It doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous.
“It’s good to finally meet you. Majken said you’d come.”
I was always going to take the bait.
“Where is she?”
“I think Barbados.” He turns around and I see his face, pale and marked from acne or some other skin condition. “I should know. I’m joining her tomorrow.”
“Then maybe you can give her my regards in person.”
“I’ll be sure to. Now, let’s talk about how you can help your sister.”
“I don’t think she needs my help.”
“I’m pretty sure she does.”
I don’t say anything. He’s shorter than me, probably about the same height as Majjie and he looks as if a strong breeze would blow him off a bridge. That means nothing though. His hands are in his pockets and who knows what he has in them.
“Majken is adamant that Scotland won’t become part of that woeful union again. As is Alek. She’d like some information from you.”
“I’d like to know who you are.”
He laughs. “You know that already. I’m Leo.”
“Leo doesn’t exist.”
“You’re looking at him. Of course he does.”
“Is my sister well?”
“Very. At the moment. She’d be even better if you told us the future queen’s itinerary over the Christmas period.”
“No.”
‘Leo’ raises his brows. “How about I give you some time to think about it? Then you can get on with your Christmas shopping or whatever it is you’re planning to do in Riga.”
I’m not entirely convinced Majken was in Barbados. I’m not convinced that I’m not a fool for coming out here. There has to be a last time that I try to save my sister and this is it.
“I’m going home after I leave this building. I won’t be bothering you or my sister again and I’d appreciate it if she didn’t bother me.”
Leo laughs. “We can always ask your father. He still has a soft spot of Majjie and I’m pretty sure he’d at least try to find out what we need. Pretty damn good of him for someone who’s not his.”
“I don’t think my father will find anything to tell you.” I don’t show any reaction to what else he’s said.
“It’s surprising though. People do strange things under pressure. Did you know Leonard isn’t Majken’s father?”
The name Leo now makes sense. It was our mother’s pet name for our father. Some warped sense of family ties from the human who claims to be my sister.
“What does it matter what I know or not? I can tell you anything and see what you believe. You want to know where Blair will be in a few months? Fine, I’ll give you information. You’re working on an assumption that I give a shit about anyone.”
“And if it’s not right…” He shrugs.
The window overlooks the alleyway, four storeys up. It’s a sash window and isn’t locked.
“You’re taking me for someone who gives a fuck about other people. Surely my sister told you any empathy got ripped from me when I was a kid.”
“We know you love your father.”
