Page 91 of Petty's Crime

Ieye Thorne much like I’d watch a wild animal, with great caution. I have no idea where he’s gotten the idea that we’ve got any relationship. If he was my twin, surely I’d feel something for him? But looking at him, I feel no more than anger that he, or Saul, or maybe both, have tormented me for months, and now he has kidnapped me.

I try to remain calm, not wanting to anger him. Sitting again, I gather my thoughts. “I know you’re mistaken. I was born to Rufus and Martina Blakeney. They’d tried for years to have a child, and I was their only baby. Whatever you think is wrong.”

“You weren’t their child. You were adopted.”

He sneers as I shake my head. “I assure you I’m not.”

“I assure you, you are,” he retorts, cockily. He studies me. “Let me tell you what yourdarling parentsdid, shall I?” Without giving me a chance to answer, he continues, “You’re right in that they weren’t successful in starting a family, so they went the adoption route. But by then they were considered too old to have a baby, so it was a private arrangement.” I’m shaking my head as I know the truth. There was no adoption. “Our dear mom, our birth mother, was a fuckin’ crack whore. She didn’t go to her hospital appointments. Her boyfriend, who didn’t want a kid, saw a way to make some money, so arranged an adoption.”

I’m intrigued with this story, even though I don’t believe for a second it has anything to do with me, so I just shrug and continue to listen.

“When the time came, your parents were at the hospital waiting for news on their baby, when lo-and-behold, you were born first, and then I came along. Well, our sperm donor was delighted, thought he’d double up on the return. But, there you were, pink, happy and healthy, and there I was, small, jaundiced and suffering withdrawal.”

“And you want me to believe they took me, the healthy baby, and left you?” Even if I accepted there was any truth in this story, I couldn’t believe that. My parents would never separate twins, nor turn their back on a baby that needed them.

He gives a sharp nod and a look of approval as if I’ve correctly answered a question. “That’s exactly what they did. They said they only wanted one baby, that they couldn’t afford a second. That they wanted a girl and not a boy—which was stupid as they’d have taken the single baby whatever problems it had or its version of genitals.”

“No.” I stand again, my finger pointing toward him. “While it’s clear you believe this story, and I suspect the basis is true. I’m not your sister, and my parents weren’t the ones who took me and left you. It’s not something they would do.”

And if there was any truth in it, all my life it would mean they’d been lying to me. There had never been a hint that I wasn’t their blood daughter.Could I have been adopted?I shake my head. Impossible. People are always commenting how much I look like my mother.

Perhaps I should pretend to go along with his ridiculous suggestion just to get me out of here. Even if we’re related, I don’t know what he wants. But from the way he’s spoken, he’s jealous that I got the loving parents and a good life, far and removed from where he ended up. Even if he isn’t blood related, my heart would go out to him. Except that he’s taken it out on me who had nothing to say in the matter at all.

“Just say I accept what you’re saying, what do you want from me?” I ask. “If you are my brother, why didn’t you introduce yourself? You knew where to find me.” I lower my head, thinking I’m missing something. “And what the fuck does all this have to do with Saul?”

He grins. “Seems you and I, sister, have the same taste in men.” My eyes crease as I don’t understand him. He enlightens me. “Saul’s straight as they come and didn’t have eyes for me. Doesn’t mean I didn’t still want him.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to say he had a happy escape, when he continues, “I bumped into Saul when I was first researching you. Found out he was doing the same thing. I offered to help him.” He breaks off and frowns. “I don’t know where Saul is. He’s going to be so pleased that I’ve got you. We’d feared you’d never ditch those fuckin’ bikers, but I got lucky. He’s not answering his phone, though.” He looks concerned. “No matter, I’m sure he’ll be in touch shortly.” He chuckles. “It will be good to reunite you. You see, I know now Saul holds no sentimental feelings for you at all. Why should he, after what you did to him?”

I did nothing but not keep quiet about who had so viciously attacked me. As for Saul getting in touch, it would only be possible via an Ouija board. I’m sensible enough to keep that knowledge to myself. As if our conversation has reminded him, he takes out his phone. But after calling up a number and listening for a few moments, he shakes his head.

His eyes narrow as he mumbles, “Still no fuckin’ answer. Not like Saul to be out of touch.” His eyes fix on me. “You don’t happen to know anything about this?”

I give him the most innocent look that I can. “No.” I don’t waste words as saying too much could implicate me.

He turns and starts to pace.

“Why are you doing this?” I ask again, wanting to keep him distracted from thinking too hard about Saul.

He stops, glances my way, then says, “I wanted your parents to suffer in just the same way as I suffered all my life.”

“But it hasn’t been them who’s been suffering. It’s been me.”

He suddenly looms closer and snarls, “Because you didn’t fuckin’ tell them, did you?”

“I didn’t want to worry them!”

He snorts. “Well, they’ll be worried soon enough when they find out you’re missing. And when I start sending parts of you to them, they’ll be out of their minds.” He brushes his hands back through hair that’s admittedly the same shade as mine. “Saul and I are going to keep you for a very long time, but I don’t promise you’ll enjoy it.”

Not if I have any say in the matter they won’t. And, on Saul’s part at least, he can’t. But the idea makes me shudder. Though I doubt this man would sexually assault me, not when he believes I’m his sister, and on top of that, he’s gay, I don’t much relish having pieces chopped off me. As for my parents, knowing I couldn’t be found would have Dad’s heart giving out again, and as for them receiving a finger…

“They’re old,” I shout. “They don’t deserve this.”

“They don’t?” Twin spots of red appear on his face. “They should have taken me with you. Or taken me instead. I was adopted by abusive fucks who didn’t want a kid. They wanted someone to work on their rig, oh, and a toy to play with as well. I was ten when I first tried to runawayfrom the carnival, except I was caught trying to steal the money to leave, and was locked up.”

I swear he’s unhinged. Sure, with a past like that he’s got something to complain about, but this is a complete injustice as I’m not adopted, and I don’t have a twin.

“I’m sorry for what happened to you.” Again, I try to calm my voice. “No one deserves to have a childhood like that. But you’re mistaken. If you have got a twin, it’s not me.”

Is it just the coincidence of the colour of our hair and eyes that’s led him to believe it’s me? Suddenly I realise he could have been searching for his twin, seen my picture, and decided as my name was Rose, that it had to be me?

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