“Meaning they’re expensive to obtain.”
“If they’re not legitimate? Extremely expensive. They’re legal documents as far as I can tell. Government-issued. The family are farmers with a small bed-and-breakfast that hasn’t been particularly lucrative. That was part of her story for coming to the palace to work. She claimed she had to send money back home to help her family.”
“But?” I press when she doesn’t immediately follow that up.
“But no money has left her account. None. I questioned the bank manager this morning. She hasn’t moved a cent in the nearly five months she’s been here. She hasn’t spent anything either. On her days off, she stays in the palace or on the palace grounds. She hasn’t gone to see any of her supposed family. She’s isolated here. Friendly but not friends with other staff. She does her job well, is polite and professional, which is why Emily gave her the role. But there are large gaps, Rowan, and that concerns me. We don’t know her real name. Her fingerprints and facial scan were clean because it’s as if she has no history, or any history she does have was wiped by very talented people.”
All of that is a kick in the teeth and makes me angry that I didn’t do my due diligence with her. I was blinded, and hearing this makes me feel stupid and weak.
“I should ask her. I’ve avoided it because I was afraid we’d never get answers, and she wouldn’t lead us to the peoplebehind this. Or at least that’s the story I fed myself. But if you’re telling me in five months of being here we have nothing to go on, then maybe it’s time I press her.”
“Sunday is her day off, and right now we have enough going on with Bellamy and the twins. Let’s see what happens over the next few days. If she stays here as she’s done, you’ll confront her. If she leaves, we’ll have her followed. Something is going on with her. I believe that much is clear. Whether she’s hiding out or here at someone else’s hand isn’t, but I’m inclined to believe the latter given what we know.”
I nod in agreement because that’s exactly how it seems. “I don’t think she wants to do ill by us.” I don’t. Maybe that’s more of my stupidity with her, but it doesn’t fit the woman I’m looking at, who is playing games with the children and Arthur.
“Maybe yes, maybe no. People can hide almost anything with the right motivation.”
I sigh. “The next few days will tell a lot, and I’ll watch her until then.”
“I had no doubts that you would. Just be careful. The heart is quick to turn our heads so our eyes don’t see what’s actually in front of us. Don’t let her blind you.”
36
ROWAN
She’s in her room. She spent all day taking care of the children without a break, then retired to her room. Sebastian texted to inform me that they’re likely delivering the twins tomorrow evening. He’s a mess. We’re all a mess. The twins will be very premature and will have to stay in the NICU for a while after they’re born.
I don’t know what to say to the children. We had them very busy today, so they didn’t ask a lot of questions other than at dinner and bedtime. I’m going to have to tell them some version of the truth tomorrow.
Fear grips me by the throat. Once again everything is spiraling toward a dangerous and deadly path, and I have no control over how to stop its trajectory.
I just want to see Marcella. Talk to her. I could hand her the diamond earring and ask a simplewhat the fuck is going on. But we’ll see what happens on Sunday. It’s only a few more days to wait.
I pull up my text stream, hardly fighting it.
Me: I want tosee you.
Marcella: No.
Me: Why not?
Marcella: I broke up with you, remember?
The first real smile I’ve had in days hits my lips.
Me: And I told you I didn’t accept that. I want to see you.
Marcella: It’s not a good idea.
Me: Tell me why not. The truth.
Marcella: I’m not right for you. We’re not right for each other.
I sigh. She’s right. But I don’t care. I wish I did, but I don’t.
Me: One last night. Give me one last night. Please come to my room.
Come on, Marcella. Give me something. Something you haven’t yet. I’ve chased and pushed and forced my way in, and all this time you’ve given me these tiny pieces I didn’t have to steal from you. Show me there is a piece of you that cares.