Page 108 of Once a Hero

“I can see that.”

“I’d rather stay home.”

“We’ve established that.”

“But someone has to go rescue my sister.”

“You’d be worried sick if you stayed home,” Jake said.

“Probably. She’s my only family.” Benjamin ordered another sandwich.

The flight attendant was cordial, but Benjamin gave her no time of day. He was stoic, yes, but to Jake, he almost behaved like a grumpy old man.

“Besides, Beatrice needs a chaperone from the likes of you.” Benjamin pointed with his sandwich.

“Better me than the likes of Molyneux,” Jake riposted.

Benjamin stared at him for a moment, and then laughed. “Careful. I might start liking you over Bee’s other boyfriends.”

“What other boyfriends?” Jake decided to be cool about it, but inside he was all jumping jacks.

“Exes.”

“Ah, okay.” Whew. “Say, that looks like some sandwich. Roast beef?”

“Triple layer of cheese with horseradish. You want one, they can make it for you.” He motioned for the flight attendant to take Jake’s orders.

When he was done, Jake checked his phone for the right time zone. “When do we land in Paris?”

“We’re not going to Paris.” Benjamin swiped his tablet. “While you were sleeping, the fake brooch box sent a signal. Kenichi tracked it to Kraków.”

“Kraków, Poland?”

“We arrive in five hours.”

“Five.” That meant Jake had slept for almost ten hours. He must be exhausted.

“Ansel is preparing his team.”

“Will they let him bring his weapons into town?”

“Who says we’re bringing our own weapons?” Benjamin smiled. “We have contacts on the ground—private militia. Costs me a fortune, but this is my sister we’re talking about. I pray she is still alive.”

“She has to be. I don’t think Molyneux wants her dead yet.”

“Why do you say that?” Benjamin crossed his legs.

“They made plans for tea.”

“Seriously? I’d be surprised if a tea party prevents a murderer from murdering.”

“I think Molyneux likes Beatrice and wishes she were her real daughter.”

Benjamin frowned. “I want to see Molyneux up close, see what kind of a person would steal Dad’s heart and then kill him.”

“She’s complex,” Jake said. “The last time I saw her, I was surprised at how ordinary she looked. Even as she was torturing me, she looked like the woman next door who walks her dog and talks to strangers.”

“Huh. As she was torturing you?” Benjamin drew a deep breath. “How can you even talk about it objectively?”

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