Seb leaned against the sun-warmed steps. “You said once that I wouldn’t want to know what your dad did for a living. Why is that?”
“Because he was a thief.” She held his gaze, unwavering and unashamed. “He broke into the homes of very rich people and sold their stuff down the pub on a Friday night.”
Okaaay. Seb bit into his sandwich and chewed. “That’s not quite what I was expecting to hear.”
“No.” Helen bared her teeth in a way Seb was pretty sure wasmeantto be a smile. “Welcome to the life and times of Helen and Thomas Hobbs. It makes for some very interesting listening. Particularly the bit about how Dad died stealing iron bars off a building site.”
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me any more.”
“Why? Aren’t you curious?”
“Of course I am.”Too damn curious. It seemed every day he sank willingly, deeper and deeper into her life, each layer more intriguing—intoxicating—than the last. “I respect your privacy.”
Helen eyed him, as if she were sizing him up for a challenge. “I don’t mind you knowing, except … don’t judge my dad, okay?”
Seb placed his half-eaten sandwich back in the tub. “All right. I won’t, but your childhood … that life … it couldn’t have been easy.”
“We didn’t know any different.” Helen looked away. “Dad loved us. He cared for us and he was always making us laugh. We never went hungry and had a roof over our heads. We were his world and we knew it every day of our lives.”
For Helen and Tom’s sake, Seb was glad to hear it, but the man must’ve caused other people so much misery and distress. Helen’s loyalty and love for her father was clear, but surely, she couldn’t excuse or endorse that kind of behavior?
An uncomfortable thought struck him. “Did your dad teach you to steal?”
“No, of course not!” Her eyes flared. “Are you asking because you think that’s why I broke into Jaxon’s place?”
“Yes.”
“Well, unfortunately, that was my own stupid decision. I told you I needed that money, and at the time … I don’t know.” She sighed heavily. “Ada was gone and it seemed everything I did turned sour. A simple trip to the shops and I got arrested. A night out with Liz, and again, I was back at the police station. I suppose at the back of my mind, it felt like the old days with Dad. All these memories of grief and loss came back so I thought, fuck it, I’ll get my money. Easy. No one will know.” She shook her head. “I had no idea the police were watching.”
“Watching what?”
“Oh, god, Sebastian. The police." Helen covered her face with her hands. "They were watching Jaxon’s flat that night.”
Then a torrent of words gushed from her mouth so fast Seb could barely keep up.
He’s on the run, wanted for cyberfraud …
They think I had something to do with it …
They think he’ll contact me again …
They overheard us talking at the hotel, then must’ve switched my placement …
“Holy fuck, Helen!” Seb shot to his feet. “You’re under surveillance?”
“No, not anymore! I’m not even sure I was in the first place. All I know is what I’ve just told you. I haven’t seen or heard from Nazir in weeks!”
“Fuck,” Sebastian said again, because no other words came to mind. He paced the steps, back and forth, running out of room.
If this got out …
But how? How could anyone know?
The police weren’t gossips. Journalists couldn’t hack into their files. And as for this guy, Bates …
“How long has he been on the run?” Seb asked.
“About three months now.”
