Page 63 of Bittersweet Revenge

“Turn to the blue tab.”

She tapped on the yearbook photo. “Anna-Maria Valkoinen has a past. I'm sure you’ll find plenty.”

“Valkoinen. It means ‘white’ in Finnish.” He cocked his head to the side. “Minus seven for lack of originality.”

“How would you even know that, Sherlock?” my brother asked, trying not to show how impressed he was.

“Because I’m European and we’re cultured, contrary to you lot.”

“Smug asshole,” Caleb grumbled.

“I second that,” Archie confirmed, grinning at Caleb.

Antoine snorted. “You’re just jealous.”

“You were right,” I said to Caleb. “She lied to me.”

He nodded. “Yes, it was obvious.”

“Takes a liar to know a liar.” Archie went straight for the guts.

Caleb’s face closed in the cool impassive mask of indifference that I knew now was an evidence of hurt. “Yeah, so?”

“I need to talk with her.”

Caleb grabbed my arm before I could exit the room. It was a possessive, firm grip, but somehow still soft enough not to hurt me. It was Caleb’s contradiction in a nutshell. “You’re not going by yourself.”

“Oh, come on Caleb. She’s a middle-aged librarian, not the boss of a Mexican cartel.”

Caleb sighed. I knew he was about to start a tirade, but Archie interrupted. “I think Astor is right.”

Everybody froze and turned to Archie, looking at him as if he’d just grown a second head.

“What?”

“You’re agreeing? With me?”

Archie shrugged. “There’s a first for everything, but Caleb’s right. Going by yourself is not the way to go. Besides, she will be busy now. Let's go together at the end of the day, okay?”

Caleb frowned. “I’m the expert, remember? I can see right through her.”

“Maybe, but it’s not your mother; it’s ours.” Archie stood beside me. “No offence.”

Caleb rolled his eyes. “I don’t think–”

I rested my hand on Caleb’s arm. “I’ll go with Archie, but I’ll tell you what she says.”

Caleb detailed me in a way that made me rethink all of my life choices. He sighed in rendition. “Fine. It’s your mystery to solve.”

I could hardly believe he’d given in so easily. Based on Archie’s incredulous look he couldn’t either.

“Okay?”

He nodded. “Fine.” He turned to Antoine. “Look her up with her true name.”

Antoine waved his iPad. “Already on it.”

“Thank you, Tay. Really.”

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