Page 104 of Once a Hero

“I don’t know. And I don’t care at this point. I just want to go home.”

“Where’s your sense of adventure?” Dad waved for her to sit down in an empty chair next to him. “All these years, you’ve developed a system. I’ve watched your excitement finding lost treasures—”

“You what?” Beatrice sat down.

“Think about it. How did the Glynns pay for cash for the Gulfstream and the mansion?”

“They were venture capitalists.”

Dad shook his head. “I sent them money.”

“What?”

“They will never tell you because I made them promise.”

Beatrice didn’t want to believe him. “What did you pay for?”

“Other than the jet and house, I made sure you graduated out of university without student loans.”

“That’s considerate of you.” Beatrice didn’t buy it.

“You might never know and they would never tell.”

“Why are you telling me all this now?” Beatrice asked.

“Because after this, we may never see each other again.” His voice was solemn. As if this was his last stand.

“You’re ghosting us again? So what’s new?”

“You’re angry.”

“Why shouldn’t I be?” Beatrice folded her arms across her chest. "Twenty-five years. We thought you were dead for twenty-five long years.”

“You were fine with your new adoptive parents. They took good care of you and raised you better than I could ever have done.”

“Where did you go?” Beatrice sat back in the chair to distance herself from Dad.

“Well, Philomena and I…”

Beatrice made a face. “Your mistress.”

“Your mother, Amber. Your mother.”

“Wh-what?” Okay, this was too much for her. She wanted to throw up right then.

Beatrice closed her eyes and prayed for calm. She told herself she hadn’t just heard what she heard.

When she opened her eyes, Dad was smiling.

“Who is my dad?” Beatrice asked.

“I am.”

“No…”

“I thought you’d be happy to know you’re not an orphan.”

“But you’re a crook, a thief, a criminal!”

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