Page 42 of Sins of Leo

“So, on my fifteenth birthday, Mom knew my dad was coming back special to see me and made sure I was gone that weekend to my grandparents eight hours away.” She grimaced. “I was so upset because he’d promised me he’d be there, and two days before, my mom told me that something came up at his work and he wouldn’t make it.”

“Why would she lie like that?”

The look she gave him held sadness and resignation. “Because she intentionally wanted to cause a rift. My mom was bipolar, not that I realized it until I went to college and began my studies. One minute, she’d be happy and giddy and nice. The next, I wondered if I should hide the knives. She got especially bad every time Dad came around.”

“If she hated him, then why not divorce?”

“I don’t know, but I’m starting to think my mother most likely threatened to withhold me. Reading this”—she waved to the screen—“so much makes sense. I knew from a young age my mom hated me, not that she ever came out and said it to my face. Her actions spoke loudly, though. A few years before her death, when I decided to pay her a visit, she admitted the reason. She claimed when she saw how my father looked at me when I was born she knew he loved me more than her. She couldn’t handle it. When she confessed this, I thought she’d lost it. I mean a dad who loved me would have been present.”

“Only he couldn’t be because she made it impossible and unpleasant.”

“Worse, I believed her when she said he didn’t care. I should have known better.”

“You were just a kid.”

“A kid who knew things were bad between them. I knew she disliked me, yet I trusted every word out of her mouth.” Her lips turned down. “The few times my dad was allowed to see me, he was so kind, despite the perpetual sadness in his demeanor. I chalked it up to him being annoyed he had to spend time with me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why? It’s not your fault.”

“Yeah, but it sucks for you. Sounds like your dad really wanted to be a part of your life.”

“Then he should have had the balls to kick my mom to the curb and take full custody,” she huffed.

He stared at her.

“Don’t look all shocked. Let’s be honest. It would have been the right thing to do, but my father obviously lacked the courage to do it. Maybe it was misplaced affection for my mother, but most likely, he took the route of least resistance.”

“I would have fought.”

“Yes, you would have.” And while it went unsaid between them, he could hear the words,And Kylie knew that, so if she wanted Olivia for herself, there was really only one—make that two—ways to do so. Either disappear without a trace, or kill me.

Since Leo wouldn’t have stood still while Kylie tried the latter, he couldn’t help but start musing once more about the former. Could his little girl be alive? He hated to hope, especially since he had no way of finding her. Even if he did, then what? He couldn’t exactly take her from her mother. Or could he? Olivia didn’t seem too fond of the woman she called by her first name.

Ugh.

“I think I’ve found the part we’ve been looking for.” She pointed to the page. “Look.” She began to read. “The local artwork and even architecture shows influence from the MiddleEast, which flies in the face of everything we know about the settling of South America. I keep seeing zodiac symbols, even though they shouldn’t exist in this part of the world. I’d think it was a modern influence, only there is a nearby Chilean ruin, dated more than three thousand years, that has some of those markings. Does this mean explorers landed on these shores earlier than recorded? Such a thing would rewrite history.”

“The zodiac signs are actually quite prevalent. Seeing them on a ruin doesn’t mean shit,” he cautioned.

“Hold on. There’s more.” She pointed to the screen as she read. “I’ve been questioning the folks in town about other ancient places the symbols can be found. Two people have come forward with claims they can take me to a haunted door.”

“That’s it!” Leo exclaimed. “Does he say where is it?”

Ruth shook her head. “It doesn’t mention a location. There must be a time jump because it continues with,The door was exactly as described and, more astonishing, not made out of local stone but a large meteorite. The zodiac symbols are unmistakable. I cannot get inside though, not without equipment. Upon my return to the village, I will make arrangements for a proper excavation team.”

“Wait, he excavated it?”

“Nope. It seems, when he returned to the spot with a crew, the door was gone. He assumed he’d led them to the wrong place. His last entry is,I have to find the door or risk being a laughingstock. My guide must have taken us the wrong way. Although, when I confront him, he claims it’s magic and that only the worthy are allowed to see.”

“Hot damn, it’s got to be the one. Ready to go exploring?” He couldn’t contain his enthusiasm.

“You want us to wander around a jungle looking for this door?”

“Not wander. We’ll get a guide.”

“You heard what my dad said. He couldn’t find it again.”

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