Page 107 of Once a Hero

Beatrice wanted to hug him, but she did not.

“Part of me did not expect Imogen to get to Philomena,” Dad said.

“Why not? She’s killing everyone.”

“Because they’re cousins.”

“Are you kidding me? Cousins?” Ah, that would explain why Jake had thought Beatrice looked like Molyneux. “Yikes. That means Molyneux is my flesh-and-blood aunt?”

“There’s always a black sheep in the family.”

“So you dated two cousins?” Incredible.

“Not at the same time.”

“Does that make it better?”

“I didn’t know at the time. Both of them hid the fact from me. I had no idea they were rivals in everything, and they each wanted what the other had.”

“And you were the pawn in the middle of two queens,” Beatrice said.

“Still, I thought Imogen would spare her own cousin. That she would be safe in the cabin.” Dad shrugged. “You were never supposed to go there.”

“Well, we did. Did you leave me a pouch with a postcard and a key in it?”

“Wasn’t me.”

His answer was too quick. Beatrice realized Molyneux was probably listening to their conversation. She decided to ask him later if they had another opportunity.

“You can’t keep running.” Beatrice felt sorry for him.

He lifted his face. “I’m not running anymore.”

“You can’t run even if you want to.” Beatrice waved her hands. “Look at where we are. This is a literal dead end. A tomb.”

“We’ll take care of this one once and for all,” Dad announced.

“Is that even possible?”

“We’ll take care of it.” Dad began to weep softly. “We’ll take care of it, Philomena.”

Chapter Forty-Three

Jake stirred when turbulence hit the Gulfstream. He climbed out of his small bed and splashed warm water on his face. He brushed his teeth while still groggy from the interrupted sleep.

He ambled out of his private cabin, and made his way to the main sitting area.

Benjamin was already awake, sitting upright in his leather seat, his seat belt strapped in. He pointed to the empty seat across from him.

“I still cannot believe a total stranger persuaded me to leave my house,” Benjamin said.

“I can’t take all the credits.” Jake sat down. “We have to find your sister. All hands on deck.”

“I’m not a coward.” Benjamin drew a deep breath.

“No one says you are.”

“I don’t have a fear of flying.”

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