Page 93 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
“And now he has been thrown to the Wolfe?”
“And now he had to pay for what he did.”
“Wouldn’t some say he already has?”
“Prison didn’t stop him, Ruby.”
I turned and walked from the office. I didn’t want to know what was in that file. I heard him lock the file away and then he followed me to the kitchen.
“Can I make a tea?” I asked.
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest. “I’ll do it. I wish it was different, Ruby. I really do. I didn’t know you were his daughter at first. I hope you believe that. I don’t believe he is your biological father. You don’t bear his surname, you bear your grandmothers.”
I frowned and looked up at him. I’d always assumed I had his name.
“He has his father’s name. Your grandparents never married.”
“I can’t process that you know all this, and I don’t. At what point did you connect me to him?”
“Only recently. Through research, one of my team connected his father to your grandmother.”
“Were you going to tell me?”
“Yes. I just had no idea how or when if you want my honest answer.” He sighed.
He released me and I sat at the breakfast bar. I rested my elbows on the cool marble and cupped my head. I was starting to get a headache. I rubbed at my temples and closed my eyes. I didn’t want to go home in case he returned. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be where I was, either. It wasn’t that I needed away from Sebastian. I needed to be somewhere where I couldn’t ask him more. I had hoped he wouldn’t have told me, but now that can of worms had opened, there were things I was entitled to know, things Ineededto know.
“Is this all why we moved around all the time, do you think?” I asked as he slid a mug in front of me.
“I imagine so. He knew I was looking for him. And I suspect he might have known we are together. If he’s been watching the house, he could have seen me come and go.”
“Why didn’t he run?”
“Being on the run requires a lot of money. Who knows? Maybe he thought there would be some after your grandmother’s death.”
“Did the kids he... you know, did they have a nice life?”
He gently shook his head. “No, not many of them did. Maybe one or two, but mostly, no. And I don’t want to tell you what happened to those that didn’t.”
I nodded and sighed. I didn’t want to know, either. It wasn’t that I didn’t care about what had happened, but I had to protect my mind. Way too much was whirling around in it, as it was.
“What do I do?” I asked, not looking at him.
“What do you want to do? I know what I want, but this is your call now.”
“I don’t want to go home. I don’t want to stay here. It’s not because I don’t love you, Sebastian, and I do... love you. It’s because I don’t want to know any more and I can’t be here when... you know. If I’m here, I’m goingto pester you for information and we’ll end up unhappy, or at least I will.”
He sucked in his lower lip and looked up to the ceiling.
“I was going to move out of the house. It’s too big for me, and I can’t afford the rent on my own. So maybe I should look for a flat. Know of any?” I asked, adding a quick chuckle, a bitter one.
“I do, actually. You can have it rent free for a short term let if you want.”
“I can pay you.”
“I don’t want your money. I want you to be safe and comfortable, and I know you will be there. It was mine before I moved here.”
I nodded. I’d take him up on the offer. I thought it was important we had some space.
