood up, towering over me with his height. “This is more than I deserve, my daughter.”
“Dad, please stop saying that.”
I got him upstairs and made sure he had a mug of hot cocoa, then I went back downstairs to check if Luc had come back. I needed to speak to him.
I found Claudius instead. He was in the living room sitting by himself. Still looking over the collar that had been on Millicent’s neck. I felt so bad for her, and for the fact that she was caught up in all this shit. We’d sent her home after that whole fiasco, escorted, of course, to make sure she and her family were safe. She’d told us how they’d grabbed her from her house. Her husband was away running some errands for their grandkids, so she’d been by herself.
“It’s funny. This really was just a necklace,” Claudius said as I approached.
“Not a bomb?” I pressed my lips together.
“They fooled us big time. It’s just a wireless controlled device with a flashing light.” He tossed it on the table.
“Could they listen in with it?” I sat opposite him in the loveseat.
“Nah, it’s not that sophisticated. It really is just a worthless piece of shit.” He motioned his head to me. “So, you and Luc decide what you’re doing? I thought you would have headed for the hills by now.”
“He told you?”
He shook his head. “Didn’t have to. We almost have the same mind. Let me guess. He wants to take you away from here.”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
